One of 13 endemic Araucaria species on New Caledonia. Fires, mining and habitat fragmentation have led to some decline.
Distribution
Endemic to New Caledonia. This species is scattered on the ultramafic massifs in the central and southern mountains from Table Unio to the Rivière Bleue. Occasionally found at altitudes as low as 150 m but more common at higher altitudes, reaching as high as 1,070 m.
Habitat and Ecology
It occurs as an emergent tree in dense and humid rainforests, usually in ravines and steep valleys and mostly in montane areas
Human Uses
No specific uses have been recorded for this species
Conservation Status
Global Status
Near Threatened
Global Rationale
Although the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are well within the threshold for Endangered, and although there is a degree of fragmentation between known subpopulations, there does not appear to be enough specific evidence of decline, hence the species is listed as Near Threatened (almost qualifies as threatened under criteria B1a+2a). This may change in the future, so monitoring is required.
Global threats
The main potential threats are an increase in the frequency of fire and the associated fragmentation of its habitat.
Conservation Actions
Several subpopulations occur in the Rivière Bleu Provincial Park and Montagne des Sources Nature Reserve
References and further reading
Jaffré, T., Munzinger, J. and 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: 1485-1502: DOI 10.1007/s10531-010-9780-6
Manauté, J., Jaffré, T., Veillon, J.-M. and Kranitz, M. 2003. Revue des Araucariaceae de Nouvelle-Calédonie. IRD, Nouméa.
