Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 02/03/2018Protected species -
in Northern Province
Elaeocarpus gordonii is an endemic tree from New Caledonia, where it is only known from two summits in the northeastern mountain range of Grande Terre. It occurs in high altitude shrubland on volcano-sedimentary soil above 1,420 m asl. Known from two locations, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 8 km². The main threat is posed by invasive species, causing habitat degradation, and bushfires. Therefore, E. gordonii is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
E. gordonii is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from two summits in the northeastern mountain range of Grande Terre: Panié and Colnett.
Population
Population size is unknown. However, about 20 mature individuals were observed in 23 10x10 m plots on the summit of Mont Panié, which could amount to 1,750 mature individuals (max) when considering 400 ha of suitable habitat on both summits (Butaud J.F., Conservation International & Dayu Biik, 2018).
Habitat
E. gordonii occurs in high altitude shrubland ('maquis' vegetation) and Agathis montana forest undergrowth on volcano-sedimentary soil above 1,420 m asl.
Threats
The main threats are bushfires and invasive species (rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)), that cause habitat degradation. E. gordonii could also very well be impacted by climate change in the future, since it only occurs in high altitudes.
Conservation
This species is protected by legislation in Province Nord and occurs in one protected area: Mont Panié. Further prospection in the northeastern mountain range is recommended.
Bibliography
Tirel, C. 1983. Une nouvelle espèce d’Elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpaceae) de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Adansonia(5) , p.283-287.
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Quelques éléments sur Elaeocarpus gordonii.
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., Barrabé, L., Meyer, S.