As a primarily lowland species, the population is inferred to be declining due to deforestation and logging.
Distribution
Recorded from Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatera (including Bangka & Lingga Islands), and Borneo (Brunei, Sabah).
Habitat and Ecology
In Flora Malesiana, ser. 1, 10 (3): 407 (1988) Podocarpus teysmannii was described as an understorey tree to 12 m tall, but in fact sometimes trees are found reaching the canopy with a height of 36 m (T.C. Whitmore FRI 8835 collected on Gunung Blumut in Peninsular Malaysia at 510 m on a ridge). This species occurs in both primary and secondary rain forest from near sea level to occasionally 1,350 m a.s.l., but mostly up to 800 m. It is often restricted to sites with poor, sandy, or rocky soils and therefore will not attain large size under these conditions. On the coast of Sabah it often occurs on sandy ridges or hills with the broadleaved tree Dryobalanops rappa (Dipterocarpaceae); in the Mt. Kinabalu area (Mesilau River) it was collected in 'kerangas' forest dominated by Agathis sp.
Human Uses
Larger trees of this species are undoubtedly logged for their timber; the use of which will be similar to that of other 'podocarps' of the region. Podocarp wood is suitable for light construction, carpentry and joinery, furniture making, etc.
Conservation Status
Global Status
Near Threatened
Global Rationale
Although the area of occupancy estimated for this species is under the threshold for Vulnerable (539 km2) and the population appears to be severely fragmented, there is some uncertainty about the extent of the decline in the past and the likely decline in the near future. On the basis of the available information, an assessment of Near Threatened is the best option (almost qualifies for listing as threatened under criterion B2ab(iii,v) and possibly also criterion A4cd).
Conservation Actions
This species is not known from any protected area. Subpopulations in Brunei may be relatively stable due to lower rates of forest conversion compared to other parts of its range.