Maesa jaffrei is a liana endemic to the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from two massifs close together: Boulinda and Paéoua. It is found in shrubland or on the edges of dense humid forest on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 200-700 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by ongoing uncontrolled bushfires and mining. In addition, this species can be potentially impacted by future mining operations (Paéoua and Boulinda) and past bushfire events at Paéoua. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 39 km² and 24 km² while the number of locations are estimated to be three. Maesa jaffrei is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a continuing decline of of its habitat quality and number of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Maesa jaffrei is a liana endemic to the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from two massifs close together: Boulinda and Paéoua.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

Maesa jaffrei is found in shrubland or on the edges of dense humid forest on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 200-700 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threat is linked to habitat damage by ongoing uncontrolled bushfires at Ouaté. Uncontrolled bushfires sweep across New Caledonia each year, especially during the dry season (an average of 20,000 ha of land is burnt each year, with dramatic peaks of 70,000 ha). Lowest parts of ultramafic areas are particularly exposed to such risk. Moreover, ongoing mining activities on a close massif (Kopéto) and potential future mining activities in Boulinda along with past bushfire events at Paéoua are additional threats. New Caledonia contains 20 - 30% of the world’s nickel resources and has experienced intense mining activities since the late 19th century which has generated soil erosion (1.2% of bare ground mapped by SPOT5 in 2007). Based on the distribution of metal-rich soils and site accessibility, these threats are predictable and planned (there was a rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year between 2013 and 2015).

Conservation

Maesa jaffrei is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to conduct more searches given the rarity of the species. All surveys close to Kopéto forests gave negative results. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It would be moreover advised to preserve humid forest ecosystem on delimited perimeters in Boulinda.

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.

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.

Experts

Assessor(s): Tanguy, V., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Barrière, R., Chambrey, C., Fleurot, D., Lannuzel, G.

Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.

Contributor(s): Wulff, A.

Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S., Tanguy, V.