Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 03/07/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Libocedrus yateensis is assessed as Endangered as its area of occupancy is estimated to be 24 km2, only three locations are known, the population is severely fragmented and there is a decline in the area of occupancy and quality of its habitat due to the effects of fire and a lack of regeneration.
Geographical area
The species is sparsely distributed in a few river valleys in the southern ultramafic massifs (Rivière Bleue, Ouinné, Pourima) and two disjunct localities in the north (Povila, Tonine). Occurs at 150 to 650 m asl.
Population
Subpopulations are small and localized with little regeneration.
Habitat
Grows in riparian habitats in lowland forest.
Threats
Fire is a threat throughout its range. One subpopulation is potentially threatened by the construction of a hydroelectric dam in the Ouinné valley.
Conservation
This species is legally protected in province Sud and province Nord. The subpopulation in Rivière Bleue Provincial Park is well protected, although situated close to tourist facilities and is vulnerable to fire. It is recommended to collect new herbarium material from the northern subpopulations (Povila, Tonine) for additional studies as these are located on a very different substrate.
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].
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.
de Laubenfels, D.J. 1972. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances..
Farjon, A. 2005. A Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys..
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., Veillon, J.-M. and Cherrier, J.F. 1987. On the occurence of two Cupressaceae, Neocallitropsis pancheri and Libocedrus austrocaledonica in the Mt Paéua area and new sites for the gymnospems in New Caledonia.. Bulletin de Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle Section B Adansonsia(9(3)) , p.273-288.
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., Thomas, P., Gardner, M.
Contributor(s): Gueugnier, C., Butaud, J.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J.