Taxonomy
Pleioluma tchingouensis
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 29/11/2019
Pleioluma tchingouensis is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, where it is only known from the Tchingou massif. It occurs in dense humid forest on ultramafic substrate between 750 and 860 m asl. The main threat to this species is currently posed by bushfires, but mining activities could also threaten it in the future. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 4 km², and the number of locations is estimated to be one. Therefore, P. tchingouensis is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
P. tchingouensis is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from the Tchingou massif, in the northeast of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This shrub grows in dense humid forest on ultramafic substrate between 750 and 860 m asl.
Threats
The main threat to this species is currently posed by bushfires, which could reach high altitude forest edges. Besides, this species occurs within a mining concession and thus could be impacted by mining activities on the massif in the future.
Conservation
P. tchingouensis is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it doesn't occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed that monitoring should occur to ensure the persistence of the known population within the mining concession. To ensure the preservation of a viable population, it is recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Besides, prospection is recommended on the neighbouring summits (Goro Até, Kantalupaik).
Bibliography
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].
Swenson U., Nylander J.A.A. & Munzinger J. 2018. Phylogeny, species delimitation and revision of Pleioluma (Sapotaceae) in New Caledonia, a frequently gynodioecious genus. Australian Systematic Botany(31) , p.120-165.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Barrault, J., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Munzinger, J., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Swenson, U.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.