Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 21/07/2016
Cunonia dickisonii is an endemic shrub of the southern part of Grande Terre (restricted to Monts Humboldt and Kouakoué) in New Caledonia. It is found in altitudinal shrubland on ultramafic substrate. This species does not seem directly threatened because of its altitudinal habitat. Cunonia dickisonii is considered considered Near Threatened (NT) as it is close to qualifying for Vulnerable (VU) under criterion D2 because of its small area of occupancy (AOO) of 12 km² and the potential future impacts of climate change.
Geographical area
Cunonia dickisonii is restricted to the southern part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia : Monts Humboldt and Kouakoué
Population
This species is not abundant but population size is unknown.
Habitat
It is found in altitudinal shrubland (1,040-1,600 m asl) on ultramafic substrate.
Threats
This species does not seem directly threatened because of its altitudinal habitat. Climate change could be a potential threat for altitudinal species.
Conservation
Unprotected by legislation, this species is found in two protected areas : Massif du Kouakoué, Mont Humboldt. It is recommended to monitor the populations and to investigate the potential impact of climate change on this type of altitudinal species, especially by following the evolution of the altitudinal limit between forest and shrubland.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Helen Fortune Hopkins, Yohan Pillon, Ruurd Hoogland 2015. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie : Cunoniaceae.
Yohan Pillon , Helen C. F. Hopkins, Jason C. Bradford 2008. Two new species of Cunonia (Cunoniaceae) from New Caledonia. Kew Bulletin(63) , p.419-431.
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.
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.
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): Fortune-Hopkins, H., Brinkert, M., Couhia, J.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J.