Oryza neocaledonica, commonly known New Caledonian rice, ia an endemic wild rice from New Caledonia. It is known from 3 subpopulations at the northern half of Grande Terre : Pouembout, Néhoué and Poum. This species occurs in dry forest edges, mainly along river banks, on volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 20 m asl. The main threats are linked to the expansion of cattle grazing areas, lowland clearing for cattle grazing and agriculture, which began in the 1850s and is ongoing, and rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 643 and 12 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be three. Therefore, Oryza neocaledonica is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v)+B2ab(ii,iii,v), with a continuous decline in the AOO, quality of habitat and number of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Oryza neocaledonica is endemic to New Caledonia where it is known from the northern half of Grande Terre. It is known from 3 subpopulations: Pouembout, Néhoué and Poum.

Population

The population seems to be rare. However its population size is not known.

Habitat

Oryza neocaledonica occurs in dry forest edges, mainly along river banks, on volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 20 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are linked to the expansion of cattle grazing areas, lowland clearing for cattle grazing and agriculture, which began in the 1850s and is ongoing, and rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis).

Conservation

Oryza neocaledonica is protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected area. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ conservation efforts are urgently needed, in particular : ensuring the follow-up of the only known sub-population and preserving it on delimited perimeters. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort and the ANCB (in charge of the New Caledonia natural spaces conservatory), which coordinates the New Caledonian Invasive Species Programme, on the presence of the species in the concerned areas.

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.

Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].

Lormée N.; Cabalion P.; Hnawia E.S. 2011. Hommes et plantes de Maré.

Butaud, J.-F. 2014. Flore des îles Loyauté (Nouvelle-Calédonie) : plantes patrimoniales, plantes envahissantes et espaces naturels remarquables.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Bruy, D., Butaud, J., Cazé, H., Eltabet, N., Garnier, D., Laudereau, C.

Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A.