Taxonomy
Synonyms
Kentiopsis pyriformis Pintaud & HodelRed List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 30/09/2016
Description
Reference
DONALD R. HODEL, WILLIAM J. BAKER, SIDONIE BELLOT, VÍCTOR PÉREZ-CALLE, AUBREY CUMBERLEDGE
CRAIG F. BARRETT. 2021. Reassessment of the Archontophoenicinae of New Caledonia and Description of a
New Species. Palms 65(3): 109-131
Chambeyronia pyriformis is a solitary, moderate to large, subcanopy to emergent, gregarious, tree palm endemic of New Caledonia, restricted in the extreme southeast of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is found on flat land to steep, rocky erodes slopes south of Yaté from Touaourou to Goro villages and Port Boisé. Kentiopsis pyriformis occurs in wet forest on soils derived from ultramafic rocks from 10-200m asl. Population size is unknown and it has an area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) respectively equal to 32 and 107 km² with four locations impacted by urbanisation and fire. C.pyriformis is considered Endangered (EN) B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) with a decline of the area of occupancy, the quality of habitat and the number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
Chambeyronia pyriformis is an endemic palm tree of New Caledonia known from 4 subpopulations, that are restricted in the extreme southeast of Grande Terre in New Caledonia (From Kuebini, Route de Goro, Port boisé and Forêt Nord)
Population
Population size is unknown but recent prospection (2016) in Kuebini reports a population of nearly 50 mature individuals with a good regeneration. The number of subpopulation is estimated to four.
Habitat
Chambeyronia pyriformis occurs in wet forest on soils derived from ultramafic rocks from 10-200m asl.
Threats
The main threats comes from the degradation of forest habitats caused by fires and utility & service lines development. An additional threat could be seeds destruction by rats.
Conservation
Chambeyronia pyriformis is protected by legislation in Province Nord and Province Sud and it occurs in one protected area: Forêt Nord. This species is part of a species management plan set up by VALE NC: in 2008, four seedlings were transplanted from an area affected by the project footprint to the protected area of Forêt Nord. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is also recommended to list the species in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and to inform the DSCGR (emergency services) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Raising awareness on this species amongst local stakeholders would also be advisable.
Bibliography
Pintaud, J.-C., & Hodel, D. R. 1998. A revision of Kentiopsis, a genus endemic to New Caledonia. . Principes(42) , p.32-33.
Hodel, D. R., & Pintaud. 1998. The palms of New Caledonia / Les palmiers de Nouvelle-Calédonie..
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. 1999. Phylogénie, biogéographie et écologie des palmiers de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Pintaud, J.C. 2000. An introduction to the palms of New Caledonia.. Palms(44) , p.132-140.
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): Maura, J., Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G.