Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 02/03/2018Protected species -
in Northern Province
Elaeocarpus coumbouiensis is an endemic tree from New Caledonia, where it has a scattered distribution on several summits in the south and center of Grande Terre. It occurs in high altitude shrubland or forest on ultramafic or volcano-sedimentary soil between 900 and 1,400 m asl. Known from 7 locations, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 716 and 32 km², respectively. The main threat is posed by invasive species, causing habitat degradation. Therefore, E. coumbouiensis is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii).
Geographical area
E. coumbouiensis is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is distributed on several high summits in the south and center of Grande Terre: Dzumac, Kouakoué, Humboldt, Comboui, Sindoa, Dogny and Table Unio.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
E. coumbouiensis occurs in high altitude shrubland ('maquis') or forest on ultramafic or (rarely) volcano-sedimentary soil between 900 and 1,400 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is posed by invasive species (rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)), causing habitat degradation.
Conservation
This species is protected by legislation in Province Nord and occurs in two protected areas: Mont Humboldt and Massif du Kouakoué. Further prospection on the southern summits of Grande Terre or the Mé Maoya (for instance) is recommended.
Bibliography
Tirel, C. & Jérémie, J. 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 11 : Eléocarpacées, Monimiacées, Amborellacées, Athérospermatacées, Triméniacées, Chloranthacées.
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.
Tirel, C. 2008. Réhabilitation de l'espèce Elaeocarpus coumbouiensis Guillaumin (Elaeocarpaceae) de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Adansonia(31 (1)) , p.137-141.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Garnier, D., Lannuzel, G., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H., Hequet, V.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Barrabé, L., Warimavute, G.