Austrobuxus montis-do is an endemic shrub or small tree restricted to the area of Mont-Do on the main land (Grande Terre) in New Caledonia. It is found in shrubland and forest borders on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 600-1,080 m asl. The main threats are recurrent uncontrolled bushfires and habitat degradation by the invasive species Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and wild pigs (Sus scrofa). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated to be of 24 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be one. Austrobuxus montis-do is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) with criteria B1ab(iii,v)with a continuing decline habitat quality and number of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Austrobuxus montis-do is an endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the area of Mont-Do on the main land, Grande Terre, in New Caledonia.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

It is found in shrubland or humid forest on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 600-1,080 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are recurrent bushfires and habitat degradation by the invasive species Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and wild pigs (Sus scrofa) that contribute to the decline of the habitat quality.

Conservation

Austrobuxus montisdo is not legally protected but it occurs in one protected area : réserve naturelle du Mont-Do. Some plants have been planted on the Mont-Do and in the Parc de la Rivière Bleue.

Bibliography

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

Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].

Wulff AS, Hollingsworth PM, Ahrends A, Jaffré T, Veillon J-M, L’Huillier L, et al. 2013. Conservation Priorities in a Biodiversity Hotspot: Analysis of Narrow Endemic Plant Species in New Caledonia.

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.

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

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Garnier, D., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Eltabet, N., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.

Facilitator(s): Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G.