Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 24/07/2015Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Pittosporum brevispinum is a sclerophyllous low altitude shrub, endemic of New Caledonia. Its area of occupancy is 24 km² and its area of occurrence is 53 km². Major threats to P. brevispinum are linked to degradation even loss of its habitat. Conversion of dry forest into pasture and degradations caused by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) are at the root of a continuous decline of dry forest. Moreover, field observations done in 2015 reported the existence of a single population, composed of only twenty-one individuals. Using criteria C and D, it is suitable to classify P. brevispinum as Critically Endangered (CR) C2a(i,ii);D.
Geographical area
P. brevispinum is an endemic species of New Caledonia located only on the west coast of Grande Terre, precisely on Pouembout area.
Population
In 2015, a census report of the population found 21 individuals : 11 on dry forest plot fenced and managed by CEN and 10 individuals on an adjacent private property.
Habitat
P. brevispinum is a sclerophyllous low altitude shrub, endemic of New Caledonia.
Threats
A species of dry forest, P. brevispinum is highly threatened by disappearance of its habitat. According to scientific community, dry forests in New Caledonia represent only 1% of their original surface. Despite the establishment of a programme dedicated to the conservation of dry forest, P. brevispinum remains threatened by grazing of cattle and clearing related to agriculture. Consumption of fruit by rat and degradations due to rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) are also threats to consider.
Conservation
P. brevispinum is protected by legislation in Province Nord and Province Sud. Tiéa area is fenced and monitored by Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels. Field surveys are urgently needed on Nékoro to confirm supposed presence of a population. On the basis of experiments conducted by IAC, propagation is not a problem. In situ plantations are thus feasible.
Bibliography
Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.
Bouchet, P.; Jaffré, T. and Veillon J.-M. 1995. Plant extinction in New Caledonia: protection of sclerophyll forest urgently needed. Biodiversity and Conservation(4) , p.415-428.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gemmill, C., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Letocart, I., Letocart, D., Maggia, L., Pain, A.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.