Codia triverticillata is an endemic shrub/small tree found in the northwestern part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from 3 massifs close together : Kopéto, Boulinda and Paéoua. It is found in shrubland on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 600-1,160 m asl. Main threats are ongoing mining activities in Kopéto and recent ones on Paéoua and Boulinda, as well as habitat damaging by uncontrolled bushfires. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 221 km² and 88 km² while the number of locations are estimated to be 4. Codia triverticillata is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

This species is restricted to north-west Grande Terre (Kopéto, Paéoua, Boulinda).

Population

It is known from three subpopulations (Kopeto, Paéaoua, Boulinda). Its presence is suspected on MéMaoya and should be checked.

Habitat

It is found in shrubland on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 600-1,160 m asl.

Threats

Main threats are presented by ongoing mining activities in Kopéto and recent ones in Paéoua and Boulinda as well as habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires.

Conservation

This species is protected by legislation in Province Nord but does not occur in any protected area. It is noted that SLN (Société le Nickel) has launched phenologic follow-up and germination tests. This species could be used in vegetation restoration. Pursue ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts are recommended, in particular : ensuring the follow-up of known sub-populations and preserving viable populations on delimited perimeters. Patches of humid forest on ultramafic substrates should be protected in province Nord, as on Paéoua massif which hosts several threatened species.

Bibliography

H. C. F. Hopkins, J. C. Bradford, B. Donovan, Y. Pillon, J. Munzinger, B. Fogliani 2015. Floral biology of the Cunoniaceae in New Caledonia and the role of insects, birds and geckos as potential pollinators.

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. The taxonomic database « FLORICAL » and characteristics of the indigenous flora of New Caledonia. Adansonia(334) , p.177-219.

Helen Fortune Hopkins, Yohan Pillon, Ruurd Hoogland 2015. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie : Cunoniaceae.

Experts

Assessor(s): Pillon, Y., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Hequet, V., Letocart, D., Letocart, I., Tanguy, V., Tiavouane, J., Tron, F.

Reviewer(s): Fogliani, B.

Contributor(s): Couhia, J., Fortune-Hopkins, H., Brinkert, M.

Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Tanguy, V.