Taxonomy

endemique
protegee
UICN

Red List Status -

Endangered (EN) , assessed in 12/05/2022

Protected species -

in Southern Province , in Northern Province

Alyxia veillonii is an endemic shrub/liana restricted to the valley of Tontouta on Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is only known from a two subbpopulations: Tontouta valley and the base of Mont Tonta. It is found in low elevation shrubland (30 -600 m asl.) on riverbanks on an ultramafic substrate. Recurrent bushfires and past and on-going mining activities in the valley (Tomo/Vulcain and Opoué)and road constructions contribute to the degradation of the habitat, especially to soil erosion. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated to be of 28 km² with an estimation of two locations. Alyxia veillonii is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v) with a continuing decline of the Area of occupancy (AOO), the habitat quality and the number of mature individuals.

Geographical area


Alyxia veillonii is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the valley of Tontouta on Grande Terre. It is only known from a two subbpopulations: Tontouta valley and the base of Mont Tonta.

Population


The population size is not known. Field observations indicate a species that is locally common.

Habitat


This species is found in shrubland on riverbanks on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 50-600 m asl.

Threats


Recurrent bushfires and on-going (and past) mining activities in the valley (Tomo and Vulcain by SMGM, Opoué by SLN) and road constructions contribute to the degradation of the habitat, especially to erosion. Alyxia veillonii is particularly vulnerable to erosion because it is found close to riverbanks.

Conservation


Alyxia veillonii is protected by the code de l'environnement in New Caledonia. It does not occur in any protected area. A few individuals of this species are cultivated at the IAC (Institut Agronomique de Nouvelle-Calédonie) nursery at Port-Laguerre. This species is recalcitrant to seed banks and anti-erosive works (banks reinforcement) has been realised on this species. Furthermore this species would benefit from emergency in-situ conservation measures. In terms of protection, while it seems difficult to propose perennial measures as long as the valley will be exploited, it is proposed to carry and to protect the low valley of Tontouta (river forebank, dry forest).

Bibliography


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

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].

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

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.

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.

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.

Boiteau Pierre avec collaboration de Lucie Allorge 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 10 : Apocynacées.

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

Experts


Assessor(s): Amice, R., Tanguy, V., Veillon, J., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Chambrey, C., Dubreuil, M., Héquet, V., Fleurot, D., Bernard-Musmann, M., Goxe, J., Garnier, D., Lagrange, A., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Lannuzel, G., Leborgne, T., Laudereau, C., Vandrot, H., Letocart, D., Letocart, I., McCoy, S., Villegente, J.

Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y., Maura, J.

Contributor(s): Wulff, A.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V., Fourdrain, A., Meyer, S.


Geographical distribution