The new species Pittosporum "veilloniana" (NOU 031190) has been discovered by Chrissen Gemmill in 2008 near the bottom of Boulinda mountain and in the same vicinity independently by Jérôme Munzinger that same year. A scrubland species found on ultramafic soil at an altitudinal range 300-410 m asl., its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) stretches on 8 km². In 2015, a census report (D. Fleurot) of the population found 29 mature individuals. Frequent outbreaks of fire occur at the altitude where P. "veilloniana" can be found, as well as mining activities on Boulinda, hence predicting a continuous decline of AOO, quality of habitat and number of individuals. Using criteria B, P. "veilloniana" (NOU 031190) qualifies as Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v).

Geographical area

P."veilloniana" (NOU 031190) is an endemic species of New Caledonia known only from Mine Saint Louis on the bottom of Boulinda mountain.

Population

A census of the only known population had 29 mature individuals. As this species might be present in other areas, it is difficult to estimate the total number of individuals.

Habitat

New species P. "veilloniana" (NOU 031190) occurs in shrubland on ultramafic soil found at an altitudinal range 300-410 m asl.

Threats

P. "veilloniana"(NOU 031190) is impacted by past mining activities on Boulinda (with a potential re-opening of mine Saint-Louis) and can be also affected by frequent bushfires which sweep across New Caledonia each year. New Caledonia contains between 20 - 30% of the world’s nickel resources and has experienced intense mining activities since the late 19th century which has generated soil erosion (1.2% of bare ground mapped by SPOT5 in 2007).

Conservation

At the moment, there are no regulatory laws dedicated to new species in New Caledonia : "Pittosporum veilloniana" (NOU 031190) is thus not protected by legislation. Given our lack of knowlege on this species, it is highly recommended that immediate and exceptional conservation measures be taken. Due to its ecology, it is possible that this species be present elsewhere, and field surveys are urgently needed on Paéoua, Kopéto, including theirs slopes are strongly recommended.

Bibliography

Hély-Alleaume 2012. INC : Incendies et biodiversité des éco-systèmes en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.

Gemmill C. 2016. Three new species of Pittosporum in New-Caledonia.

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Gomez C.; Mangeas M.; Curt T.; Ibanez T.; Munzinger J.; Dumas P.; Jérémy A.; Despinoy M. and Hély C. 2014. Wildfire risk for main vegetation units in a biodiversity hotspot: modeling approach in New Caledonia, South Pacific. Ecology and Evolution(5) , p.377-390.

Experts

Assessor(s): Gemmill, C., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Maggia, L.

Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.

Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.