Taxonomy
Common name :
Kaori de montagne, Kaori nain
Synonyms
Dammara ovata C.Moore ex Vieill.Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 03/07/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Agathis ovata is assessed as Vulnerable on the basis of its limited extent of occurrence (3,089 km2), area of occupancy (332 km2), and estimated decline in extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, the quality of habitat, number of locations and number of mature individuals. These declines are due to past and present mining activities as well as habitat degradation caused by bushfires and invasive species. There are around 9-10 locations. A. ovata is therefore considered VU according to criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v).
Geographical area
Agathis ovata occurs primarily in the Southern Massif with a few occurrences as far north as Kouaoua on the east coast. It occurs from 150 to 1,150 m.
Population
Subpopulations are usually very small (in areas of < 2 ha) and isolated.
Habitat
Agathis ovata occurs as an emergent tree in open shrublands (maquis) and as a canopy emergent (to 25 m) in angiosperm-dominated (closed) rainforests. It is restricted to ultramafic soils and in the maquis; it tends to be restricted to rocky outcrops.
Threats
Mining activities and fires are the main threats. The species is capable of establishing and persisting in both rainforest and maquis. Mature trees have some fire resistance but this depends on their frequency and severity. Regeneration and general growth rates are very slow. It is moreover impacted by invasive species as juvenile plants seem to be eaten by Rusa deer.
Conservation
This species is protected in province Nord and in province Sud. Several subpopulations are protected within reserves (Mont Mou, Rivière Bleue, Barrage de Yaté, Haute Dumbéa, Haute Yaté, Pic du Pin, Pic du Grand Kaori, Montagne des sources, Chutes de la Madeleine, la Dumbéa, Massif du Kouakoué, Vallée de la Thy).
Bibliography
Enright, N., Miller, B.P. and Perry, G.L.W. 2003. Demography of the long-lived conifer Agathis ovata in maquis and rainforest, New Caledonia.. Journal of Vegetation Science(14) , p.626-636.
de Laubenfels, D.J. 1972. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances..
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.
Manauté, J., Jaffré, T., Veillon, J.-M. and Kranitz, M. 2003. Revue des Araucariaceae de Nouvelle-Calédonie. IRD, Nouméa..
Jaffré, T., Bouchet, P. and Veillon, J.-M. 1996. Threatened plants of New Caledonia: Is the system of protected areas adequate?. Biodiversity and Conservation (7(1)) , p.109-135.
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].
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.
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): Gardner, M., Thomas, P., Jaffré, T., Munzinger, J.
Contributor(s): Gueugnier, C., Butaud, J.
Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Tanguy, V.