A poorly known species recorded from two disjunct localities in northern Sumatera and western New Guinea. A decline is suspected but is currently insufficient to warrant a threatened category.it is
Distribution
Malesia: Sumatera (Aceh, Gajo Lands); Papuasia: New Guinea (Papua, Wissel Lakes). This species is only known from two very disjunct locations. Three localities are situated in northern Sumatera and one locality is in New Guinea (Papua or Irian Jaya). Although this type of disjunction is also reported from other groups of organisms. The disjunction may be an artefact of undercollecting in areas between the two known areas.
Habitat and Ecology
Podocarpus atjehensis was discovered and described (as a variety of P. neriifolius) from the summit area of a high mountain in northern Sumatera growing in mossy dwarf forest and shrubland. The type collection was gathered at 2,900 m a.s.l. on a slope below the summit of Gunung Kemiri, and it may (or may not) occur near or on the summit of nearby Gunung Leuser, the highest mountain in the area at 3,145 m. The other locality reported for this taxon is in New Guinea at 1,800 m a.s.l.
Human Uses
No uses have been recorded of this poorly known species. Trees are small, to 8-15 m tall and not desirable for timber.
Conservation Status
Global Status
Near Threatened
Global Rationale
In both locations there is a considerable human footprint on the landscape and although we do not know to what extent this affects this species, it is assumed that some decline has occurred. It is therefore assessed as Near Threatened
Conservation Actions
One subpopulation in Sumatera is within the Gunung Leuser Reserve, a protected area