Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 27/09/2022Xylopia pallescens is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, with a scattered distribution along the east coast of Grande Terre, from the Ouinné valley to Baie Ugué. This species is found in scrubland on ultramafic soil up to 400 m asl. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 1,265 and 32 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be seven. The main threat is posed by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities (Kouaoua). Therefore, Xylopia pallescens is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v), with a continuing decline of all the concerned sub-criteria.
Geographical area
Xylopia pallescens is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the southeast of Grande Terre, from Vallée de la Ouinné to Baie Ugué (Ho).
Population
The population size is not known.
Habitat
This species occurs in scrubland on ultramafic soil up to 400 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is posed by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities (Kouaoua).
Conservation
Xylopia pallescens is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected areas. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas.
Bibliography
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].
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.
Johnson D. M., Munzinger Jérôme, Peterson J. A., Murray N. A. 2013. Taxonomy and biogeography of the New Caledonian species of Xylopia L. (Annonaceae). Adansonia(35(2)) , p.207-226.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A.