Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 12/10/2015Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Soulamea rigaultii is a shrub endemic to the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is only known from a single population at Boulinda. It is found in riparian forest on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 20-300 m asl. Degradation of habitat induced by uncontrolled bushfires is leading to a continuing decline in its area of occupancy (AOO), extent of occurrence (EOO), quality of habitat, and number of mature individuals. With an EOO and AOO of 8km2, using criterion B, Soulamea rigaultii qualifies as Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
Soulamea rigaultii is a shrub endemic to the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is only known from a single population at Boulinda.
Population
Population size is unknown but it seems to form a quite dense population.
Habitat
Soulamea rigaultii is found in riparian forest on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 20-300 m asl.
Threats
The main identified threat is linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires. 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). The lowest parts of ultramafic areas are particularly exposed to such risk. Roads opening due to mining activities are an additional threat.
Conservation
Soulamea rigaultii is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected area. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to ensure the monitoring of the known subpopulation, and to preserve a viable population within delimited perimeters on Boulinda. It would be moreover advised to prospect nearby valleys (such as Mounio rive droite)
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.
L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.
Experts
Assessor(s): Tanguy, V., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Barrière, R., Chambrey, C., Fleurot, D., Lannuzel, G.
Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.
Contributor(s): Wulff, A.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S., Tanguy, V.