CR

Sorbus harziana

UnknownCREUCREU

Overview

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

Sorbus harziana faces severe population decline due to its extremely restricted range in the Harz Mountains of Germany, where it exists as only a few isolated individuals. The species is threatened by habitat degradation from forestry practices, recreational pressure, and climate change effects on montane ecosystems. Hybridization with more common Sorbus species poses an additional genetic threat to the remaining pure populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

Sorbus harziana occupies rocky slopes and forest edges in the montane regions of the Harz Mountains, typically growing on calcareous soils at elevations between 400-800 meters. The species favors semi-open woodland margins and rocky outcrops where it can access sufficient light while benefiting from some forest protection.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical dry· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionEx-situ conservation

Other threatened species in ROSACEAE

EN

Bristol Whitebeam

Sorbus bristoliensis

Increasing
EN

Arran Whitebeam

Sorbus arranensis

Declining
EN

Prunus detrita

Declining
VU

Sorbus degenii

Unknown

Threatened in Germany

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown
VU

Large Tree-chernes

Dendrochernes cyrneus

Unknown
CR

Cheilosia varnensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Sorbus harziana classified as Critically Endangered?
Sorbus harziana 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. Sorbus harziana faces severe population decline due to its extremely restricted range in the Harz Mountains of Germany, where it exists as only a few isolated individuals. The species is threatened by habitat degradation from forestry practices, recreational pressure, and climate change effects on montane ecosystems. Hybridization with more common Sorbus species poses an additional genetic threat to the remaining pure populations.
Where does Sorbus harziana live?
Sorbus harziana occurs in Germany. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Sorbus harziana?
The main threats to Sorbus harziana 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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