Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 24/07/2015
Pittosporum pancheri is a shrub or tree of New Caledonia which can reach 10 m in height, quite common on île des Pins and on Nouméa area, with Bourail as the northern border. P. pancheri is found at low altitude sclerophyllous forest on schist or calcareous soil, most of the time with a madreporic origin. Its area of occupancy and its extent of occurrence are respectively 92 and 3,581 km² for a total of threatened locations and non-threatened sub-populations above 10. A continuous decline of area of occupancy, habitat quality and population size is inferred regarding threats linked such as rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and Grand Nouméa urban sprawl. Using criteria B, P. pancheri qualifies as Near Threatened (NT) close to (VU) B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
P. pancheri is quite common on île des Pins and on Nouméa area, with Bourail as the northern border.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
P. pancheri is found on low altitude sclerophyllous forest on schist or calcareous soil, most of the time with a madreporic origin.
Threats
The main threats linked to degradation of P. pancheri habitat are urbanisation of Grand Nouméa, agriculture for Bourail locality as well as Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) for a population located on presqu’île d'Uitoé.
Conservation
P. pancheri is not protected by any legislation, but is known from several protected areas, such as Parc du Ouen Toro - Albert Etuvé et Lucien Audet and Parc Zoologique et Forestier (PZF). This species is propagated in nursery and is part of in situ plantation program organized by WWF on PZF and parc de Ouen Toro. Works on phylogenesis are recommended to improve our knowledge on this species.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.
Bouchet, P.; Jaffré, T. and Veillon J.-M. 1995. Plant extinction in New Caledonia: protection of sclerophyll forest urgently needed. Biodiversity and Conservation(4) , p.415-428.
Morat, P.; Jaffré, T.; Tronchet, F.; Munzinger, J.; Pillon, Y.; Veillon, J.-M. and Chalopin, M. 2012. Le référentiel taxonomique Florical et les caractéristiques de la flore vasculaire indigène de la Nouvelle-Calédonie [The taxonomic database « FLORICAL » and characteristics of the indigenous flora of New Caledonia]. Adansonia sér 3(34) , p.177-219.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gemmill, C., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Letocart, I., Letocart, D., Maggia, L., Pain, A.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.