Taxonomy
Acropogon tireliae
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 28/01/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Acropogon tireliae is an endemic small tree known from one population in the central part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from only one population in Ponérihouen on the height of Nato. It is found in mesophyl forest on calcareous substrate on an altitudinal range 350-410 m asl. Its area of occupancy (AOO) as its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 4 km². The threats to A. tireliae are linked to habitat degradation due to bushfires and invasive species (rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis)) which leads to a decline of mature individuals. An estimation of population highlights a small size of population (fewer than 250 mature individuals). Using criteria B and C, A. tireliae does qualify for Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(ii).
Geographical area
Acropogon tireliae is an endemic small tree known from one population in the central part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from only one population in Ponérihouen on the height of Nato.
Population
This species is known only from one small population. Estimated population size is fewer than 250 mature individuals. Regeneration seems to be poor.
Habitat
This species is found in mesophil forest on calcareous substrate on an altitudinal range 350-410 m asl.
Threats
The threats to A. tireliae are linked to habitat degradation due to bushfires which leads to a decline of mature individuals. Uncontrolled fires sweep across lowlands of 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). Another main threat comes from Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis), which was introduced in the 1880s and adapted extremely well to Caledonian habitats. Its population may have reached 200,000-400,000 individuals in the wild. This rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) consumes a wide variety of plant species and causes severe damage to trees, which results in very little regeneration.
Conservation
Protected species by legislation in Province Nord, A. tireliae does not occur in a protected area. This species is cultivated at the IAC (Institut Agronomique de Nouvelle-Calédonie) nursery of Saint-Louis. Fencing the forest patch where A. tireliae occurs would be beneficial against rusa deer impact. Moreover, sensitizing the land owner might limit the bush fire risks.
Bibliography
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Tanguy, V., Amice, R., Birnbaum, P., Bruy, D., Dubreuil, M., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Lannuzel, G., Papineau, C., Razafindrakoto, L.
Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.
Contributor(s): Veillon, J.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V.