Austrobuxus rubiginosus is a shrub or small tree endemic from New Caledonia. It is restricted to the southern ultramafic massif (Massif du Grand Sud) of New Caledonia, from the far south of Grande Terre to the upper limit of the southern massif at Rivière des Pirogues-Rivière Bleue area. There is also one isolated population at Dzumac 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 150 to 640 m asl. The main threats impacting this species come from habitat degradation caused by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Goro. Known from more than ten locations, its area of occupation (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are estimated to be 164 km² and 5,700 km², respectively. Therefore, Austrobuxus rubiginosus is listed as Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(iii,v)+2ab (iii,v).

Geographical area

Austrobuxus rubiginosus 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 Grande Terre to the upper limit of the southern massif at Rivière des Pirogues-Rivière Bleue area. There is also one isolated population at Dzumac massif.

Population

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

Habitat

This species occurs in dense humid forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude ranging from 150 to 640 m asl.

Threats

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

Conservation

Austrobuxus rubiginosus 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 Dumbéa, Haute Pourina, la Dumbéa, Rivière bleue.

Bibliography

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.

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.