Parajubaea sunkha

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
PLANTAE	TRACHEOPHYTA	LILIOPSIDA	ARECALES	PALMAE

Scientific Name:

Parajubaea sunkha

Species Authority:

Moraes

Common Name/s:

English	–	Sunkha Palm
Spanish	–	Palma De Zunkha

Taxonomic Notes:

Due to its rareness and the lack of taxonomic studies of the genus Parajubaea there was no clear taxonomical distinction between P. torallyi and P. sunkha until 1996, when P. sunkha was established by Moraes (1996). According to Ibisch (2004), "the genus Parajubaea could be considered to be the most threatened of all Bolivian plants." In 1994, Vargas described in detail the distribution and the traditional use of the population which is now known as Parajubaea sunkha.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B1ab(iii)c(iv)+2ab(iii)c(iv) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2006

Assessor/s:

Enssle, J.

Reviewer/s:

Zona, S. & Maunder, M. (Palm Red List Authority)

Justification:
P. sunkha has a restricted range; extent of occurrence (EOO) is 288 km² and area of occupancy (AOO) is 56 km². More than 50% of its total AOO is in habitat patches that are smaller than would be required to support a viable population, and separated from other habitat patches by a large distance (see description of subpopulations, map of AOO and seed dispersal ecology under Habitat and Ecology). Quality of habitat is also degrading rapidly (see explanations under Threats), and extreme fluctuations in the number of mature individuals have been directly observed (measured) and can be traced back to harvest intensities (see explanations under Threats).

It is estimated that the taxon would also meet the criteria for EN A2acd+A4acd (population decline of at least 50%) but these criteria cannot yet be evaluated correctly due to the lack of data over time. Thus, the future population trend is unknown and depends on the local socio-economic developments. A second inventory is planned for the year 2008 and a reassessment will be carried out then to evaluate whether criterion A applies.

History:

1997

–

Endangered (Walter and Gillett 1998)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Parajubaea sunkha is endemic to only a few inter-Andean valleys in the province of Vallegrande, in the department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia (Vargas 1994). Follow the link below for figure 3: extent of occurrence (EOO) for Parajubaea sunkha, and figure 4: area of occupancy (AOO) for Parajubaea sunkha. The most important sites for the species are around the villages of “Mataralcito” and “El Palmar”. At these two sites there is to be found a population of up to 17,000 mature individual. On other sites, however, populations are very small (1–100 mature individuals). Extent of occurrence: 287,625 km² Area of occupancy: 56 km² For further information about this species, see 61421.pdf. A PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader is required.
Countries:	Native: Bolivia

Range Description:

Parajubaea sunkha is endemic to only a few inter-Andean valleys in the province of Vallegrande, in the department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia (Vargas 1994).

Follow the link below for figure 3: extent of occurrence (EOO) for Parajubaea sunkha, and figure 4: area of occupancy (AOO) for Parajubaea sunkha.

The most important sites for the species are around the villages of “Mataralcito” and “El Palmar”. At these two sites there is to be found a population of up to 17,000 mature individual. On other sites, however, populations are very small (1–100 mature individuals).

Extent of occurrence: 287,625 km²
Area of occupancy: 56 km²

For further information about this species, see 61421.pdf.

A PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader is required.

Countries:

Native:

Bolivia

Population [top]

Population:	According to Vargas (1994) (follow the link below for figure 2: location of the Parajubaea sunkha subpopulations according to Vargas (1994)): There are 14 locations recorded, most of which show only a few individuals (1–100). The only significant populations are to be found in locations number 11 (Mataralcito) and 12 (El Palmar) with an estimate of up to 17,000 mature individuals. Degree of fragmentation is high. Approximately the half of the populations are fragmented and are estimated to be only little viable. For further information about this species, see 61421.pdf. A PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader is required.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Population:

According to Vargas (1994) (follow the link below for figure 2: location of the Parajubaea sunkha subpopulations according to Vargas (1994)):

There are 14 locations recorded, most of which show only a few individuals (1–100). The only significant populations are to be found in locations number 11 (Mataralcito) and 12 (El Palmar) with an estimate of up to 17,000 mature individuals.

Degree of fragmentation is high. Approximately the half of the populations are fragmented and are estimated to be only little viable.

For further information about this species, see 61421.pdf.

A PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader is required.

Population Trend:

Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Parajubaea sunkha is a montane palm species which grows at an altitude from 1,700 to 2,500 m above sea level. It is endemic to only a few inter-Andean valleys (Vargas 1994). Mean annual precipitation in this region is about 550 mm with a marked dry season of five months between June and October, in some years it lasts even longer. In the wet season frosts can occur at night. This makes the palm suitable for Mediterranean localities with similar climates (Vargas 1994). Loving shadow in the youth and bare sun as an adult it out-competes the accompanying vegetation when closing the canopy. In the dark Parajubaea understorey, a humid and template microclimate can be observed and rotten leaves form a humic topsoil which is ideal for the germination of the palm seeds. After pollination, the fruit ripens for about 20 months. When fallen to ground, the seed is distributed by rodents who feed on the fruit. It is estimated that rodents do not disperse the seed over a larger distance than 100 m from one mother tree. Under natural conditions, the seeds need another 17 months for germination (Vargas 1994), but with the help of in vitro cultivation the germination time of P. sunkha and P. torallyi can be brought down to only several weeks (Ibisch 2004).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Parajubaea sunkha is a montane palm species which grows at an altitude from 1,700 to 2,500 m above sea level. It is endemic to only a few inter-Andean valleys (Vargas 1994). Mean annual precipitation in this region is about 550 mm with a marked dry season of five months between June and October, in some years it lasts even longer. In the wet season frosts can occur at night. This makes the palm suitable for Mediterranean localities with similar climates (Vargas 1994). Loving shadow in the youth and bare sun as an adult it out-competes the accompanying vegetation when closing the canopy. In the dark Parajubaea understorey, a humid and template microclimate can be observed and rotten leaves form a humic topsoil which is ideal for the germination of the palm seeds. After pollination, the fruit ripens for about 20 months. When fallen to ground, the seed is distributed by rodents who feed on the fruit. It is estimated that rodents do not disperse the seed over a larger distance than 100 m from one mother tree. Under natural conditions, the seeds need another 17 months for germination (Vargas 1994), but with the help of in vitro cultivation the germination time of P. sunkha and P. torallyi can be brought down to only several weeks (Ibisch 2004).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	If the palm remains undisturbed it shows an abundant regeneration in its natural habitat, but overgrazing, land clearing, fires and human use of the palm’s fibres have a strong impact on the regeneration dynamics of this rare species (Vargas 1994). On many sites the palm is a direct competitor to agriculture. The custom of felling the tallest trees when their productivity ceases, shows clearly that the palm will not be conserved unless it provides important socio-economic benefits to the farmers. This means that there is a dilemma between the usefulness and the subsequent overexploitation of the species, and the uselessness and clear cutting of the remaining populations. Follow the link below for figure 1: population structure of four representative palm stands. A first inventory was carried out in January 2001. The diagrams of the forest inventory (fig. 1) depict the population structure of four representative palm stands of 1ha in size that belong to four different farmers. The diagrams show clearly that the population structure is unbalanced: while 2–5 years old palm plants are very abundant in all populations, the generation of 0.5 m tall palm trees is missing completely in populations P1 and P2 and is underrepresented in populations P3 and P4. The absence of palms around 0.5 m of height (+/-20 years old) can be traced back to the construction of a road that connects the rural area with the town. Before the road was built, farmers transported the fibre with donkeys and on their backs to the local market. This limited them in terms of the quantity they could transport and secured the fructification of adult palms to ensure regeneration. Since the road was build in 1984, it is possible to harvest and transport much larger quantities of palm fibre. Farmers confirm that in this time almost all palms were under exploitation. As a result, regeneration almost came to a halt. This is shown by the absence of the 0.5 m tall palms in the populations 1 and 2 (fig. 1). These palm stands are directly linked to the road and as consequence were exploited heavily. The populations 3 and 4 belong to farmers that live within about an hour walk from the road. As a result, exploitation in these palm stands was not as intensive and regeneration could occur to some degree. This is testified by the presence of more young palms between 0.5–1 m of height compared to population 1 and 2 (fig.1). Utilisation The palm produces a fibre, which grows in its leaf axils and is locally used to make mattresses, ropes and saddle pillows. Apart from subsistence use these products are sporadically sold on local markets. The leaves are used to manufacture hats, baskets and fans (Vargas 1994). Leafs and fruits serve as fodder for livestock. Furthermore, the species is internationally traded as ornamental plant. For further information about this species, see 61421.pdf. A PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader is required.

Major Threat(s):

If the palm remains undisturbed it shows an abundant regeneration in its natural habitat, but overgrazing, land clearing, fires and human use of the palm’s fibres have a strong impact on the regeneration dynamics of this rare species (Vargas 1994).

On many sites the palm is a direct competitor to agriculture. The custom of felling the tallest trees when their productivity ceases, shows clearly that the palm will not be conserved unless it provides important socio-economic benefits to the farmers. This means that there is a dilemma between the usefulness and the subsequent overexploitation of the species, and the uselessness and clear cutting of the remaining populations.

Follow the link below for figure 1: population structure of four representative palm stands.

A first inventory was carried out in January 2001. The diagrams of the forest inventory (fig. 1) depict the population structure of four representative palm stands of 1ha in size that belong to four different farmers. The diagrams show clearly that the population structure is unbalanced: while 2–5 years old palm plants are very abundant in all populations, the generation of 0.5 m tall palm trees is missing completely in populations P1 and P2 and is underrepresented in populations P3 and P4.

The absence of palms around 0.5 m of height (+/-20 years old) can be traced back to the construction of a road that connects the rural area with the town. Before the road was built, farmers transported the fibre with donkeys and on their backs to the local market. This limited them in terms of the quantity they could transport and secured the fructification of adult palms to ensure regeneration. Since the road was build in 1984, it is possible to harvest and transport much larger quantities of palm fibre. Farmers confirm that in this time almost all palms were under exploitation. As a result, regeneration almost came to a halt. This is shown by the absence of the 0.5 m tall palms in the populations 1 and 2 (fig. 1). These palm stands are directly linked to the road and as consequence were exploited heavily.

The populations 3 and 4 belong to farmers that live within about an hour walk from the road. As a result, exploitation in these palm stands was not as intensive and regeneration could occur to some degree. This is testified by the presence of more young palms between 0.5–1 m of height compared to population 1 and 2 (fig.1).

Utilisation
The palm produces a fibre, which grows in its leaf axils and is locally used to make mattresses, ropes and saddle pillows. Apart from subsistence use these products are sporadically sold on local markets.

The leaves are used to manufacture hats, baskets and fans (Vargas 1994). Leafs and fruits serve as fodder for livestock. Furthermore, the species is internationally traded as ornamental plant.

For further information about this species, see 61421.pdf.

A PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader is required.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	There is not yet any in-situ conservation activity in place. The habitat of the palm is not covered by any kind of protected area. Ex-situ conservation is provided by the Bolivian NGO “FAN-Bolivia” who has made efforts for in vitro propagation. Furthermore, seeds of the palm can be purchased on the internet from various ornamental palm dealers. This kind of trade, however, is not legally approved by international and Bolivian national legislation article 15 of the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) and the Decision 391 of the treaty of Cartagena (in Bolivia: Decreto supremo 24676, Art. 3). Project proposals for in situ conservation are ready (FAN-Bolivia 2003), but lack of financing and the implementation of national legislation are hindering the proceedings. In 2008, a second inventory will be carried out in order to re-asses the status of conservation of the species

Conservation Actions:

There is not yet any in-situ conservation activity in place. The habitat of the palm is not covered by any kind of protected area.

Ex-situ conservation is provided by the Bolivian NGO “FAN-Bolivia” who has made efforts for in vitro propagation. Furthermore, seeds of the palm can be purchased on the internet from various ornamental palm dealers. This kind of trade, however, is not legally approved by international and Bolivian national legislation article 15 of the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) and the Decision 391 of the treaty of Cartagena (in Bolivia: Decreto supremo 24676, Art. 3).

Project proposals for in situ conservation are ready (FAN-Bolivia 2003), but lack of financing and the implementation of national legislation are hindering the proceedings.

In 2008, a second inventory will be carried out in order to re-asses the status of conservation of the species

Bibliography [top]

	Enssle, J., Ibisch, P.L. and Ferrufino, H. 2006. Conservation status and economic potential of Parajubaea sunkha, an endemic palm tree of the inter-Andean valleys of central Bolivia. Palms 50(3): 143-151. Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN-Bolivia). 2003. Perfil de proyecto: Conservación, manejo y commercializavión de la palmera endémica Parajubaea sunkha Moraes. Santa Cruz, 04/2003 (unpublished). Ibisch, P.L. 2004. Degradation and loss of terrestrial biodiversity through direct use. In: P.L. Ibsich & G. Mérida (eds). Biodiversity, the richness of Bolivia. pp: 209 and 429. Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN) 2004. IUCN. 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 04 May 2006. Moraes, R.M. 1996. Novelities of the genera Parajubaea and Syagrus (Palmaea) from interandean valleys of Bolivia. Novon 6: 85–92. Vargas, C.I. 1994. Ecology and uses of Parajubaea torallyi in Bolivia. Principes 38: 146–152.

Enssle, J., Ibisch, P.L. and Ferrufino, H. 2006. Conservation status and economic potential of Parajubaea sunkha, an endemic palm tree of the inter-Andean valleys of central Bolivia. Palms 50(3): 143-151.

Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN-Bolivia). 2003. Perfil de proyecto: Conservación, manejo y commercializavión de la palmera endémica Parajubaea sunkha Moraes. Santa Cruz, 04/2003 (unpublished).

Ibisch, P.L. 2004. Degradation and loss of terrestrial biodiversity through direct use. In: P.L. Ibsich & G. Mérida (eds). Biodiversity, the richness of Bolivia. pp: 209 and 429. Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN) 2004.

IUCN. 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 04 May 2006.

Moraes, R.M. 1996. Novelities of the genera Parajubaea and Syagrus (Palmaea) from interandean valleys of Bolivia. Novon 6: 85–92.

Vargas, C.I. 1994. Ecology and uses of Parajubaea torallyi in Bolivia. Principes 38: 146–152.

Citation:	Enssle, J. 2006. Parajubaea sunkha. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 10 February 2012.
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