Taxonomy
Alstonia sphaerocapitata
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 27/10/2017
Alstonia sphaerocapitata is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the east coast of Grande Terre. This shrub or tree is found in dense humid forest or gallery forest on ultramafic substrate up to 400 m asl. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 56 km² and 669 km², respectively, and it is known from 6 locations. The main threat is posed by uncontrolled bushfires. Therefore, A. sphaerocapitata is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
A. sphaerocapitata is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the east coast of Grande Terre, from Baie Ugué to Touho.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
A. sphaerocapitata occurs in dense humid forest or gallery forest on ultramafic substrate up to 400 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is posed by uncontrolled bushfires.
Conservation
A. sphaerocapitata is not protected by any legislation in New Caledonia and does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is recommended to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Finally, prospection in Baie Ugué, Timbounou and Povila is necessary to better estimate the size of the population et and understand potential threats.
Bibliography
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.
Lannuzel, G.; Gâteblé, G.; Fogliani, B. 2017. Etude des Espèces Rares et Menacées des sites miniers de la SMT.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Letocart, I., Suprin, B.
Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.
Contributor(s): Russ, L.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.