Metrosideros patens is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is known from three localities in the south of Grande Terre (Rivière Bleue, Yaté road, Yaté plateau). It has not been observed since 1984, but was found in shrubland on ultramafic substrate around 300 m asl. It has not been relocated in this habitat, and is suspected to also grow in dolines. Either way, this species should be threatened by bushfires, which degrade natural habitats in the south. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 62 and 16 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be three. Therefore, M. patens is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).

Geographical area

This species is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is known from three localities in the south of Grande Terre: Rivière Bleue, Yaté road, Yaté plateau.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

This shrub has been observed in shrubland on ultramafic substrate around 300 m asl, but has not been relocated in this habitat. Its habitat preferences need to be better established, since it is suspected to also grow in dolines.

Threats

The main threat to this species would be bushfires degrading its habitat.

Conservation

M. patens is protected by legislation in Province Nord and is suspected to occur in two protected areas: Barrage de Yaté natural reserve and Rivière Bleue provincial park. Having not been observed since 1984, prospection is urgently needed to relocate this species in the Far South, better estimate its population size and and understand potential threats. Once found, this species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed that monitoring should occur to ensure the persistence of known subpopulations. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas.

Bibliography

Dawson J.W. 1992. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 18 : Myrtacées Leptospermoïdées.

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.

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): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.