Taxonomy

endemique
protegee
UICN

Red List Status -

Endangered (EN) , assessed in 27/04/2015

Protected species -

in Southern Province

Hibbertia margaretae is an endemic tree discovered for the first time in Haute Combyes and more recently observed on Mont Humboldt. It occurs in ligno-herbaceous shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 900-1390 m asl. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurence (EOO) are respectively 12 km² and 26 km². H.margaretae remains rather protected from the usual threats occurring in New Caledonia. Nevertheless, population size is estimated to be fewer than 250 mature individuals. Using criteria D, H. margaretae does qualify for Endangered (EN) D.

Geographical area


Hibbertia margaretae is an endemic tree discovered for the first time in Haute Combyes (1970) and more recently observed on Mont Humboldt.

Population


Within two sub-populations, total population size is estimated to be fewer than 250 mature individuals.

Habitat


It occurs in ligno-herbaceous shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 900-1340 m asl.

Threats


H.margaretae remains rather protected from the usual threats occurring in New-Caledonia. The presence of ferns on both stations indicates fires in the past, certainly caused by storm. Those bushfires could affect H.margaretae but at the moment there is no evidence of this threat.

Conservation


H.margaretae is not protected by legislation but occurs in one protected area : the réserve naturelle du Mont Humboldt. As it has not been not been recorded from Kouakoué massifs which has similar eco-geographic conditions as the existing sub-populations, it is recommended to investigate this area. Include this species in the list of protected species may be beneficial.

Bibliography


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

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

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

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.

Experts


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

Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.

Contributor(s): Gâteblé, G.

Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.


Geographical distribution