Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 03/07/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Podocarpus polyspermus is reassessed as Vulnerable. Although the extent of occurrence (estimated as 2,827 km2) and the area of occupancy (estimated as 408 km2) are wthin the threshold for Endangered, it is known from six locations and the population is not severely fragmented. One location and subpopulation is within an active mining site. Other subpopulations are vulnerable to fire. This species needs constant monitoring as further decline could require a reassessment as Endangered.
Geographical area
This species is primarily known from four mountains in central New Caledonia where it has been recorded from 400 to 1,040 m asl. It is known from six locations: Moindip, Povila, Paéoua, Ouaté, Mé Maoya, Crête HouaÏlou/Baraoua
Population
No estimates are available for the total population size and distribution. Despite this it is not thought to be severely fragmented.
Habitat
This species is restricted to dense montane forests. It occurs on ultramafic and schist substrates.
Threats
The increasing frequency of fires is the main threat to this species on all subpopulations. Mining is also a direct threat to one of the locations/subpopulations in Paéoua.
Conservation
This species is legally protected in province Sud and province Nord. It has been reported from the Nodela Reserve on Me Maoya. Apart from that, all other subpopulations are unprotected.
Bibliography
Jaffré, T., Munzinger, J. & Lowry, P.P. 2010. Threats to the conifer species found on New Caledonia’s ultramafic massifs and proposals for urgently needed measures to improve their protection.. Biodiversity and Conservation (19) , p.1485-1502.
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., McCoy, S., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Jaffré, T., Gardner, M., Thomas, P., Munzinger, J.
Contributor(s): Gueugnier, C., Butaud, J.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J.