Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 10/05/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province
Pycnandra paucinervia is an endemic tree, up to 20m tall, only known from two localities: Mont Panié and vallée de Tchamba, at the northern end of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is found in dense humid forest at mid-altitude (200-500 m asl.) on volcano-sedimentary substrate. Its area of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 12 km², while the number of locations is equal to two. Main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), uncontrolled bushfires and logging activities. Pycnandra paucinervia is considered Endangered EN: B1ab (iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
Pycnandra paucinervia is an endemic tree only known from two localities: Mont Panié and vallée de Tchamba, at the northern end of Grande Terre in New Caledonia.
Population
It is known from two subpopulations: Mont Panié, haute Tchamba. It is a naturally uncommon species but possibly overlooked species in New Caledonia.
Habitat
This species is found in dense humid forest at mid-altitude (200-500 m asl.) on volcano-sedimentary substrate.
Threats
Main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) (Rusa timorensis), uncontrolled bushfires and logging activities. Introduced in the 1880's, rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) are now perfectly adapted to New Caledonian habitats.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). The locality in the Panié massif, where two trees are known, is situated on the edge of the Panié Reserve and logging is still an impending threat.
Conservation
Unprotected by legislation, this species is found in one protected area : Mont Panié. 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. Expand the Panié Reserve would allow to secure at least one population of this species.
Bibliography
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.
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.