Mezoneuron baudouinii is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia occurring in dense humid forest and shrubland on an ultramafic substrate. From available data, it sparsely occurs on the western part of Grande Terre from Yaté to Koumac and on the Ile d'Art at an altitudinal range 0-400 m asl. The habitat of M. baudouinii has suffered damages leading to habitat loss and fragmentation, which is linked to various threats such as mining activities, recurring bushfires and invasive species. This species has been only occasionnaly observed and this might be due to the lack of an identification key. From its known distribution, we could think that this species might be more common than what actual herbarium data reveal. Therefore, M. baudouinii is assigned as Data Deficient and should be re-assessed once more observations will clarify its distribution.

Geographical area

From available data, it sparsely occurs on the western part of Grande Terre from Yaté to Koumac and on the Ile d'Art at an altitudinal range 0-400 m asl.

Population

Population size of mature individuals is unknown even though none of the populations observed were abundant. Population size reduction cannot be assessed because of a lack of data.

Habitat

This species occurs in dense humid forest on an ultramafic substrate and is found both at forest edges and at the interior of patches.

Threats

The habitat of M. baudouinii has suffered damages leading to habitat loss and fragmentation, which is linked to various threats such as mining activities, recurring bushfires and invasive species. While mining activities impact heavily the vegetation on ultramafic soils, it seems only one subpopulation of this species is situated nearby an active mining concessions (Tiébaghi).

Conservation

This species is not protected by legislation and is not known from any protected area. It is recommended to prospect the nort-west ultramafic massifs (Kaala, Taom, Koniambo).

Bibliography

Clark R. & Gagnon E. 2015. A revision of Mezoneuron (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) in New Caledonia, with perspectives on vegetation, geology, and conservaton. Phytotaxa(207) , p.68-92.

Experts

Assessor(s): Tanguy, V., Amice, R., Birnbaum, P., Bruy, D., Dubreuil, M., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Lannuzel, G., Papineau, C., Razafindrakoto, L.

Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.

Contributor(s): Veillon, J.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V.