Taxon name
Prunus arabica
(Olivier) Meikle
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Prunus arabica
(Olivier) Meikle
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Plants
Flowering Plants
Species authority
(Olivier) Meikle
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
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.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
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.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
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).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
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).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Grazing by livestock may impact the species in parts of its range. Recruitment is uncertain.
Publication
Allen, D.J., Westrip, J.R.S., Puttick, A., Harding, K.A., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Ali, H. 2021. UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants. Technical Report. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates, Dubai.
