Taxonomy
Synonyms
Elaeocarpus pulchellus var. grandifolius Guillaumin • Elaeocarpus oreogena Schltr.Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 02/03/2018Protected species -
in Northern Province
Elaeocarpus pulchellus is an endemic shrub species from New Caledonia, where it is represented by two infraspecific varieties. The species is distributed in the south of Grande Terre, where it occurs in high altitude shrubland on ultramafic soil between 650 and 1,450 m asl. Known from 9 locations, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 1,522 and 72 km², respectively. The main threats are bushfires, mining activities and invasive species, that cause habitat degradation. Therefore, E. pulchellus is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+B2ab(i,ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
E. pulchellus is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is distributed in the south of Grande Terre: from Mont-Dore to Camp des Sapins (Thio).
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
E. pulchellus occurs in high altitude shrubland ('maquis') on ultramafic soil between 650 and 1,450 m asl.
Threats
The main threats are bushfires, mining activities at Camp des Sapins (SLN) and invasive species (rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)), that cause habitat degradation.
Conservation
This species is protected by legislation in Province Nord and occurs in 5 protected areas: Montagne des Sources, Parc de la Rivière Bleue, mont Mou, Massif du Kouakoué and Mont Humboldt. The local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort should be informed about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Finally, taxonomic studies would be interesting to confirm the validity of its two infraspecific varieties, as well as clear up the relation with E. alaternoides.
Bibliography
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.
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): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Garnier, D., Lannuzel, G., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H., Hequet, V.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Barrabé, L., Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.