Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 09/06/2017Protected species -
in Northern Province
Dracophyllum balansae is an endemic shrub of the south of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is found mostly at low altitude (50-200 m asl.) with a single subpopulation found at 1,100 m asl. This taxon is found in shrubland close to riverbanks on ultramafic substrates. Threats identified are the habitat fragmentation caused by mining activities. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are estimated to 36 and 340 km²,respectively, for a total of six locations. Therefore, D. balansae is considered Vulnerable (VU) using criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) with an estimated decline of the habitat quality.
Geographical area
Dracophyllum balansae is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, restricted to the south of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
Dracophyllum balansae is found mostly at low altitude (50-200 m asl) with a single subpopulation found at 1,100 m asl. This taxon is found in shrubland close to riverbanks on ultramafic substrates.
Threats
Threats identified are linked to habitat fragmentation caused by mining activities: Goro (VALE).
Conservation
Dracophyllum balansae is protected by legislation in province Nord. It is found in two protected areas: Massif du Kouakoué and Parc de la Rivière Bleue.
Bibliography
Virot, R. 1975. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 06 : Epacridacées.
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.
Venter, S. 2004. Dracophyllum mackeeanum (Ericaceae: Richeeae), a new species from New Caledonia Dracophyllum mackeeanum (Ericaceae: Richeeae), a new species from New CaledoniaDracophyllum mackeeanum (Ericaceae: Richeeae), a new species from New Caledonia Dracophyllum mac. New Zealand Journal of Botany (42) , p.4.
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Tronchet F., Veillon J.-M. and M. Chalopin 2016. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia. vers. 22.IV.2016.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrabé, L., Cazé, H., Chambrey, C., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Letocart, D., Letocart, I.
Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.
Contributor(s): Vandrot, H.
Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.