Smoothleaf Elm
CR

Smoothleaf Elm

Ulmus minor

UnknownDDEUDDEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulmus_minor

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Smoothleaf Elm faces severe population declines primarily due to Dutch elm disease, a devastating fungal infection spread by bark beetles that has decimated elm populations across Europe and North America. Habitat loss from urbanization and agricultural expansion, combined with climate change impacts, further threaten remaining populations of this once-common species.

Threat summary

Habitat

Smoothleaf Elm typically occurs in lowland deciduous and mixed forests, floodplains, and river valleys across temperate regions of Europe and western Asia. The species also grows in hedgerows, parklands, and urban environments, preferring well-drained soils in areas with moderate to high moisture availability.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Ulmaceae

Wych ElmCR

Wych Elm

Ulmus glabra

Unknown
European White-elmCR

European White-elm

Ulmus laevis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Smoothleaf Elm classified as Critically Endangered?
Smoothleaf Elm is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Smoothleaf Elm faces severe population declines primarily due to Dutch elm disease, a devastating fungal infection spread by bark beetles that has decimated elm populations across Europe and North America. Habitat loss from urbanization and agricultural expansion, combined with climate change impacts, further threaten remaining populations of this once-common species.
Where does Smoothleaf Elm live?
Smoothleaf Elm occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Smoothleaf Elm?
The main threats to Smoothleaf Elm are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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