Austrobuxus pauciflorus is a shrub or big tree growing up to 30 m high endemic from New Caledonia. It is restricted to the southern ultramafic massif (Massif du Grand Sud) of New Caledonia, from the far south of the Grande Terre to the upper limit of the massif at Dzumac-Rivière Bleue-Unia areas. There is also one isolated population at Mé Maoya massif. This species may have a wider range of distribution than the actual distribution due to its scattered distribition. It occurs in maquis and dense humid forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude ranging 150 to 800 m asl. The main threats impacting this species come from habitat degradation caused by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities. Known from more than ten locations, its area of occupation (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be 104 and 3,018 km² , respectively. Therefore, Austrobuxus pauciflorus is listed as Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(iii,v)+2ab (iii,v).

Geographical area

Austrobuxus pauciflorus is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the southern ultramafic massif (Massif du Grand Sud) of New Caledonia, from the far south of the Grande Terre to the upper limit of the massif at Dzumac-Rivière Bleue- Unia areas. There is also one isolated population at Mé Maoya massif.

Population

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

Habitat

The species occurs in maquis and dense humid forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude ranging 150 to 800 m asl.

Threats

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

Conservation

Austrobuxus pauciflorus is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in several protected areas : Vallée de la Thy, Barrage de Yaté, Cap N'dua, Côte Oubliée, Haute Dumbéa, Haute Yaté, la Dumbéa, Rivière bleue. It is recommended to search for the species beween the region of Thio and Houaïlou.

Bibliography

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.

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

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.