Taxonomy
Synonyms
Araucaria balansae Brongn. & GrisRed List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 03/07/2017Protected species -
in Northern Province
Although the area of occupancy are well within the threshold for Endangered, and although there is a degree of fragmentation between known subpopulations, there does not appear to be enough specific evidence of decline, hence the species is listed as Near Threatened (almost qualifies as threatened under criteria B1+2). This may change in the future, so monitoring is required.
Geographical area
This species is scattered on the ultramafic massifs in the central and southern mountains from Table Unio to the Rivière Bleue. Occasionally found at altitudes as low as 150 m but more common at higher altitudes, reaching as high as 1,100 m.
Population
The majority of the subpopulations are in the south.
Habitat
It occurs as an emergent tree in dense and humid rainforests, usually in ravines and steep valleys and mostly in montane areas
Threats
The main potential threats are an increase in the frequency of fire and the associated fragmentation of its habitat.
Conservation
Several subpopulations occur in protected areas (Montagne des sources, Vallée de la Thy, Rivière bleue, Haute Dumbéa, Haute Yaté, la Dumbéa). This species is protected in province Nord.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.
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.
Manauté, J., Jaffré, T., Veillon, J.-M. and Kranitz, M. 2003. Revue des Araucariaceae de Nouvelle-Calédonie. IRD, Nouméa..
de Laubenfels, D.J. 1972. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances..
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): Munzinger, J., Jaffré, T., Gardner, M., Thomas, P.
Contributor(s): Gueugnier, C., Butaud, J.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J.