Taxonomy

endemique
protegee
UICN

Red List Status -

Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 19/02/2016

Protected species -

in Northern Province

Bocquillonia goniorrhachis is an endemic shrub restricted to the east coast of Grande Terre in New Caledonia, from Touho to Houaïlou. It is found in dense humid forest and shrubland on various substrates at an altitudinal range 100-350 m asl. On-going mining activities impact several subpopulations. Indeed, extraction projections on the coming 25 years will lead to the decline of populations, especially in Cap bocage (SMT). Another threat identified is the habitat degradation linked to uncontrolled bushfires. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 487 and 36 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be 6. Bocquillonia goniorrhachis is therefore assessed as Vulnerable (VU) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area


Bocquillonia goniorrhachis is an endemic shrub restricted to the east coast of Grande Terre in New Caledonia, from Touho to Houaïlou.

Population


Population size is unknown.

Habitat


It is found in dense humid forest and shrubland on various substrates at an altitudinal range 100-350 m asl.

Threats


On-going and past mining activities on the east coast may impact some subpopulations. Indeed, extraction projections on the coming 25 years will lead to the decline of populations, especially in Cap bocage (SMT). Another threat identified is the habitat degradation linked to uncontrolled bushfires. They sweep across lowlands of New Caledonia each year, especially during the dry season (an average of 20,000 ha of land is burnt each year, with dramatic peaks of 70,000 ha).

Conservation


This species is protected by legislation in province Nord but does not occur in any protected area. This species would benefit from in-situ conservation actions. It is proposed to ensure the follow-up of known sub-populations and to preserve a viable population on delimited perimeters in Cap Bocage.

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., Bruy, D., Dubreuil, M., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G.

Reviewer(s): Amice, R.

Contributor(s): Wulff, A.

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


Geographical distribution