Taxonomy
Acropogon bullatus
Synonyms
Sterculia oliganthera F.Muell. • Sterculia bullata Pancher & SebertRed List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 28/01/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Acropogon bullatus is an endemic tree of Ile des Pins and the west-coast of the southern part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species used to be continuously spread from Bourail to Nouméa. It is found in dry and dense humid forest on various substrate at an altitude of 0-50 m asl. The main threat comes from the degradation of forest habitat caused by urbanization, agriculture and invasive species. Its area of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively 4,900 km² and 116 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be 4. A. bullatus is therefore considered Endangered (EN) according to criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v).
Geographical area
Acropogon bullatus is an endemic tree of Ile des Pins and the west-coast of the southern part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species used to be continuously spread from Bourail to Nouméa.
Population
Population size is unknown. Habitat reduction allows to deduce a decline of the population size.
Habitat
This species is found in dry and dense humid forest on various substrate at an altitude of 0-50 m asl.
Threats
A species of dry forest, A. bullatus is highly threatened by disappearance of its habitat. According to scientific community, dry forests in New Caledonia represent only 1% of their original surface. Despite the establishment of a programme dedicated to the conservation of dry forest, A. bullatus remains threatened by urbanization and clearing related to agriculture. Consumption of fruit by rat and degradations due to rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) are also threats to consider.
Conservation
Protected species by legislation in province Nord and province Sud, A. bullatus does not occur in any protected areas. It is however present in Deva forest where active protection measures are being implemented by Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels. This species is planted in urban planning.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Morat, P.; Jaffré, T.; Tronchet, F.; Munzinger, J.; Pillon, Y.; Veillon, J.-M. and Chalopin, M. 2012. Le référentiel taxonomique Florical et les caractéristiques de la flore vasculaire indigène de la Nouvelle-Calédonie [The taxonomic database « FLORICAL » and characteristics of the indigenous flora of New Caledonia]. Adansonia sér 3(34) , p.177-219.
Experts
Assessor(s): Tanguy, V., Amice, R., Birnbaum, P., Bruy, D., Dubreuil, M., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Lannuzel, G., Papineau, C., Razafindrakoto, L.
Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.
Contributor(s): Veillon, J.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V.