Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 20/07/2022
Balanops microstachya is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia. It was described from the original collections in Dupéré Canala in 1869. A population of four mature individuals, was recently discovered at Ouinné in the south east of Grande Terre. It occurs on serpentinite soil in quite open scrubland approximatively at 342 m asl. Its area of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated to be 8 km², while the species is known from a single location. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by bushfires, which allows us to project a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals. Using criteria B, Balanops microstachya qualifies Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab(iii,v)+2abiii,v),C2 (i),C2a(ii),D.
Geographical area
Balanops microstachya is endemic to New Caledonia where it was described from the original collections in Dupéré Canala in 1869. However, a population of four mature individuals, was recently discovered at Ouinné in the south east of Grande Terre.
Population
The population size is not known. However the recent population found at Ouinné is estimated to be 4 mature indiviuals.
Habitat
Balanops microstachya occurs on serpentinite soil in quite open scrubland approximatively at 342 m asl.
Threats
The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by bushfires, which allows us to project a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals.
Conservation
Balanops microstachya is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It is recommended to search in areas such as Duperré bay and in areas between Canala and la Ouinné.
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.
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.
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.
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].
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y., Pillon, Y.
Facilitator(s): Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G.