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to an evaluation of tree species using the new CITES Listing Criteria
152 Caryocar costaricense
Caryocaraceae
ají, cagüí, almendrillo, almendrón,
ajo, ajillo, manú, plomillo Distribution
Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama. The species has been erroneously
recorded in Venezuela. Habitat
Tropical, lowland, moist, non-seasonal, broadleaved, closed
forest. Scattered populations are found in lowland evergreen rainforest
(Jiménez Madrigal, 1993). It is usually found on slopes (Blaser, 1996).
Population Status and Trends
In Costa Rica occurrences are scarce and confined to protected
areas. Similarly in Panama, the species is restricted to Darién and
San Blas, where populations appear to be in a poor state with little evidence
of regeneration (Mitre, 1997). The total population
number in Central America does not exceed a few thousand individuals (Americas
Regional Workshop, 1996). Levels of exploitation of
the timber are reported to be excessive (WCMC, 1996). Deforestation, however,
is believed to be a greater threat than trade (Blaser,
1996). Populations extend into the Chocó in Colombia (Mitre, 1997). C.
amygdaliferum, endemic
to Colombia, is a closely related species. It is used as a commercial timber and
is now considered threatened (EN A1cd) (Calderon, 1997).
Ecology A
primary tree associated with Peltogyne
purpurea, Brosimum
utile, Qualea
paraensis Role
of species in the Ecosystem Threats
Overexploitation, seed predation, poor regeneration, increasing
settlement, agriculture and pastoralism/ranching (Mitre, 1997). Utilisation
The solid timber is used for constructing bridges, railroad
ties etc. (SSC et al.,
1992). The bark also has a medicinal application (Mitre,
1997). Trade There
is no reported international trade. IUCN
Conservation category VU A1acd according to the
Americas Regional Workshop for the WCMC/SSC Conservation
and sustainable
management of
trees project
(WCMC, 1996).
Conservation Measures The
species is listed on Appendix II of CITES. Occurrences are recorded in a number
of protected areas (Jimènez Madrigal, 1993; SSC
et al., 1992; Mitre, 1997). References
Americas Regional Workshop. 1996. Discussions held at CATIE,
Costa Rica, November 1996 at the Second Regional Workshop
of the WCMC/SSC Conservation and
Sustainable Management
of Trees
project. (Unpublished). Blaser, J. 1996.
Silvicultural considerations
of listing
timber species
in Appendices
I, II
and III
of CITES.
Working document for the 2nd meeting of the CITES Timber
Working Group. (unpublished). Calderon, E. (comp.).
1997. Lista de
plantas Colombianas
en peligro.
July 1997 Version. Instituto de Investigacino de Recursos
Biologicas Alexander von Humboldt. (unpublished). 14 pp. Jiménez
Madrigal, Quirico. 1993. Arboles maderables en peligro de extincion en Costa Rica.
San José, Costa Rica: Museo Nacional de Costa Rica.
121pp. Mitre, M.E. 1997. Completed data collection forms
for trees of Panama. SSC, Traffic & WCMC. 1992.
Inclusion of Caryocar costaricense in Appendix II. In
Analyses of
proposals to
ammend the
CITES Appendices.
Standley, P.C. 1. Flora of Costa Rica. Field
Mus.
Nat.
Hist.,
Bot.
Ser. 18(1): 1-1616.
The Nature Conservancy. 1996. Natural
Heritage Central
Database. (Status and distribution data on Latin
American plants, developed in collaboration with Latin
American Conservation Data Centers and Missouri Botanical Garden.). WCMC.
1996. Report of the Second Regional Workshop, held at CATIE, Turrialba, Costa
Rica, 18-20 November 1996. Conservation
and sustainable management of trees project.
(unpublished).