Arran Service-tree
CR

Arran Service-tree

Sorbus pseudofennica

DecliningCREUCREU

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

Hedlundia pseudofennica, also called Arran service-tree or Arran cut-leaved whitebeam, is a species of plant in the family Rosaceae. Endemic to the Isle of Arran in Scotland, it is threatened by habitat loss. It is thought to be a naturally occurring hybrid between H.

arranensis and Sorbus aucuparia, probably with additional backcrossing with S. aucuparia. Hedlundia arranensis is itself a hybrid between Aria rupicola and S.

aucuparia. Apomixis and hybridization are common in some groups of Sorbus species.

Sorbus pseudofennica faces severe population decline due to its extremely limited distribution and small population size. The species is threatened by habitat degradation from human activities, climate change impacts on its specialized mountain environment, and potential genetic bottlenecks due to its restricted range. Competition from invasive plant species and changes in land use patterns further compound the risks to this critically endangered rowan.

Threat summary

Habitat

Sorbus pseudofennica inhabits mountainous regions and rocky slopes in specialized alpine and subalpine environments. The species typically grows in well-drained soils on cliff faces and rocky outcrops at moderate to high elevations.

Forest· majorShrubland· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· 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

Frequently asked questions

Why is Arran Service-tree classified as Critically Endangered?
Arran Service-tree 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 pseudofennica faces severe population decline due to its extremely limited distribution and small population size. The species is threatened by habitat degradation from human activities, climate change impacts on its specialized mountain environment, and potential genetic bottlenecks due to its restricted range. Competition from invasive plant species and changes in land use patterns further compound the risks to this critically endangered rowan.
Where does Arran Service-tree live?
Arran Service-tree 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 Arran Service-tree?
The main threats to Arran Service-tree 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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