Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 21/07/2016
Cunonia varijuga is an endemic shrub/small tree of New Caledonia. It is found in dense humid forest and shrubland on various substrates at low and high altitude. This species is largely distributed and does not seem directly threatened. Cunonia varijuga is considered Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Cunonia varijuga is widely spread on Grande Terre from Pic du Pin to Mont Colnett.
Population
Population size is unknown. It is known of 12-15 subpopulations.
Habitat
It is found in dense humid forest and shrubland, mainly on ultramafic substrate and occasionnaly on volcano-sedimentary (Moindip, Mont Tonine). It is generaly at high alitude, except in the Plaine des Lacs where it is at low altitude (250-1,200 masl).
Threats
This species does not seem globally threatened. Some subpopulations may be threatened by mining activities (Tiébaghi, Camp des Sapins, Goro) and bushfires.
Conservation
Unprotected by legislation, this species is found in numerous protected areas : Barrage de Yaté, Rivière bleue, Foret Nord, Pic du grand Kaori, Haute Yaté, Forêt cachée, Mont Do, Nodela
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. The taxonomic database « FLORICAL » and characteristics of the indigenous flora of New Caledonia. Adansonia(334) , p.177-219.
H. C. F. Hopkins, J. C. Bradford, B. Donovan, Y. Pillon, J. Munzinger, B. Fogliani 2015. Floral biology of the Cunoniaceae in New Caledonia and the role of insects, birds and geckos as potential pollinators.
Helen Fortune Hopkins, Yohan Pillon, Ruurd Hoogland 2015. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie : Cunoniaceae.
Experts
Assessor(s): Pillon, Y., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Hequet, V., Letocart, D., Letocart, I., Tanguy, V., Tiavouane, J., Tron, F.
Reviewer(s): Fogliani, B.
Contributor(s): Fortune-Hopkins, H., Couhia, J., Brinkert, M.
Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Tanguy, V.