Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 29/02/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province
Scaevola coccinea is an endemic shrub/small tree restricted to the area of Tontouta on Grande Terre in New Caledonia. A single population is known. It is found in shrubland on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 50-850 m asl. Recurrent bushfires and on-going mining activities in the valley contribute to the degradation of the habitat. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 77 and 52 km² with an estimation of two locations (one for the valley, one for the mountain ridge). Scaevola coccinea is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a continuing decline of habitat quality and number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
Scaevola coccinea is an endemic shrub/small tree restricted to the area of Tontouta on Grande Terre in New Caledonia. A single population is known in Tontouta, from the valley to the ridge of Mont Kokoreta.
Population
This species occurs in small disseminated subpopulations. It grows on ancient mining roads and is therefore threatened by reopening.
Habitat
It is found in shrubland (sloppy on eroded soil) on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 50-850 m asl.
Threats
Recurrent bushfires and on-going (and past) mining activities in the valley (Tomo and Vulcain by SMGM, Opoué by SLN) contribute to the degradation of the habitat, especially to erosion. Some individuals are directly impacted by the mine Gallieni/Vulcain. Uncontrolled fires sweep across lowlands of New Caledonia each year, especially during the dry season (an average of 20,000 ha of land is burnt each year). New Caledonia contains 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
Scaevola coccinea is not protected by legislation. It does not occur in any protected area. The reproduction of this species is well-known. IAC (Institut Agronomique néo-Calédonien) issued a technical note on its culture. This species would benefit from emergency in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures. It is needed to follow-up existing populations. In terms of protection, while it seems difficult to propose perennial measures as long as the valley will be exploited, it is proposed to protect some areas of the valley of Tontouta. It is moreover recommended to gather mining actors to get an inventory of protection measures already implemented and to try to launch a collaboration between institutions (DIMENC and DENV) and mining operators (SLN, Ballande, SMGM) in order to preserve the Tontouta flora.
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.
L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.
Wulff AS, Hollingsworth PM, Ahrends A, Jaffré T, Veillon J-M, L’Huillier L, et al. 2013. Conservation Priorities in a Biodiversity Hotspot: Analysis of Narrow Endemic Plant Species in New Caledonia.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Tanguy, V., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Chambrey, C., Dubreuil, M., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Leborgne, T., Letocart, D., Letocart, I., McCoy, S., Villegente, J.
Reviewer(s): Maura, J.
Contributor(s): Wulff, A.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V.