Gossia clusioides subsp. taomensis is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia. It is found in the northwestern part of Grande Terre. This subspecies is known from four massifs (Homédeboa, Taom, Koniambo, Paéoua). It is found in shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 1,000 m asl. The main threats are recurrent bushfires and indirectly ongoing mining activities (road construction and soil erosion). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be 410 km² and 28 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be five. Gossia clusioides subsp. taomensis is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab (i,ii,iii,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

Gossia clusioides subsp. taomensis is endemic to New Caledonia where it is is known from four massifs (Homédeboa, Taom, Koniambo, Paéoua) restricted in the northwestern part of Grande Terre.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

This subspecies is found in shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 1,000 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are recurrent bushfires and indirectly ongoing mining activities (road construction and soil erosion).

Conservation

This subspecies is not protected by legislation and it does not occur in any protected areas. It is recommended to carry out ex situ and in situ conservation efforts by the monitor of known subpopulations and by preserving viable populations on delimited areas. Patches of humid forest on ultramafic substrates should be protected, as on Paéoua which host several threatened species. It is also recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas.

Bibliography

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].

Snow, N. & Veldkamp, J.F. 2010. Miscellaneous taxonomic and nomenclatural notes for Myrtaceae. Austrobaileya(8) , p.177-186.

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.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.

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