Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 03/07/2017Protected species -
in Northern Province
Although this species' extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are within the thresholds for Endangered, no significant decline has been observed to date. This species is common in the central and north-east part of Grande-Terre. Hence this species is listed as Least Concern. Habitat loss and degradation in the near future need to be monitored.
Geographical area
Austrotaxus spicata occurs in the mountains of the centre and the northeast of the main island of New Caledonia at 400 to 1,350 m asl.
Population
This is a common species. The total population size is not precisely known but it is probably more than 10,000. Subpopulations are small, usually with less than 100 mature trees.
Habitat
Usually found as a small tree in the understory of dense, humid rainforest. Most subpopulations occur on acidic substrates except those on Mé Maoya.
Threats
An increase in fire frequencies may pose a threat in the near future. As a constituent of the montane rainforest, Austrotaxus may also be vulnerable to climate change impacts in the near future.
Conservation
This species is legally protected in province Nord where it has been recorded from protected areas such as Mont Panié and Aoupinié.
Bibliography
Jaffré, T., Veillon, J.-M. and Cherrier, J.F. 1987. On the occurence of two Cupressaceae, Neocallitropsis pancheri and Libocedrus austrocaledonica in the Mt Paéua area and new sites for the gymnospems in New Caledonia.. Bulletin de Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle Section B Adansonsia(9(3)) , p.273-288.
Jaffré, T., Munzinger, J. & Lowry, P.P. 2010. Threats to the conifer species found on New Caledonia’s ultramafic massifs and proposals for urgently needed measures to improve their protection.. Biodiversity and Conservation (19) , p.1485-1502.
Jaffré, T., Bouchet, P. and Veillon, J.-M. 1996. Threatened plants of New Caledonia: Is the system of protected areas adequate?. Biodiversity and Conservation (7(1)) , p.109-135.
de Laubenfels, D.J. 1972. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances..
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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].
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., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., McCoy, S., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Jaffré, T., Thomas, P., Munzinger, J., Gardner, M.
Contributor(s): Gueugnier, C., Butaud, J.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J.