Taxonomy
Planchonella cauliflora
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 29/11/2019Protected species -
in Northern Province
Planchonella cauliflora is an endemic tree of New Caledonia, where it is restricted to two distant localities on the west coast of Grande Terre. It occurs in mesophilous forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate under 100 m asl. The main threats to this species are bushfires and invasive species. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 135 and 12 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be two. Therefore, P. cauliflora is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
P. cauliflora is endemic from New Caledonia, where it is only known from two distant localities on the west coast of Grande Terre: Ouaménie and Roches Notre-Dame.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is not common.
Habitat
This tree grows in low elevation mesophilous forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 100 m asl.
Threats
Principal threats to this species are Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and bushfires, which severely impact its regeneration capacity and the quality of its habitat.
Conservation
P. cauliflora is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but it doesn't occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed that monitoring and specific protection should occur to ensure the persistence of known populations. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Finally, prospection is strongly recommended on the west coast of Grande Terre, where remaining forests are mostly in private properties and often heavily threatened by deer.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].
Munzinger J. & Swenson U. 2009. Three new species of Planchonella Pierre (Sapotaceae) with a dichotomous and an online key to the genus in New Caledonia. Adansonia ser. 3(31(1)) , p.175-189.
Experts
Assessor(s): Barrault, J., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Munzinger, J., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Swenson, U.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S., Tanguy, V.