Phyllanthus poueboensis is a shrub of 1-3 m high, endemic of New Caledonia and restricted to the far north east of Grande Terre, from Paimboas to Col d'Amoss. This species occurs in forest edges and undergrowth forests on volcano-sedimentary substrates at an altitude range of 500 and 800 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires and potentially invasive species (Rusa timorensis). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 115 km² and 28 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be 6. Using criterion B and with the estimation of a continuous decline of its habitat quality and number of mature individuals, Phyllanthus poueboensis is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).

Geographical area

Phyllanthus poueboensis is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the far north east of Grande Terre, from Paimboas to Col d'Amoss.

Population

The population size is unknown.

Habitat

Phyllanthus poueboensis occurs in forest edges and undergrowth forests on volcano-sedimentary substrates at an altitude range of 500 and 800 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires and potentially invasive species (Rusa timorensis).

Conservation

Phyllanthus genus is protected by legislation in Province Nord. Phyllanthus poueboensis does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It is moreover suggested to realise field surveys in north eastern forest to better estimate its distribution range and population size.

Bibliography

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].

McPherson, G.; Schmid, M. 1991. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 17 : Euphorbiaceae II Phyllanthaceae.

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

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Lagrange, A., Veillon, J., Garnier, D., Dumontet, V., Goxe, J., McCoy, S., Gâteblé, G.

Reviewer(s): Warimavute, G.

Facilitator(s): Vandrot, H., Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.