Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 02/03/2018Protected species -
in Northern ProvinceElaeocarpus biflorus is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is only known from the Aoupinié massif, in the northern center of Grande Terre. This little known species has not been observed since 1972. It occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary soil between 700 and 900 m asl. Known from a single location, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 4 km². The main threat is posed by invasive species causing habitat degradation, and potentially bushfires. Therefore, E. biflorus is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii).
Geographical area
E. biflorus is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from the Aoupinié massif, in the northern center of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
E. biflorus occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary soil between 700 and 900 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is posed by invasive species (rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)), causing habitat degradation, and potentially bushfires.
Conservation
This species is protected by legislation in Province Nord and it occurs in one protected area (Aoupinié). It 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. Finally, since the species has not been observed since 1972, prospection on the Aoupinié massif is strongly recommended to find it, better estimate population size and understand threats.
Bibliography
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.
Tirel, C. & Jérémie, J. 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 11 : Eléocarpacées, Monimiacées, Amborellacées, Athérospermatacées, Triméniacées, Chloranthacées.
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.