Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 08/12/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Diospyros balansae is an endemic shrub/small tree of the south and east coast of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is found in thalweg forest at mid altitude on ultramafic substrate. The main threats impacting this species are bushfires and impact of invasive species (feral pig). Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being estimated respectively to 20 and 1,035 km², Diospyros balansae is considered Endangered (EN) using criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with an estimation of five locations and an estimated decline of habitat quality and number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
Diospyros balansae is an endemic shrub/small tree of the south (Plaine des Lacs - Forêt Cachée, Rivière Bleue) and east coast (from Port Bouquet to Canala-Houaïlou) of Grande Terre in New Caledonia.
Population
This species is uncommon. It is known of 5 subpopulations.
Habitat
It is found in thalweg forest at mid altitude (200-300 m asl) on ultramafic substrate.
Threats
The main threats impacting this species are bushfires (impacting 4 subpopulations) and impact of invasive species (feral pig on 2 subpopulations).
Conservation
This species is protected by legislation in Province Nord and in Province Sud. It is known in two protected areas : Rivière bleue and Forêt cachée As this species is threatened by bushfires, its stations must be included in the maps of Sécurité Civile. Fencing a part of the population would protect this species from feral pigs degradation. It is moreover recommended to prospect this species as most of the collects are rather old, especially the collect in Baie Duperré (Canala) from 1869. These recommendations would be useful for mining operators present in this area. In the Rivière Bleue area, it is suggested to relocate the subpopulation in order to reinforce the population.
Bibliography
White F.; Vink W. 1993. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 19 : Ebenacaeae-Winteraceae.
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.
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. 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.
Experts
Assessor(s): Schatz, G., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lowry, P., Suprin, B., Tanguy, V., Vandrot, H., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Maura, J.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.