Prunus arabica | UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants

Taxa
Prunus arabica | (Olivier) Meikle
Publication
UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
Taxonomic Group
Plants
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Flowering Plants
Assessed taxon level
Species
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
In the UAE, this species is widespread but restricted to the Ru'us al-Jibal at moderate (from c. 800 m) to high elevations. Although it is present in the Eastern Hajar Mountains, it is absent in the Western Hajar Mountains (G.R. Feulner, in litt, MEW 2010), although also found in Musandam (Patzelt 2015). In the Eastern Hajar Mountains, it is observed from altitudes of c. 600 m and is considered to be among the dominant trees at altitudes above c. 1000 m (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Feulner 2011). The native range of this species is Turkey to northern Iran and the Arabian Peninsula (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2019).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species is found in shallow wadi banks and mountain slopes up to high altitudes above c. 800 m. It is a perennial shrub or tree growing up to 4 m in height, producing solitary flowers through January to April (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Feulner 2011). It also produces spindle-shaped brown nuts (Jongbloed et al. 2003).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Least Concern
Assessment status abreviation
LC
Assessment rationale/justification
This species occurs at a wide range of altitudes in the eastern UAE where it is still a very common species, and is assessed as Least Concern at present. However, it is uncertain whether recruitment is occurring, it may be vulnerable to climate change, and it is considered a 'keystone' indicator species for the habitat. As such, ongoing monitoring is required.
About the assessment
Assessment year
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
Government
IGO
Assessor affiliation specific
Government|IGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1 + Regional Guidelines v4.0
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Endemism
Endemic to region
Not_assigned
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: Not_assigned
Conservation
Threats listed in assessment
Grazing by livestock may impact the species in parts of its range. Recruitment is uncertain.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Prunus arabica Plantae Tracheophyta Magnoliopsida Rosales Rosaceae Prunus