Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 02/03/2018Protected species -
in Northern Province
Elaeocarpus weibelianus is an endemic tree from New Caledonia, where it has a scattered distribution across Grande Terre. It occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary and ultramafic soil from 150 to 650 m asl. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 5,630 and 92 km², respectively. Some subpopulations are impacted by bushfires and invasive species, but globally the species is not threatened. Therefore, E. weibelianus is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
E. weibelianus is endemic to New Caledonia, where it has an extremely scattered distribution across Grande Terre: in the great southern massif (from Prony to the upper Ni Valley) and in the northeastern mountain range (from Poami to Mandjélia).
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
E. weibelianus occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary and ultramafic soil from 150 to 650 m asl.
Threats
Some subpopulations are impacted by bushfires or invasive species, that cause habitat degradation (rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)), but globally the species is not threatened.
Conservation
This species is protected by legislation in Province Nord and occurs in six protected areas: Haute Pourina, Haute Yaté, Parc de la Rivière Bleue, Vallée de la Thy, Parc de la Dumbéa, Haute Dumbéa et mont Panié. Further prospection is recommended to find this probably cryptic species, as well as conduct genetic studies.
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): Barrabé, L., Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.