Austrobuxus cuneatus is a native tree of New Caledonia. It is present in the south of Grande Terre, from the far south of the southern massif (Massif du Grand Sud) to its upper limit (Paita-Kouakoué). The species is also seen at Mé Maoya at the central part of Grande Terre. This species is probably not well enough collected in New Caledonia and it may have a wider range of distribution than the actual distribution. It occurs in humid forests and open scrublands (maquis minier) between 105 m to 1,400 m asl. It mainly grows on ultramafic substrate. The population size is not known. However field observations indicate a species locally abundant. The open maquis subpopulations, mainly at low to medium elevations, may be threatened by uncontrolled bushfires. But these threats do not contribute to the decline of the population. Therefore, with an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) ranges between 4,000 km² and 40,000 km² and an Area of ocupancy (AOO) between 100 km² and 10,000 km², Austrobuxus cuneatus does not meet the requirements for a threatened species and is assessed as Least Concern (LC).

Geographical area

Austrobuxus cuneatus is a native species of New Caledonia where it is present in the south of Grande Terre, from the far south of the southern massif (Massif du Grand Sud) to its upper limit (Paita-Kouakoué). The species is also seen at Mé Maoya at the central part of Grande Terre. This species is probably not well enough collected in New Caledonia and it may have a wider range of distribution than the actual distribution.

Population

The population size is not known. Based on field observations, this species is very common.

Habitat

This species occurs in humid forests and open scrublands (maquis minier) between 105 m to 1,400 m asl. It mainly grows on ultramafic substate.

Threats

The open maquis subpoulations, mainly at low to medium elevations, may be threatened by uncontrolled bushfires. But these threats do not contribute to the decline of the population.

Conservation

Austrobuxus cuneatus is not potected by legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in several protected areas : Rivière bleue, Barrage de Yaté, Côte Oubliée, Forêt cachée, Haute Yaté, Massif du Kouakoué, Montagne des sources, Parc zoologique et forestier Michel Corbasson.

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.

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].

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.