Phyllanthus paucitepalus is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the Tontouta valley, in the south-west of Grande Terre. This shrub is found in forest undergrowth on steep ultramafic slopes from 36 to 500 m asl. Known from three locations, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated at 16 km². The population size is estimated to be less than 250 mature individuals. The main threats identified are recurrent bushfires and ongoing mining activities in the valley that contribute to habitat degradation, especially erosion. Thus, two subpopulations present in the actual mining exploitation area can be directly affected. P. paucitepalus is, therefore, listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v); C2a(i); D.

Geographical area

P. paucitepalus is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the Tontouta valley in the southwest of Grande Terre.

Population

Population size is estimated to be less than 250 mature individuals. To this day, field prospections have identified nearly 150 mature individuals (IAC).

Habitat

P. paucitepalus occurs in forest undergrowth on ultramafic steep slopes, from 36 to 500 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are recurrent bushfires and mining activities in the valley (Tomo (SMGM)), that contribute to habitat degradation, especially erosion.

Conservation

P. paucitepalus is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is recommended to monitor and preserve known populations in delimited areas of the mining site and to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Moreover, it is suggested to raise awareness on this species amongst local stakeholders, so as to promote its growing in nurseries and integrate it in future green space planning. Finally, further prospection in the Tontouta valley is necessary to better estimate the size of the population et and understand potentiel threats. As long as mining goes on in the valley, it will be difficult to envision perennial conservation measures: it would be better to effectively protect parts of the Tontouta valley.

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.

Lannuzel, G.; Gâteblé, G.; Fogliani, B. 2017. Etude des Espèces Rares et Menacées des sites miniers de la SMT.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Letocart, I., Suprin, B.

Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.

Contributor(s): Russ, L.

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