Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 21/07/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Pancheria ajiearoana is an endemic shrub found in central Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from 3 massifs (Paéoua, MéMaoya, Ménazi). It is found in altitudinal shrubland on ultramafic substrate. Main threats are ongoing mining activities in Kouaoua/Ménazi and recent ones on Paéoua. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 449 km² and 16 km² while the number of locations are estimated to be 3. Pancheria ajiearoana is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.
Geographical area
This species is restricted to central Grande Terre in New Caledonia where it is known from 3 massifs (Paéoua, MéMaoya, Ménazi).
Population
It is known from 3 subpopulations where it may be locally abundant.
Habitat
It is found in altitudinal shrubland (900-1,100 m asl) on ultramafic substrate.
Threats
Main threats are presented by ongoing mining activities in Ménazi and recent ones in Paéoua.
Conservation
This species is protected by legislation in Province Nord but does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to carry ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts, in particular : seeds banking, ensuring the follow-up of known sub-populations and preserving viable populations on delimited perimeters. Patches of humid forest on ultramafic substrates should be protected, as on Paéoua and MéMaoya massif which host several threatened species.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Morat, P.; Jaffré, T.; Tronchet, F.; Munzinger, J.; Pillon, Y.; Veillon, J.-M. and Chalopin, M. 2012. The taxonomic database « FLORICAL » and characteristics of the indigenous flora of New Caledonia. Adansonia(334) , p.177-219.
H. C. F. Hopkins, J. C. Bradford, B. Donovan, Y. Pillon, J. Munzinger, B. Fogliani 2015. Floral biology of the Cunoniaceae in New Caledonia and the role of insects, birds and geckos as potential pollinators.
Helen Fortune Hopkins, Yohan Pillon, Ruurd Hoogland 2015. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie : Cunoniaceae.
H. C. F. Hopkins, Y. Pillon & J. C. Bradford 2009. The endemic genus Pancheria (Cunoniaceae) in New Caledonia: Notes on morphology and the description of three new species. KEW BULLETIN(64) , p.429-446.
Experts
Assessor(s): Pillon, Y., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Hequet, V., Letocart, D., Letocart, I., Tanguy, V., Tiavouane, J., Tron, F.
Reviewer(s): Fogliani, B.
Contributor(s): Couhia, J., Brinkert, M., Fortune-Hopkins, H.
Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Tanguy, V.