Tapeinosperma boulindaense is an endemic shrub of the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from 3 massifs close together: Koniambo, Boulinda and Paéoua. It is found mainly in humid forest but could occur also in shrubland on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 300-1,140 m asl. The main threats are presented by ongoing mining activities in Koniambo, bushfires and future mining operations at Paéoua and Boulinda. Extraction projections for the coming 25 years could lead to a 50% reduction in the impacted subpopulations. Tapeinosperma boulindaense is assessed as Endangered (EN) under criterion A4c with an inferred population reduction of more than 50 % over three generations (75 years) starting in 1970 and projected to 2045; and under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with the number of threat-defined locations estimated to be five, a continuous decline of all concerned subcriteria and extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 555 km² and 80 km².

Geographical area

Tapeinosperma boulindaense is an endemic shrub of the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from 3 massifs close together: Koniambo, Boulinda and Paéoua.

Population

Population size is unknown. It is found as scatterred individuals. Mining extraction projections for the coming 25 years could lead to a 50% reduction in the impacted subpopulations.

Habitat

Tapeinosperma boulindaense is found mainly in humid forest but could occurs also in shrubland on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 300-1,140 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are presented by uncontrolled bushfires, ongoing mining activities in Koniambo. Other potential threats are the fact that bushfires have occurred at the summit of Paéoua in the past and future mining operations at Boulinda and Paéoua. New Caledonia contains between 20 - 30% of the world’s nickel resources and has experienced intense mining activities since the late 19th century which has generated soil erosion (1.2% of bare ground mapped by SPOT5 in 2007). Based on the distribution of metal-rich soils and site accessibility, these threats are predictable and planned (rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year between 2013 and 2015). 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). Lowest parts of ultramafic areas are particularly exposed to such risk.

Conservation

Tapeinosperma genus is protected by legislation in Province Nord but this species does not occur in any protected area. It is noted that KNS has conducted searches and phenologic monitoring since 2015. Germination and propagation tests are ongoing. Ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts are recommended, in particular: monitoring of known subpopulations and the preservation of a viable population within delimited perimeters. It would be moreover advised to preserve patches of humid forest within delimited perimeters where this species is known.

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.

L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.

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.

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): Chanfreau, S., Tanguy, V.