Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 10/06/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Dicksonia munzingeri is an endemic tree fern of New Caledonia, trunks to 5 m tall, restricted to central New Caledonia (Massif de Tchingou, Aoupinié, Dogny, Pic Ningua,Forêt de Saille and Rivière Bleue). It occurs in dense humid forest on ultramafic and volcano-sedimentary substrate, at an altitudinal range of 600-1,200 m asl. The main threat impacting this species comes from direct impact (consumption) caused by invasive species (rusa deer (Rusa timorensis russa) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)), which may lead to a lack of regeneration, in particular in Dogny, Col d'Amieu and Mont Ningua. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being respectively estimated to 40 and 2,675 km², while the number of locations is estimated to be six. Dicksonia munzingeri is therefore assessed as Vulnerable (VU) with criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) with a continuing decline of the area of occupancy(AOO), the habitat quality and the number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
Dicksonia munzingeri is an endemic tree fern of New Caledonia, whose trunk grows to 5 m tall, restricted to central New Caledonia (Massif de Tchingou, Aoupinié, Dogny, Pic Ningua,Forêt de Saille and Rivière Bleue).
Population
Population size is unknown. Generally an uncommon species, Dicksonia munzingeri is found together with D. baudouinii on Mont Ningua, with both species occurring in large numbers (L. Perrie, personal communication).
Habitat
Dicksonia munzingeri occurs in dense humid forest on ultramafic and volcano-sedimentary substrate, at an altitudinal range of 600-1,200 m asl.
Threats
The main threat impacting this species comes from direct impact (consumption) caused by invasive species (rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)), which may lead to a lack of regeneration, in particular in Dogny, Col d'Amieu and Mont Ningua. An additionnal threat comes from close on-going activities in Camp des Sapins and potentiel mining activites in Tchingou Area.
Conservation
Dicksonia munzingeri is protected by legislation and occurs in four protected areas: Forêt de Saille, Aoupinié, Rivière bleue, Pic Ningua. It is recommended to inform the Conservatoire d'espaces naturels de Nouvelle-Calédonie (New Caledonia natural spaces conservatory), which coordinates the New caledonian Invasive Species Programme, on the situation of the species in the concerned areas. Field surveys in Nodéla are moreover advised.
Bibliography
Noben S., Lehnert M. 2013. The genus Dicksonia (Dicksoniaceae) in the western Pacific. Phytotaxa(155) , p.23-34.
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.
Brownlie G. 1969. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et Dépendances, Volume 03 : Pteridophytae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrabé, L., Cazé, H., Chambrey, C., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Letocart, D., Letocart, I.
Reviewer(s): Perrie, L., Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V., Maura, J.