Taxonomy
Elaeocarpus kaalaensis
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 27/10/2017Protected species -
in Northern Province
Elaeocarpus kaalaensis is endemic to New Caledonia, found in the Tontouta valley and on the ultramafic massifs on the northern west coast of Grande Terre. This species is found in shrubland from 100 to 1,000 m asl. Known from 8 locations, its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 44 km² and 3,524 km², respectively. The main threat comes from ongoing mining activites and uncontrolled bushfires. Therefore, E. kaalaensis is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
E. kaalaensis is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is found in the Tontouta valley and on the ultramafic massifs on the northern west coast of Grande Terre (from Boulinda to Mont Kaala).
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
E. kaalaensis occurs in shrubland on ultramafic massifs from 100 to 1,000 m asl.
Threats
Main threats include uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Kopéto (SLN).
Conservation
E. kaalaensis is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is recommended to monitor and preserve known populations in delimited areas, and to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It would also be advised to run multiplication tests in order to assist future planting operations.
Bibliography
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Lannuzel, G.; Gâteblé, G.; Fogliani, B. 2017. Etude des Espèces Rares et Menacées des sites miniers de la SMT.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Letocart, I., Suprin, B.
Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.
Contributor(s): Russ, L.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.