Taxonomy
Tristaniopsis vieillardii
Synonyms
Tristania insularis Vieill. ex Brongn. & Gris • Tristania floribunda Schltr.
Tristania vieillardii (Brongn. & Gris) Nied.
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 17/11/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Tristaniopsis vieillardii is an endemic tree from New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre. This species grows in shrubland or transitional vegetation on ultramafic substrate up to 50 m asl. Known from 4 locations, its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 36 and 587 km², respectively. The main threat is habitat degradation caused by uncontrolled bushfires and human activities (urbanization). Therefore, T. vieillardii is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
T. vieillardii is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre. It is known from four subpopulations: near Yaté road, the Dumbéa valley and Port Boisé.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is common in Port Boisé.
Habitat
T. vieillardii occurs in shrubland or transitional vegetation on ultramafic substrate up to 50 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is habitat degradation caused by uncontrolled bushfires and human activities (urbanisation).
Conservation
T. vieillardii is protected by legislation in Province Nord and it occurs in two protected areas: Haute Dumbéa and la Dumbéa. This species would benefit from in situ and ex situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed that monitoring should occur to ensure the persistence of the known population. To ensure the preservation of a viable population, it is recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Moreover, it is suggested to promote its growing in nurseries and use in green space planning, as well as raising awareness on this species amongst local stakeholders.
Bibliography
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., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Goxe, J., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G.