Taxonomy
Planchonella rufocostata
Red List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 29/11/2019Protected species -
in Northern Province
Planchonella rufocostata is an endemic tree of New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northeast of Grande Terre. It grows in dense humid forest on ultramafic or volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 450 m asl. The main threat to this species is possibly posed by invasive species. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 1,174 and 76 km², respectively. Therefore, P. rufocostata is listed as Near Threatened (NT), close to Vulnerable under criteria B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii).
Geographical area
P. rufocostata is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northeast of Grande Terre, from Mt. Arago to Ponandou.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is rather common.
Habitat
This tree grows in dense humid forest on ultramafic and volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 450 m asl.
Threats
The main threat to this species is habitat degradation by invasive species (rusa deer Rusa timorensis). The Tchingou subpopulation could be impacted by mining activities in the future.
Conservation
P. rufocostata is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but it doesn't occur in any protected areas.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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].
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., Meyer, S., Tanguy, V.