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Athrotaxis laxifolia

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
PLANTAE TRACHEOPHYTA CONIFEROPSIDA CONIFERALES CUPRESSACEAE

Scientific Name: Athrotaxis laxifolia
Species Authority: Hook.
Taxonomic Notes: Was formerly included under the family Taxodiaceae. The Taxodiaceae is now merged with Cupressaceae (see Farjon 2001).

This taxon is considered by Australian botanists to be an F1 hybrid between the two other species in this genus (all endemic in Tasmania); however, published evidence for this assertion is considered to be inconclusive and the species is maintained in Farjon (2005).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Vulnerable B1ab(iii,v) ver 3.1
Year Published: 2007
Assessor/s: Bachman, S. (RBG Kew), Farjon, A. (RBG Kew), Gardner, M. (RBG Edinburgh), Thomas, P. (RBG Edinburgh), Luscombe, D. (Forestry Comm. Bedgebury), Reynolds, C. (Forestry Comm. Bedgebury)
Reviewer/s: Farjon, A. & Gardner, M. (Conifer Red List Authority)
Contributor/s:
Justification:
This species is rare and usually consists of a few individuals in a population, Athrotaxis woodland is very sensitive to fire; this species would suffer disproportionally from such events. Range estimates based on EOO and AOO would meet the threshold for the threatened category Vulnerable.
History:
2000 – Vulnerable
1998 – Lower Risk/near threatened (Oldfield et al. 1998)
1997 – Rare (Walter and Gillett 1998)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: Restricted to the western and central highlands of Tasmania; EOO calculated based on distribution of herbarium specimens is 5,488 km², AOO 1,000 km².
Countries:
Native:
Australia (Tasmania)
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population: It is rarely encountered and occurs only in association with one or other of the latter two species. Populations are usually very small and consist of only a few individuals each.
Population Trend: Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: Dwarfed montane forest and temperate rain forest, often associated with the other species of Athrotaxis.
Systems: Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): Fire has reduced the AOO of all species of Athrotaxis. In addition, in certain areas there is infestation with Phytophtera sp. (fungus) that has killed Athrotaxis and which could well spread to other areas if not managed or controlled. The species is extremely slow growing and may live up to 1,300 years. This species and its congeners are in cultivation as ornamentals and in arboreta, but there is no exploitation of wild growing populations.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions: Many localities are within protected areas, where management is directed towards conservation of this and other species.
Citation: Bachman, S. (RBG Kew), Farjon, A. (RBG Kew), Gardner, M. (RBG Edinburgh), Thomas, P. (RBG Edinburgh), Luscombe, D. (Forestry Comm. Bedgebury), Reynolds, C. (Forestry Comm. Bedgebury) 2007. Athrotaxis laxifolia. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 May 2013.
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