Taxonomy
Synonyms
Bikkia parviflora Schltr. & K.KrauseRed List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 21/04/2017
Thiollierea parviflora is an endemic shrub, found in Grande Terre from Koniambo in the north to Pic du Grand Kaori in the south of New Caledonia. It occurs in forest on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 300-500 m asl. Ongoing mining activities impact some subpopulations. The habitat of Thiollierea parviflora is moreover degraded by bushfires. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being respectively estimated to 40 and 2,641 km², while the number of locations is estimated to be eight. Thiollierea parviflora is therefore assessed as Vulnerable (VU) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.
Geographical area
Thiollierea parviflora is an endemic shrub, found in Grande Terre from Koniambo in the north to Pic du Grand Kaori in the south of New Caledonia.
Population
Population size is unknown. It is known from nine subpopulations : Koniambo, Massif du Boulinda, Boulinda, vers Népouto, Nodéla, Forêt du Grand Kaori, Forêt Pic du Pin, Réserve du Pic du Grand Kaori,Réserve spéciale botanique de Fausse Yaté, Dzumac.
Habitat
Thiollierea parviflora occurs in forest on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 300- 500 m asl.
Threats
Ongoing mining activities impact some subpopulations: Koniambo (KNS). The habitat of Thiollierea parviflora is moreover degraded by bushfires. New Caledonia contains between 20 - 30% of the world’s nickel resources and has experienced intense mining activities since the late 19th century which has generated soil erosion (1.2% of bare ground mapped by SPOT5 in 2007). Based on the distribution of metal-rich soils and site accessibility, these threats are predictable and planned (rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year between 2013 and 2015). Uncontrolled bushfires sweep across New Caledonia each year, especially during the dry season (an average of 20,000 ha of land is burnt each year, with dramatic peaks of 70,000 ha). Lowest parts of ultramafic areas are particularly exposed to such risk.
Conservation
Thiollierea pachyphylla is unprotected by legislation but it occurs in any two protected area: Nodela, Pic du Pin. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort on the presence of the species in the concerned areas.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Barrabé L., Mouly A., Lowry II P.P. & Muzinger J. 2011. Reinstatement of the endemic New Caledonian genus Thiollierea Montrouz. (Rubiaceae) necessitated by the polyphyly of Bikkia Reinw. as currently circumscribed. Adansonia(33) , p.115-134.
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): Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.
Contributor(s): Mouly, A.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G., Maura, J.