Taxonomy
Plerandra leptophylla
Common name :
Han (Nemi Est)
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 10/12/2014
Plerandra leptophylla is an endemic tree of New Caledonia restricted to the northern part of Grande Terre.With an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 4,500 km², an area of occupancy (AOO) of 80 km², and approximately 20 known subpopulations, some of which occur within a protected area (Réserve de nature sauvage du massif de l’Aoupinié, Parc des Grandes Fougères), Plerandra leptophylla is assigned a status of Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Plerandra leptophylla is an endemic tree of New Caledonia restricted to the northern part of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
Plerandra leptophylla is found in dense humid montane forest on volcano-sedimentary substrates, at an altitudinal range of 100-800 m.
Threats
One threat comes from habitat degradation due to Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis), which was introduced in the 1880s and adapted extremely well to Caledonian habitats. Its population may have reached over 100,000 individuals in the wild. This rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) consumes a wide variety of plant species and causes severe damage to trees, which results in very little regeneration. In the past, logging activities had been a potential threat.
Conservation
Plerandra leptophylla occurs in protected areas (Réserve de nature sauvage du massif de l’Aoupinié, Parc des Grandes Fougères). Dense humid forests are a patrimonial 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): Birnbaum, P., Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Lowry, P., Garnier, D., Cazé, H., Vandrot, H., Gâteblé, G., Fleurot, D., Anquez, M., Butin, J.
Facilitator(s): Schatz, G.