Pycnandra decandra subsp. decandra is an endemic tree of New Caledonia, that grows up to 6m tall and was believed to be restricted to Ile Art (Belep Islands), north of Grande-Terre. However, recent collections from Dôme de Tiébaghi (2007) and Mount Kaala (2005) also fit the description of the subspecies. It is restricted to ultramafic substrates and grows either in dense humid forest (on Ile Art) at 50–200 m asl. or in shrubland (on Tiébaghi and Mont kaala) where known populations are at 550-600m asl. The main identified threats are ongoing mining activities, bushfires, logging and wood harvesting, which are likely to have caused a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals. Pycnandra decandra subsp. decandra is assessed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with a number of locations estimated to be three, a continuous decline of all concerned sub-criteria and an extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) respectively estimated to be 301 and 16 km².

Geographical area

Pycnandra decandra subsp. decandra is an endemic tree, up to 6m tall and was believed to be restricted to Ile Art (Belep Islands), north of Grande Terre. However, recent collections from Dôme de Tiébaghi (2008) and Mount Kaala (2005) also fit the circumscription of the subspecies.

Population

It is known from three subpopulations : Tiébaghi, Mont Kaala, Ile Art.

Habitat

Pycnandra decandra subsp. decandra is restricted to ultramafic substrate and grows either in dense humid forest on Ile Art at 50–200 m asl. or in shrubland on Tiébaghi and Mont kaala where known populations are at 550-600m asl.

Threats

Main identified threats are ongoing mining activities: Tiebaghi (SLN) or bushfires, logging & wood harvesting in Ile Art.

Conservation

Unprotected by legislation, Pycnandra decandra subsp. decandra does not occur in any protected area. Ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts are urgently needed, in particular : ensuring the follow-up of the known sub-populations and preserving it on delimited perimeters. It is also recommended to informe emergency services, such as firefighters, about known sub-populations in the aim to incorporated them into strategic and operational forest and fire management planning.

Bibliography

Swenson U. and Muzinger J. 2010. Revision of Pycnandra subgenus Achradotypus (Sapotaceae), with five new species from New Caledonia. Australian Systematic Botany(23) , p.185-216.

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Swenson U. and Muzinger J. 2016. Five new species and a systematic synopsis of Pycnandra (Sapotaceae), the largest endemic genus in New Caledonia. Australian Systematic Botany(29) , p.1-40.

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.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Vandrot, H., Veillon, J.

Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.

Contributor(s): Munzinger, J., Swenson, U.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V.