Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 11/09/2015Protected species -
in Southern Province
Dendrobium polycladium var. polycladium is an endemic orchid of New Caledonia, distributed discontinuously on Grande Terre (main island) from Plaine des lacs to Mt. Kaala and also on île des Pins. D. polycladium var. polycladium occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 80-1,000 m asl. According to experts estimation, total population size is fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. A continuous decline of D. polycladium var. polycladium and its quality of habitat is estimated due to the threats of bushfire and nickel mining. Using criteria C, D. polycladium var. polycladium qualifies as Vulnerable (VU) C2a(i).
Geographical area
D. polycladium var. polycladium is an endemic orchid of New Caledonia, distributed discontinuously on Grande Terre (main island) from Plaine des lacs to Mt. Kaala and also on île des Pins.
Population
On île des Pins, D. polycladium var. polycladium is considered as quite abundant, and based on informations from experts total population size is estimated to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals.
Habitat
D. polycladium var. polycladium occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 80-1,000 m asl.
Threats
Bushfire is the main threat to D. polycladium var. polycaldium on île des Pins while mining activities are inferring a continuous decline of population on Mt. Kaala, Koniambo and Goro localities.
Conservation
D. polycladium var. polycladium is protected in Province Nord and Province Sud. D. polycladium var. polycladium occurs in three protected areas : Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue, réserve naturelle du barrage de Yaté, réserve naturelle du Pic du Pin.
Bibliography
Hallé N.; Aubréville A.; Leroy J. F.; 1977. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 8: Orchidaceae.
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): Butin, J., Laudereau, C., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Frayssinet, I., Garnier, D., Goxe, J., Gâteblé, G., Veillon, J., Villegente, J.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Contributor(s): Faria, E.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.