Hibbertia ebracteata is an endemic tree restricted to the southern third of the main island, Grande Terre. It is found on the edge of forests and in shrubland on ultramafic substrate (maquis minier) at an altitudinal range 50-1200 m asl. Threats to Hibbertia ebracteata are likely to be linked to habitat degradation due to past mining activities and fire, both resulting in soil erosion. Population size reduction cannot be assessed because of a lack of data. Its area of occupancy and extent of occurrence are respectively 68 km2 and 1,722 km2. The number of locations, based on habitat degradation as the main threat, is about 20. A continuing decline of the quality of habitat is projected. Using criteria B, H. ebracteata does qualify for Near Threatened (NT) close to Vulnerable (VU) B1ab(iii)&2ab(iii). Population size of mature individuals is unknown.

Geographical area

Hibbertia ebracteata is an endemic tree restricted to the southern third of the main island, Grande Terre.

Population

Population size cannot be assessed because of a lack of data.

Habitat

It is found on the edge of forests and in shrubland on ultramafic substrate (maquis minier) at an altitudinal range 50-1200 m asl.

Threats

Main threats identified is linked to habitat degradation due to past mining activities and fire, both resulting in soil erosion. An important threat to biodiversity in New Caledonia comes from past, present and future mining activities. 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). Based on the distribution of metal-rich soils and site accessibility, these threats are predictable and planned (rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year between 2013 and 2015).

Conservation

Hibbertia ebracteata is not protected by legislation. It occurs in some protected areas (réserve naturelle de la forêt de Saille, réserve naturelle du Mont Humboldt, réserve naturelle du Mont Mou, réserve intégrale de la Montagne des Sources,réserve naturelle du barrage de Yaté, réserve naturelle de la Forêt Cachée). It is recommended to prospect the area between known stations to check the species presence.

Bibliography

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.

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.

L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.

Veillon J.-M.; Müller I.H.; Goldblatt P. 1990. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 16 : Dilléniacées, Goodéniacées, Iridacées, Campynématacées.

Hély-Alleaume 2012. INC : Incendies et biodiversité des éco-systèmes en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Experts

Assessor(s): Veillon, J., Amice, R., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Garnier, D., Lannuzel, G., Leborgne, T., McCoy, S.

Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.

Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.