Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 08/11/2022
Austrobuxus brevipes is a shrub or small tree growing up to 9 m high, endemic from New Caledonia. It is restricted to the south of Grande Terre, from the far south of Grande Terre to Thio with two isolated observations at Koindé and Bourail. The species is also present at Ile des Pins. It occurs in dense humid forests and maquis on ultramafic substrate up to 1,400 m asl. Some subpopulations may be impacted by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Goro and Thio. However this species is very common and it does not seem to be threatened. With an extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) respectively equal to 4,921 and 212 km² and due to the fact that it is abundant, Austrobuxus brevipes is therefore listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Austrobuxus brevipes is endemic of New Caledonia where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre, from the far south of Grande Terre to Thio with two isolated observations at Koindé and Bourail. The species is also present at Ile des Pins.
Population
The population size is not known. Based on field observations, this species is very common.
Habitat
This species occurs in dense humid forests and maquis on ultramafic substrate up to 1,400 m asl.
Threats
Some subpopulations may be impacted by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Goro and Thio. However this species is very common and it does not seem to be threatened.
Conservation
Austrobuxus brevipes is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in several protected areas : Cap N'dua, Côte Oubliée, Forêt de Saille, Haute Dumbéa, la Dumbéa, Massif du Kouakoué, Montagne des sources, Mont Humboldt, Mont Mou, Pic du Pin, Vallée de la Thy.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].
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.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Garnier, D., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Eltabet, N., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A.