Credit: C.Giordano/EUFORGEN
Credit: C.Giordano/EUFORGEN
To learn more about the map elements, please download the "Pan-European strategy for genetic conservation of forest trees"
This distribution map has been developed by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (partly based on the EUFORGEN map) and released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY 4.0)
Caudullo, G., Welk, E., San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., 2017. Chorological maps for the main European woody species. Data in Brief 12, 662-666. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2017.05.007
The following experts have contributed to the development of the EUFORGEN distribution maps:
Fazia Krouchi (Algeria), Hasmik Ghalachyan (Armenia), Thomas Geburek (Austria), Berthold Heinze (Austria), Rudi Litschauer (Austria), Rudolf Litschauer (Austria), Michael Mengl (Austria), Ferdinand Müller (Austria), Franz Starlinger (Austria), Valida Ali-zade (Azerbaijan), Vahid Djalal Hajiyev (Azerbaijan), Karen Cox (Belgium), Bart De Cuyper (Belgium), Olivier Desteucq (Belgium), Patrick Mertens (Belgium), Jos Van Slycken (Belgium), An Vanden Broeck (Belgium), Kristine Vander Mijnsbrugge (Belgium), Dalibor Ballian (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Alexander H. Alexandrov (Bulgaria), Alexander Delkov (Bulgaria), Ivanova Denitsa Pandeva (Bulgaria), Peter Zhelev Stoyanov (Bulgaria), Joso Gracan (Croatia), Marilena Idzojtic (Croatia), Mladen Ivankovic (Croatia), Željka Ivanović (Croatia), Davorin Kajba (Croatia), Hrvoje Marjanovic (Croatia), Sanja Peric (Croatia), Andreas Christou (Cyprus), Xenophon Hadjikyriacou (Cyprus), Václav Buriánek (Czech Republic), Jan Chládek (Czech Republic), Josef Frýdl (Czech Republic), Petr Novotný (Czech Republic), Martin Slovacek (Czech Republic), Zdenek Špišek (Czech Republic), Karel Vancura (Czech Republic), Ulrik Bräuner (Denmark), Bjerne Ditlevsen (Denmark), Jon Kehlet Hansen (Denmark), Jan Svejgaard Jensen (Denmark), Kalev Jðgiste (Estonia), Tiit Maaten (Estonia), Raul Pihu (Estonia), Ülo Tamm (Estonia), Arvo Tullus (Estonia), Aivo Vares (Estonia), Teijo Nikkanen (Finland), Sanna Paanukoski (Finland), Mari Rusanen (Finland), Pekka Vakkari (Finland), Leena Yrjänä (Finland), Daniel Cambon (France), Eric Collin (France), Alexis Ducousso (France), Bruno Fady (France), François Lefèvre (France), Brigitte Musch (France), Sylvie Oddou-Muratorio (France), Luc E. 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Genetic diversity and speciation of many Mediterranean firs is the result of ice-age isolation in southern refugia and postglacial colonization northward (Cobo-Simón et al., 2020). Spanish fir is characterized by small and fragmented relict populations in the Sierra de las Nieves in Spain. Limited genetic distribution and low (but considerable) among-population genetic diversity was found in Spanish fir populations, with artificial stands having lower genetic diversity (Santini et al., 2020). However, there is evidence of genetic drift and genetic bottlenecks, likely because of climatic changes during the last glacial cycle (Cobo-Simón et al., 2020). The species was also found to have high genetic differentiation (Dering et al., 2014).
Spanish fir has been isolated by the strait of Gibraltar, as indicated by the absence of genetic mixing with silver fir and limited mixing with Moroccan fir (Dering et al., 2014). Isolation of Spanish fir populations has limited gene flow, leading to genetic differentiation and unique genetic traits within each population, but has also limited the gene pool. The limited gene pool makes the species vulnerable to environmental changes and pathogens, and inbreeding has led to a decrease in the genetic variability of the species (Martín, Alvarez and Martín, 2010). Low genetic variability could be a potential limitation for future adaptation to climate change. However, the species displays high level of genetic plasticity, allowing it to adapt to areas exposed to summer drought (Santini et al., 2020).
The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2024.
Mediterranean firs originated from a common ancestor, then split into eastern, southern and western gene pools (Alizoti et al., 2011). This means they can hybridize easily and the genetic relationship between fir species and populations is complex as firs show wide genetic variation at a morphological level (Dering et al., 2014). The name “Spanish fir” was at one time applied to three botanical varieties: Abies pinsapo var. pinsapo in southern Spain and Abies pinsapo var. maroccana and Abies pinsapo var. tazaotana in northern Morocco (Dering et al., 2014). However, tazaotana and maroccanna are now recognized as the same species and Abies pinsapo or Spanish fir as a distinct species within the Abies genus distinguished from Moroccan fir (Alizoti et al., 2011; Dering et al., 2014).
The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2024.
Spanish fir has low pollen production and has been experiencing reductions in genetic diversity and stand decay (Martín, Alvarez and Martín, 2010). It is considered a near-threatened species, particularly from fungus and insect outbreaks after dry periods or droughts, which will become more common with a changing climate (Alizoti et al., 2011). Overharvesting, overgrazing, prolonged drought, and wildfires are also major threats to Mediterranean firs, with climate change increasing fire frequency, which will affect reproduction and regeneration of firs (Alizoti et al., 2011).
Spanish fir is present in three protected National Parks declared “Biosphere Reserves” by UNESCO: Sierra de Grazalema, Sierra de las Nieves, and Reales de Sierra Bermeja (Martín et al., 2010). Conservation efforts aim to protect the existing genetic diversity and promote gene flow between populations to improve the species' resilience to environmental challenges and at reducing habitat loss (Cobo-Simón et al., 2020). Guidelines include establishment of conservation units that meet pan-European minimum requirements for dynamic gene conservation. Management of gene conservation units should aim at assisting natural regeneration, but if this is not possible artificial regeneration should use local genetic material (Alizoti et al., 2011).
The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2024.
Abies spp - Technical guidelines for genetic conservation and use for Mediterranean firs
Publication Year: 2011Due to the threats, endemism and geographically scattered distribution, the conservation of Mediterranean firs and their genetic resources is a major challenge.
The genetic resources of the firs are currently conserved in various protected areas that have rarely been established for this purpose. Due to their evolutionary history and specific adaptation, the fir forests harbour unique genetic resources that are important beyond the Mediterranean. Thus, the establishment of conservation units for the firs that meet pan-European minimum requirements for dynamic gene conservation is of crucial importance.
At present, several of the species and their genetic resources are protected either in situ (national parks, nature reserves and gene conservation units) or ex situ (conservation seed orchards and stands). The critically endangered A. nebrodensis is conserved in situ in the Madonie Regional Park in Sicily, but the reinforcement of the species has been problematic mainly due to soil degradation in its natural habitat. A. nebrodensis is also conserved ex situ in a seed orchard (with grafts of the 29 remaining individuals of the species) in Arezzo, in botanical gardens (40 000 plants in the Botanical Garden of Palermo), arboreta and in private properties in the Madonie Mountains close to the natural habitat. A. borisiiregis and A. cephalonica are protected in situ in various protected areas in Greece. Genetic material, representing almost the whole natural distribution of the fir species, is included in provenance trials established in Greece and France. A. cilicica is protected in national parks, nature reserves and seed stands in ten areas in Turkey and in Lebanon while in Syria it is considered as an endangered species. A. equi-trojani is conserved in situ in the Kazdagi Goknari nature reserve in Turkey. A. nordmanniana is also covered by protected areas in Turkey and several provenances are growing ex situ in test sites, plantations and arboreta in Denmark and France. The A. pinsapo forests are included in three protected areas in Spain. A. numidica is protected in the Djebel Barbor nature reserve located in the Petite Kabylia Mountain range of Algeria and the same provenance is reportedly also conserved in ex situ stands. At present A. marocana is conserved in a nature reserve in Morocco and seven ex situ stands have also been established for the species.
Climate change will have an impact on the current in situ conservation efforts but it is difficult to predict its effect on seed production, natural regeneration and recruitment of the firs as well as on the risks from insects and pathogens. The dynamic gene conservation units should be monitored in order to ensure that the populations are not seriously affected and that they retain their evolutionary potential and regenerate naturally. Management of the units should aim mainly at assisting natural regeneration and when this is not possible, the area should be artificially regenerated with local genetic material. Management of natural forests should also safeguard genetic resources by allowing natural selection to occur on regeneration in a variety of situations. Ex situ conservation efforts should focus on small populations that have an endangered status, insufficient seed production or unsuccessful pollination in their natural environment. This approach is useful especially in case of rare species or species with limited or scattered distribution as ex situ stands with a sufficient number of genotypes form new interbreeding populations that will produce seeds with a potentially high genetic diversity.
Mediterranean firs offers an opportunity to tackle the predicted forest decline in southern Europe as a result of climate change. A. nordmanniana has already been used for reforestation in Europe. Other Mediterranean firs (particularly A. cephalonica, A. bornmuelleriana and A. cilicica) are far less water demanding and could represent an alternative for silver fir (A. alba) in Europe. Fir provenance tests in the Mediterranean include material that has demonstrated good growth, adaptation to drought and late bud burst in spring. Such provenances of Mediterranean firs could be of interest for the European forestry.
Due to the threats, endemism and geographically scattered distribution, the conservation of Mediterranean firs and their genetic resources is a major challenge.
The genetic resources of the firs are currently conserved in various protected areas that have rarely been established for this purpose. Due to their evolutionary history and specific adaptation, the fir forests harbour...
Contacts of experts
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Further reading
Terrab, A., Talavera, S., Arista, M., Paun, O., Stuessy, T.F., and Tremetsberger, K. 2007. Genetic diversity at chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSRs) and geographic structure in endangered West Mediterranean firs (Abies spp., Pinaceae). TAXON, 56: 409–416.
References
Alizoti, P.G., Fady, B., Prada, M.A., and Vendramin, G.G. 2011. EUFORGEN Technical Guidelines for genetic conservation and use of Mediterranean firs (Abies spp.). Maccarese, Rome, Bioversity International. 6 pp.
Cobo-Simón, I., Méndez-Cea, B., Jump, A.S., Seco, J., Gallego, F.J., and Linares, J.C., 2020. Understanding genetic diversity of relict forests. Linking long-term isolation legacies and current habitat fragmentation in Abies pinsapo boiss. Forest Ecology and Management, 461: 117947. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020.117947
Dering, M., Sękiewicz, K., Boratyńska, K., Litkowiec, M., Iszkuło, G., Romo, A., and Boratyński, A. 2014. Genetic diversity and inter-specific relations of western Mediterranean relic Abies taxa as compared to the Iberian A. alba. Flora – Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 209: 367–374.
Martín, M.A., Alvarez, J.B., and Martín, L.M. 2010. Genetic diversity of Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo boiss.) populations by means of megagametophyte storage proteins. Annals of Forest Science, 67: 603–603.
Santini, F., Shestakova, T.A., Dashevskaya, S., Notivol, E., and Voltas, J. 2020. Dendroecological and genetic insights for future management of an old-planted forest of the endangered Mediterranean fir Abies pinsapo. Dendrochronologia, 63: 125754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dendro.2020.125754
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