Conserving the Critically Endangered tree Vatica cauliflora: population and conservation status assessment

Abstract

Vatica cauliflora P.S. Ashton (Dipterocarpaceae) is a threatened tree species endemic to Kapuas Hulu District, West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. The species is only known from the type specimen collected in 1953. After this first collection, there was no record confirming the presence of this tree in its natural habitat. Our recent surveys in 2019 and 2020 located 179 individuals of the species in six unprotected locations. The population's size structure is dominated (62.6%) by young individuals within the 0–5 cm diameter class. Our surveys also showed that the habitat of V. cauliflora is degraded as a result of the negative effects of agriculture and logging. Assessment with the IUCN Red List criteria indicates that V. cauliflora should be categorized as Critically Endangered.

Population status of the critically endangered tree Vatica venulosa (Dipterocarpaceae) in lowland riparian forests of East Kalimantan

“…The smallest dbh (10.9 cm) of the mature individuals of V. venulosa observed in the present study was higher compared to those in V. bantamensis (8 cm), an endemic Dipterocarpaceae in Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten Province [19]. It, however, was much lower than the smallest dbh of the mature individuals of V. cauliflora (25 cm), an endemic Dipterocarpaceae in Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan Province [20]. The observed individuals of V. venulosa were found in a cluster or clump.…”