CoP17 Prop. 59

Inclusion of Algerian Fir Abies numidica in Appendix I
Proponent: Algeria
Summary: Abies numidica, the Algerian Fir, is an evergreen coniferous tree which grows to a height of
20-35m1. It is native to Algeria where it occurs only at 1800-2000m elevation on Djebel Babor, part of thePetite Kabylie Mountain Range. The total extent of forests containing the species is estimated at less than
30km2 with the fir only occupying a small portion of this. Access to the area is highly restricted because ofsecurity problems and there are no recent population estimates. A 2011 report stated that the number oftrees had halved since the 1950s, although the basis of this is not known2.
The area is a Nature Reserve to which entry is controlled; wardens try to prevent timber extraction, hunting
and livestock grazing although these activities apparently still persist, with grazing in particular said toseriously affect plant regeneration. Fires are also reportedly a hazard2.
A number of specific conservation proposals have been suggested and relevant authorities are said to bevery supportive of action to protect the site, but no more recent information is available regarding its current
status and management1.
Algerian Fir is not exploited for timber3 but it is grown as an ornamental tree in parks and larger gardens,
being valued among firs for its drought tolerance and attractive appearance 4. However it is sensitive to lowtemperatures and to air pollution in urban environments3. It is mostly cultivated in countries around theMediterranean Sea, where it is sometimes planted in hedges as it takes trimming well 3. Few cultivars areknown. The species hybridises readily with other Abies spp., so that seed collected from cultivated trees isoften hybrid3. As a result the species has reportedly mostly been grown from seed collected in situ, althoughsome nurseries use grafting techniques as a method of propagation5. There are no indications of wildcollection of plants, nor is it known if seed is collected from wild plants at present.
This species is reported to be present in 72 botanic gardens6. Availability of the species on-line appears tobe very limited.
This species is classified in the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered (2011).
Analysis: The species has a restricted range and has a population which is apparently declining, so that it
appears to meet the biological criteria for listing in Appendix I. If trade from the wild population does occur,
which is not known, it is almost certainly in seeds. Unless very substantial quantities were collected, orharvest were destructive (through felling of the trees) such trade would be highly unlikely to have an effect on
the wild population. It is not clear therefore whether the species meets the criteria for inclusion in Appendix I.
A listing with no annotation would mean all parts and products were included.
References:Information not referenced in the Summary section is from the Supporting Statement.
1 Yahi, N., Knees, S.G. & Gardner, M.F. (2013) Abies numidica. Threatened Conifers of the World

http://threatenedconifers.rbge.org.uk/taxa/details/104. Viewed June 2016.
2 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) (2011) Northern Africa: Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.
http://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0513. Viewed June 2016.
3 Conifers of the World (2016) Pinaceae Abies numidica.
http://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/conifers/CONIFERS/Species/Record/1323. Viewed June 2016.
4 American Conifer Society (2016) Abies numidica. http://conifersociety.org/conifers/conifer/abies/numidica/. Viewed
June 2016.
5 Haddow, G. (2016) In litt. to IUCN/TRAFFIC Analyses Team, Cambridge, UK.
6 BGCI (2016) Plant Search. http://www.bgci.org/plant_search.php. Viewed June 2016.

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