Taxonomy
Synonyms
Leucopogon enervius GuillauminRed List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 29/02/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province
Styphelia enervia is an endemic shrub restricted to the areas of Tontouta and Tamoa on Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is found in shrubland or riverbanks on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 50-600 m asl. Recurrent bushfires and on-going mining activities in the valley contribute to the degradation of the habitat.Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 174 and 40 km² with an estimation of four locations (Col de Mo, low valley of Tontouta, mine Gallieni, Koungouhaou). Styphelia enervia is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v) with a continuing decline of the EOO, AOO, habitat quality and number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
Styphelia enervia is an endemic shrub restricted to the areas of Tontouta and Tamoa on Grande Terre in New Caledonia.
Population
Population size is unknown. In Tontouta valley, it is quite widely distributed.
Habitat
It is found in shrubland or riverbanks on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 50-600 m asl.
Threats
Recurrent bushfires and on-going (and past) mining activities in the valley (Tomo and Vulcain by SMGM, Opoué by SLN) contribute to the degradation of the habitat, especially to erosion. Some individuals are directly impacted by the mines Gallieni/Vulcain and Tomo. Uncontrolled fires sweep across lowlands of New Caledonia each year, especially during the dry season (an average of 20,000 ha of land is burnt each year). New Caledonia contains 20-30% of the world’s nickel resources. Intense mining activities since the late 19th century has generated soil erosion (1.2% of bare ground mapped by SPOT5 in 2007). Based on the distribution of metal-rich soils and site accessibility, these threats are predictable and planned (rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year between 2013 and 2015).
Conservation
Styphelia enervia is not protected by legislation. It does not occur in any protected area. The reproduction of this species seems difficult. This species would benefit from emergency in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures. It is needed to follow-up existing populations and to check regeneration. In terms of protection, while it seems difficult to propose perennial measures as long as the valley will be exploited, it is proposed to protect some areas of the valley of Tontouta. It is moreover recommended to gather mining actors to get an inventory of protection measures already implemented and to try to launch a collaboration between institutions (DIMENC and DENV) and mining operators (SLN, Ballande, SMGM) in order to preserve the Tontouta flora.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Virot, R. 1975. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 6 : Epacridacées.
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.
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): Tanguy, V., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Chambrey, C., Dubreuil, M., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Leborgne, T., Letocart, D., Letocart, I., McCoy, S., Villegente, J.
Reviewer(s): Maura, J.
Contributor(s): Wulff, A.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V.