Taxonomy
Synonyms
Araucaria cookii var. luxurians Brongn. & GrisRed List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 03/07/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
All subpopulations are small with little regeneration observed. The main threats are on-going mining activities that impact some subpopulations and its presence close to coastal areas where fires and human settlements are reducing stands. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 16,688 km² and 196 km² while the number of locations are estimated to be 9. There is a continuing decline in all parameters except EOO, with some probable complete loss of certain subpopulations. No subpopulations are within protected areas. A. luxurians is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v).
Geographical area
Small subpopulations are confined to a dozen localities in the central and southern part of the island with an isolated, disjunct subpopulation on the Ile Art. Has been recorded from near sea level up to 1,000 m.
Population
Population size is not precisely known. There are estimated to be less than 10,000 mature individuals. Regeneration is rare.
Habitat
Restricted to ultramafic soils along the coast and in inland areas. Usually found in humid evergreen forest, often on cliffs, along streams and on steep slopes.
Threats
None of the populations are protected and in places, e.g., in Plum they are seriously threatened by fire and erosion. Mining (Nakéty-Edouard (NMC), Plateau (SLN), Tomo (SMGM), Ada (MKM)) and the increasing settlement in other locations close to coastal areas are also concerns.
Conservation
None of the subpopulations are protected within reserves. It is recommended to undertake ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts, in particular: seed banking, ensuring the follow-up of known sub-populations and preserving viable populations within delimited perimeters. Patches of humid forest on ultramafic substrates close to coastal areas should be protected
Bibliography
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Manauté, J., Jaffré, T., Veillon, J.-M. and Kranitz, M. 2003. Revue des Araucariaceae de Nouvelle-Calédonie. IRD, Nouméa..
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.
de Laubenfels, D.J. 1972. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances..
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.
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].
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): Thomas, P., Gardner, M., Munzinger, J., Jaffré, T.
Contributor(s): Butaud, J., Gueugnier, C.
Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Tanguy, V.