Taxonomy
Common name :
Bois de verre
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 08/11/2022Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Gmelina lignumvitreum is a big tree growing up to more than 20 m high endemic from New Caledonia. It is known from two subpopulations restricted to the south of Grande Terre. The species is found in dense humid forest on ultramafic and volcano- sedimentary substrates at an altitude of 340-370 m asl. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively 19 km² and 8 km², while the number of locations is equal to two. The main identified threats are linked to ongoing mining activities, air-borne pollutants, uncontrolled bushfires which are likely causing a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals and the area of occupancy (AOO). Gmelina lignumvitreum is considered Endangered (EN) B1abii,iii,v)+B2ab (ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
Gmelina lignumvitreum is endemic to New Caledonia where it is known from two subpopulations (Forêt Nord and La Thy) restricted in the south of Grande Terre.
Population
The population size is not known.
Habitat
This species occurs in dense humid forest on ultramafic and volcano-sedimentary substrates at an altitude of 340-370 m asl.
Threats
The main identified threats are linked to ongoing mining activities, air-borne pollutants, uncontrolled bushfires which are likely causing a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals.
Conservation
Gmelina lignumvitreum is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in one protected area : Vallée de la Thy. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. This species is subject to a conservation plan program at VALE NC : revegetation program and the monitoring of the success of the revegetation of the species and some plants have been tranfered to Parc de la Rivière Bleue for ex-situ conservation. Prospection at la Thy is recommended to relocate this species. It is also recommended to realise prospection at Forêt Nord and Pic du Pin to better estimate its population size and better estimate its extension risk.
Bibliography
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].
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.
Mabberley DJ, de Kok RPJ. 2004. Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Volume 25. (2004) Labiateae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Garnier, D., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Eltabet, N., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.
Facilitator(s): Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G.