Taxonomy
Common name :
Arbre à sagaïes
Synonyms
Alstonia undulata GuillauminRed List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 06/12/2021
Alstonia balansae is a small tree growing up to 5-8 m high, endemic from New Caledonia. It is widely distributed across Grande Terre, from the southern limit at Port-Boisé to Poum at the northern part of the main land. It occurs in various habitats (forests, maquis, dry forests) and various substrates from 5 to 400 m asl. Some subpopulation may be impacted by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Poum, Tiebaghi and Tontouta. However Alstonia balansae is common and tends to be a pioneer species, resilient to bushfires and other natural disturbances. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 15,120 and 316 km², respectively. Therefore Alstonia balansae is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Alstonia balansae is endemic to New Caledonia where it is widely distributed across Grande Terre, from the southern limit at Port-Boisé to Poum at the northern part of the main land.
Population
The population size is not known but based on field prospections, Alstonia balansae is common and tends to be a pioneer species.
Habitat
This species occurs in various habitats (forests, maquis, dry forests) and various substrates from 5 to 400 m asl.
Threats
Some subpopulations may be impacted by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Poum, Tiebaghi and Tontouta. However Alstonia balansae is common and tends to be a pioneer species, resilient to bushfires and other natural disturbances.
Conservation
Alstonia balansae is not protected by legilslation in New Caledonia but it does occur in three protected areas : Nodela, Haute Dumbéa, la Dumbéa.
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.
Boiteau Pierre avec collaboration de Lucie Allorge 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 10 : Apocynacées.
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., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Garnier, D., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H., Pillon, Y.
Reviewer(s): Fourdrain, A.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.