Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 03/07/2017Protected species -
in Northern Province
Although the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy fall within the threshold for Endangered, there are more than 10 locations. Although subpopulations (Thio, Mount Kouakoué/ Rivière Bleue and the Plaine des Lacs area) are discontinuous and separated by significant areas of unsuitable habitat, the majority of fragments lie within a 50 km radius of the main subpopulation at Rivière Bleue. For this reason, they are not considered severely fragmented and criterion B is not applicable under any category of threat. Despite this, it is considered Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) with a decline of habitat quality and area of occupancy linked to fires and on-going mining activities projected.
Geographical area
Araucara bernieri is mainly confined to areas of moist evergreen forest on the slopes of the lower mountains in the southern part of the island. The most northern population currently known is at the Col des Roussettes.
Population
This species generally occurs as scattered emergent trees, rather than in dense stands.
Habitat
This species is restricted to low to mid altitude moist evergreen forest and is occasionally found along stream beds. It is restricted to soils derived from ultramafic rock.
Threats
In the past, this species was under some pressure from logging. Currently the major threats are various activities associated with mining such as road building and waste storage as well as fires whose frequency prevents the regeneration or expansion of remnant stands.
Conservation
This species is protected in province Nord but not in province Sud. Several subpopulations are protected within reserves (Pic du grand Kaori, Massif du Kouakoué, Barrage de Yaté, Foret Nord, Pic du Pin, Vallée de la Thy, Montagne des sources, Forêt cachée, Rivière bleue). Most subpopulations are vulnerable to fire.
Bibliography
de Laubenfels, D.J. 1972. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances..
Manauté, J., Jaffré, T., Veillon, J.-M. and Kranitz, M. 2003. Revue des Araucariaceae de Nouvelle-Calédonie. IRD, Nouméa..
Nasi, R. 1982. Essai pour une meilleure connaissance et une meilleure compréhension des Araucariacées dans la végètation Caledonienne. Ecole Nationale Des Ingénieurs Des Travaux Des Eaux et Forêts, Centre Technique Forestier Tropical Nouvelle Calédonie..
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Jaffré, T., Bouchet, P. and Veillon, J.-M. 1996. Threatened plants of New Caledonia: Is the system of protected areas adequate?. Biodiversity and Conservation (7(1)) , p.109-135.
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.
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].
Jaffré, T., Munzinger, J. & Lowry, P.P. 2010. Threats to the conifer species found on New Caledonia’s ultramafic massifs and proposals for urgently needed measures to improve their protection.. Biodiversity and Conservation (19) , p.1485-1502.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., McCoy, S., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Gardner, M., Jaffré, T., Munzinger, J., Thomas, P.
Contributor(s): Butaud, J., Gueugnier, C.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J.