Santalum austrocaledonicum var. austrocaledonicum is a variety of sandal (small tree of 2-10m) native to New Caledonia. Under current knowledge, it is known from Grande Terre and Ile des Pins in New Caledonia and it is also found in Vanuatu. It is found in dry forest, shrubland and degraded vegetation on various substrates (calcareous, serpentinous and black clay). Sandals heartwood is used in the cosmetics and perfumery sectors. Its logging in Ils des Pins must be supervised in order to control over-exploitation. Experts think there may be several entities under the currently delimited taxa. Santalum austrocaledonicum var. austrocaledonicum is therefore assessed as Data Deficient (DD) for taxonomic reasons.

Geographical area

Santalum austrocaledonicum var. austrocaledonicum is a variety of sandal (native small tree of 2-10m) which under current knowledge, is known from Grande Terre and Ile des Pins in New Caledonia. It is also present in Vanutau.

Population

Population size in unknown.

Habitat

It is found in dry forest, shrubland and degraded vegetation on various substrates (calcareous, serpentinous and black clay) at low altitude.

Threats

Sandals heartwood is used in the cosmetics and perfumery sectors. Its logging in Ils des Pins must be supervised in order to control over-exploitation. This taxa is also probably threatened by bushfires and habitat degradation caused by invasive species.

Conservation

Unprotected by legislation, this variety does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to bring taxonomic clarifications on this variety and to manage in a sustainable way the Ile des Pins subpopulation.

Bibliography

Butaud, J.-F. 2015. Reinstatement of the Loyalty Islands Sandalwood, Santalum austrocaledonicum var. glabrum (Santalaceae), in New Caledonia.

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

DANICA T. HARBAUGH, AND BRUCE G. BALDWIN 2007. PHYLOGENY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY OF THE SANDALWOODS (SANTALUM, SANTALACEAE): REPEATED DISPERSALS THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC. American Journal of Botany(94) , p.1028-1040.

Jérémie, J.; Hoff, M.; Jonsell, B. 1997. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 15 : Hernandiacées, Meliacées, Oncothecacées, Santalacées.

Thomson L., Doran J. & Clarke B. (eds) 2018. Trees for life in Oceania : conservation and utilisation of genetic diversity. .

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.

Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Tronchet F., Veillon J.-M. and M. Chalopin 2016. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia. vers. 22.IV.2016.

Experts

Assessor(s): Veillon, J., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Suprin, B.

Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.

Contributor(s): Hequet, V., Butaud, J.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G., Maura, J.