Ley's Whitebeam
CR

Ley's Whitebeam

Sorbus leyana

DecliningCREUCREU

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

Hedlundia leyana, commonly known as Ley's whitebeam, is a species of small tree which is endemic to two sites in southern Wales. It is thought to have arisen by hybridisation between the rowan and a member of genus Aria.

Sorbus leyana faces severe threats from habitat degradation and extremely limited distribution, being restricted to a handful of locations in the Welsh mountains. The species is vulnerable to grazing pressure from livestock and deer, which prevents natural regeneration and damages existing trees. Climate change poses an additional long-term threat, as warming temperatures may force this montane species to higher elevations where suitable habitat becomes increasingly scarce.

Threat summary

Habitat

Sorbus leyana inhabits rocky mountain slopes, cliff ledges, and steep ravines in the Welsh uplands, typically growing on base-rich soils in areas with some protection from grazing. The species favors montane environments with good drainage and partial shelter from harsh weather conditions.

Conservation measures underway

Ex-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

Frequently asked questions

Why is Ley's Whitebeam classified as Critically Endangered?
Ley's Whitebeam 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 leyana faces severe threats from habitat degradation and extremely limited distribution, being restricted to a handful of locations in the Welsh mountains. The species is vulnerable to grazing pressure from livestock and deer, which prevents natural regeneration and damages existing trees. Climate change poses an additional long-term threat, as warming temperatures may force this montane species to higher elevations where suitable habitat becomes increasingly scarce.
Where does Ley's Whitebeam live?
Ley's Whitebeam 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 Ley's Whitebeam?
The main threats to Ley's Whitebeam are 2.3, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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