Taxonomy
Menepetalum cassinoides
Synonyms
Menepetalum pachystimoides Loes.Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 05/04/2018
Menepetalum cassinoides is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia with scattered distribution between the Massif du Sud and western coast of Grande Terre. It is found in dense humid forest and shrubland on ultramafic substrate, from 900 and 1,600 m asl. The main threats identifies are inderectly mining activities (soil erosion) and uncontrolled bushfires. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 48 and 3,023 km², respectively, while the number of locations is estimated to eight. Therefore, M. cassinoides is considered Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with an estimated decline of habitat quality and number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
M. cassinoides is an endemic species of New Caledonia with scattered distribution between the Massif du Sud and the central part of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
M. cassinoides occurs in dense humid forest and shrubland on ultramafic substrate, from 900 et 1,600 m asl.
Threats
The main threats identified comes indirectly from mining activity and potential impact from future mining projects at Boulinda and uncontrolled bushfires.
Conservation
M. cassinoides is not protected by any legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in three protected areas: Vallée de la Thy, Mont Humboldt and Massif du Kouakoué. This species should be included in the regional legislation for a better protection of the species. It is recommended to inform the inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort on the presence of the species in the concerned areas as well as awarness amongs the population. Plus prospection on massifs between Mé Maoya and the Massif du Sud is recommended.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Morat, P. 1996. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 20 : Celastraceae, Loranthaceae, Alseuocmiaceae, Paracryphiaceae, Tiliaceae.
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Tronchet F., Veillon J.-M. and M. Chalopin 2016. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia. vers. 22.IV.2016.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Chambrey, C., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Hequet, V., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G., Barrabé, L.