Taxonomy

endemique
UICN

Red List Status -

Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 21/07/2016

Cunonia vieillardii is an endemic shrub/small tree of the southern part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is found in shrubland and forest at mid and high altitude on ultramafic substrate. The main impact identified comes from mining activities and bushfires. However natural regeneration is observed. Therefore, this species does not seem directly threatened. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being respectively estimated to 124 and 3,109 km², Cunonia vieillardii is considered Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) with a decline of habitat quality and a number of locations close to 10.

Geographical area


Cunonia vieillardii is discontinuously present in the southern part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia, from Port Boisé in the south to Poro in the north.

Population


It is known from 12-16 subpopulations.

Habitat


It is found in shrubland and forest, generally at mid and high altitude (but sometimes at low altitude on Plaine des Lacs) (100-1,100 ma asl) on ultramafic substrate.

Threats


This species does not seem globally threatened. Some subpopulations may be threatened by mining activities (Poro, Kouaoua, Menazi, Canala, Bogota, Goro) or bushfires.

Conservation


Unprotected by legislation, this species is found in numerous protected areas : Montagne des sources, Massif du Kouakoué, Rivière bleue, Haute Dumbéa, Pic du grand Kaori. Prospection are recommended in order to confirm the discontinuity. This species should be studied for ecological restoration, especially for forest edges reinforcement.

Bibliography


Helen Fortune Hopkins, Yohan Pillon, Ruurd Hoogland 2015. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie : Cunoniaceae.

H. C. F. Hopkins, J. C. Bradford, B. Donovan, Y. Pillon, J. Munzinger, B. Fogliani 2015. Floral biology of the Cunoniaceae in New Caledonia and the role of insects, birds and geckos as potential pollinators.

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. The taxonomic database « FLORICAL » and characteristics of the indigenous flora of New Caledonia. Adansonia(334) , p.177-219.

Experts


Assessor(s): Pillon, Y., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Hequet, V., Letocart, D., Letocart, I., Tanguy, V., Tiavouane, J., Tron, F.

Reviewer(s): Fogliani, B.

Contributor(s): Couhia, J., Fortune-Hopkins, H., Brinkert, M.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J.


Geographical distribution