Juglans pyriformis

The degradation of natural systems caused by human activities is one of the main factors that increase land-cover change and biodiversity loss. Unfortunately, the cloud forests of Mexico, as elsewhere in the world, are under severe threat. In addition to forest fragmentation due to deforestation, cloud forests are expected to be among the ecosystems most affected by global climatic change. Additionally, cattle farming and agriculture expansion are responsible for the deforestation in some portions of the range. This kind of land management facilitates erosion and soil loss, and thus hinders the ability of the forest to regenerate. The habitat is also suffering from logging (Foster 2001, Lawton et al. 2001, Wilken et al. 2011, González-Espinosa et al. 2011). The timber of this tree is of very high quality and highly valued for making furniture and musical instruments: this has led to direct over-exploitation.

Juglans pyriformis occurs in the National Park "Cañón del Río Blanco" (Veracruz) and this species is legally protected in Mexico by the National List of Species at Risk of Extinction, NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, where it is listed under category “Threatened” (A; SEMARNAT 2010). This species was assessed as Endangered in the Red List of Mexican Cloud Forest Trees (González-Espinosa et al. 2011). Juglans pyriformis is known from three ex situ collections (BGCI 2020) and is probably grown in a wider range of botanic gardens. In situ conservation management would be beneficial with support for non-agricultural and non-livestock activities to avoid change of land use in the region with sustainable production and livelihood alternatives. In addition, monitoring of the habitat and population trends is recommended. In Veracruz, the establishment of pure or mixed plantations with commercial purposes has been promoted. Hence, since 2001, it was established in approximately 400 hectares in the state, with the support of the Forest Plantation Program (Programa de Plantaciones Forestales, PRODEFOR) sponsored by the National Forestry Commission (Comisión Nacional Forestal; Conafor 2008).