Taxonomy
Plerandra crassipes
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 10/12/2014
Plerandra crassipes is an endemic tree of New Caledonia spread on the southern half of Grande Terre (excluding the Grand-Sud) from the Montagne des Sources to Poya-Pouembout on serpentine/ultramafic massifs.With an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 4,407 km², an area of occupancy (AOO) of 333 km², and over 30 known subpopulations, some of which occur within a protected area (réserve naturelle du Mont Humboldt, réserve naturelle du Massif du Kouakoué, réserve intégrale de la Montagne des Sources, Parc des Grandes Fougères, Réserve naturelle du Mont Mou, Réserve naturelle du Mont Do, Réserve naturelle du Pic Ningua, réserve naturelle de la forêt de Saille), Plerandra crassipes is assigned a status of Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Plerandra crassipes is an endemic tree of New Caledonia spread on the southern half of Grande Terre (excluding the Grand-Sud) from the Montagne des Sources to Poya-Pouembout on serpentine/ultramafic massifs.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
Plerandra crassipes is found in shrubland (maquis minier) and dense humid forest on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 500-1400 m asl.
Threats
Plerandra crassipes may be impacted by mining activities and fires. However, it has a large distribution and natural regeneration has been observed. It does not seem threatened. An important threat to biodiversity in New Caledonia comes from past, present and future mining activities. 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 (rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year between 2013 and 2015). Uncontrolled fires sweep across lowlands of 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).
Conservation
Plerandra crassipes is not protected by legislation. It occurs in some protected areas (réserve naturelle du Mont Humboldt, réserve naturelle du Massif du Kouakoué, réserve intégrale de la Montagne des Sources, Parc des Grandes Fougères, Réserve naturelle du Mont Mou, Réserve naturelle du Mont Do, Réserve naturelle du Pic Ningua, réserve naturelle de la forêt de Saille).Dense humid forests are a patrominial ecosystem protected by the Code de l'Environnement of Province Sud.
Bibliography
Lowry, P. P. II; G. M. Plunkett; D. G. Frodin; C. Rodrigues Vaz; M. Gostel and A. N. Nicolas 2016. Revision of Plerandra A. Gray (Araliaceae). III. A taxonomic treatment of Plerandra subg. Dizygotheca..
Lowry, P. P. II; G. M. Plunkett and D. G. Frodin 2013. Revision of Plerandra A. Gray (Araliaceae). I. A synopsis of the genus with an expanded circumscription and a new infrageneric classification. Brittonia(65) , p.42-61.
Experts
Assessor(s): Tanguy, V.
Reviewer(s): Schatz, G.
Contributor(s): Anquez, M., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Isnard, S., Barrabé, L., Birnbaum, P., Gâteblé, G., Amice, R., Vandrot, H., Lowry, P., Garnier, D.
Facilitator(s): Schatz, G.