The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T32303A2813038
Carpinus putoensis, Puto Hornbeam
Assessment by: Shaw, K., Roy , S. & Wilson, B.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Shaw, K., Roy , S. & Wilson, B. 2014. Carpinus putoensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species 2014: e.T32303A2813038. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20143.RLTS.T32303A2813038.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Plantae
Tracheophyta
Magnoliopsida
Fagales
Betulaceae
Taxon Name: Carpinus putoensis W.C.Cheng
Common Name(s):
• English:
Puto Hornbeam
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); D ver 3.1
Year Published:
2014
Date Assessed:
August 1, 2014
Justification:
This species was listed as Critically Endangered (D1) in the 1998 World List of Threatened Trees. The
assessment remains the same here, with population still limited to only one mature individual. It occurs
at a single location, has experienced decline in the quality of habitat and has a small range (AOO and
EOO). Conservation measures are in place, both in situ and ex situ, but it is unlikely that the status of this
species in the wild will recover enough to improve this assessment. In order to ensure this species does
not go extinct, conservation action for this species must remain a priority. In the Chinese Red List
(2014) this species is also assessed as Critically Endangered.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
1998 – Critically Endangered (CR)
1998 – Endangered (E)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
This species is endemic to Putuo Island of the Zhoushan Archipelago, Zhejiang Province, China. It is
limited to a single remaining individual occurring on Mount Foding and hence has an extremely low
extent of occurrence and area of occupancy.
Country Occurrence:
Native: China (Zhejiang)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Carpinus putoensis – published in 2014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T32303A2813038.en
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Population
This species is represented by a single mature individual, preserved on the top of Foding Mountain, due
to destruction of the vegetation and the habitat. This tree was discovered in the early 1930s. Since then
no more wild individuals have been found. This species is monoecious so could still reproduce in the
wild but it has a very low rate of seed production due to strong winds during flowering and seed-setting
stages and repeated destruction caused by typhoons at the seed-ripening stage. Natural regeneration
therefore is extremely poor and almost no seedlings are found under the tree. Studies of genetic
diversity of different progenies from C. putoensis revealed that there was a very low level of genetic
diversity in C. putoensis.
Current Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
Carpinus putoensis is a deciduous tree, up to 13 m tall. It occurs in a region where it is warm in winter
and cool in summer due to the maritime climate, with an average annual temperature of 16.3oC (mean
temperature in January of 5.5oC and in August of 26.8oC), a prolonged foggy period, relative humidity
around 90%, mean annual precipitation 1,200 mm and usually over 150 days of rain. The soil is red, with
pH 5.5-5.7, and is comparatively thick and fertile, containing 4.8% organic matter. This species originally
grew in evergreen broad-leaved forests dominated by Distylium racemosum, but now only a single
mature tree remains at the edge of a sparse, mixed forest. The main plants associated with it include
Camellia japonica, Machilus thunbergii and Cinnamomum japonicum. With a well-developed root
system, it can resist both drought and storm. The species is monoecious. Male blossom occurs in early
April before leafing, while females enter anthesis simultaneously with unfolding of new leaves. Fruits
begin to ripen in late September and early October.
Systems: Terrestrial
Use and Trade
This species is not in use or traded.
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
This species is threatened by habitat loss, a lack of regeneration and storms or typhoons. As only a
single mature individual remains, genetic diversity will always be low, making it susceptible to pests
and/or disease.
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
Putuo Island has been proclaimed a nation's key nature reserve and a special management bureau has
been formed accordingly. This species is under first-grade state protection. Carpinus putoensis has been
given full attention by the organization. Recently a fence has been erected around the tree to keep
tourists away. The tree is cultivated in the Hangzhou Botanical Garden where various propagation
experiments are being conducted. This species is also part of a conservation programme led by the
Zhoushan Institute of Forestry. This has involved cultivation and planting of approximately 79 individuals
in a one hectare near in situ reintroduction site, close to the remaining single mature individual. These
79 individuals were planted 30 years ago, but have not yet reached maturity. Zhoushan Institute of
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Carpinus putoensis – published in 2014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T32303A2813038.en
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Forestry is also propagating a supply of plants to be planted on Huaniao Island, next to Putuo Island,
establishing an additional near in situ reintroduction site providing further protection for the species,
and enabling reintroduction to Putuo Island in future. Full floristic survey of Huaniao Island is also under
way. If C. putoensis is found on Huaniao Island in situ conservation measures will be put in place.
Credits
Assessor(s):
Shaw, K., Roy , S. & Wilson, B.
Reviewer(s):
Rivers, M.C.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Carpinus putoensis – published in 2014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T32303A2813038.en
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Bibliography
efloras. 2008. Flora of China. Available at: www.efloras.org.
Govaerts, R. 2013. World Checklist of Betulaceae. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Available at: http://www.kew.org/wcsp/. (Accessed: 05 December 2013).
IUCN. 2014. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 13 November 2014).
J. LÓPEZ-PUJOL & Z.-Y. ZHANG. 2009. An insight into the most threatened flora of China. Collectanea
Botanica (Barcelona) 28: 95-110.
Jun, L., Jingmin, J.,Yitai, C., Honggang, S., and Wenhao, S. 2011. Germplasm and Conservation of Rare
and Endangered Tree Species Endemic to East China . International Union of Forest Research
Organizations 30: 53-55.
Li-kuo, F. and Jian-ming, J. 1992. China Plant Red Data Book – Rare and Endangered Plants 1. Science
Press, Beijing.
Liujun. Wild germplasm resources and conservation of rare and endangered tree species endemic to
east China. Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese academy of forestry.
Missouri Botanical Garden. 2013. Tropicos. Saint Louis, Missouri. Available at: www.tropicos.org.
Shanan, H., Yin, G., Ning, S., and Pingping, L. (eds.). 1998. Rare and precious plants of China. Shanghai
Scientific & Technical Publishers.
The Plant List. 2010. The Plant List. Available at: http://www.theplantlist.org/. (Accessed: 2013).
Zhang X, Z Wang, Li X, Yu C & Chen Y. 2011. RAPD analysis of genetic diversity of different progenies
from endangered plant Carpinus putoensis. Shandong Forestry Science and Technology 192(1).
Citation
Shaw, K., Roy , S. & Wilson, B. 2014. Carpinus putoensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014:
e.T32303A2813038. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T32303A2813038.en
Disclaimer
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External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Carpinus putoensis – published in 2014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T32303A2813038.en
4
Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.4. Forest - Temperate
-
Suitable
-
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
11. Climate change & severe weather -> 11.4. Storms
& flooding
Ongoing
Whole (>90%)
-
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects ->
2.3.7. Reduced reproductive success
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection
3. Species management -> 3.3. Species re-introduction -> 3.3.1. Reintroduction
3. Species management -> 3.4. Ex-situ conservation -> 3.4.1. Captive breeding/artificial propagation
Additional Data Fields
Distribution
Number of Locations: 1
Lower elevation limit (m): 240
Upper elevation limit (m): 240
Population
Number of mature individuals: 1
Population severely fragmented: No
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Carpinus putoensis – published in 2014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T32303A2813038.en
5
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™