Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 23/07/2015
Pittosporum baudouinii
©Jean-Jacques Villegente - Fruits mâtures. Tontouta. Alt. 150 m. 13/11/2007 -
Pittosporum baudouinii is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, observed in the south of the main island, Grande Terre, from Dumbéa valley to Dothio. This species occurs in shrubland and forest edges on eroded soil or colluvium coming from ultramafic rocks at an altitudinal range 100-800 m asl, its area of occupancy and area of occurrence are equal to 56 and 855 km² respectively. With more than 10 locations impacted by mining activities, bushfires and rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), P. baudouinii qualifies for Near Threatened (NT) close to (VU) B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
P. baudouinii is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, observed in the south of main island, Grande Terre, from Dumbéa valley to Dothio.
Population
Population size is unknown. Field observations emphasize mostly isolated plants.
Habitat
P. baudouinii occurs in shrubland the forest edges on eroded soil or colluvium coming from ultramafic rocks at an altitudinal range 100-800 m asl.
Threats
In contrast to populations on the massif du Taom for which one mining activities forms past threat, populations on Vulcain, Ningua and Toutouta are always under threat due to mining activities. As P. baudouinii is most frequently collected on massif slopes, this species could be consequently less threatened than others species located on summit. Water stress due to climate change could also affect populations of P. baudouinii. Finally rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), a major invasive animal species in New Caledonia, constitutes a potential threat on regeneration of populations caused by grazing of seedlings.
Conservation
P. baudouinii is currently not protected by legislation. Nevertheless, this species occurs in two protected areas : the réserve naturelle du Pic Ningua and the réserve naturelle de la Haute Dumbéa. The côte oubliée and the area of Thio N'Deu should be prospected.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.
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.
Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gemmill, C., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Maggia, L.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.