Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 03/07/2017Protected species -
in Northern Province
Although the area of occupancy falls within the threshold for Endangered and the extent of occcurrence is within the threshold for Vulnerable, there are 10-12 locations, beyond the thresholds for listing under either Endangered or Vulnerable. This species qualifies for Near Threatened (NT) as it is close to VU B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) with a decline of habitat quality and area of occupancy linked to fires and on-going mining activities. The number of mature individual is estimated to be around 10,000 and it is unlikely that any subpopulation contains more than 1,000 mature individuals so that it also almost qualifies for VU under the C criteria.
Geographical area
Araucaria biramulata is primarily found in the southern part of New Caledonia although two localities are known from isolated ultramafic massifs in the north (Kaala and Kopeto). Occurs from 190 to 1,000 m
Population
The total population size is estimated to be around 10,000 mature individuals. Although it is fragmented, it is not severerly fragmented under the IUCN's definition.
Habitat
Primarily found as a scattered emergent tree in dense humid evergreen forest at low to mid altitudes and in areas with 1,500 to 3,000 mm precipitation. It is restricted to ultrabasic soils.
Threats
Open cast mining and its associated activities are the principal threats in the northern part of its range (Mt Kaala/ Piton de Pandoup and Kopeto). Southern populations, including those in protected areas are mainly threatened by fires which prevent regeneration and increase fragmentation.
Conservation
This species is legally protected in province Nord but not in province Sud. Several subpopulations are within reserves (Pic du grand Kaori, Parc des Grandes Fougères, Pic du Pin, Massif du Kouakoué, Haute Yaté, Rivière bleue, Mont Do).
Bibliography
de Laubenfels, D.J. 1972. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances..
Manauté, J., Jaffré, T., Veillon, J.-M. and Kranitz, M. 2003. Revue des Araucariaceae de Nouvelle-Calédonie. IRD, Nouméa..
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.
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): Gardner, M., Thomas, P., Jaffré, T., Munzinger, J.
Contributor(s): Butaud, J., Gueugnier, C.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J.