Taxonomy
Common name :
Pin candélabre, sapin candélabre
Synonyms
Eutacta muelleri CarrièreRed List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 03/07/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
The major subpopulations are severely fragmented and the area, extent and quality of habitat have declined and the decline is continuing.The principal threat is an increased risk of fire, even in protected areas such as Montagne des Sources. Several locations/subpopulations contain less than twenty trees and these are likely to disappear in the near future. Regeneration and reproduction is very limited. This species is therefore severely fragmented. Given its restricted extent of occurrence (633 km2) and area of occupancy (68 km2 based on 2x2km grid; actual area of occupancy < 30km2 ), Araucaria muelleri is assessed as Endangered (EN) B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
The species is known only from a few localities in the southeast of New Caledonia. Most stands formerly recorded from the Goro Plateau have been re-identified as Araucaria goroensis RR Mill & Ruhsam. Occurs from c. 500 m to 1,200 m.
Population
The largest subpopulation in Montagne des Sources is estimated to consist of more than 2,000 trees. Most other subpopulations contain less than 200 trees, and sometimes less than 20 trees.
Habitat
Predominantly found in maquis shrubland on ultramafic soils, rarely emergent in rainforest. Growth and regeneration are very slow.
Threats
In most parts of its range, including protected areas, it is susceptible to mining and an increase in the frequency of wildfires.
Conservation
This species is protected in province Sud. The largest subpopulation in Montagne des Sources is within a protected area. Other smaller subpopulations on Mont Koghis and Pic du Pin are also within protected areas. It is present in six protected areas (Vallée de la Thy, Haute Yaté, Pic du Pin, Rivière bleue, Pic du Grand Kaori, Montagne des Sources). These areas are however susceptible to fires.
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.
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].
Ruhsam, M., Clark, A., Finger, A., Wulff, A.S., Mill, R.R., Thomas, P., Gardner, M.F., Gaudeul, M., Ennos, R.A. and Hollingsworth, P.M. 2016. Hidden in plain view: cryptic diversity in the emblematic Araucaria of New Caledonia.. American Journal of Botany(103(2)) , p.888-898.
Mill, R.R., Ruhsam, M., Thomas, P.I., Gardner, M.F. and Hollingsworth, P.M. 2017. Araucaria goroensis (Araucariaceae), a new monkey puzzle from New Caledonia, and nomenclatural notes on Araucaria muelleri.. Edinburgh Journal of Botany(74(2)) , p.123-139.
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.
Enright, N.J. and Hill, R.S. 1995. Ecology of the Southern Conifers..
Enright, N.J., Miller, B.P., Perry, G.L.W., Goldblum, D. and Jaffré, T. 2014. Stress-tolerator leaf traits determine population dynamics in the endangered New Caledonian conifer Araucaria muelleri.. Austral Ecology(39(1)) , p.60-71.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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): Gardner, M., Jaffré, T., Thomas, P., Munzinger, J.
Contributor(s): Butaud, J., Gueugnier, C.
Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Tanguy, V.