Click here to open feedback window. Contribution to an evaluation of tree species using the new CITES Listing Criteria 156 Astronium urundeuva Anacardiaceae aroeira-do-sertâo, aroeira-legítima, gonçalo alves, urundei-mé, urundel Distribution Argentina (Jujuy, Salta), Bolivia, Brazil (Bahia, Goías, Maranháo, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Piauí, São Paulo), Paraguay Habitat A species of temperate and tropical areas, occurring in lowland to submontane, broadleaved forest, woodland and scrub between 900 and 1800m. A dominant component of caatinga, also occurring widely in cerrado and even in rainforest habitat types. In secondary forest it can form almost pure stands. Population Status and Trends Large natural stands have become scarce in places. Populations in Bolivia are facing commercial overexploitation. All size classes are heavily used (Killeen, 1997). It is not clear whether populations elsewhere are under similarly intense cutting regimes. The populations in Argentina are considered to be of concern (Chebez, 1994). Ecology Associated species include Piptadenia spp., Choriza speciosa, Tabebuia impetiginosa and Hymenea stilbocarpa. Role of species in the Ecosystem Threats Overexploitation Utilisation All size classes are exploited for a variety of uses; small trees for fencing and larger trees for railroad ties, posts and other construction work. The durability of the wood makes it suitable for external structures. Trade The species is commercially heavily exploitated but there is little indication to what extent it occurs in international trade. IUCN Conservation category DD according to Prado (1996). Conservation Measures Forest Management and Silviculture In different silvicultural trials trees of 3 years have attained a height of 1.7m, trees of 5 years have attained 5.11m a height and trees of 9 years have attained a height of 9.6m and DBH of 9.7cm. References Bertoni, Siemens. et al. 1994. Flora Amenazada del Paraguay. Chebez, Juan Carlos. 1994. Los que se van. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Albatros. 604pp. FAO Forestry Department. 1986. Databook on endangered tree and shrub species and their provenances. Rome: FAO. 524pp. IBAMA. 1992. Lista oficial de espécies da flora Brasileira ameaçadas de extinçao.  (unpublished). 4pp.Killeen, T. 1997. Comments on the species summaries for Bolivia. López, J. & Elbert L. Little. 1987. Arboles communes del Paraguay. Washington, DC: Peace Corps. 425pp. Prado, Darién E. & Peter E. Gibbs. 1993. Patterns of species distributions in the dry seasonal forests of South America. J 80(4): 902-927. Prado, Darién Eros. 1996. Completed data collection forms for trees of Argentinia and neighbouring countries. Teixeira, D.E. 1988. Amazonian timbers for the international market. Brasilia: Brazilian Institute for Forestry Development & ITTO. 94pp.