Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 23/07/2015Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Pittosporum artense is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia restricted to Ile Art, located to the north of the main island, called Grande Terre. It is found on forest edges on ultramafic substrate, and its area of occupancy and occurrence of 8 km² consists of a single location. The frequency of uncontrolled fire as well as the grazing of cattle allow us to project a continuous decline in the quality of habitat. Using criteria B, P. artense qualifies Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
Geographical area
P.artense is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia restricted to Ile Art, located to the north of the main island, Grande Terre.
Population
The last observations recorded a small population estimated to be fewer than 1,000 mature individuals.
Habitat
P. artense is found on forests edges on ultramafic substrate.
Threats
Pasture for cattle and fire are the main known threats on Ile Art that can affect the population of P. artense.
Conservation
P. artense is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but is not found in any protected areas. According to experts, prospecting needs to be intensified on the slopes of the plateau and to the south of Pott (Bélep).
Bibliography
Hély-Alleaume 2012. INC : Incendies et biodiversité des éco-systèmes en Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.
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. 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.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gemmill, C., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Maggia, L.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.