Taxonomy
Planchonella minutiflora
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 29/11/2019Protected species -
in Northern Province
Planchonella minutiflora is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northwest of Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 500 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 67 and 16 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be three. Therefore, P. minutiflora is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
P. minutiflora is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northwest of Grande Terre, from Mt. Kaala to Poum.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is scarce.
Habitat
This shrub grows in low elevation shrubland ('maquis') on ultramafic substrate up to 500 m asl.
Threats
The main threat to this species is posed by bushfires and urbanisation at the foot of the massifs. Mining activities can also indirectly impact it through the opening of trails and landfill sites.
Conservation
P. minutiflora 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 in the northwest of Grande Terre, where it is potentially more widely distributed.
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].
Munzinger J. & Swenson U. 2009. Three new species of Planchonella Pierre (Sapotaceae) with a dichotomous and an online key to the genus in New Caledonia. Adansonia ser. 3(31(1)) , p.175-189.
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): Tanguy, V., Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.