Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 02/03/2018Protected species -
in Northern Province
Elaeocarpus alaternoides is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it has a wide distribution across Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland, forest edges and forest on ultramafic or volcano-sedimentary soil up to 1,500 m asl. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 13,229 and 424 km², respectively. Some subpopulations are impacted by bushfires and mining activities, but globally the species is not threatened. Therefore, E. alaternoides is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
E. alaternoides is endemic to New Caledonia, where it has a wide distribution across Grande Terre: from île Ouen (Mont-Dore) in the south to mont Ignambi (Ouégoa) in the north. It is however more abundant in the south.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
E. alaternoides occurs in shrubland ('maquis' vegetation), forest edges and forest on ultramafic or volcano-sedimentary soil up to 1,500 m asl.
Threats
Some subpopluations are impacted by bushfires or mining activities: Camp des Sapins and Kouaoua (SLN), Goro (Vale).
Conservation
This species is protected by legislation in Province Nord and occurs in numerous protected areas: Haute Dumbéa, Vallée de la Thy, Rivière bleue, Pic du Pin, Mont Panié, Mont Mou, Montagne des sources, la Dumbéa, Barrage de Yaté, Bois du Sud, Chutes de la Madeleine, Haute Yaté. It is recommended to conduct a taxonomic study, because this species constitutes a complex that has to be split up.
Bibliography
Tirel, C. 2008. Réhabilitation de l'espèce Elaeocarpus coumbouiensis Guillaumin (Elaeocarpaceae) de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Adansonia(31 (1)) , p.137-141.
Tirel, C. & Jérémie, J. 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 11 : Eléocarpacées, Monimiacées, Amborellacées, Athérospermatacées, Triméniacées, Chloranthacées.
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. 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.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Garnier, D., Lannuzel, G., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H., Hequet, V.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G., Barrabé, L.