347
Currently, C. angustifolia is included in the IUCN (International Union for
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red List “endangered” category
(2020-1, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32989/9741887). In addition, it is also
included in Appendix III of CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 2017; http://cites.org/sites/default/files/esp/
app/2017/S-Appendices-2017-10-04.pdf).
Cedrela saltensis, in Argentina, is known as “cedro salteño” and occurs in the
MR (from 700 to 1100 m asl) on a mountain strip on the northwest of the country
(see top-right panel in Fig. 13.1). It extends between the border with Bolivia at 22°
S and its southern limit at 24° 40’ S, within restricted zones of sympatry between
C. angustifolia and C. balansae (Brown et al. 2001; Zapater et al. 2004; Malizia
et al. 2006). Regarding the taxonomic identity of C. saltensis, it was rejected the
hypothesis of its hybrid origin from C. balansae and C. angustifolia, and therefore
it needs to be treated as a separate taxonomic entity (Premoli et al. 2011).
Cedrela balansae, also known as “cedro orán” (Zapater et al. 2004), typically
grows in the PR (from 300 to 700 m asl) on flat land and low hills due to its susceptibility to low temperatures and humidity requirements. The PR altitudinal stratum
has been the most intensely exploited forests because of its proximity to cities and
routes and consequently exhibits the highest levels of degradation. The distribution
of C. balansae, in the NWA, is restricted to a small latitudinal range (22° to 24° 30’
S). It is a canopy, long-lived, and deciduous tree species, up to 20 m high, with a
dark brown or gray deeply fissured bark. Like other species of the Meliaceae family,
C. balansae occurs naturally at low densities per hectare and presents an aggregated
spatial pattern (Grau et al. 2003; Zamora Petri 2006). Its wood has excellent properties such as fast drying, stability, high durability, and high insect resistance. It also
features good aesthetic characteristics like aroma, color, and grain (Rivera 2006)
turning C. balansae as a highly rated species on the timber market. In addition, the
easy accessibility to its populations and the development of agriculture under benign
climatic conditions resulted in the conversion of 70–80% of the piedmont surface to
agricultural activities (Brown and Malizia 2004; SAyDS 2007). This, in turn, has led
to the fragmentation of the remaining C. balansae populations, thus increasing their
susceptibility to further degradation.
In the Alto Paraná Rainforest of NEA, even though two Cedrela species were
reported (C. odorata and C. fissilis; Zapater et al. 2004), only populations of C. fissilis, which is commonly known as “cedro misionero,” have been found. This cedar
species is widespread throughout South America (Pennington and Muellner 2010),
although it is experiencing a significant decline because of large-scale forest clearance across its range. Unfortunately, this anthropogenic process is expected to continue, leading to a 30% population decline over the next century (Barstow 2018). In
Argentina, the species occurs from 25° 40’ S (on the border with Brazil) to 28°S,
where reaches its southern limit of distribution. In the northern area of its distribution, almost 60% of the Alto Paraná Rainforest has been transformed (Placci and Di
Bitetti 2006). Cedrela fissilis has timber attributes that placed it among the species
of greatest economic value in the local and international market. Accordingly, the
species turned as one of the most affected forest species of the Alto Paraná Rainforest
13 Patterns of Neutral Genetic Variation for High-Value Cedar Species…
Currently, C. angustifolia is included in the IUCN (International Union for
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red List “endangered” category
(2020-1, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32989/9741887). In addition, it is also
included in Appendix III of CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 2017; http://cites.org/sites/default/files/esp/
app/2017/S-Appendices-2017-10-04.pdf).
Cedrela saltensis, in Argentina, is known as “cedro salteño” and occurs in the
MR (from 700 to 1100 m asl) on a mountain strip on the northwest of the country
(see top-right panel in Fig. 13.1). It extends between the border with Bolivia at 22°
S and its southern limit at 24° 40’ S, within restricted zones of sympatry between
C. angustifolia and C. balansae (Brown et al. 2001; Zapater et al. 2004; Malizia
et al. 2006). Regarding the taxonomic identity of C. saltensis, it was rejected the
hypothesis of its hybrid origin from C. balansae and C. angustifolia, and therefore
it needs to be treated as a separate taxonomic entity (Premoli et al. 2011).
Cedrela balansae, also known as “cedro orán” (Zapater et al. 2004), typically
grows in the PR (from 300 to 700 m asl) on flat land and low hills due to its susceptibility to low temperatures and humidity requirements. The PR altitudinal stratum
has been the most intensely exploited forests because of its proximity to cities and
routes and consequently exhibits the highest levels of degradation. The distribution
of C. balansae, in the NWA, is restricted to a small latitudinal range (22° to 24° 30’
S). It is a canopy, long-lived, and deciduous tree species, up to 20 m high, with a
dark brown or gray deeply fissured bark. Like other species of the Meliaceae family,
C. balansae occurs naturally at low densities per hectare and presents an aggregated
spatial pattern (Grau et al. 2003; Zamora Petri 2006). Its wood has excellent properties such as fast drying, stability, high durability, and high insect resistance. It also
features good aesthetic characteristics like aroma, color, and grain (Rivera 2006)
turning C. balansae as a highly rated species on the timber market. In addition, the
easy accessibility to its populations and the development of agriculture under benign
climatic conditions resulted in the conversion of 70–80% of the piedmont surface to
agricultural activities (Brown and Malizia 2004; SAyDS 2007). This, in turn, has led
to the fragmentation of the remaining C. balansae populations, thus increasing their
susceptibility to further degradation.
In the Alto Paraná Rainforest of NEA, even though two Cedrela species were
reported (C. odorata and C. fissilis; Zapater et al. 2004), only populations of C. fissilis, which is commonly known as “cedro misionero,” have been found. This cedar
species is widespread throughout South America (Pennington and Muellner 2010),
although it is experiencing a significant decline because of large-scale forest clearance across its range. Unfortunately, this anthropogenic process is expected to continue, leading to a 30% population decline over the next century (Barstow 2018). In
Argentina, the species occurs from 25° 40’ S (on the border with Brazil) to 28°S,
where reaches its southern limit of distribution. In the northern area of its distribution, almost 60% of the Alto Paraná Rainforest has been transformed (Placci and Di
Bitetti 2006). Cedrela fissilis has timber attributes that placed it among the species
of greatest economic value in the local and international market. Accordingly, the
species turned as one of the most affected forest species of the Alto Paraná Rainforest
13 Patterns of Neutral Genetic Variation for High-Value Cedar Species…