Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 03/07/2017Protected species -
in Northern Province
This is the one of the most widespread Araucaria on New Caledonia. However, the majority of subpopulations, especially those in the isolated northern ultrabasic massifs and the Canala/Poro area have been and will continue to be affected by mining activities. With a continuing decline in the area of occupancy and quality of habitat, coupled with an estimated 30% decline in total population in a period of 100 years (three generations is longer than this) from 1970 (the starting point of the nickel boom in New Caledonia) to 2070, this species meets the criteria for VU A4c.
Geographical area
This species is found in scattered subpopulations throughout the main island of New Caledonia. An isolated subpopulation occurs on the Ile Art. The species occurs at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,400 m.
Population
Subpopulations may be locally extensive and cover several square kilometers. The Mont Panie population is genetically distinct (Ruhsam et al. 2016).
Habitat
A. montana is widely distributed in dense and low humid forests and in tall maquis minier throughout most of Grand Terre. It usually occurs on plateaus situated below summit ridges in areas that favour the formation of deep ore bodies just above the bedrock.
Threats
Open cast mining, its associated activities and an increase in fire frequencies are the main threats to this species except in locations in the north east where it is unlikely that mining will occur.
Conservation
This species is protected in province Nord but not in province Sud. Currently known from four protected areas (Mont Panié, Mont Do, Nodela, Haute Dumbéa).
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.
Manauté, J., Jaffré, T., Veillon, J.-M. and Kranitz, M. 2003. Revue des Araucariaceae de Nouvelle-Calédonie. IRD, Nouméa..
Ruhsam, M., Clark, A., Finger, A., Wulff, A.S., Mill, R.R., Thomas, P., Gardner, M.F., Gaudeul, M., Ennos, R.A. and Hollingsworth, P.M. 2016. Hidden in plain view: cryptic diversity in the emblematic Araucaria of New Caledonia.. American Journal of Botany(103(2)) , p.888-898.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Jaffré, T., Munzinger, J. & Lowry, P.P. 2010. Threats to the conifer species found on New Caledonia’s ultramafic massifs and proposals for urgently needed measures to improve their protection.. Biodiversity and Conservation (19) , p.1485-1502.
Gaudeul, M., Gardner, M.F., Thomas, P., Ennos, R.A. and Hollingsworth, P.M. 2014. Evolutionary dynamics of emblematic Araucaria species (Araucariaceae) in New Caledonia: nuclear and chloroplast markers suggest recent diversification, introgression, and a tight link between genetics and geography within species.. BMC Evolutionary Biology(14) , p.171.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., McCoy, S., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Thomas, P., Gardner, M., Munzinger, J., Jaffré, T.
Contributor(s): Gueugnier, C., Butaud, J.
Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Tanguy, V.