Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 06/12/2021
Alstonia quaternata is a shrub growing up to 3-4 m high and it can become a big tree in forests. It is endemic to New Caledonia where it is distributed in the north east of the Grande Terre, from Kantalupaik to its upper limit at Pouébo. This species occurs in forests and degraded maquis on volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitude range of 300-900 m asl. Some subpopulations may be impacted by bushfires. With an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) and Area of Occupancy (AOO) are 324 and 56 km², respectively, Alstonia quaternata is common and does not seem globally threatened. It is therefore considered Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Alstonia quaternata is endemic to New Caledonia where it is distributed in the north east of the Grande Terre, from Kantalupaik to its upper limit at Pouébo.
Population
The population size is not known. Field prospections indicate that the species is common.
Habitat
Alstonia quaternata occurs in forests and degraded maquis on volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitude range of 300-900 m asl.
Threats
The species does not seem to be threatened although some subpopulations may be impacted by bushfires.
Conservation
Alstonia quaternata is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in one protected area : Mont Panié. This species is suspected to be more widespread along the north east of Grande Terre, so surveys and collections are recommended there to confirm it.
Bibliography
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].
Boiteau Pierre avec collaboration de Lucie Allorge 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 10 : Apocynacées.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Garnier, D., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H., Pillon, Y.
Reviewer(s): Fourdrain, A.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.