Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 28/05/2018Protected species -
in Southern Province
Symplocos paniensis is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is only known from the summit of Mt. Panié, in the northeast of Grande Terre. It occurs in high elevation shrubby vegetation on volcano-sedimentary substrate above 1,400 m asl. The main threat is posed by feral pigs, which cause heavy habitat degradation and damage to mature individuals by grubbing. To this day, less than 50 mature individuals are known. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both 8 km² and the number of locations is one. Therefore, S. paniensis is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v);C2a(i,ii);D.
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from the summit of Mt. Panié, in the northeast of Grande Terre. It might occur on neighbouring Mt.ains (Pillon & Nooteboom, 2009), but has never been collected there.
Population
To this day, less than 50 mature individuals are known. Collections indicated that this species was uncommon (Pillon & Nooteboom, 2009), which was confirmed by more recent field observations (CI & Dayu Biik 2018).
Habitat
This shrub occurs in high elevation shrubby vegetation on volcano-sedimentary substrate, especially kauri forest undergrowth above 1,400 m asl (Pillon & Nooteboom, 2009).
Threats
This species is threatened by feral pigs (Sus scrofa), which cause heavy habitat degradation and damage to mature individuals by grubbing. No regeneration has been observed (CI & Dayu Biik 2018). Besides, like other high elevation species, it could be impacted by climate change in the future.
Conservation
S. paniensis is protected by legislation in Province Sud and occurs in one protected area: mount Panié reserve. This species would benefit from emergency in situ and ex situ conservation actions. Monitoring of known subpopulations should continue and a viable one should be preserved in a delimited area where feral pigs are regulated. Finally, further prospection is recommended on mounts Ignambi and Colnett, where the species is suspected to occur.
Bibliography
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Fiche de pré-évaluation – Symplocos paniensis.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.
Pillon, Y. & Nooteboom, H.P. 2009. A new species of Symplocos (Symplocaceae) from Mont Panié (New Caledonia). Adansonia(31) , p.191-196.
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Pré-évaluation du niveau de menace de la flore micro-endémique se développant au sein de la forêt de kaoris de la zone sommitale du Mont Panié.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Haverkamp, C., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Laudereau, C., Tiavouane, J., Tron, F., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Butaud, J., Meyer, S.