Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 10/05/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province
Pycnandra sclerophylla is an endemic small tree up to 8m tall, known only from three locations of the west coast of the Grande Terre: around Pouembout in the north, on the Montagnès Peninsula and Leprédour Island in the south. It grows on calcareous substrate and black clays and occurs in sclerophyllous dry forests at an altitudinal range 10-150 m asl. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively 725 km² and 32 km², while the number of locations is equal to three. Main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires and invasive species allow us to project a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals. Pycnandra sclerophylla is considered Endangered (EN) according to the criteria B1ab (iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v) with a decline of habitat quality and number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
Pycnandra sclerophylla is an endemic small tree up to 8m tall, known only from three locations of the west coast of the main island Grande Terre, around Pouembout in the north and on the Montagnès Peninsula and Leprédour Island in the south.
Population
It is known from three subpopulations: Pouembout in the Nord, Presque ile de montagnes and ile de Leprédour. It is report as a naturally rare species.
Habitat
Pycnandra sclerophylla is one of the few members of Pycnandra that grows on calcareous substrate and black clays, and it occurs in sclerophyllous dry forests at at an altitudinal range 10-150 m asl.
Threats
The population at Pouembout is partly in the Tiéa botanical conservatory, but could still be damaged by fire. The vegetation on Leprédour Island has been heavily affected by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) overabundance and the area was declared protected in 2009. Invasive species control had been set up by Province Sud concerning Rusa deer and rabbits, but they remain abundant and prevent the species from regeneration. Invasive species control has now ceased. The Montagnès Peninsula is now enclosed and protected by a fence.
Conservation
Unprotected by legislation, Pycnandra sclerophylla occurs in one protected area: Ile Leprédour. Ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts are urgently needed, in particular : ensuring the follow-up of the only known sub-populations and preserving it on delimited perimeters.
Bibliography
Swenson U. and Muzinger J. 2015. Revision of Pycnandra subgenus Leptostylis and description of subgenus Wagapensia (Sapotaceae), a genus endemic to New Caledonia. Australian Systematic Botany(28) , p.91-110.
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Tronchet F., Veillon J.-M. and M. Chalopin 2016. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia. vers. 22.IV.2016.
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Cazé, H., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., McCoy, S., McCoy, S.
Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.
Contributor(s): Munzinger, J., Swenson, U.
Facilitator(s): Bernard-Musmann, M., Maura, J.