Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 21/07/2016Geissois velutina is an endemic shrub/tree of the south of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is found in dense humid forest at low, mid and high altitude on ultramafic substrate. The main threats impacting this species comes from habitat fragmentation caused by bushfires and by the proximity ot the Vale NC industry installations with one subpopulation. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being estimated respectively to 60 and 703 km², Geissois velutina is considered Vulnerable (VU) using criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) with an estimation of 10 locations and an estimated decline of the habitat quality.
Geographical area
Geissois velutina is restricted to the south of Grande Terre in New Caledonia.
Population
This species is never abundant. 10 subpopulations are known.
Habitat
It is found in dense humid forest at low and mid altitude in Plaine des Lacs and Rivière Bleue, at high altitude in Koghis, Dzumac and Montagne des Sources, always on ultramafic substrate.
Threats
The main threats impacting this species comes from habitat fragmentation caused by bushfires and mining activities. We notice the proximity ot the Vale NC industry installations with one subpopulation (Forêt Nord) which makes an obvious threat.
Conservation
Unprotected by legislation, this species is found in numerous protected areas : Vallée de la Thy, Montagne des sources, Haute Dumbéa, Massif du Kouakoué, Haute Yaté, Foret Nord, Rivière bleue, Haute Pourina, Pic du Pin. it is recommended to follow-up populations as there are few individuals. Protecting legally this species (on the Code de l'Environnement of province Sud) would be beneficial.
Bibliography
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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., Brinkert, M., Couhia, J.
Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Tanguy, V.