Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 23/07/2015Protected species -
in Southern Province
Pittosporum bernardii is an endemic shrub known from a single locality on the main island of New Caledonia : Oui Pouin. Since the first collection in 1965, it has never been seen again in spite of field surveys. It occurs in the undergrowth of humid forest at an altitudinal range 500-700 m asl. P. bernardii could become extinct due to combined pressure from recurrent bushfires and the presence of invasive rusa deer (Rusa timorensis). With an area of occupancy and extent of occurrence of 4 km² and an estimation of continuous decline of habitat quality, P. bernardii qualifies as Critically Endangered Probably Extinct (CR PE) B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
Geographical area
Pittosporum bernardii is an endemic shrub known from only a single locality on the main island of New Caledonia: Oui Pouin.
Population
Population size is unknown due to a lack of data.
Habitat
Pittosporum bernardii occurs in the undergrowth of humid forest on schist and greywacke at an altitudinal range 500-700 m asl.
Threats
According to distribution, P. bernardii is threatened by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), frequent fires, and mining activities, which form the three major threats of New Caledonian flora.
Conservation
P. bernardii is not protected by any legislation and does not occur in any protected areas. In order to confirm the extinction of this species, prospection on Oui-Pouin station is urgently needed, as well as on Koghis station, corresponding to an old collection from Balansa. A count of mature individuals will allow to follow dynamic of the population. Finally to improve knowledge on New Caledonian species of the Pittosporum, and especially the relatedness between P. heckelii and P. bernardii, further research, such as fine-scale phylogenetic and ecological studies, is urgently required.
Bibliography
Gomez C.; Mangeas M.; Curt T.; Ibanez T.; Munzinger J.; Dumas P.; Jérémy A.; Despinoy M. and Hély C. 2014. Wildfire risk for main vegetation units in a biodiversity hotspot: modeling approach in New Caledonia, South Pacific. Ecology and Evolution(5) , p.377-390.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.
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.
Hély-Alleaume 2012. INC : Incendies et biodiversité des éco-systèmes en Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.