Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 28/05/2018Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Tapeinosperma storezii is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is restricted to three stations in the northeast of Grande Terre. It occurs in high elevation shrubby vegetation on volcano-sedimentary substrate above 900 m asl. Although regeneration has been observed, this species is threatened by feral pigs, which cause heavy habitat degradation and damage to mature individuals by grubbing. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 24 and 52 km², respectively and the number of locations is three. Therefore, T. storezii is listed as Endangered under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caldonia, where it is only known from three stations in the northeast of Grande Terre: Mts. Ignambi, Colnett and Panié.
Population
Total population size is unknown, but field observations on Mt. Panié indicate that this species is common (CI & Dayu Biik 2018).
Habitat
This shrub occurs in high elevation shrubby vegetation (e.g. kauri forest undergrowth) on volcano-sedimentary substrate above 900 m asl.
Threats
Although regeneration has been observed on Mt. Panié, this species is threatened by feral pigs (Sus scrofa), which cause heavy habitat degradation and damage to mature individuals by grubbing (CI & Dayu Biik 2018). Besides, like other high elevation species, it could be impacted by climate change in the future.
Conservation
T. storezii is protected by legislation in Province Sud and Province Nord, and it occurs in one protected area: mount Panié reserve. This species would benefit from emergency in situ and ex situ conservation actions. Monitoring of known subpopulations should continue and a viable one should be preserved in a delimited area where feral pigs are regulated.
Bibliography
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Pré-évaluation du niveau de menace de la flore micro-endémique se développant au sein de la forêt de kaoris de la zone sommitale du Mont Panié.
Schmid, M. 2012. Contribution à la connaissance des Primulaceae (ex Myrsinaceae) de Nouvelle-Calédonie. III. Les genres Tapeinosperma Hook.f. Et Mangenotiella gen. nov.. Adansonia(34) , p.279-341.
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Fiche de pré-évaluation – Tapeinosperma storezii.
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., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Haverkamp, C., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Laudereau, C., Tiavouane, J., Tron, F., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S., Butaud, J.