Paphia neocaledonica is an endemic shrub, epiphyte, sarmentous liana of New Caledonia, known only from Dogny in the central part of Grande Terre. It occurs in dense humid forest and forest edge (where it is common) on volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitudinal range 750-950 m asl. The main threat impacting this species comes from habitat degradation caused by invasive species (rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa), in particular in the lowest part of Plateau Dogny. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both equal to 8 km², with a number of locations equal to two. Paphia neocaledonica is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) with a continuing decline of habitat quality.

Geographical area

Paphia neocaledonica is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known only from Dogny in the central part of Grande Terre,.

Population

Population size is unknown but field observations show it is a common species in dense humid forest and forest edge.

Habitat

Paphia neocaledonica occurs in forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitudinal range of 750-950 m asl.

Threats

The main threat impacting Paphia neocaledonica comes from habitat degradation caused by invasive species (rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)).

Conservation

Paphia neocaledonica is protected by legislation in Province Nord and it does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to ensure the follow-up of known sub-populations and also prospections in the surrounding areas in Plateau de dogny is recommended to better estimated the size of the population. 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. Moreover a protected area should be etablished in Plateau de Dogny area.

Bibliography

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.

Venter S. & Munzinger J. 2007. Paphia paniensis (Ericaceae), a new species from New Caledonia critically compared with P. neocaledonica . New Zealand Journal of Botany (45) , p.5.

Virot, R. 1975. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 06 : Epacridacées.

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.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrabé, L., Cazé, H., Chambrey, C., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Letocart, D., Letocart, I.

Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.

Contributor(s): Vandrot, H.

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