Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 26/10/2018Protected species -
in Northern Province
Metrosideros rotundifolia is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is only known from one station at Roches de la Ouaïeme, in the northeast of Grande Terre. It occurs in high elevation shrubland on volcano-sedimentary substrate from 500 to 950 m asl. This species is threatened by bushfires, and could also be impacted by climate change in the future. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated at 8 km², and the number of locations is estimated to be one. Therefore, M. rotundifolia is listed as Critically Endangered under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is known from a single locality at Roches Ouaïeme, in the northeast of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This species has been observed in mid and high elevation shrubland on volcano-sedimentary substrate, from 500 to 950 m asl.
Threats
The main threat to this species is posed by bushfires. Besides, like other high elevation species, this one could be impacted by climate change in the future.
Conservation
M. rotundifolia is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected areas. 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 known subpopulations. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. The Roches de la Ouaïeme site, which harbours great diversity and many micro-endemic species, deserves to be listed as a protected area.
Bibliography
Dawson, J.W. et al. 2000. Two new species of Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) from New Caledonia: dual characterisation with morphology and nrDNA sequence variation. Blumea(45 (2)) , p.433-441.
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., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Henry, B., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Mandaoué, L., Pillon, Y., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.