Araucaria goroensis has a very restricted distribution and habitat. Both the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are within the thresholds for Endangered and just above those for Critically Endangered. It is known from four locations (sensu IUCN) as all stands and localities are within areas that are or may be threatened by mining and its associated activities. In the recent past (last 50 years) some areas have been impacted by infrastructure development such as road and dam building with a suspected loss of mature individuals. Given its long generation length (c. 400 years) these suspected losses are interpreted as a recent continuing decline under criterion B rather than under criterion A. Its extremely slow growth rate and low fecundity make it particularly susceptible to stochastic events such as an increase in droughts, fires and cyclones.

Aire géographique

Sud de la Grande Terre : plateau de Goro, Rivière des Lacs, Mamié

Population

3 sous-populations (Goro-Kuébini, Rivière des Lacs-Col de Yaté, Mamié) Population estimée à 2000 individus : ~ 200 à Le Trou, et un mix de goroensis et muelleri de 500–1000 indiv. à Mamié

Habitat

Arbre émergent de forêt ouverte ou maquis sur substrat ultramafique de basse à moyenne altitude (150-600m)

Menaces

Mine : Goro (VALE) Feux

Conservation

This species is not protected in province Sud although a few plants are known from a single area which is protected from mining activities (Chutes de la Madeleine). Its slow growth rate and low fecundity make ex situ cultivation difficult and also present problems for its inclusion in restoration projects. This species is monitored and has been propagated via seeds and transplants by the mining operator Vale NC. In-situ and ex situ conservation plantations are being established through Vale NC's Rare species conservation plan: 20 individuals have been planted at the Parc de la Rivière Bleue arboretum and 291 individuals at Wadjana. A study is underway to assess the state of other populations outside of the Goro area and to identifiy suitable stations for future reintroductions (McCoy, comm. pers.)

Bibliographie

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.

Wilcox, M. and Platt, G. 2002. Some observations on the flora of New Caledonia. Auckland Botanical Society Journal(57(1)) , p.60-75.

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].

Ruhsam, M., Clark, A., Finger, A., Wulff, A.S., Mill, R.R., Thomas, P., Gardner, M.F., Gaudeul, M., Ennos, R.A. and Hollingsworth, P.M. 2016. Hidden in plain view: cryptic diversity in the emblematic Araucaria of New Caledonia.. American Journal of Botany(103(2)) , p.888-898.

Mill, R.R., Ruhsam, M., Thomas, P.I., Gardner, M.F. and Hollingsworth, P.M. 2017. Araucaria goroensis (Araucariaceae), a new monkey puzzle from New Caledonia, and nomenclatural notes on Araucaria muelleri.. Edinburgh Journal of Botany(74(2)) , p.123-139.

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): Jaffré, T., Gardner, M., Munzinger, J., Thomas, P.

Contributor(s): Butaud, J., Gueugnier, C.

Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Tanguy, V.