Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 26/10/2018Protected species -
in Northern Province
Metrosideros tetrasticha is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, where it is only known from Mts. Kouakoué and Humboldt, in the south of Grande Terre. It occurs in high elevation shrubland on ultramafic substrates above 1,300 m asl. This species could be impacted by habitat degradation by feral pigs, but the species is unlikely to be driven to Critically Endangered or Extinct in a short period of time. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 34 and 24 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be two. Therefore, M. tetrasticha is listed as Near Threatened (NT), close to Vulnerable under criterion D2.
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from Mts. Kouakoué and Humboldt, in the south of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate the species is rather common.
Habitat
This shrub grows in high elevation shrubland on ultramafic substrate above 1,300 m asl.
Threats
This species could be threatened by habitat degradation by feral pigs (Sus scrofa). Besides, like other high elevation species, it could be impacted by climate change in the future.
Conservation
M. tetrasticha is protected by legislation in Province Nord and occurs in three protected areas: Mt. Humboldt and Massif du Kouakoué natural reserves, as well as the Côte Oubliée provincial park.
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.