Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 02/03/2018Protected species -
in Southern Province
Dubouzetia acuminata is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it has a scattered distribution across Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic soil between 700 and 1,000 m asl. Known from 5 locations, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 1,005 and 32 km², respectively. The main threat is posed by bushfires, but future mining activities could also impact the species. Therefore, D. acuminata is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
D. acuminata is endemic to New Caledonia, where it has a scattered distribution across Grande Terre : Montagne des Sources, Dzumac and Mont Do in the south, Taom and Koniambo massifs in the north.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate the species is not common.
Habitat
D. acuminata occurs in altitudinal shrubland on ultramafic soil ('maquis' vegetation) between 700 and 1,000 m asl.
Threats
To this day, the main threat is posed by uncontrolled bushfires, but mining activities could very well impact the species on the Koniambo (ongoing, KNS) and Taom (future) massifs.
Conservation
This species is not protected by any legislation in New Caledonia, but it occurs in two protected areas: Montagne des Sources and Mont Do. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is recommended to monitor and preserve known populations in delimited areas, and to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Moreover, the species is suspected to be present at Mé Maoya, so prospection would be interesting to better estimate the size of the population and understand potential threats.
Bibliography
Tirel, C. & Jérémie, J. 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 11 : Eléocarpacées, Monimiacées, Amborellacées, Athérospermatacées, Triméniacées, Chloranthacées.
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Garnier, D., Lannuzel, G., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H., Hequet, V.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S., Barrabé, L.