Taxonomy

endemique
protegee
UICN

Red List Status -

Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 29/02/2016

Protected species -

in Northern Province

Elaeocarpus tremulus is a shrub or small tree restricted to the south of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is found in humid forest on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 580-850 m asl. The population size is not known but field observations indicate a species locally abundant. This species does not seem directly threatened although a small part of its range (Ouinné (zone)) are suspected to be affected in the mid-term by the hydroelectric works in the Ouinné valley and bushfires. New Caledonian official records indicate that forest fires and bushfires destroy, on average, nearly 500 km² per year, and studies have predicted the southern massif has a high risk of wildfire impact (combining fire severity and vegetation loss) (Mangeas et al. 2019). Therefore, due to it occurring at a small number of locations, and having a small extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO), Elaeocarpus tremulus is assessed as Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v); D2.

Geographical area


Elaeocarpus tremulus is a shrub or small tree restricted to the south of Grande Terre in New Caledonia.

Population


Population size is unknown but field observations indicate a species locally abundant.

Habitat


This species is found in humid forest on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 580-850 m asl.

Threats


This species does not seem significantly threatened. In the mid-term, this species might be threatened by hydroelectric works in the Ouinné valley.

Conservation


Elaeocarpus tremulus is protected by legislation in province Nord but not in province Sud. It occurs in one protected area: réserve naturelle du massif du Kouakoué.

Bibliography


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

Tirel, C. & Jérémie, J. 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 11 : Eléocarpacées, Monimiacées, Amborellacées, Athérospermatacées, Triméniacées, Chloranthacées.

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.

Tirel, C. & McPherson, G. 2006. Elaeocarpus tremulus Tirel & McPherson, nouvelle espèce d’Elaeocarpaceae de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Adansonia(28 (1)) , p.137-141.

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

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): Tanguy, V., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Chambrey, C., Dubreuil, M., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Leborgne, T., Letocart, D., Letocart, I., McCoy, S., Villegente, J.

Reviewer(s): Maura, J.

Contributor(s): Wulff, A.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V.


Geographical distribution