Taxonomy
Dendrobium vandifolium
Synonyms
Cannaeorchis vandifolia M.A.Clements & D.L.JonesRed List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 26/10/2015Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Dendrobium vandifolium is an endemic orchid of New Caledonia, mostly distributed on the northwestern ultramafic moutains, but also in Belep, in Canala and Yaté area. D. vandifolium occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 15-940 m asl. Thanks to field observations, population size is estimated fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. Threatened by rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and mining activities, population of D. vandifolium and habitat quality are considered in a continuous decline. Using criteria C, D. vandifolium qualifies as Vulnerable (VU) C2a(i).
Geographical area
D. vandifolium is an endemic orchid of New Caledonia, mostly distributed on the northwestern ultramafic moutains, but also in Belep, in Canala and Yaté area.
Population
D. vandifolium is an uncommon species for which only three to five mature individuals are observed by station. Thanks to those field observations and its distribution, we can estimate population size fewer than 10,000 mature individuals and sub-population size fewer than 1,000 mature individuals.
Habitat
D. vandifolium occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 15-940 m asl.
Threats
Main threats to D. vandifolium are rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) (Rusa timorensis) which can destroy canes and nickel mining. Due to its habitat type, bushfire may also affect D. vandifolium.
Conservation
D. vandifolium is protected by legislation in Province Nord and Province Sud but does not occur in any protected area. Owing to continuous decline of mature indivduals linked to mining activities, its is highly recommended to monitor populations trends and to fence a part of population on mining areas. Transplantation operation can also be a solution to restrain the decline.
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.
Hallé N.; Aubréville A.; Leroy J. F.; 1977. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 8: Orchidaceae.
Experts
Assessor(s): Butin, J., Laudereau, C., Amice, R., Fleurot, D., Frayssinet, I., Garnier, D., Letocart, D., Letocart, I.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Contributor(s): Faria, E.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.