Agathis silbae

Botanical Description

Agathis silbae is an evergreen tree with a broad crown of long, spreading and ascending branches; it usually grows up to 35 metres tall, occasionally reaching 60 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 200cm in diameter, free of branches for 10 metres or more[ 329 Title The Gymnosperm Database Publication Author Website http://www.conifers.org/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for commercial use of its timber. Agathis silbae is currently only known from a very limited area on the island of Espiritu Santo. The extent of occurrence, the area of occupancy, and the number of locations are all within the thresholds for Endangered. However there is still insufficient evidence of recent or ongoing decline to fully meet the requirements for such an assessment. The recent surveys also indicate that listing as Vulnerable would be inappropriate. Due to its limited distribution, logging is a potential threat unless carefully managed. Unrestricted exploitation would warrant an immediate listing as Endangered. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].