Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 21/07/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province
Geissois belema is an endemic shrub/small tree of New Caledonia restricted to island Art in Bélep. It is found in forest edges on ultramafic substrate. It is known of a single population of a few individuals. The main threats impacting this species are bushfires which are severe in Bélep. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being both estimated to 4 km², Geissois belema is considered Critically Endangered (CR) using criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) and C2a(ii).
Geographical area
This species is endemic of ïle Art (plateau Nord) in Bélep archipelago.
Population
It is known of a single population of a few mature individuals estimated to be fewer than 250. Population is in decline.
Habitat
It is found in forest edges at low altitude (200-300 m asl) on ultramafic substrate.
Threats
The main threats impacting this species are bushfires which are severe in Bélep. A bushfire in 2016 impacted 25% of the island surface.
Conservation
Unprotected by legislation, this species is not found in any protected area. As this species is severely threatened by bushfires, its stations must be included in the maps of Sécurité Civile. It is recommended to carry further prospection in the Bélep archipelago, to monitor known population (population size) and to collect seeds to carry ex-situ conservation (seeds banking and for example in province Nord nursery in Koumac).
Bibliography
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.
H. C. F. Hopkins and Y. Pillon 2011. Further new endemic taxa of Cunoniaceae from New Caledonia . Kew Bulletin(66) , p.405-423.
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.
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., Couhia, J., Brinkert, M.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J.