Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 26/10/2018Protected species -
in Northern Province
Metrosideros engleriana is an endemic small tree from New Caledonia, where it has a scattered distribution across Grande Terre, mainly in the south and on a few ultramafic massifs in the north. It occurs in mid and high elevation shrubland, forest edges or rocky ridges on ultramafic substrate between 600 and 1,150 m asl. This species is currently threatened by bushfires and mining activities. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 5,935 and 44 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be 9. Therefore, M. engleriana is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v).
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caledonia, where it has a scattered distribution across Grande Terre. It occurs from Kuébini to Bwa Bwi in the south, as well as a few ultramafic massifs in the north (Paéoua, Tchingou, Taom).
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This shrub or small tree occurs in shrubland, forest edges, ridges or rocky slopes on ultramafic substrate from 600 to 1,150 m asl.
Threats
Main threats to this species include bushfires (at Thy) and ongoing mining activities on the Taom massif (NMC) and Goro (Vale). Future mining activity on the Paéoua could also be a threat.
Conservation
M. engleriana is protected by legislation in Province Nord and occurs in three protected areas: Massif du Kouakoué and Vallée de la Thy natural reserves, as well as Côte Oubliée provincial park. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Besides, further prospection and genetic studies are suggested for the northern subpopulations, which might belong to a novel species.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Dawson J.W. 1992. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 18 : Myrtacées Leptospermoïdées.
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.
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.