Taxonomy
Synonyms
Myrtus conspicua Vieill. ex Guillaumin • Austromyrtus conspicua (Vieill. ex Guillaumin) BurretRed List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 27/09/2022
Gossia conspicua is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia with a scattered distribution across Grande Terre. It occurs in the north west (from Koniambo to Taom) and the great southern ("Grand Sud massif") (from Montagne des Sources to Tontouta). This species is found in scrubland on ultramafic soil between 400 and 1,500 m asl. The main threat is posed mainly by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities (Koniambo). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 4,315 and 64 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be eigth. Therefore, Gossia conspicua is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v)+B2ab(ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
Gossia conspicua is endemic to New Caledonia where it has a scattered distribution across Grande Terre. It occurs in the north west (from Koniambo to Taom) and the great southern ("Grand Sud massif") (from Montagne des Sources to Tontouta).
Population
The population size is not known.
Habitat
Gossia conspicua occurs in scrubland on ultramafic soil between 400 and 1,500 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is posed mainly by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities (Koniambo).
Conservation
Gossia conspicua is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it occurs in five protected areas : Rivière bleue, Montagne des sources, Massif du Kouakoué, Haute Yaté, Côte Oubliée. It is recommended to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas.
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.
Snow, N. & Veldkamp, J.F. 2010. Miscellaneous taxonomic and nomenclatural notes for Myrtaceae. Austrobaileya(8) , p.177-186.
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].
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.
Facilitator(s): Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G.