Grows in mixed forests with Quercus spp., Pinus nigra and Fagus orientalis at an altitudinal range of between 750-1,450 m. on north-facing slopes (Kay, 2005) or in pure stands (Özel and Simsar 2009).

Red List Category

Red List Criteria

Version

2011

Knees, S. & Gardner, M.

Thomas, P. & Farjon, A.

Justification

History

• 1998
  Lower Risk/near threatened
  (Oldfield et al. 1998)
• 1997
  Not Threatened
  (Walter and Gillett 1998)

A fragmented population, the most disjunct being the western subpopulation in the Kaz Dagi Mountains on Mt. Ida which occurs close to the Aegean Sea. The two subpopulations are ca 250 km apart

Decreasing

The Mt. Ida subpopulation has suffered from illegal logging by local villagers (Özel and Simser 2009). There is also degradation of the habitat caused by the density of visitor numbers to the National Park, especially as a result of the annual Sarikiz Festival which is held on the summit in August; the negative effects are caused through a lack of suitable facilities for large numbers of visitors (Satil 2009). Sulphur Dioxide (S0₂) from a nearby power plant is also causing noticeable damage; acid rain is retarding growth of the Abies and in extreme cases it is causing the death of the forest (Satil 2009). Fire is also another serious threat to this subpopulation. Although there is no documented evidence of damage to the Mt. Olympus location, it is highly likely that there will be a degree of habitat degradation as a result of high visitor numbers; the summit of the mountain is easily accessible by vehicle.