Taxonomy
Synonyms
Pittosporum suberosum Pancher ex Brongn. & Gris • Pittosporum rhytidocarpum Brongn. & GrisRed List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 24/07/2015
Pittosporum cherrieri is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, distributed on the west coastline of Grande Terre (main island) from Yaté to Bourail as well as on île des Pins. Its area of occupancy is 68 km² and its area of occurrence equal to 2,661 km² for a total of 6 locations. Population size is however unknown due to a lack of data. A sclerophyllous low altitude species, P. cherrieri is affected by urban development of Grand Nouméa, degradations of its habitat caused by animal invasive species (e.g., Rusa timorensis) but also by mining explorations on Kwe Bini location. Using criteria B and with the estimation of a continuous decline of its area of occupancy, its habitat quality and the number of mature individuals, P cherrieri is assessed as Vulnerable B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
P. cherrieri is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, distributed on the west coastline of Grande Terre (main island) from Yaté to Bourail, as well as on île des Pins.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
P. cherrieri occurs in sclerophyllous low altitude forest, mainly on calcareous coral substrate but also on basalt and schist.
Threats
P. cherrieri is threatened by degradation and destruction of its habitat. It is particularly the case on Grand Nouméa locality where urbanisation is expanding. Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) constitutes also a threat on Nakutakoin locality. Finally on Kwé bini locality, mining exploration and exploitation could over time affect P. cherrieri.
Conservation
P. cherrieri is currently not protected by legislation. Nevertheless this species occurs in one protected area : le Parc du Ouen Toro - Albert Etuvé et Lucien Audet. It is recommended to conduct field surveys on Bourail station to check if Balansa locality still exists and therefore have a better idea of its distribution. P. cherrieri, whose propagation is well controlled, is used for revegetalisation.
Bibliography
Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.
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.
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.
Bouchet, P.; Jaffré, T. and Veillon J.-M. 1995. Plant extinction in New Caledonia: protection of sclerophyll forest urgently needed. Biodiversity and Conservation(4) , p.415-428.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gemmill, C., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Letocart, I., Letocart, D., Maggia, L., Pain, A.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Contributor(s): Villegente, J.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.