Austrobuxus huerlimannii is a shrub growing up to 8m high endemic from New Caledonia. It is restricted to the southern ultramafic massif (Massif du Grand Sud) of the main land, from Goro to the northern limit of the massif at Montagne des Sources-Rivière Bleue area. There is also one isolated population at Kouakoué massif. This species may have a wider range of distribution than the actual distribution due to its scattered distribition. It occurs in dense humid forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude ranging from 50 to 432 m asl. The main threats impacting this species come from habitat degradation caused by uncontrolled bushfires. Its area of occupation (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be 96 km² and 974 km², respectively. Therefore, Austrobuxus huerlimannii is listed as Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(iii,v)+2ab (iii,v) with a number of locations estimated to be over ten.

Geographical area

Austrobuxus huerlimannii is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the southern ultramafic massif (Massif du Grand Sud) of the main land from Goro to the upper limit of the massif at Montagne des Sources-Rivière Bleue area. There is also one isolated population at Kouakoué massif.

Population

The population size is not known. Field observations indicate that the species is very common.

Habitat

The species occurs in dense humid forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude ranging from 50 to 432 m asl.

Threats

The main threats impacting this species come from habitat degradation caused by uncontrolled bushfires.

Conservation

Austrobuxus huerlimannii is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in several protected areas : Pic du Pin, Barrage de Yaté, Côte Oubliée, Haute Yaté, Massif du Kouakoué, Rivière bleue.

Bibliography

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

Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].

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): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Garnier, D., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Eltabet, N., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A.