Rhamnus sibthorpiana is a shrub endemic to Greece, scattered across mountains of the mainland. It has a restricted range (AOO is 204 km²) and 16 locations, however there is no information on the population size or trends for this species. It is found on several mountains, and although it is threatened on two of those mountains due to wind farm developments, this may represent quite a small percentage of the overall population and therefore not be a significant threat to the the species' persistence. It is therefore currently assessed as Least Concern, but research and monitoring of the species (population size, habitat, threats) is needed, as if continuing decline in habitat quality were to be shown to be occurring then it could qualify as Near Threatened.

Rhamnus sibthorpiana is a Greek endemic, restricted in the Prefectures of Peloponnisos and Sterea Ellas (central Greece) (Strid 1986, Tan and Iatrou 2001, Dimopoulos et al. 2022, Strid 2022, GBIF 2023). It has been reported from Mt Parnitha by Th. von Heldreich on 1855 (Wittzell and Shah 2022), but has not been rediscovered, since.

There is no information on the population size or trends.

This is a shrub up to 1.5 m tall (Tan and Iatrou 2001). It is found on limestone rocks (cliffs, rocks, walls, ravines, boulders,) from 800-2,450 m altitude amongst high mountain vegetation (Strid 1986, Tan and Iatrou 2001, Greuter 2012).

The species is not known to form large populations, but there were no threats recorded in the past. A current serious threat, however, is the development of wind farms in two sites of the species' habitats. According to the Greek Regulation Authority for Energy (2023), windfarms have already been established on Mts. Artemisio and Elikonas. It is doubtful if the species will survive in these localities. The construction of roads in steep slopes and the flattening of the mountain ranges, in order for the wind turbines to be established, will be catastrophic. Their consequences must be investigated too, especially for the viability of the insects that could act as pollinators for the plants. A study report conducted by Trieb (2018) in Germany, investigated possible coherence of flying insect losses and insect impingement on the rotor blades of wind turbines. It is known that migrating insects select fast air streams above the turbulent surface layer of the atmosphere for the purpose of efficient displacement to breeding grounds. Wind farm developers select sites with strong winds and install high towers with rotors just above the surface layer in order to optimize the energy output of their wind turbines. As a result of this coincidence, large numbers of flying insects can be expected in wind farms. Model calculation of the amount of insect biomass that traverses wind rotors during operation provides a first estimate of the order of magnitude of 24,000 tons of insects crossing a German wind park throughout the summer season. Based on conservative model assumptions, five percent of the insects flying through a rotor could be actually damaged. The related loss of 1,200 tons per year since more than fifteen years could be relevant for population stability. As swarming and migration are linked to mating and dispersal, respectively, fatalities at wind turbines may have profound effects on insect populations at various spatial scales (Voigt 2021). Some insects, such as hill-topping butterflies, may occur only in small populations at a local scale. Placing wind turbines close to these populations or to the corresponding mating areas of these insects, for example on a mountain ridge or hilltop, may largely affect local populations. In addition, decline of insect populations may also diminish their ecosystem function, including services like pollination. The conclusions of these two articles raise great concerns about the quality of the habitats near wind turbines.

There is no information on use or trade.

There are no known ex situ collections of this species in botanic gardens (BGCI 2023). It was listed as nt (not threatened) (Council of Europe 1983). Parts of its distribution are included in Natura 2000 sites. Research must be done for the entire population of the species, in order to effectively protect it, as well as for its ecology, the threats it faces in every locality and actions that must be taken towards its conservation. Monitoring the population for several years along with planning its recovery and management of the area it occupies, are extremely urgent. Germplasm must be kept in seed banks, as well as ex situ propagation and cultivation of the species. Citizens' awareness and communication of the significance of this plant for the country's environment will also play a huge role for its survival. The state has to protect it by law.