Santalum austrocaledonicum var. glabrum is a variety of sandal (small tree of 2-10m) endemic to the Loyalty Islands (Ouvéa, Lifou, Maré) in New Caledonia. It is found in thickets, in secondary vegetation and forest edges (more rarely in understorey) on calcareous soils at an altitudinal range 5-80 m asl. Its habitat is closely linked to traditional practices of slash-and-burn, fallow and crop rotation. Sandals heartwood is used in the cosmetics and perfumery sectors. Its logging is supervised by the Loyalty Islands province (criteria for harvesting, setting annual quotas and replanting). This regulation was adopted by deliberation in the Official Journal in August 2010. Since then, a study finalized in 2013 by the NGO Conservation International has generated an inventory of the sandal resource at the Loyalty for the development of certified aromatic sectors. However, it seems that the management of the exploitation is very variable between the islands. Although the sector is structured in Maré, illegal cuts have recently been observed in Lifou (more than 100 tonnes of fresh-cut wood exported from Lifou in 2015-2016 for an annual quota of about 12 tonnes). In addition, replanting by another variety (var. austrocaledonicum from Grande Terre or Île des Pins) suggests a risk of hybridization for future generations. In addition, two factors contribute to the reduction and degradation of the habitat quality favorable to sandalwood: the evolution of cultural practices disadvantaging the natural regeneration of sandalwood and invasive plant species (Schinus terebenthifolius Raddi, Pluchea odorata .) Cass., Lantana camara L.). The size of the population is estimated at more than 10,000 mature individuals (Butaud, 2015). According to criterion B, Santalum austrocaledonicum var. glabrum is considered to be Vulnerable (VU B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v)) with three locations (one per island), decline in area of ??occupancy (AOO), habitat quality and number of mature individuals for an extent of ??occurrence (EOO) of 8,000 km2 and an AOO of 1000km2. However, the current logging of sandalwood on the Loyalty causes a reduction in population size. With a generation length estimated at 25-30 years, a reduction of more than 50% of the population within 3 generations seems a plausible hypothesis and would allow to apply the criterion A3cd to classify this taxon in the category Endangered (EN). It is thus recommended to enforce as soon as possible the quotas instituted and to impose the replantation by the variety of the Loyalty, otherwise a reassessment may soon re-allocate this taxon in the category Endangered.

Geographical area

Santalum austrocaledonicum var. glabrum is a variety of sandal (small tree of 2-10m) endemic to the Loyalty Islands (Ouvéa, Lifou, Maré) in New Caledonia.

Population

The size of the population is estimated at more than 10,000 mature individuals (Butaud, 2015).

Habitat

It is found in thickets, in secondary vegetation and forest edges (more rarely in understorey) on calcareous soils at an altitudinal range 5-80 m asl.

Threats

Sandals heartwood is used in the cosmetics and perfumery sectors. Although its logging is supervised, it seems that the management of the exploitation is very variable between the islands. Although the sector is structured in Maré, illegal cuts have recently been observed in Lifou (more than 100 tonnes of fresh-cut wood exported from Lifou in 2015-2016 for an annual quota of about 12 tonnes). In addition, replanting by another variety (var. austrocaledonicum from Grande-Terre or Île des Pins) suggests a risk of hybridization for future generations. In addition, two factors contribute to the reduction and degradation of the habitat quality favorable to sandalwood: the evolution of cultural practices disadvantaging the natural regeneration of sandalwood and invasive plant species (Schinus terebenthifolius Raddi, Pluchea odorata .) Cass., Lantana camara L.).

Conservation

Sandalwood logging is supervised by the Loyalty Islands province (criteria for harvesting, setting annual quotas and replanting). This regulation was adopted by deliberation in the Official Journal in August 2010. Since then, a study finalized in 2013 by the NGO Conservation International has generated an inventory of the sandal resource at the Loyalty for the development of certified aromatic sectors. However, it seems that the management of the exploitation is very variable between the islands. It is thus recommended to enforce as soon as possible the quotas instituted and to impose the replantation by the variety of the Loyalty.

Bibliography

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.

Jérémie, J.; Hoff, M.; Jonsell, B. 1997. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 15 : Hernandiacées, Meliacées, Oncothecacées, Santalacées.

Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Tronchet F., Veillon J.-M. and M. Chalopin 2016. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia. vers. 22.IV.2016.

Butaud, J.-F. 2015. Reinstatement of the Loyalty Islands Sandalwood, Santalum austrocaledonicum var. glabrum (Santalaceae), in New Caledonia.

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

Experts

Assessor(s): Veillon, J., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Suprin, B.

Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.

Contributor(s): Butaud, J.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J., Warimavute, G.