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The Tertiary relict tree Zelkova abelicea (Ulmaceae): distribution, population structure and conservation status on Crete

Kozlowski, Gregor ; Frey, David ; Fazan, Laurence ; Egli, Bernhard ; Bétrisey, Sébastien ; Gratzfeld, Joachim ; Garfì, Giuseppe ; Pirintsos, Stergios

In: Oryx, 2014, vol. 48, no. 1, p. 80-87

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    Titre
    • The Tertiary relict tree Zelkova abelicea (Ulmaceae): distribution, population structure and conservation status on Crete
    Auteur
    • Kozlowski, Gregor. Department of Biology and Botanic Garden, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
    • Frey, David. Department of Biology and Botanic Garden, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
    • Fazan, Laurence. Department of Geosciences, Conservation Biogeography, University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland
    • Egli, Bernhard. Bioforum, Schaffhausen, Switzerland
    • Bétrisey, Sébastien. Department of Biology and Botanic Garden, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
    • Gratzfeld, Joachim. Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Richmond, Surrey, UK
    • Garfì, Giuseppe. National Research Council, Institute of Plant Genetics, Palermo, Italy
    • Pirintsos, Stergios. Department of Biology, University of Crete, Greece, and Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Greece
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:304149
    Summary
    Relict species provide a unique opportunity to understand past and recent biogeographical and evolutionary processes. Zelkova abelicea (Ulmaceae), which is endemic to the island of Crete (Greece), is one of the most prominent Tertiary relict trees of the Mediterranean region. We collected distribution, threat and population structure data by reviewing literature and herbaria and through field surveys at 14 study plots throughout the range of the species. The present distribution of Z. abelicea is extremely fragmented. Although the total estimated number of individuals is relatively high, the populations are dominated by dwarf, severely browsed, non-flowering individuals. The population structure is asymmetric. At most, 5% of a plot's trees are large and fruit-bearing. The asymmetric structure is particularly pronounced in isolated and small populations. Based on its limited geographical range, the fragmented spatial pattern, and data on distribution and population structure, our study confirms that Z. abelicea is a threatened species (IUCN category Endangered). Our research aim is to promote the development of new approaches for the improvement of conservation strategies for Tertiary relict trees characterized by major local disjunctions