Alstonia boulindaensis is a tree growing up to 7 m high, endemic from New Caledonia. It is known from three massifs (Kopéto, Boulinda and MéMaoya) restricted to the west part of Grande Terre. It occurs in undergrowth forests mainly in high slopes only on ultramafic substrates from 300 to 800 m asl. The main threats are ongoing mining activities and recurrent bushfires. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 103 km² and 28 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be five. Alstonia boulindaensis is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

Alstonia boulindaensis is endemic to New Caledonia where it is known from three massifs (Kopéto, Boulinda and MéMaoya) restricted to the west part of Grande Terre.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

This species occurs in undergrowth forests mainly in high slopes only on ultramafic substrates from 300 to 800 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are ongoing mining activities at Kopéto and recurrent uncontrolled bushfires.

Conservation

Alstonia boulindaensis is protected by legislation in Province Nord and it does not occur in any protected area. This taxon would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. To ensure the persistence of the known population, it is proposed that monitoring should occur on the mining site and to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It is also recommended to realise prospections at Kopeto and Paéoua in the west of Grande Terre.

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].

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.

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.