Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 23/07/2015
Endemic shrub of New Caledonia, Pittosporum hematomallum is largely distributed across the south of Grande Terre but also along the east coast to Kouaoua. P. hematomallum occurs in low-mid altitude shrubland on ultramafic substrate. Its area of occupancy and its extent of occurrence cover 160 and 2,937 km² for a total of 13 locations, mostly affected by mining activities. Estimated continuous decline across its entire range allows us to evaluate P. hematomallum under the category Near Threatened (NT) close to (VU) B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
Endemic shrub of New Caledonia, P. hematomallum is largely distributed in the south of Grande Terre but also along the east coast to Kouaoua.
Population
Population size is unknown. Nevertheless P. hematomallum is particularly abundant in shrubland on Plaine des lacs station.
Habitat
P. hematomallum occurs in low-mid altitude shrubland on ultramafic substrate.
Threats
Mining activities constitute the main threat to locations on the east coast and Prony Bay. New Caledonia contains between 20 - 30% of the world’s nickel resources. Intense mining activities since the late 19th century has generated soil erosion (1.2% of bare ground mapped by SPOT5 in 2007). Observations confirm the negative impact of rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) on natural regeneration due to grazing of seedling, in addition to the potential impact of fire on habitat quality and population size.
Conservation
P. hematomallum is not protected by legislation. Nevertheless this species occurs in several protected areas : la réserve naturelle du Barrage de Yaté, la réserve naturelle du Pic du Pin, la réserve naturelle du massif du Kouakoué, la réserve naturelle de la Forêt Cachée and also la réserve naturelle du pic du grand Kaori.
Bibliography
Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.
L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.
Hély-Alleaume 2012. INC : Incendies et biodiversité des éco-systèmes en 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.
Gomez C.; Mangeas M.; Curt T.; Ibanez T.; Munzinger J.; Dumas P.; Jérémy A.; Despinoy M. and Hély C. 2014. Wildfire risk for main vegetation units in a biodiversity hotspot: modeling approach in New Caledonia, South Pacific. Ecology and Evolution(5) , p.377-390.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gemmill, C., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Maggia, L.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.