Taxonomy
Planchonella crenata
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 29/11/2019Protected species -
in Northern Province
Planchonella crenata is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the Koniambo and Katépahié massifs in the northwest of Grande Terre. It occurs in low elevation shrubland on ultramafic substrate between 50 and 250 m asl. The main threats to this species are bushfires and ongoing mining activities. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated to be 83 and 64 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be three. Therefore, P. crenata is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v).
Geographical area
P. crenata is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the Koniambo and Katépahié massifs, in the northwest of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This shrub grows in low elevation shrubland on ultramafic substrate from 50 to 250 m asl.
Threats
The main threats to this species are bushfires at the foot of both massifs, as well as ongoing mining activities on the Koniambo massif.
Conservation
P. crenata 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 and preservation should occur to ensure the persistence of known populations on the mining site. To ensure the preservation of other viable populations, it is also 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].
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.