Taxonomy
Common name :
Sapin de Comboui, nié (Sud)
Synonyms
Frenela sulcata Parl. • Callitris balansae (Brongn. & Gris) Schltr.Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 03/07/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Description
References
Callitris sulcata has an estimated extent of occurrence of 668 km2 and an estimated area of occupancy of 108 km2. It is known from three locations (Tontouta, Dumbéa and Kombwi) and is undergoing a continuing decline in terms of the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals due to over exploitation and repeated burning. Thanks to recent surveys, the total population is now estimated to be more than 10,000 mature individuals. On the basis of this information it meets the criteria for Endangered under the B criteria.
Geographical area
Callitris sulcata is restricted to three river valleys, the Tontouta, Dumbéa and Kombwi, all in the Southern Massif and occurring at 40 to 280 m.
Population
Following recent surveys, the total population is now estimated to be over 10,000 mature individuals (Haverkamp et al. 2015).
Habitat
Occurs in dense forest at low and mid-elevations, usually in river valleys.
Threats
The woodland is prone to wild fires and disturbance. One site in the Comboui valley has been logged. Regeneration has also been noted as poor. One subpopulation is located within a protected area (Réserve naturelle de la Haute-Dumbéa).
Conservation
This species is protected by legislation in province Sud and province Nord. One subpopulation is present in the Réserve Naturelle de la Haute-Dumbéa. This species is subject to an action plan and management plan by Noe, a non governmental organization with local associations in the area of Thio (Comboui river) and IAC (Institut Agronomique néo-Calédonien). Their work has focused on research (IAC) and setting-up plant nurseries with local actors. Recommendation is to pursue conservation efforts by Noe in order to tackle the fire pressure in the Comboui valley. It is moreover recommended to survey the Ni valley (old observations) and to implement awareness and protection measures in the Dumbéa valley.
Bibliography
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.
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.
Jaffré, T., Bouchet, P. and Veillon, J.-M. 1996. Threatened plants of New Caledonia: Is the system of protected areas adequate?. Biodiversity and Conservation (7(1)) , p.109-135.
Ibanez, T., Birnbaum, P., Gâteblé, G., Hequet, V., Isnard, S., Munzinger, J., Pillon, Y., Pouteau, R., Vandrot, H. and Jaffre, T. 2019. Twenty years after Jaffré et al. (1998), is the system of protected areas now adequate in New Caledonia? . Biodiversity and Conservation(28) , p.245-254.
Haverkamp, C., Prior, L., Fogliani, B., L'Huiller, L., Anquez, M., Hua, Q. and Bowman, D. 2015. Effect of landscape fires on the demography of the endangered New Caledonian conifer Callitris sulcata.. Biological Conservation(191) , p.130-138.
Gomez C.; Mangeas M.; Curt T.; Ibanez T.; Munzinger J.; Dumas P.; Jérémy A.; Despinoy M. and Hély C. 2014. Wildfire risk for main vegetation units in a biodiversity hotspot: modeling approach in New Caledonia, South Pacific. Ecology and Evolution(5) , p.377-390.
Cabalion, P., Hnawia, E., Menut, C., Waikedre, J. and Patissou, J. 2003. Protection needed for Callitris sulcata, an endemic but very threatened resource from southern New Caledonia. .
de Laubenfels, D.J. 1972. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances..
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].
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): Gardner, M., Jaffré, T., Thomas, P., Munzinger, J.
Contributor(s): Gueugnier, C., Butaud, J.
Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Tanguy, V.