Ulmus laevis in the Iberian Peninsula: a review of its ecology and conservation

• Published in: IForest (Viterbo) Vol. 8; no. 2; pp. 135 - 142
• Main Authors: Venturas, M, Fuentes-Utrilla, P, López, R, Perea, R, Fernández, V, Gascó, A, Guzmán, P, Li, M, Rodríguez-Calcerrada, J, Miranda, E, Domínguez, J, González-Gordaliza, G, Zafra, E, Fajardo-Alcántara, M, Martín, JA, Ennos, R, Nanos, N, Lucena, JJ, Iglesias, S, Collada, C, Gil, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Potenza The Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology (SISEF) 01.04.2015; Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology (SISEF)
• Subjects: Cavitation; Chemical properties; Conservation; Drought-stress Vulnerability; Ecology; Elm; Elm Conservation; Environmental policy; Floods; Forest management; Genetic diversity; Geographical distribution; Haplotypes; Iron; Pandemics; Population Genetics; Predation; Riparian forests; Root Iron Uptake; Seed Dispersal; Seed Predation; Soil chemistry; Soil properties; Species; Trees; Ulmus; Ulmus laevis; Ulmus laevis’ Distribution; Water availability; Water shortages; Wildlife conservation; Iberian Peninsula; France; Europe; Finland; Russia; Spain; ANE, Europe, Iberian Peninsula
• ISSN: 1971-7458; 1971-7458
• DOI: 10.3832/ifor1201-008

European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pallas) populations are scarce, small and fragmented in the Iberian Peninsula. Due to these characteristics the indigenous status of the species in the region has been questioned, whilst the species’ role in Iberian riparian forest ecology has been neglected. Herein we review past studies regarding this species’ distribution and ecology in the Iberian Peninsula, with special emphasis on the establishment of conservation priorities. We first present a collection of palaeogeographic, historic and genetic data suggesting that the Iberian Peninsula was a glacial refuge for U. laevis. Secondly, we analyse U. laevis distribution in relation to soil physico- chemical properties and water availability in Spain. Following this, we focus on the reproductive biology of the species, and investigate the effect of masting and empty seed production on predation and regeneration establishment. Finally, based on this knowledge, we propose conservation policies for U. laevis in the Iberian Peninsula.