Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Central Asia
Antonia Eastwood, Georgy Lazkov and Adrian Newton
FAUNA & FLORA INTERNATIONAL (FFI), founded in 1903 and the
world’s oldest international conservation organization, acts to conserve
threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that
Published by Fauna & Flora International,
are sustainable, are based on sound science and take account of
Cambridge, UK.
human needs.
© 2009 Fauna & Flora International
AUTHORS
Dr Antonia Eastwood was previously Tree Red List
Officer at Fauna & Flora International and is now Plant
Ecologist at the Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen,
Scotland.
THE GLOBAL TREES CAMPAIGN is a joint initiative between FFI and Dr Georgy Lazkov is a plant taxonomist at the Institute
BGCI in partnership with a wide range of other organizations around of Biology and Pedology, National Academy of
Sciences, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
the world. The aim of the Campaign is to save the world’s most
threatened trees and the habitats in which they grow through the Professor Adrian Newton is Professor in Conservation
provision of information, delivery of conservation action and support for Ecology at the School of Conservation Sciences at
Bournemouth University and the Vice Chair of the
sustainable use.
IUCN/SSC Global Tree Specialist Group.
Central Asia
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements 3
Acronyms 3
Foreword 4
Introduction 5
References 22
ANNEX 1
IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria 24
2
The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
he production of this Red List of Natalya Nelina (Institute of Botany and Translation between Russian and English
ACRONYMS
BGCI Botanic Gardens Conservation International IUCN The International Union for Conservation
CEC Commission of the European Communities of Nature
CECON Nature Conservation Centre, Guatemala NTFP Non-Timber Forest Product
CI Conservation International SSC Species Survival Commission
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the UK United Kingdom
United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme
FFI Fauna & Flora International USDA United States Department of Agriculture
GEF Global Environment Facility
GIS Geographical Information System
3
The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
FOREWORD
rees are important to the well-being In many ways Target 2 underpins the
4
The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
INTRODUCTION
Central Asia forms a vast region that The vastness of the region (almost FORESTS AND WOODLANDS OF
stretches from the Caspian Sea in the 4,000,000 km2), its landscapes and CENTRAL ASIA
west to the great Tien Shan mountain altitudinal zonation have led to a wide The aridity of the region means that the
range in the east. The region is range of ecosystem types that include proportion of land under forest or
composed of five independent republics: steppe, riparian tugai, taiga, wetlands, woodland is relatively low when compared
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, snowfields and deserts. These in turn are to more humid regions such as South
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. All five home to threatened species such as America. Tajikistan has the least, with
countries were once part of the Soviet snow leopard Uncia uncia, saiga antelope around 3.9% of its total land area covered
Union until their independence in 1991. Saiga tatarica tatarica and beluga by forest or woodland, whilst Uzbekistan
The largest of the Central Asian countries sturgeon Huso huso. has the most, with 10.1% of its land
is Kazakhstan, with a total land area wooded (FAO, 2006a). Kyrgyzstan,
of just over 2,700,000 km2. Tajikistan The region supports some 8,300 species Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have 6.2%,
is the smallest country, occupying of vascular plants (Kamelin, 2002) of 7% and 8.8% forest and woodland cover
143,100 km2. which approximately 10% are thought to respectively. A large proportion of the
be endemic. The mountains of Central woodland in Kazakhstan and
Central Asia is a region of contrasting Asia are a recognized global biodiversity Turkmenistan is composed of desert
landscapes. In the west it is dominated hotspot (Davis et al., 1995), supporting saxaul Haloxylon spp. shrublands (FAO,
by the barren, rocky Ustyrt Plateau and over 300 wild fruit and nut species. These 2006a). Located primarily in the
the vast Turan Plain, with the Kara-Kum include wild species of apple (four mountains, the forests of Central Asia play
Desert in the south and the Kyzyl-Kum species), almond (8–10 species), cherry a pivotal role in environmental protection,
Desert in the centre. The Kopetdag (8–10 species), plum (4–5 species), and preventing soil erosion and desertification,
Mountains in the south-west form a walnut (one species) as well as many and regulating watersheds.
natural border between Turkmenistan domesticated varieties. The rich diversity
and Iran. The extensive lowland plains in of fruit and nut species in the region led Despite the relatively low forest/woodland
the west and centre of the region, the Russian geneticist and plant breeder cover, Central Asia supports a diverse
comprising largely desert and arid N.I. Vavilov to propose it as one of the range of forest and woodland types,
steppe, eventually give rise to the uplands world’s eight centres of crop origin and some of them unique to the region. The
and then the great mountain ranges of domestication (Hawkes, 1998). In fact, main and most notable forest and
the Tien Shan, the Altai and the Pamir. recent molecular genetic studies strongly woodland types of the region are:
The highest peaks in Central Asia are support the hypothesis that the domestic
Ismoil Somoni Peak (7,495 m), Pobedy apple originated from Kazakhstan (Harris Saxaul Haloxylon spp. shrublands can
Peak (7,439 m) and Lenin’s Peak et al., 2002). be found in the desert and arid steppe
(7,134 m). At altitudes above 3,500 m regions, mostly in Turkmenistan and
permanent snow, rock and glaciers There are 500–600 arborescent species Kazakhstan. These shrublands, which
dominate the landscape. Although the in Central Asia, of which 100–150 can be typically include drought resistant species
region is largely arid, a number of large classified as trees, the remainder being such as Salsola, Calligonum and
rivers such as the Amu-Darya and the shrubs (Lazkov, pers. comm., 2008). This Elaeagnus, play an essential role in
Syr-Darya flow down from the mountains includes taiga species such as Abies preventing soil erosion.
to form lakes such as Issyk-Kul in sibirica and Picea schrenkiana as well as
Kyrgyzstan and the Aral Sea, which lies desert shrubs such as Haloxylon Riparian tugai is restricted to the
on the border of Kazakhstan and persicum and H. aphyllum. High species floodplains of the region and is found
Uzbekistan. These large rivers are diversity and endemism is particularly alongside river courses and streams.
responsible for the verdant, fertile valleys, notable in the shrubby genera Tugai is typically composed of a mixture
such as the Fergana Valley, which today Calligonum, Tamarix, Astragalus, of willow Salix spp., poplar Populus spp.
are intensively irrigated for crops. Cotoneaster, Rosa and Crataegus. and birch Betula spp..
5
The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
Broadleaved fruit and nut forests are environmental protection, recreation and priority. The majority of protected areas
found in the foothills and slopes of the wildlife management (FAO, 2006a). and leskhozes are severely under-
Tien Shan, Pamir-Alai and the Kopetdag Central Asian forests are regionally resourced and lack the necessary
mountains between 800–2,000 m. These recognized as being essential in institutional capacity, financial support and
fragmented forests are incredibly rich in protecting common watersheds and expertize for the effective management of
wild fruit- and nut-bearing species such arresting land degradation and biodiversity and law enforcement (MEP,
as walnuts Juglans regia, apples Malus desertification. 1998; MNPT, 2002; Cornet and
spp., pears Pyrus spp., plums Prunus Rajapbaev, 2004; Jashenko, 2006).
spp. and almonds Amygdalus spp.. State forestry enterprises are also
responsible for the management of some FOREST USE
Juniper (archa) woodlands/shrublands forested protected areas, such as the Despite the low forest cover in Central
are found typically in the dry foothill Badai-Tugai Strict Nature Reserve in Asia, the people of the region have
regions or at mid to high altitude (up to Uzbekistan. The rest of the protected always had a strong association and
3,500 m above sea level), where they areas tend to be managed by nature dependency on forests to provide
take on prostrate forms. Species include protection agencies. All five Central Asian firewood, timber and food (nuts, fruit,
Juniperus seravschanica, J. semiglobosa countries largely inherited the former mushrooms and honey). In fact, the name
and J. turkestanica. Soviet system of protected areas, which of Kazakhstan’s former capital, Almaty,
includes Strict Nature Reserves literally means ‘the Father of Apples’. The
Taiga forests comprising predominantly (zapovedniks), National Parks, Nature long association of humans with apples
spruce and fir species are restricted to Monuments and Special Purpose in the region is demonstrated by the lack
the northern slopes of the Tien Shan Reserves (zakazniks). The highest of distinction between some wild species
between 1,700 m and 2,700 m. Typical protection is provided by zapovedniks and their cultivated varieties (Juniper and
species include Picea schrenkiana and (IUCN Category I), whilst zakazniks have Mabberley, 2006).
Abies sibirica. The endemic Semenov fir the least protection (IUCN Category IV).
Abies semenovii is restricted to small To date, there are 39 zapovedniks, 14 Wood fuel is still important in Kyrgyzstan
areas in western Kyrgyzstan. National Parks, some 67 Nature and Tajikistan where a high proportion of
Monuments and around 150 zakazniks in the population live in rural areas and do
Pistachio Pistacia vera woodlands are Central Asia. These numbers are likely to not have access to fossil fuels. In
found on the lower, drier foothills and increase in the near future as more Tajikistan more than 80% of rural
mountain slopes of western Tien Shan, protected areas are designated. A households rely on wood fuel as a main
Pamir-Alai and Kopetdag. One of the number of zapovedniks were established source of cooking energy (FAO, 2006a).
most notable areas of pistachio is in the to conserve distinct forest types such as Since independence all the Central Asian
Badghyz Strict Nature Reserve the Zaaminsky State Reserve (unique countries apart from Turkmenistan have
(Turkmenistan), where the trees form juniper forest) in Uzbekistan and Sary seen an increase in the demand for wood
extensive open groves covering around Chelek Biosphere Reserve (fruit and nut fuel (FAO, 2006a). Primarily due to low
76,000 ha (MNPT, 2002). forest) in Kyrgyzstan. productivity, forest plantations make up
only a small proportion of the total forest
FOREST MANAGEMENT AND The political and economic collapse of the cover in Central Asia. These are mainly
NATURE CONSERVATION Soviet Union between 1989 and 1991 has set aside for protective measures rather
The majority of the forests and had a profound effect on all the Central than for wood production. Most of the
woodlands in Central Asia are still owned Asian countries, with consequences Central Asian countries depend on
by the state, and management is still including war and civil unrest (UNDP, imported wood, although imports have
largely based on the Soviet system of 2005). The ensuing sharp economic drastically reduced since the break-up of
state forestry enterprises or leskhozes decline has had a huge impact on the Soviet Union (FAO, 2006a). Although
(FAO, 2006a). The main objectives of people’s lives in the region, with nature logging is officially illegal in the majority of
forest management in all the Central conservation and environmental the indigenous forests in Central Asia,
Asian countries are focused on protection subsequently receiving low substantial quantities are still removed
6
The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
(FAO, 2006a). Trees are felled for timber Safarov, 2003; Cornet and Rajapbaev, The forests of the Tien Shan and Pamir-
and, in the case of walnut, to produce 2004; IRIN, 2003) all indicate that Central Alai mountains and the floodplain tugai
veneer for furniture. The amount of illegal Asian forests and woodlands are under forests provide crucial environmental
felling that is currently taking place is not severe threat from over-exploitation, protection and ecosystems services to
known. desertification, pests and diseases, over- the predominately arid Central Asian
grazing and fires. A combination of region. Their loss and degradation not
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such factors including the cessation of only threatens globally unique biodiversity
as walnuts, apples and pistachios are an subsidized timber from the former Soviet and rural livelihoods but also endangers
important source of livelihoods for rural Union, rural poverty, a lack of alternative water supply and regulation, essential to
communities in Central Asia. Collection of energy sources and the lack of fertile agricultural areas such as the
NTFPs ranges from subsistence institutional capacity to protect and Fergana Valley and major metropolises in
harvesting to collection for international regulate forests have all added to the the region.
trade with, for example, China or Turkey. pressure on vulnerable forests of the
In southern Kyrgyzstan, walnut is the region. The forests and woodlands METHODOLOGY USED FOR
most important NTFP and can be a major growing on the foothills of the Tien Shan, CONSERVATION STATUS
source of income for the local population, Palmir-Alai and Kopetdag mountains, ASSESSMENT
especially during years of good harvest especially those near rural settlements, The IUCN/SSC Global Tree Specialist
(Fisher et al., 2004). are most threatened. This includes the Group, in association with the Global
slow-growing juniper forests of Tajikistan Trees Campaign, uses a number of
For rural communities the forests also and Kyrgyzstan, which are threatened by approaches to undertake global
provide grazing for livestock and the firewood collection and over-grazing. assessments of the conservation status
under-storey of wood pastures is cut for Kyrgyzstan, for example, lost some 35% of tree species (Newton and Oldfield,
hay to provide fodder during the winter of its montane juniper in just a few 2008). These include, most importantly,
months. Although grazing is illegal in the decades (MEP, 1998). As firewood close collaboration with regional and
majority of leskhozes in Kyrgyzstan, becomes increasingly scarce around international experts in botany and
livestock grazing in woodland is very settlements, villagers have to go deeper forestry, as well as extensive literature
much the norm (Fisher et al., 2004). and deeper into the forest to satisfy their reviews and searches on online
daily fuel needs. taxonomic and herbarium databases,
THREATS TO FORESTS AND supported by GIS mapping.
WOODLANDS Although an important source of income
The Global Forest Resources for rural communities, unsustainable rates To undertake an assessment of the
Assessment 2005 (FAO, 2006b) indicates of harvesting of NTFPs such as walnuts conservation status of Central Asian trees
that the extent of forests and woodlands continue to pose a huge threat to the the Global Trees Campaign organized a
in Central Asia has remained relatively region’s unique fruit and nut forests. The workshop in July 2006 to bring together
unchanged since 1995. However, the threat is further compounded by a range of regional experts from the
reliability of the data provided for the unregulated logging, grazing, hay-making Central Asian countries. A total of 25
assessment is uncertain owing to the and, more recently, pests such as the participants from Kyrgyzstan,
region’s lack of capacity to monitor and gypsy moth Lymantria dispar. In the Jalal- Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and
conduct forest inventories since the Abad province of Kyrgyzstan local the UK attended the workshop in
break-up of the Soviet Union. There is foresters and residents have noticed Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Regrettably, the
also very little official information on the marked reductions in the walnut and workshop organizers were unable to
actual status of forests, their associated apple harvest in recent years (IRIN, 2003). arrange for an expert from Turkmenistan
species and levels of degradation. A biodiversity hotspot report by to attend. Over the 3-day workshop the
Conservation International (CI, 2008) participants, through much discussion
A number of reports, national biodiversity states that some 90% of fruit and nut and debate, produced a list of nationally
strategies and the experience of regional forest habitats have been lost in the last threatened tree species, a candidate list
experts (MEP, 1998; MNPT, 2002; 50 years. of globally threatened Central Asian tree
7
The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
species, and a preliminary Red List of SUMMARY OF RESULTS Ribes malvifolium, are threatened by
globally threatened trees from Central over-harvesting of fruits and collection of
Asia using the IUCN Red List categories Conservation Number of saplings as rootstock for grafting. More
and criteria (IUCN, 2001). During the Status taxa specifically, Calligonum triste is directly
workshop a map of regional forest cover, Extinct 0 threatened by desertification and soil
derived from satellite remote sensing Critically Endangered 23 salination resulting from the drainage of
imagery, was used to define the potential Endangered 13 the Aral Sea.
distributional range of selected species. Vulnerable 8
For this purpose the Moderate Resolution Near Threatened 5 A number of the species that are
Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Data Deficient 17 Endangered or Vulnerable are wild
Vegetation Continuous Fields (VCF) Least Concern 30 relatives of domesticated fruit and nut
product was used (Hansen et al., 2003). Total Evaluated 96 varieties. This includes wild apricot
This product depicts the percentage tree Not Evaluated 12 Armenica vulgaris (EN), which is
cover at a resolution of 500 m using a threatened by unsustainable harvesting
supervised regression tree algorithm. For Of the 96 taxa evaluated, 44 are and over-collection by national and
each species considered distributional categorized as Critically Endangered, international plant-breeding companies.
ranges were derived by exploring the Endangered or Vulnerable, meaning that Two wild apple species, Malus
expert data elicited during the workshop they are threatened with extinction in the niedzwetzkyana (EN) and Malus sieversii
using ArcView v. 9.1 (ESRI, Redlands, wild according to the IUCN Red List (VU), are still found in the fragmented fruit
USA; www.esri.com). Following the categories and criteria. A further five taxa and nut forests of Central Asia and are
workshop the preliminary Red List was are Near Threatened and 17 are Data threatened by habitat degradation, mainly
reviewed and revised with the assistance Deficient. Data Deficient taxa are those from agricultural development and over-
of the Red List Unit, IUCN Species taxa that are deemed not to have sufficient grazing.
Programme and additional research in information available to assign a Red List
the literature and online databases. category. In the current evaluation this is A number of species are directly
primarily because of the lack of knowledge threatened by over-collection for
RESULTS OF EVALUATION of the conservation status of species firewood. This includes Juniperus
Over the course of the 3-day workshop whose distributions extend outside Central schugnanica (VU), Calligonum calcareum
25 experts from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Asia, for example, into Afghanistan or Iran. (CR) and Calligonum paletzkianum (VU).
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the UK In addition, the lack of capacity of scientific Populations of these species have all
evaluated 96 Central Asian tree and institutions to undertake fieldwork, seen dramatic declines in recent years,
shrub species according to the IUCN Red particularly since the break-up of the particularly those in the vicinity of rural
List categories and criteria (IUCN, 2001). Soviet Union, has reduced the availability settlements.
Twelve tree and shrub taxa listed in the of up-to-date information. This is especially
Red Data Book of Turkmenistan pertinent for Kazakhstan, the ninth largest The experts evaluated both walnut
(Atamuradov et al., 1999) were not country in the world. Juglans regia and pistachio Pistacia vera
evaluated as no national experts from as Near Threatened even though recent
Turkmenistan attended the workshop. A high proportion of the threatened taxa paleontological evidence for walnut in the
The full Red List of globally threatened are Critically Endangered, that is, they Fergana Valley (Kyrgyzstan) suggests it
trees from Central Asia with associated face an extremely high risk of extinction may have an anthropogenic origin, rather
categories and criteria can be found on in the wild. Many of these are narrow than native (Beer et al., 2007). For walnut,
page 13. A summary of the results of the endemics, such as Abies semenovii and the experts have taken a precautionary
evaluation are in the table below. Crataegus knorringiana, whose approach until further evidence becomes
fragmented populations are threatened available because of the global
by cutting and/or over-grazing. Others, significance of the walnut forests in
relatives of domesticated fruit trees and Central Asia and their importance as an
shrubs such as Pyrus korshinskyi and international genetic resource.
8
The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
There is immense pressure on Central In recent times, local people have had little opportunity to engage in forest
Asian forests and woodlands to provide management and planning, although they do have access to forest resources
firewood, timber and NTFPs. State forestry through the leasing of forest plots. These fruit and nut forests are a vital resource for
agencies and protected areas therefore local people, providing fuelwood, food, fodder and grazing for livestock, as well as
face huge challenges in the conservation an important income from the walnut harvest.
of threatened trees and the sustainable use
of forest products. These challenges are The project is initially working in Kara Alma, bringing together community
exemplified by the 44 globally threatened representatives, the local forest service and other stakeholders for open discussions
tree species, a significant proportion of on key issues, resulting in a collaborative conservation management plan for the
which are wild relatives of globally sustainable use of the forest. In addition, following a participatory needs assessment,
important fruit crops. training and essential equipment are being provided to the local forest service to
increase their capacity to work with local communities to protect and manage the
The global importance and plight of the forest. Through the provision of small grants and associated training, local people
unique forests and fruit and nut diversity of are being supported to adopt environmentally sustainable livelihood options to reduce
Central Asia has recently begun to be socio-economic pressures on the forest. These small-scale income generation
initiatives have included bee keeping, fruit preservation, and various small workshops.
PRIORITY NEEDS FOR ACTION in ex situ collections should be established Soviet times and their current conservation
The forests of Central Asia, with their as soon as possible to act as an insurance status is not known. Other DD species
incredibly rich diversity of fruit and nut trees, policy against extinctions in the wild. require collaboration with experts in China,
are of global significance. The conservation National plant genetic resource authorities Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan in order to
of this unique inheritance is paramount, not should be provided with the necessary establish their conservation status.
only for the region but for the whole legal and policy training to establish multi-
international community. It is therefore lateral agreements for the exchange and
imperative that the international community utilisation of plant genetic resources. Once
provides the necessary financial resources, established, these agreements could be a
investment and training to build the mechanism to ensure long-term funding for
capacity of scientific institutions, nature the conservation of globally important
conservation and forestry agencies, genetic resources. It is a sad irony that the
botanic gardens and germplasm banks to progenitor of the domesticated apple,
manage and conserve this unique heritage Malus sieversii, is threatened by extinction
effectively. in its natural environment, whilst the export
value of apples from the top ten apple-
The region’s state forestry agencies and producing countries is over US$3 billion a
protected areas network require substantial year (FAO, 2008). More poignantly, Malus
investment and capacity building. With so sieversii germplasm collected in the 1990s
many challenges faced by these agencies, from Kazakhstan is currently being used by
training in the development of participatory the USDA Agricultural Research Service to
forest management plans, local community improve disease resistance in current apple
engagement, rural development and cultivars (Forsline et al., 2003). So far,
natural resource management is urgently researchers have discovered Malus
needed. Many of the state agencies lack sieversii samples that show resistance to
basic equipment and infrastructure such as apple scab, fire blight, drought and
uniforms, horses or vehicles, numerous soil pathogens (Pons, 2006).
communication equipment and ranger These research findings once again
posts. In order to alleviate the immediate highlight the global importance of
pressures on forests from firewood conserving the wild relatives of
collection and illegal logging, pilot projects domesticated fruit and nut trees.
that provide alternative sources of energy
to villagers should be trialled, assessed and Twenty-three of the trees and shrubs
rolled out. evaluated are Critically Endangered.
Species recovery plans using both in situ
A review of the status of the region’s and ex situ methods need to be developed
botanic gardens, gene bank facilities and and implemented urgently. Close
ex situ tree collections needs to be collaboration between different agencies in
undertaken. This should be coupled with a neighbouring countries may be required for
review of the ex situ collections held transboundary species.
outside the region. Once the state of these
institutions is known a programme of Eighteen of the species are Data Deficient
institutional capacity building, possibly with (DD). For a number of species this is
the formation of a regional network of because of scientific institutions’ lack of
ex situ conservation facilities, should be capacity to conduct basic surveys. A
initiated. Representatives of the 44 number of potentially threatened species
threatened tree species not yet conserved have not been surveyed since before
10
The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
CENTRAL ASIA
R u s si a R u s sia
yl
Tab
Astana
Esil
Oral Karaganda Alta
i Mo
unt
ain
s
a
Zhayy
Irtish
KAZA K H S T A N
Lake Balkhash
Aralsk
Syr-
Aral Dar
ya
Sea
Ile
Almaty
C
UZB
a
EK Bishkek
s
KYRGYZSTAN
p
IS
ia
Bukhara TA Tashkent
Naryn
n
N
Tien Shan Mountains
S
ea
TURKMENISTAN Samarkand
Ashgabat
C hin a
TAJIKISTAN
ns
Am
ntai
Kop u-
Da
et d Garagum Kanaly rya Dushanbe
Mou
ag
Mo
unt
ain
ir
s
Pam
A f g h a n is ta n
I ran Kushka
11
The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
Abies semenovii B.Fedtsch. naturally occurs. In Kazakhstan, it is only known from three
CR B1ab(v) localities: Talgar, Turgen and Torkulak. Threats to the species
Kyrgyzstan include construction, development of tourist resorts, cutting for
Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop fuelwood, harvesting of fruit and the collection of germplasm by
Endemic to Kyrgyzstan, this species has a very narrow both national and international plant-breeding companies. The
distribution range. It is restricted to two localities (Talas and distribution of wild apricot in China needs to be determined.
Chatkal) with an extent of occurrence less than 100 km². Threats
include cutting and disease. Atraphaxis muschketowi Krassn.
EN B1ab(iii)
Ammopiptanthus kamelinii Lazkov Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan
CR B2ab(iii,v) Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop
Kyrgyzstan The species has a very restricted range in Central Asia. In
Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Kazakhstan it only occurs between the Kaskelen and Talgar
A recently described species, A. kamelinii (Lazkov, 2006) was gorges where individuals are sparsely distributed. Expanding
previously included in Ammopiptanthus nanus (Popov) Cheng. tourism and other recreational activities threaten localities.
Endemic to Kyrgyzstan, the species has a very limited
distribution restricted to Kavak-Too Mountain between 1,600– Berberis iliensis Popov
2,000 m above sea level. Threats include mining, fossil VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
exploration, poor regeneration and natural hazards. The total Kazakhstan, China
number of individuals in Kyrgyzstan is around 3,000–4,000. Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop
This Berberis species is restricted to the Ili River basin in
Amygdalus bucharica Korsh. Kazakhstan and China. The small fragmented sub-populations
VU B2ab(iii,v) are threatened by water extraction, cutting and fire.
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Berberis karkaralensis Kornilova & Potapov
Endemic to Central Asia, this species is in decline in Uzbekistan. CR B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Main threats are grazing, collection of fruit for almond oil and Kazakhstan
poor regeneration caused by intermittent fruiting. Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop
A narrow endemic restricted to central Kazakhstan in the Kent
Amygdalus ledebouriana Schlecht. and Karkaraly mountains. Although the species occurs in
EN B1ab(iii) protected areas it continues to be threatened by tourism,
Kazakhstan grazing and natural fires.
Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop
The species is endemic to east Kazakhstan in the Altai and Betula jarmolenkoana Goloskokov
Tarbagatai mountain ranges. It occurs on mountain slopes and CR B1ab(iii,v)+ B2ab(iii,v)
along river valleys. The extent of occurrence is less than 100 Kazakhstan
km2. Threats include cutting, habitat reduction and the collection Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop
of fruit and flowers. The flowers are particularly in demand for A narrow relict endemic restricted to three river basins (Kokpa,
international women’s day. The nuts are used for almond oil Tekes and Bayankol/Narynkol) in one mountain range. Declines
production. in the extent of habitat have been observed, primarily because
of fire.
Armeniaca vulgaris Lam.
EN B1ab(iii) Betula kirghisorum Sawicz
China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan CR B2ab(v)
Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Kazakhstan
The wild apricot, the origin of all cultivated apricots, is Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop
considered very rare in all three Central Asian countries where it Although known from four localities, including the Siberian
12
The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
lowlands of Kustanai province and the Chingiz Tau Mountains in Calligonum calcareum Pavlov
eastern Kazakhstan, the species has a very restricted area of CR B2ab(iii,v)
occupancy (less than 10 km²). The total population is less than Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
1,000 individual trees and regeneration is poor. Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop
The species is restricted to a specific soil type in the Sokh River
Betula pamirica Litv. basin. It is threatened by over-grazing and cutting. Its timber is
VU B2ab(v) highly valued for tandoori cooking.
Tajikistan (possibly Kyrgyzstan)
Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Calligonum elegans V.P.Drobow
This birch species is restricted to the Pamir-Alai range in EN B2ab(iii,v)
Tajikistan (possibly also Kyrgyzstan) at altitudes between 2,500– Uzbekistan
3,300 m. The species is scarce, declining and only known from Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop
five localities (Darvaz, Vanj, Rushan, Gunt and Shokhdara). The The species is restricted to a narrow ecological niche in the Sokh
species is considered to be a synonym of B. tianschanica Rupr. River basin, southern Ferghana. It is threatened by cutting and
by some taxonomists. grazing.
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The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
Pistacia vera L.
NT
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop
Although widely distributed throughout Central Asia the pistachio
is threatened by fruit collection, livestock grazing and cutting.
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The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
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The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
Quercus robur L.
Widespread in Europe.
Vitis vinifera L.
Although threatened by collection the species is widely
distributed in Central Asia and the Mediterranean.
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The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
The following trees and shrubs are listed in the Red Data Book
of Turkmenistan (Atamuradov et al., 1999) but have yet to be
globally evaluated according to the IUCN Red List categories
and criteria (IUCN, 2001). Although these species are threatened
in Turkmenistan it is unlikely that the majority will be threatened
globally as many have distributions outside Turkmenistan.
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The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
REFERENCES
Atamuradov, Kh. I., Karyeva, O., Shammakov, S. and Fisher, R.J., Schmidt, K., Steenhoof, B. and Akenshaev, N.
Yazkulyev, A. [Eds.] (1999) The Red Data Book of (2004) Poverty and Forestry: A Case Study of Kyrgyzstan with
Turkmenistan, Vol. 2 (Plants). Ministry of Nature Protection of Reference to Other Countries in West and Central Asia. FAO
Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Livelihood Support Programme, Working Paper 13. FAO,
Rome, Italy.
Beer, R., Kaiser, F., Schmidt, K., Ammann, B., Carraro, G.,
Grisa, E. and Tinner, W. (2007) Vegetation History of the Forsline, P.L., Aldwinckle, H.S., Dickson, E.E., Luby, J.J.
Walnut-fruit Forests in Kyrgyzstan (Central Asia): Natural or and Hokanson, S. (2003) Collection, Maintenance,
Anthropogenic origin? In: Reconstruction of the Holocene Characterization and Utilisation of Wild Apples of Central Asia.
Vegetation and Fire History in the Different Forest Types of In: Wild Apple and Fruit Trees of Central Asia (eds Janick, J.,
Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, pp. 44–82. PhD thesis, University of Forsline, P., Dickson, E., Way, R. and Thompson, M.),
Bern, Switzerland. Horticultural Review, 29, 1–61.
Conservation International (2008) Biodiversity Hotspots: Hansen, M.C., DeFries, R.S., Townshend, J.R.G., Carroll,
Mountains of Central Asia. Conservation International, M., Dimiceli, C. and Sohlberg, R.A. (2003) Global Percent
Washington, DC, USA. Available at: http://www.biodiversity Tree Cover at a Spatial Resolution of 500 meters: First Results
hotspots.org/xp/hotspots/central_asia/ [accessed 3 of the MODIS Vegetation Continuous Fields Algorithm. Earth
September 2008]. Interactions, 7, 1–15.
Cornet J.G. and Rajapbaev, M. (2004) Criteria and Harris, S.A., Robinson, J.P. and Juniper, B.E. (2002)
Indicators for the Sustainable Management of Juniper Forests Genetic Clues to the Origin of the Apple. Trends in Genetics,
in South Kyrgyzstan. Nancy, Ecole Nationale du Génie Rural, 18(8), 426–430.
des Eaux et des Forêts, Commission of the European
Communities, Artcha JUMP Project. Hawkes, J.G. (1998) Back to Vavilov: Why Were Plants
Domesticated in Some Areas and Not in Others? In: The
Davis, S.D., Heywood, V.H. and Hamilton, A.C. (1995) Origins of Agriculture and Crop Domestication (eds Damania,
Centres of Plant Diversity: A Guide and Strategy for their A.B., Valkoun, J., Willcox, G. and Qualset, C.O.). ICARDA,
Conservation. Vol. 2: Asia, Australia and the Pacific. WWF and Aleppo, Syria.
IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.
ILDIS (2007) The International Legume Database &
Dzhangaliev, A.D., Salova, T.N. and Turekhanova, P.M. Information Service. Available at: http://www.ildis.org/
(2003) The Wild Fruit and Nut Plants of Kazakhstan. In: Wild [accessed 5 October 2007].
Apple and Fruit Trees of Central Asia (eds Janick, J., Forsline,
P., Dickson, E., Way, R. and Thompson, M.), Horticultural IPNI (2007). International Plant Names Index. Available at:
Review, 29, 305–371. http://www.ipni.org/ [accessed 5 October 2007].
FAO (2006a) People, Forests and Trees of West and Central IRIN (2003) Kyrgyzstan: Focus on Deforestation in the South.
Asia: Outlook for 2020. FAO Forestry Paper No. 152. FAO, UN Humanitarian News and Information Service. Available at:
Rome, Italy. http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=20728
[accessed 10 September 2008].
FAO (2006b) Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005:
Progress Towards Sustainable Forest Management. FAO IUCN (2001) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version
Forestry Paper No. 147. FAO, Rome, Italy. 3.1. IUCN Species Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland,
Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.
FAO (2008) FAOSTAT Database. FAO, Rome, Italy. Available
at: http://faostat.fao.org/ [accessed 10 September 2008].
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Jashenko, R. (ed.) (2006) Strict Nature Reserves of Central TROPICOS (2009) Available at: http://www.tropicos.org/
Asia. Nature Protected Areas of Central Asia No. 1. Tethys, [accessed 9 February 2009].
Almaty, Kazakhstan.
UNDP (2005) Central Asia Human Development Report:
Juniper B.E. and Mabberley, D.J. (2006) The Story of the Bringing Down Barriers. Regional Cooperation for Human
Apple. Timber Press, Inc. Oregon, USA. Development and Human Security. UNDP Regional Bureau for
Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States,
Kamelin, R.V. (2002) Foreword. In: Umbelliferae (Zontichnye) Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
of Kyrgyzstan (eds Pimenov, M.G., Kamelin, R.V. and Kliuikov,
E.V.). KMK Scientific Press, Moscow, Russia.
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The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
ANNEX 1
IUCN RED LIST CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA
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The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following:
reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1. (i) extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy
3. A population size reduction of ≥80%, projected or suspected (iii) number of locations or subpopulations
to be met within the next 10 years or three generations, (iv) number of mature individuals.
whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years), based
on (and specifying) any of (b) to (e) under A1. C. Population size estimated to number fewer than 250 mature
individuals and either:
4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected 1. An estimated continuing decline of at least 25% within three
population size reduction of ≥80% over any 10 year or three years or one generation, whichever is longer, (up to a
generation period, whichever is longer (up to a maximum of maximum of 100 years in the future) OR
100 years in the future), where the time period must include
both the past and the future, and where the reduction or its 2. A continuing decline, observed, projected, or inferred, in
causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR numbers of mature individuals AND at least one of the
may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to following (a-b):
(e) under A1. (a) Population structure in the form of one of the following:
(i) no subpopulation estimated to contain more than
B. Geographic range in the form of either B1 (extent of occurrence) 50 mature individuals, OR
OR B2 (area of occupancy) OR both: (ii) at least 90% of mature individuals in one
1. Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km2, and subpopulation.
estimates indicating at least two of a-c: (b) Extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals.
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single
location. D. Population size estimated to number fewer than 50 mature
b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in individuals.
any of the following:
(i) extent of occurrence E. Quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the
(ii) area of occupancy wild is at least 50% within 10 years or three generations,
(iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years).
(iv) number of locations or subpopulations
(v) number of mature individuals. ENDANGERED (EN)
c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following: A taxon is Endangered when the best available evidence indicates
(i) extent of occurrence that it meets any of the following criteria (A to E), and it is therefore
(ii) area of occupancy considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild:
(iii) number of locations or subpopulations A. Reduction in population size based on any of the following:
(iv) number of mature individuals. 1. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size
reduction of ≥70% over the last 10 years or three generations,
2. Area of occupancy estimated to be less than 10 km2, and whichever is the longer, where the causes of the reduction are
estimates indicating at least two of a-c: clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased, based on
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single (and specifying) any of the following:
location. (a) direct observation
b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in (b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon
any of the following: (c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence
(i) extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat
(ii) area of occupancy (d) actual or potential levels of exploitation
(iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat (e) the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens,
(iv) number of locations or subpopulations pollutants, competitors or parasites.
(v) number of mature individuals.
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The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
(d) actual or potential levels of exploitation b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any
(e) the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, of the following:
pollutants, competitors or parasites. (i) extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy
2. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat
reduction of ≥30% over the last 10 years or three generations, (iv) number of locations or subpopulations
whichever is the longer, where the reduction or its causes may (v) number of mature individuals.
not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following:
reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1. (i) extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy
3. A population size reduction of ≥30%, projected or suspected (iii) number of locations or subpopulations
to be met within the next 10 years or three generations, (iv) number of mature individuals.
whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years), based
on (and specifying) any of (b) to (e) under A1. C. Population size estimated to number fewer than 10,000 mature
individuals and either:
4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected 1. An estimated continuing decline of at least 10% within 10
population size reduction of ≥30% over any 10 year or three years or three generations, whichever is longer, (up to a
generation period, whichever is longer (up to a maximum of maximum of 100 years in the future) OR
100 years in the future), where the time period must include
both the past and the future, AND where the reduction or its 2. A continuing decline, observed, projected, or inferred, in
causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR numbers of mature individuals AND at least one of the
may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to following (a-b):
(e) under A1. (a) Population structure in the form of one of the following:
(i) no subpopulation estimated to contain more than
B. Geographic range in the form of either B1 (extent of occurrence) 1000 mature individuals, OR
OR B2 (area of occupancy) OR both: (ii) all mature individuals are in one subpopulation.
1. Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 20,000 km2, (b) Extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals.
and estimates indicating at least two of a-c:
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than D. Population very small or restricted in the form of either of the
10 locations. following:
b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any 1. Population size estimated to number fewer than 1000 mature
of the following: individuals.
(i) extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy 2. Population with a very restricted area of occupancy (typically
(iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat less than 20 km2) or number of locations (typically five or fewer)
(iv) number of locations or subpopulations such that it is prone to the effects of human activities or
(v) number of mature individuals. stochastic events within a very short time period in an
c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following: uncertain future, and is thus capable of becoming Critically
(i) extent of occurrence Endangered or even Extinct in a very short time period.
(ii) area of occupancy
(iii) number of locations or subpopulations E. Quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the
(iv) number of mature individuals. wild is at least 10% within 100 years.
2. Area of occupancy estimated to be less than 2000 km2, and Source: IUCN (2001)
estimates indicating at least two of a-c:
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than
10 locations.
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The Red List of Trees of Central Asia
The Red List of
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