Native to Peru and Bolivia where deforestation is the main cause for the loss of habitat of this species
Distribution
Occurs in Peru (Cusco and near Machu Pichu) and Bolivia (Dept. Cochabamba, La Paz, Santa Cruz). It has an estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) of 22,500 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of less than 2,000 km². Although the population is naturally fragmented, due to the specific habitat requirements in cloud forest where small stands occur, it has also become further fragmented due to deforestation.
Habitat and Ecology
Podocarpus rusbyi occurs in tropical montane rainforest and high montane cloud forest up to the tree line. In Peru it was found in lower montane rainforest in Cusco, between 700 m and 1,300 m a.s.l., and near Machu Pichu in high montane forest at 2,900 m a.s.l. In Bolivia, where the species is relatively much more common and widespread, its altitudinal range is between 1500 m and 3,350 m a.s.l.. At high altitudes it forms thickets with other dwarfed trees and shrubs. In Parque Nacional Madidi it is associated with Weinmannia fagaroides, W. microphylla, W. bangii, Clusia spp., Myrsine coriacea, Psychotria tristis, Miconia spp., Persea spp. Ternstroemia spp., Freziera spp., and Symplocos spp. (Zenteno-Ruiz 2007).
Human Uses
No specific uses are known but as with other species of Podocarpus which form trees, the wood of this species will be valued
Conservation Status
Global status
Vulnerable B2ab(ii,iii,v)
Although relatively widespread in Bolivia, its range includes large areas of forest habitats that have become degraded by deforestation for agricultural purposes. The extent of occurrence has been estimated as being 22,500 km² which is beyond the threshold for any threatened category. However, like other members of the Podocarpaceae in Bolivia and Peru, P. rusbyi grows in small stands. These stands exist in less than 10 locations and although there are no accurate figures, it is estimated that the area of occupancy would not exceed 2,000 km² which means it should be assessed as Vulnerable under criterion B2.
Global Threats
Throughout its relatively widespread distribution in Bolivia and Peru, it is under threat from deforestation. In Bolivia this threat, even in national parks, is due to the conversion of forests for agricultural purposes in order to grow cash crops, particularly for the production of coca. Data suggests an increase in production of coca in protected areas of Bolivia: between 2003 and 2004 its cultivation increased by 71% in the national parks of Bolivia’s Chapare region, (as opposed to increasing only 22% outside national park boundaries (UNODC 2005)). This is significant because the distribution of P. rusbyi includes this region. Habitat loss and general degradation due to human activities has also increased as a result of more intensified road-building efforts
Conservation Actions
It has protection in: Bolivia - Parque Nacional Amboro, Parque Nacional Cotapata, Parque Nacional Madidi and in Peru -Parque Nacional Machu Pichu
References and further reading
Gardner, M. 2013. Podocarpus rusbyi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 08 September 2015
Killeen, T.J. 1993. Guia de Arboles de Bolivia. Herbario Nacional de Bolivia, La Paz
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 2005. 2005 World Drug Report: Bolivia coca cultivation survey for 2004. United Nations, New York.
Zenteno, F.S. 2000. Abundancia, distribución altitudinal, estructura poblacionalespacial y uso de rodales de Podocarpus rusbyi (pino de monte) en exposición N-NE en bosque nublado de Yungas (ceja de monte) cerro Hornuni-Cotapata. La Paz- Bolivia. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés
Zenteno-Ruiz, F.S. 2007. Referencias botánicas, ecológicas y económicas del aprovechamiento del incienso (Clusia vel. sp. nov., Clusiaceae) en bosques montanos del Parque Nacional Madidi, Bolivia. Ecología en Bolivia 42(2): 148-156
