Baloghia pulchella is an endemic shrub or small tree of New Caledonia, only known from Mont Dzumac in the south of Grande Terre. It is found in shrubland on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 400-900 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damaging by uncontrolled bushfires, feral pigs (sus scrofa) and human impact due high frequentation. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both equal to 16 km², while the species was known to exist in a single location. This species has not been observed since 1983. Baloghia pininsularis is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered (CR PE, potentially extinct) with criteria B1ab(iii) with a decline of habitat quality.

Geographical area

Baloghia pulchella is endemic to New Caledonia where it is from only known from Mont Dzumac in the south of Grande Terre.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

It is found in shrubland on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 400-900 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threat is linked to habitat damaging by uncontrolled bushfires, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and human impact due high frequentation.

Conservation

Baloghia pulchella is not legally protected. It occurs in one protected area: réserve naturelle de la Haute-Dumbéa. This species should be included in the regional legislation for a better protection of the species. Prospections are urgently needed in order to remove the doubts concerning the possibly extinct status of the species and to improve the knowledge (distribution, population).

Bibliography

L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.

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.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Chambrey, C., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Hequet, V., Veillon, J.

Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.

Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G., Barrabé, L.