Taxonomy
Cyphophoenix elegans
Synonyms
Kentia elegans Brongn. & GrisRed List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 30/09/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Cyphophoenix elegans is a solitary, understory to emergent, tree palm endemic to New Caledonia. It is confined in the northeast of Grande Terre. Cyphophoenix elegans occurs in wet, often low, shrubby mountain forest on soils derived from schistose rocks from 200-550m asl. The population estimation is unknown but field observations report a population that is not abundant with isolated individuals and absence of regeneration. It has an area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) both equal to 28km² with 3 locations. Therefore, considering the impact of frequent bushfires and the absence of regeneration on this small population, C.elegans is considered Endangered (EN) B1ab (iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a decline of the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
Cyphophoenix elegans is an endemic tree palm of New Caledonia where it is known from 3 subpopulations that are confined in the northeast Grande Terre in New Caledonia, north of Ouégoa (Haute Mayavetch, Col d'Amos and Rivière Parari)
Population
The population estimation is unknown but field observations report a population not abundant with isolated individuals and a lack of regeneration.
Habitat
Cyphophoenix elegans occurs in wet, often low, shrubby moutain forest on soils derived from schistose rocks from 200-550m asl.
Threats
The main threats comes from the degradation of forest habitats caused by frequent bushfires in the region of Amos and possible impacts from invasive species: seed destruction by rats, seedlings destruction by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), habitat damage by pigs.
Conservation
Cyphophoenix elegans is protected by legislation in Province Nord and Province Sud but it does not occur in any protected area. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It is moreover suggested to promote its growing in nurseries, to integrate it in future green space planning and to raise awareness on this species amongst local stakeholders.
Bibliography
Pintaud, J.C. 2000. An introduction to the palms of New Caledonia.. Palms(44) , p.132-140.
Pintaud, J.-C., & Baker, W. J. 2008. A Revision of the Palm Genera (Arecaceae) of New Caledonia.. Kew bulletin(63) , p.61-73.
Hodel, D. R., & Pintaud. 1998. The palms of New Caledonia / Les palmiers de Nouvelle-Calédonie..
Pintaud, J.C. 1999. Phylogénie, biogéographie et écologie des 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): Maura, J., Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.