Melicope pedicellata is a narrow-endemic small tree restricted to the central part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known of three sub-populations (Pic Ningua, Dogny and Amieu). It is found in high altitude dense humid forest on various substrates at an altitudinal range 750-1,200 m asl. On-going mining activities will impact one subpopulation. Indeed, Camp des Sapins's extraction projections on the coming 25 years are bordering/impinging the subpopulation of Pic Ningua. The habitat of the second subpopulation is degraded by Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis), which was introduced in the 1880s and adapted extremely well to Caledonian habitats. This rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) consumes a wide variety of plant species and causes severe damage to trees, which results in very little regeneration. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 25 and 24 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be 4. M. pedicellata is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

Melicope pedicellata is a narrow-endemic small tree restricted to the central part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known of 3 sub-populations (Pic Ningua, Dogny and Amieu).

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

This species is found in altitudinal dense humid forest on various substrates at an altitudinal range 750-1200 m.

Threats

On-going mining activities will impact one subpopulation. Indeed, Camp des Sapins's extraction projections on the coming 25 years are bordering/impinging the subpopulation of Pic Ningua. The habitat of the second subpopulation is degraded by Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis), which was introduced in the 1880s and adapted extremely well to Caledonian habitats. This rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) consumes a wide variety of plant species and causes severe damage to trees, which results in very little regeneration.

Conservation

This species is not protected by legislation. It occurs in one protected area : réserve naturelle du Pic Ninga. It is recommended to prospect the area of Camp des Sapins to assess the individuals that may be impacted by mining activities.

Bibliography

Wulff AS, Hollingsworth PM, Ahrends A, Jaffré T, Veillon J-M, L’Huillier L, et al. 2013. Conservation Priorities in a Biodiversity Hotspot: Analysis of Narrow Endemic Plant Species in New Caledonia.

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.

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Experts

Assessor(s): Tanguy, V., Veillon, J., Bruy, D., Dubreuil, M., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G.

Reviewer(s): Amice, R.

Contributor(s): Wulff, A.

Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S., Tanguy, V.