Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 29/11/2019
Planchonella serpentinicola is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northwest of Grande Terre, the Bélep archipelago and a couple of other small islands. It occurs in shrubland or low forest on ultramafic substrate up to 260 m asl. The main threats to this species are bushfires and mining activities. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 761 and 44 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be six. Therefore, P. serpentinicola is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
P. serpentinicola is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northwest of Grande Terre, the Bélep archipelago, as well as Baaba and Yandé islands.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This shrub grows in shrubland ('maquis') or low forest on ultramafic (mostly serpentinous) substrate up to 260 m asl.
Threats
The main threat to this species is posed by bushfires on Art island (Bélep), and the indirect impact of mining activities in Tiébaghi. The Bélep subpopulations could also be affected by future mining activities.
Conservation
P. serpentinicola 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. 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.
Bibliography
Gâteblé G., Barrabé L., McPherson G., Munzinger J., Snow N. and Swenson U. 2018. One new endemic plant species on average per month in New Caledonia, including eight more new species from Île Art (Belep Islands), a major micro-hotspot in need of protection . Australian Systematic Botany(31) , p.448-480.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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].
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): Meyer, S., Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G.