Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 15/09/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province
Psychotria comptonii is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known from Houailou - Cap Bocage and Baie Ugue in the north of Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 0-300 m asl. Main identified threats are linked to on-going mining activities: Cap Bocage (SMT) and bushfires. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being respectively estimated to 20 and 20 km², while the species is known to exist at only a single location. Psychotria comptonii is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered(CR) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.
Geographical area
Psychotria comptonii is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known from Houailou - Cap Bocage and Baie Ugue in the North of Grande Terre.
Population
It is known from two populations : Cap Bocage and Baie Ugue. Baie Ugue sub-population is linked to an old herbarium specimen (1968). No recent field observations have been made.
Habitat
Psychotria comptonii occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 0-300 m asl.
Threats
Main identified threats are linked to on-going mining activities: Cap Bocage (SMT) and bushfires. The twenty five year projection for mining operation indicate that a majority of individuals may be affected. New Caledonia contains between 20 - 30% of the world’s nickel resources and has experienced intense mining activities since the late 19th century which 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
Psychotria comptonii is unprotected by legislation and it does not occur in any protected area. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to ensure the follow-up of known sub-populations, to preserve a viable population on delimited perimeters on the mining area. Prospections in Cap Bocage and Baie Ugue seem to be urgently needed.
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.
Barrabé L. 2013. Systématique et Evolution du genre Psychotria (Rubiaceæ) en Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Barrabé L, Maggia L, Pillon Y, Rigault F, Mouly A, Davis AP, Buerki S 2014. New Caledonian lineages of Psychotria (Rubiaceae) reveal different evolutionary histories and the largest documented plant radiation for the archipelago. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution(71) , p.15-35.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Hequet, V., Maura, J., McCoy, S., Suprin, B., Vandrot, H., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V., Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Ramon, L., Maura, J., Warimavute, G.