Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 07/04/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province
Santalum austrocaledonicum var. minutum is a variety of sandal (small tree of 2-10m) endemic to the north-west of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is found in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at low altitude (10-100 m asl). The main impact identified come from mining activities (Tiébaghi, Poum) and bushfires. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being estimated to 24 and 51 km², while the number of locations are estimated to be two. Santalum austrocaledonicum var. minutum is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a continuing decline of habitat quality and number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
Santalum austrocaledonicum var. minutum is a variety of sandal (small tree of 2-10m) endemic to the north-west of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is found in Koumac and Poum, while field observations have reported it in Oundjo, Népoui and Gatope.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
It is found in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at low altitude (10-100 m asl).
Threats
The main impact identified come from mining activities (Tiébaghi, Poum) and bushfires.
Conservation
Unprotected by legislation, this variety does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to prospect Tiébaghi and Poum in order to get recent observations. Moreover, it es necessary to confirm the field observations od OUndjo, Népoui and Gatope by herbarium material. Ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts are urgently needed, in particular : ensuring the follow-up of the known sub-populations and preserving it on delimited perimeters. It is also recommended to inform emergency services, such as firefighters, about known sub-populations in the aim to incorporate them into strategic and operational forest and fire management planning.
Bibliography
Butaud, J.-F. 2015. Reinstatement of the Loyalty Islands Sandalwood, Santalum austrocaledonicum var. glabrum (Santalaceae), in New Caledonia.
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.
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.
Jérémie, J.; Hoff, M.; Jonsell, B. 1997. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 15 : Hernandiacées, Meliacées, Oncothecacées, Santalacées.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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): Butaud, J.
Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G.