Taxonomy

endemique
protegee
UICN

Red List Status -

Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 02/03/2018

Protected species -

in Southern Province , in Northern Province

Elaeocarpus castaneifolius is an endemic tree from New Caledonia, where it is only known from the base of the Koghis mountains, in the south of Grande Terre. It occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary soil between 400 and 700 m asl. Known from a single location, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 8 km². The main threats are posed by invasive species, causing habitat degradation, and bushfires. Human activities could also have an impact in the area. Therefore, E. castaneifolius is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii).

Geographical area


E. castanaefolius is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from the base of the Koghis mountains, in the south of Grande Terre.

Population


Population size is unknown.

Habitat


E. castanaefolius occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary soil between 400 and 700 m asl.

Threats


The main threats are posed by invasive species (rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)), causing habitat degradation, and bushfires. Human activities could also have an impact in that area (clearing, urbanization, recreation).

Conservation


This species is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected areas. 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, being little known with few collections, further prospection and sampling is recommended.

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. 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.

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., Héquet, V.

Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.

Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G., Barrabé, L.


Geographical distribution