Wych Elm
CR

Wych Elm

Ulmus glabra

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

Overview

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

Wych Elm faces severe population declines primarily due to Dutch elm disease, a devastating fungal infection spread by elm bark beetles that has decimated elm populations across Europe and North America. Habitat fragmentation, climate change impacts, and limited genetic diversity in remaining populations further threaten the species' long-term survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Wych Elm naturally occurs in mixed deciduous woodlands, ravines, rocky slopes, and stream valleys across northern and central Europe, typically in moist, well-drained soils at elevations up to 1,500 meters. The species also grows in hedgerows, parklands, and as scattered individuals in upland areas with cooler, humid conditions.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Ulmaceae

European White-elmCR

European White-elm

Ulmus laevis

Unknown
Smoothleaf ElmCR

Smoothleaf Elm

Ulmus minor

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Wych Elm classified as Critically Endangered?
Wych 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. Wych Elm faces severe population declines primarily due to Dutch elm disease, a devastating fungal infection spread by elm bark beetles that has decimated elm populations across Europe and North America. Habitat fragmentation, climate change impacts, and limited genetic diversity in remaining populations further threaten the species' long-term survival.
Where does Wych Elm live?
Wych 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 Wych Elm?
The main threats to Wych 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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