Taxonomy
Synonyms
Carpolepis elegans (Montrouz.) J.W.Dawson • Metrosideros laurifolia var. minor Brongn. & GrisRed List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 26/10/2018Protected species -
in Northern Province
Metrosideros elegans is an endemic tree of New Caledonia, where it has a scattered distribution across Grande Terre and the Bélep islands. It occurs in dense humid forest on mostly non-ultramafic substrate from 100 to 650 m asl. Some subpopulations could be impacted by bushfires, but overall this species does not seem to be significantly threatened. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 9,589 and 68 km², respectively, while the number of locations is greater than 10. Therefore, M. elegans is listed as Near Threatened (NT), close to Vulnerable under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caledonia, where it has a strange, scattered distribution across Grande Terre (Port Boisé and Mts. Koghis in the south, from Moindip to Col d'Amoss in the far north) and the Bélep islands (Art island).
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This tree grows in dense humid forest from 100 to 650 m asl, mostly on non-ultramafic substrate (volcano-sedimentary or calcareous), except on the Bélep islands.
Threats
Some subpopulations may be impacted by bushfires (Art island, col d'Amoss), but globally this species does not appear to be threatened.
Conservation
M. elegans is protected by legislation in Province Nord and occurs in one protected area: Vallée de la Thy natural reserve. Prospection on Grande Terre is suggested to clarify this species' distribution.
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.
Dawson J.W. 1992. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 18 : Myrtacées Leptospermoïdées.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Henry, B., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Mandaoué, L., Pillon, Y., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.
Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.