Taxonomy
Pichonia grandiflora
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 10/05/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Pichonia grandiflora is an endemic shrub or small tree of New Caledonia that grows up to 4 m tall, only known from the Boulinda-Kopéto massif in central-western Grande Terre. P. grandiflora occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 400-460 m asl. The main threat is presented by multiple mining projects (ongoing and future), contributing to habitat loss and degradation. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both equal to 12 km², the number of locations is three (Paéoua, Kopéto, Boulinda) and to this day there are less than 50 known mature individuals in each subpopulation. Therefore, P. grandiflora is therefore listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria C2a(i) and D, with an estimated decline in the number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
Pichonia grandiflora is restricted to the Boulinda and Kopéto massifs in central-western of Grande Terre in New Caledonia.
Population
Three subpopulations are known: Paéoua, Kopéto and Boulinda, each with three or fewer known individuals.
Habitat
Pichonia grandiflora is found in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 400-460 m asl.
Threats
This species is severely threatened by multiple mining projects, both ongoing and future. Ongoing mining activities contribute to the loss and degradation of habitat, especially to erosion. New Caledonia contains 20-30% of the world’s nickel resources. Intense mining activities since the late 19th century has generated soil erosion (1.2% of bare ground mapped by SPOT5 in 2007). Based on the distribution of metal-rich soils and site accessibility, these threats are predictable and planned (there was a rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year between 2013 and 2015).
Conservation
This species is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected areas. It is recommended to conduct searches in the Katépahié area. Due to severity of the nickel mining threat and Pichonia grandiflora being restricted to the Boulinda-Kopéto massif, it would be beneficial to fence in a viable population and to set up a propagation programme for ex situ and in situ conservation.
Bibliography
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.
Swenson U. and Muzinger J. 2012. Revision of Pichonia (Sapotaceae) in New Caledonia. Australian Systematic Botany(25) , p.31-48.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Vandrot, H., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.
Contributor(s): Swenson, U., Munzinger, J.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V.