SICILIAN ZELKOVA

Common Name:             Sicilian Zelkova
Scientific Name:             Zelkova sicula         

Introduction

Discovered as recently as 1991, this Zelkova is thought to survive in just two tiny locations in SE Sicily. The first population to be found numbers between 200 and 250 and is declining, while a second location was found in 2009. None of them grow much above 2m in height. The plants have been seen flowering only once and produced no viable seed, instead reproducing via root suckers. Studies have shown very little genetic variation among the trees, and scientists believe that all of them have descended from just one or perhaps a few parents.

Why is this species important?

There are only two species of Zelkova in Europe, the other being Z. abelicea which is endemic to Crete. Zelkova used to be more widespread before the most recent glacial period, but the changing climatic conditions meant they were only able to survive in isolated pockets. Z. sicula and Z. abelicea are both good examples of such relict species.

Where is it found?

The first population discovered is confined to a short stretch of river valley in the Iblei mountains, SE Sicily. It grows in open woodland among mainly Quercus suber and Olea europea var sylvestris. The second population was found 17km from the first.

How do people use it?

There are no known uses for this species.

Why is it threatened?

The size of the tiny population and area in which it grows put Z. sicula at particular risk. The limited genetic variation also makes it less able to adapt to changing conditions. It is thought to be already at the very edge of its range, but there are several factors making the situation worse: Habitat degradation – Years of logging, hard grazing and cork harvesting have all had negative impacts on the local vegetation. Climate - the area is subject to severe summer droughts, which have caused several of the trees to die over the past few years. Flowering has only been observed once, in 1996, following an unusually wet summer.

What conservation action is needed?

The area was fenced off to protect it from grazing in 1994, and it is within a Site of Community Importance. Several specimens exist in collections ex-situ. However, there are no legal measures in place to protect this species.

Habitat restoration measures should be put in place.

Selected References

B de Montmollin & W Strahm (ed), (2005), ‘The top 50 Mediterranean island plants : wild plants at the brink of extinction, and what is needed’, Gland : Cambridge : IUCN

IUCN Red List - www.redlist.org

Acknowledgements

This tree profile was researched and written by Beccy Middleton.

Photo: By MIPSG/SSC/IUCN, via Wikimedia Commons

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