Comptonella fruticosa is a shrub, endemic to the north-west of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from three subpopulations (Kaala, Koniambo and Katépahié). It is found in shrubland and humid forest on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 365-1,071m asl. The main threat is linked to ongoing mining activities on Kaala and Koniambo. Extraction projections for the coming 25 years could lead to declines of 50% in the some subpopulations. Comptonella fruticosa is assessed as Endangered (EN) under criterion A4c with an inferred population reduction of more than 50% over three generations (75 years) starting in 1970 and projected to 2045; and under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with the number of threat-defined locations estimated to be four, a continuous decline of all concerned subcriteria and extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 124 km² and 36 km².

Geographical area

Comptonella fruticosa is a shrub, endemic to the north-west of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from three subpopulations (Kaala, Koniambo and Katépahié).

Population

Population size is unknown but Comptonella fruticosa seems to form quite dense subpopulations. Mmining extraction projections for the coming 25 years could lead to a 50% reduction in some subpopulations (at Koniambo and Kaala Gomen) and thus contribute to the reduction of the total population size.

Habitat

Comptonella fruticosa is found in shrubland and humid forest on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 365-1071 m asl.

Threats

The main threat is linked to ongoing mining activities on Kaala and Koniambo. New Caledonia contains 20 - 30% of the world’s nickel resources. Intense mining activities since the late 19th century have 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 (there was a rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tons per year between 2013 and 2015).

Conservation

Comptonella fruticosa is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but 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 monitoring of the known subpopulations and to preserve a viable population within delimited perimeters on mining areas. It would be moreover advised to conduct propagation tests in order to assist future planting operations.

Bibliography

L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.

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

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.

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.

Experts

Assessor(s): Tanguy, V., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Barrière, R., Fleurot, D., Gailhbaud, P., Garnier, D., Suprin, B.

Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.

Contributor(s): Wulff, A.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Chanfreau, S.