An undercollected species with recent collections from several parts of the Philippines and Sulawesi as well as histtorical records from Obi Island in the Moluccas. Deforestation in the lower parts of its elevational range have resulted in an assesssment of Near Threatened. Further research is required.
Distribution
It is known in Obi in the Moluccas, north and central parts of Sulawesi and several areas in the Philippines including Mt Halcon, Subayon Island and the Mt Hamiguitan Range, Davao Oriental Province. Due to its insular distribution, the extent of occurrence is in excess of 20,000 km2. The area of occupancy has not been estimated due to insufficient data.
Habitat and Ecology
Generally a species of exposed ridges and forest margins in medium to high elevations (1,200 to 1,800 m asl), often associated with Agathis borneensis, Nageia wallichiana and Sundacarpus amarus. On Subayan Island it is recorded from montane forest plots at 860 m a.s.l. on ultramfic substrate (Proctor et al. 1998).
Human Uses
No uses have been recorded for this species, but any larger specimens are likely to be logged for timber
Conservation Status
Global Status
Near Threatened
Global Rationale
Falcatifolium gruezoi is under-collected and poorly known. Its altitudinal range and known habitat preferences make it likely that it will have been affected to some degree by logging and deforestation at least in the Philippines. The extent of the decline is unknown. As a result a precautionary assessment of Near Threatened would be most appropriate until better information becomes available (almost qualifies for a threatened category under criterion A2c).
Conservation Actions
This species was described from material collected on Mt Halcon in the Philippines. It occurs in the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary.
Proctor, J., Argent, G. C., & Madulid, D. A. (1998). Forests of the ultramafic Mount Giting-Giting, Sibuyan Island, the Philippines. Edinburgh Journal of Botany, 55(2), 295-316.
Amoroso, V. B., Obsioma, L. D., Arlalejo, J. B., Aspiras, R. A., Capili, D. P., Polizon, J. J. A., & Sumile, E. B. (2009). Inventory and conservation of endangered, endemic and economically important flora of Hamiguitan Range, southern Philippines. Blumea-Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants, 54(1-1), 71-76.