Taxonomy
Planchonella povilana
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 29/11/2019Protected species -
in Northern Province
Planchonella povilana is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, where it has a scattered distribution in the center and east coast of Grande Terre, as well as the Isle of Pines. It occurs in forest and shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 270 m asl. The main threats to this species are bushfires, urbanisation, as well as the indirect impacts of mining activities. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 5,624 and 28 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be seven. Therefore, P. povilana is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
P. povilana is endemic to New Caledonia, where it has a scattered distribution in the center and east coast of Grande Terre, from Téné to Ponandou, as well as the Isle of Pines.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This small tree grows in low elevation shrubland ('maquis') or forest on ultramafic substrate up to 270 m asl.
Threats
The main threat to this species is posed by bushfires on the east coast of Grande Terre and the Isle of Pines.
Conservation
P. povilana is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but it doesn't occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed that monitoring should occur to ensure the persistence of the known population. It is also recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Finally, prospection is recommended to clear up this species' surprising distribution pattern.
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].
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Swenson U., Munzinger J. & Bartish I.V. 2007. Molecular phylogeny of Planchonella (Sapotaceae) and eight new species from New Caledonia. Taxon(56(2)) , p.329-354.
Experts
Assessor(s): Barrault, J., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Munzinger, J., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Swenson, U.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V., Meyer, S.