A realtively widespread conifer in southern Chile that also has very small populations in the Argentinian Andes. Exploited for its durbale timber and for use as Christmas trees.
Distribution
Endemic to Chile and Argentina. In Chile it occurs in Región IX [Araucanía]; Región X [Los Lagos]; Región XI [Aisén] & Región XI [Magellanes]. In Chile it is distributed from Provincia de Cautín, Rio Toltén (39° S) to Provincia Magellanes (50° 23'S) (Rodríguez et al. 1995),
where it occurs in the Andes, parts of the Central Depression and the
Coastal Cordillera. In the south it tends
to occur more sporadically.
In Argentina it is restricted to a few locations in the Province of Neuquén where it occurs as solitary trees or in small groups (Erize, 1997).
Habitat and Ecology
A component of the humid evergreen forests, often on poorly drained soils. It is often associated with Drimys winteri, Fitzroya cupressoides, Laureliopsis philippiana, Nothofagus betuloides, N. nitida, Pilgerodendron uviferum, Saxegothaea conspicua, and many species of myrtle. Occurs from sea level up to 1,000 m
Human Uses
The wood of Podocarpus nubigenus is highly prized due to its good colour, durability and strength. It is used for a wide range of products including furniture, interior fittings, flooring and crafts. Young trees are cut for use as Christmas trees.
Conservation Status
Global Status
Near Threatened
Global Rationale
Despite its wide distribution and relatively large number of locations, many of which contain healthy groups of old-growth trees and good regeneration, Podocarpus nubigenus is assessed as Near Threatened as continued changes in landuse, particularly in the Coastal Cordillera, combined with past exploitation in other parts of its range could result in a population reduction approaching 30%. It would then qualify for listing as Vulnerable under A2 or A4.
Primary ongoing threats are constant logging for firewood and for its quality timber. Additional threats include the cutting of young trees for Christmas trees. Land use change which includes the conversion of its native habitat into commercial plantations and clearance for agricultural use are further serious threats. Such deforestation of old-growth forests is leading to a decline and degradation of important wildlife habitat
Conservation Actions
It is afforded some protection in a number of National Parks. Some conservation initiatives for Fitzroya cupressoides have also involved the restoration of Podocarpus nubigenus (Hechenleitner 2005).
References and further reading
Brownless, P., Latta, J. and Moncreif, S. 1997. Germination of Podocarpus nubigenus. The New Plantsman 4(4): 215-217
Cabello, A. 1990. Enraizamiento de estacas de Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides (Mol.) Johnston) y de Mañio macho (Podocarpus nubigenus Lindl.). Ci. Forest 6(2): 135-139
Erize, F. 1997. El Nuevo libro del Árbol. Vol 1. Especies forestales de la Argentina occidental. El Ateneo, Buenos Aires.
Gastman, E. 1988. Propagación vegetativa de coniferas chilenas con aptitudes ornamentales. Facultad de Ciencias Agarias, Universidad Austral de Chile
Gerding, V., Hermosilla, M.E. and Grez, R. 1996. Sustrato de corteza compostada para la propagación vegetativa de estacas de tallo de Podocarpus nubigenus Lindl. y Eucryphia cordifolia Cav. Bosque 17(2): 57-64
Hechenleitner, P., Gardner, M., Thomas, P., Echeverría, C., Escobar, B., Brownless, P. and Martínez, C. 2005. Plantas amenazadas del Centro-Sur de Chile. Distribución, Conservación y Propagación. Universidad Austral de Chile y Real Jardín Botánico de Edimburgo, , Santiago
Lusk, C.H. 1996. Stand dynamics of the shade-tolerant conifers Podocarpus nubigena and Saxegothaea conspicua in Chilean temperate rain forest. Journal of Vegetation Science 7(4): 549-558.
Rodríguez, R. and Quezada, M. 1995. Gymnospermae. In: Marticorena, C. and Rodríguez, R. (eds), Flora de Chile Vol. 1. Pteridophyta-Gymnospermae, pp. 351. Universidad de Concepciόn, Concepciόn
Rodríguez, R.R., Matthei, O. and Quezada, M. 1983. Flora Arbórea de Chile. Universidad de Concepción, Concepción (Chile).
