Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 08/11/2022Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Semecarpus riparia is a shrub growing up to 2-5 m high endemic to New Caledonia. This species is restricted to the south of Grande Terre at Tontouta and its surrounding areas with an extension at Fausse Yaté. This species occurs in riparian maquis and forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range between 17 and 950 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Tontouta. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 887 km² and 108 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be 7. Using criterion B and with the estimation of a continuous decline of its habitat quality, AOO and number of mature individuals, Semecarpus riparia is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab (ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
Semecarpus riparia is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre at Tontouta and its surrounding areas with an extension at Fausse Yaté.
Population
The population size is not known.
Habitat
This species occurs in riparian maquis and forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range between 17 and 950 m asl.
Threats
The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Tontouta. It may also be impacted by droughts.
Conservation
Semecarpus riparia is protected by legislation in Province Sud and Province Nord. It does occur in four protected areas : Haute Dumbéa, Mont Humboldt, Côte Oubliée, la Dumbéa. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It is moreover suggested to realise field surveys in wetland areas of the south of Grande Terre and better estimate its distribution range and population size.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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].
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., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Garnier, D., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Eltabet, N., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.
Facilitator(s): Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G.