Austrobuxus ovalis is a shrub growing up to 8 m high endemic from New Caledonia. It has a scattered distribution between Canala in the south-east and Colnett in the north-east part of Grande Terre. It is found in humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitudinal range of 500-1,310 m asl. The lower elevation subpopulations can be impacted by uncontrolled bushfires, but globally this species does not seem threatened. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being estimated to be 48 and 1,515 km², respectively, and it is known from a small number of locations. Therefore Austrobuxus ovalis is considered Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with an estimated decline of habitat quality and a number of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Austrobuxus ovalis is endemic to New Caledonia where it has a scattered distribution between Canala in the south-east and Colnett in the north-east part of Grande Terre.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

This species occurs in humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitudinal range of 500-1,310 m asl.

Threats

The lower elevation subpopulations can be impacted by uncontrolled bushfires but globally this species does not seem threatened.

Conservation

Austrobuxus ovalis is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in two protected areas : Mont Panié, Aoupinié.

Bibliography

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.

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].

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.