Stigmaphyllon mackeeanum is a liana or a shrub endemic to the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from several subpopulations around Pouembout and Poya. It is found in sclerophyl forest on a variety of substrates at an altitudinal range of 5-150 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by invasive species such as Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis)), uncontrolled bushfires and potentially future mining projects. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 463 km² and 32 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be seven. Stigmaphyllon mackeeanum is therefore assessed as Vulnerable (VU) with criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a continuing decline of of its habitat quality and number of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Stigmaphyllon mackeeanum is a liana or a shrub endemic to the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from several subpopulations around Pouembout and Poya.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

Stigmaphyllon mackeeanum is found in sclerophyl forest on a variety of substrates at an altitudinal range of 5-150 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by invasive species such as Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis) and uncontrolled bushfires. Introduced in the 1880s, Rusa Deer are now perfectly adapted to New Caledonian habitats, and 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). This area is particularly exposed to such risk. In addition this species has also been impacted by past bushfire events at Paéoua and may be affected by future mining activities at Boulinda and Paéoua.

Conservation

Stigmaphyllon mackeeanum is not protected by legislation in Province Nord and does not occur in any protected area. It is proposed to ensure the monitoring of known subpopulations and to preserve patches of sclerophyl forests within delimited perimeters.

Bibliography

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.

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.

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

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): Tanguy, V., Chanfreau, S.