Semecarpus virotii is a shrub endemic from New Caledonia. It is known from five subpopulations restricted to the south of Grande Terre : Vallée de Mamié, Tontouta Valley, Ouinné, Dzumac et la Haute Comboui. This species occurs in maquis and in forests on ultramafic soil at an altitude range between 200 and 900 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 879 km² and 24 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be six. Using criterion B and with the estimation of a continuous decline of its habitat quality, AOO and number of mature individuals, Semecarpus virotii is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v).

Geographical area

Semecarpus virotii is endemic to New Caledonia where it is known from five subpopulations restricted to the south of Grande Terre : Vallée de Mamié, Tontouta Valley, Ouinné, Dzumac et la Haute Comboui.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

This species occurs in maquis and in forests on ultramafic soil at an altitude range between 200 and 900 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires.

Conservation

Semecarpus virotii is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but 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 the south of Grande Terre and better estimate its distribution range and population size.

Bibliography

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.

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

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.