Taxonomy
Common name :
Palmier rasta
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 30/09/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Burretiokentia hapala is a solitary, subcanopy to emergent ,tree palm endemic of New Caledonia, restricted in northern part of Grande Terre. Burretiokentia hapala occurs in dense humid forest or gallery forests on soils derived from schistose rocks at an altitude range of 50-400m asl. The size of the population is unknown but field observations noted a population locally abundant with absence of regeneration. The main threat comes from rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) grazing of seedlings and the degradation of forest habitat caused by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) (Rusa timorensis), wild pigs and fire. Its area of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively equal to 398 and 28 km². Therefore, considering the big impacts of rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) on seedlings and destruction of habitats by pigs and fires and the number of locations estimated to four, B.hapala 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 hapala is an endemic palm tree of New Caledonia where it is known from three subpopulations restricted in the northern part of Grande Terre (from Vallée des palmiers, Haute Diahot to Troulala).
Population
The total size of B.hapala is unknown but at one locality (Vallée du téléphone) it is estimated to around 350 mature individuals. The number of subpopulation is estimated to three.
Habitat
Burretiokentia hapala occurs in dense humid forest or gallery forests on soils derived from schistose rocks at an altitude range of 50-400m asl.
Threats
The main threat comes from the grazing of seedlings by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), the degradation of forest habitat caused by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), pigs, fire and land clearing due to agriculture and farming.
Conservation
Burretiokentia hapala is protected by legislation in Province Nord and Province Sud but it does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation as well as invasive species control. Because B.hapala is located on privately owned land, raising awareness to the owners would be advised. It is also recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort, and the Conservatoire d'espaces naturels de Nouvelle-Calédonie (New Caledonia natural spaces conservatory), which coordinates the New Caledonian Invasive Species Programme, on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It is also suggested to list the species in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Bibliography
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.
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.
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): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V., Maura, J.