Thiollierea papineaui is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known from four localities in the north-west of Grande Terre: Karembé, Tiebaghi, Troulala and Babouillat. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic and volcano sedimentary substrates at an altitudinal range of 100-450 m asl. The main identified impacts on the species are linked to bushfires at Karembé and Babouillat and ongoing mining activities in Tiebaghi. The twenty five year projection for mining operation indicates that a majority of individuals at Tiebaghi may be affected. Its area of occupancy (AOO) is 36 km², and its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 88 km², while the species is known to exist at four locations. Thiollierea papineaui is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v); C2a(ii) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

Thiollierea papineaui is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, restricted in the north west of Grande Terre. It is known from four localities: Karembé, Tiebaghi, Troulala and Babouillat.

Population

Total population size is not precisely known but it is estimated to be around 400 mature individuals. Recent projections have identified 10 mature individuals at Babouillat and around 40 mature individuals at Kaméré (personal comm. Fleurot Dominique).

Habitat

Thiollierea papineaui occurs in shrubland on ultramafic and volcano sedimentary substrates at an altitudinal range of 100-450 m asl.

Threats

The main identified impacts are linked to bushfires at Karembé and Babouillat and ongoing mining activities in Tiebaghi. The twenty five year projection for mining operation indicate that a majority of individuals may be affected. New Caledonia contains between 20 and 30% of the world’s nickel resources and has experienced intense mining activities since the late 19th century which has generated soil erosion (1.2% of bare ground mapped by SPOT5 in 2007). Based on the distribution of metal-rich soils and site accessibility, these threats are predictable and planned (there was a rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year between 2013 and 2015).

Conservation

Thiollierea papineaui is unprotected by legislation and it does not occur in any protected area. Searches in the north-west region are needed in order to better estimate its population and threats. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to monitor the populations and to preserve a viable population within delimited perimeters on the mining area.

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.

Barrabé L., Mouly A., Lowry II P.P. & Muzinger J. 2011. Reinstatement of the endemic New Caledonian genus Thiollierea Montrouz. (Rubiaceae) necessitated by the polyphyly of Bikkia Reinw. as currently circumscribed. Adansonia(33) , p.115-134.

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

Experts

Assessor(s): Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.

Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.

Contributor(s): Mouly, A.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J., Warimavute, G.