Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 30/09/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Burretiokentia grandiflora is a solitary, subcanopy, tree palm endemic of New Caledonia. It is restricted in the southeast Grande Terre on the eastern slope of Montagne des Sources and banks of the upper Rivière Bleue and Haute Pourina. It occurs in dense humid forest on soils derived from ultramafic rocks at an altitude range of 250-950 m asl. The size of the population is unknown but field observations noted a small population, isolated matured individuals with absence of regeneration. Its area of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both equal to 20km². Therefore, considering the rarity of the species and the absence of regeneration and the number of locations estimated to three, B.grandiflora is considered Endangered (EN) according to criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a decline of the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
Burretiokentia grandiflora is an endemic palm tree of New Caledonia where it is know from three subpopulations restricted in the southeast Grande Terre (from the eastern slope of Montagne des Sources and banks of the upper Rivière Bleue and Haute Pourina)
Population
Population size is unknown but field observations noted small populations, isolated matured individuals. The number of subpopulations is estimated to three.
Habitat
Burretiokentia grandiflora occurs in dense humid forest on soils derived from ultramafic rocks at an altitude range of 250-950 m asl.
Threats
The main threats comes from the degradation of forest habitat caused by pigs and the destruction of seed by rats.
Conservation
Burretiokentia grandiflora is protected by legislation in Province Nord and Province Sud and it fully occurs in protected areas : Parc de la Rivière Bleue, Haute Pourina, Montagne des Sources. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions as well as invasive species control. Prospection on this species in the other parts of the valley and listing of the species in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) are recommended.
Bibliography
Pintaud, J.-C., & Baker, W. J. 2008. A Revision of the Palm Genera (Arecaceae) of New Caledonia.. Kew bulletin(63) , p.61-73.
Pintaud, J.C. 2000. An introduction to the palms of New Caledonia.. Palms(44) , p.132-140.
Pintaud, J.C. 1999. Phylogénie, biogéographie et écologie des palmiers de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Pintaud, J.-C., & Hodel, D. R. 1998. Three New Species of Burretiokentia. . Principes(42) , p.152-155.
Hodel, D. R., & Pintaud. 1998. The palms of New Caledonia / Les palmiers de Nouvelle-Calédonie..
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Canel, J., Ugolini, D., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Garnier, D., Goxe, J., Henry, B., Lespes, A., Letocart, D., Letocart, I., Mercier, B., Tiavouane, J., Veillon, J., Warimavute, G.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G., Maura, J.