Taxonomy

Pycnandra longipetiolata Swenson & Munzinger
endemique
protegee
UICN

Red List Status -

Endangered (EN) , assessed in 10/05/2016

Protected species -

in Southern Province

Pycnandra longipetiolata is an endemic shrub, up to 4m tall, naturally uncommon restricted to a small area of Plateau de Tiéa and Oua Péoué, two localities between Koné and Poya on the western coast of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It occurs in shrubland at low altitude (50-230 m asl.) on ultramafic substrate. Its area of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively 19 km² and 12 km², while the number of locations is equal to two. Main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires and potentiel mining activities allow us to project a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals. Pycnandra longipetiolata is considered Endangered EN: B1ab (iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v).

Geographical area


Pycnandra longipetiolata is an endemic shrub, up to 4m tall, naturally uncommon restricted to a small area of Plateau de Tiéa and Oua Péoué, two localities between Koné and Poya on the western coast of Grande Terre.

Population


It is known from two subpopulations: Tiea, Oua Péoué.

Habitat


Pycnandra longipetiolata is found in shrubland at low altitude (50-230 m asl.) on ultramafic substrate.

Threats


Main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires and potentiel mining activities. Uncontrolled bushfires sweep across New Caledonia each year, especially during the dry season (an average of 20,000 ha of land is burnt each year, with dramatic peaks of 70,000 ha). Humid forest in this area suffers severely from previous logging and continuous fires, which may explain the disjunct distribution. The maquis vegetation in this area, especially on Plateau de Tiéa, is still fairly intact, but frequent fires are a real threat to this fragile vegetation. Moreover, most of the plateau is within a mining concession, resulting in an impending threat of being exploited in the near future.

Conservation


Unprotected by legislation, Pycnandra longipetiolata 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 only known sub-populations and preserving it on delimited perimeters. It is moreover recommended to prospect Oua Péoué area and to inform mining operator (SLN) regarding this species situation.

Bibliography


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.

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

Swenson U. and Muzinger J. 2009. Revision of Pycnandra subgenus Pycnandra (Sapotaceae), a genus endemic to New Caledonia. Australian Systematic Botany(22) , p.437-465.

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.


Geographical distribution