Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 28/05/2018Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Metrosideros paniensis is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northeast of Grande Terre. This species occurs in high elevation shrubland on rocky ridges on volcano-sedimentary substrate above 1,300 m asl. The main threat to this species is habitat degradation by rusa deer and feral pigs, as well as human frequentation and land clearing. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 12 km², and the number of locations is two. Therefore, M. paniensis is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
Geographical area
This shrub is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northeast of Grande Terre. It is known from two high elevation stations on Mts. Ignambi and Panié.
Population
Total population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is common in its habitat, though no regeneration has been observed (CI & Dayu Biik 2018).
Habitat
This species occurs in high elevation shrubland on rocky ridges, generally outside of the kauri forest undergrowth, on volcano-sedimentary substrate above 1,300 m asl.
Threats
The main threat to this species is habitat degradation by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in the forest, by human disturbance on ridges and by land clearing on the summit, where it is most abundant (military area, CI & Dayu Biik 2018). It may also be impacted by climate change in the future.
Conservation
M. paniensis is protected by legislation in the North and South Provinces, and it occurs in one protected area: mount Panié reserve. It is also cultivated at the IAC (Agronomical Institute of New Caledonia) Saint-Louis nursery. It is proposed that monitoring should occur to ensure the persistence of the known population. Besides, a viable population should be preserved in a confined space where animal invasives are strongly regulated. Finally, further prospection on the Colnett massif is recommended to better estimate its population and conservation status.
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Fiche de pré-évaluation – Metrosideros paniensis.
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Pré-évaluation du niveau de menace de la flore micro-endémique se développant au sein de la forêt de kaoris de la zone sommitale du Mont Panié.
Dawson J.W. 1992. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 18 : Myrtacées Leptospermoïdées.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Haverkamp, C., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Laudereau, C., Tiavouane, J., Tron, F., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Butaud, J., Meyer, S.