Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 28/01/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Acropogon moratianus is an endemic tree of the central part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from one massif (Kopéto-Paéoua-Boulinda). It is found in dense humid forest on an ultramafic substrate at an altitude of 540-900 m asl. The main threat comes from past and present mining activities as well as habitat degradation caused by bushfires. Its area of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively 43 km² and 28 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be 3. A. bullatus is therefore considered Endangered (EN) according to criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v).
Geographical area
Acropogon moratianus is an endemic tree of the central part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from one massif (Kopéto-Paéoua-Boulinda).
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This species is found in dense humid forest on an ultramafic substrate at an altitude of 540-900 m asl.
Threats
The main threat comes from past and present mining activities as well as habitat degradation caused by bushfires. An important threat to biodiversity in New Caledonia comes from past, present and future mining activities. New Caledonia contains between 20 - 30% of the worlds nickel resources. Intense mining activities since the late 19th century generated soil erosion (1.2% of bare ground mapped by SPOT5 in 2007). Based on the distribution of metal-rich soils and site accessibility, these threats are predictable and planned (rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year between 2013 and 2015).
Conservation
Protected species by legislation in province Nord, A. moratianus does not occur in any protected areas. It is recommended to ensure the follow-up of populations located on mining zones and to prospect Boulinda and Netea.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Callmander M.W.; Muzinger J.; Buerki S.; Lowry, P. P. II 2015. Novitates neocaledonicae. II. Acropogon moratianus Callm.,Munzinger & Lowry, sp. nov. (Malvaceae, Sterculieae): a rare and threatened new species from New Caledonia. Adansonia(37) , p.131-137.
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): Tanguy, V., Amice, R., Birnbaum, P., Bruy, D., Dubreuil, M., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Lannuzel, G., Papineau, C., Razafindrakoto, L.
Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.
Contributor(s): Veillon, J.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V.