Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 28/05/2018Protected species -
in Southern Province
Hedycarya perbracteolata is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northeast of Grande Terre. It occurs in kauri forest undergrowth and high elevation shrubland on volcano-sedimentary substrate above 1,300 m asl. The main threat to this species is habitat degradation caused by feral pigs. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 21 and 16 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be two. Therefore, H. perbracteolata is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northeast of Grande Terre. It is known from two high elevation stations on Mts. Colnett and Panié.
Population
Total population size is unknown. Although dieback has been observed on Mt. Panié, recent prospection suggests that this species is common and regenerates quite well (CI & Dayu Biik 2018).
Habitat
H. perbracteolata occurs in kauri forest undergrowth and high elevation shrubland on volcano-sedimentary substrate, above 1,300 m asl.
Threats
The main threat to this species is habitat degradation by feral pigs (Sus scrofa), whose grubbing causes serious damage to the soil and can also impede regeneration in the long run (CI & Dayu Biik 2018). This species could also be impacted by climate change in the future.
Conservation
H. perbracteolata is protected by legislation in Province Sud and occurs in one protected area: mount Panié reserve. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed that monitoring should occur to ensure the persistence of the known population. Besides, a viable population should be preserved in a confined space where animal invasives are strongly regulated. Finally, further prospection in the northeast and a global taxonomic study of Hedycarya are recommended.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Fiche de pré-évaluation – Hedycarya perbracteolata.
Jérémie, J. 1983. Description d'une nouvelle espèce d'Hedycarya (Monimiaceae) de Nouvelle-Calédonie et confirmation de l'existence d'une 2e espèce de ce genre en Australie.. Adansonia(5(3)) , p.247-258.
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.
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Pré-évaluation du niveau de menace de la flore micro-endémique se développant au sein de la forêt de kaoris de la zone sommitale du Mont Panié.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Haverkamp, C., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Laudereau, C., Tiavouane, J., Tron, F., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G., Butaud, J.