Environmental News 31.10.13 Part III: Wonderful Array of Creatures Trying to Survive in Minuscule Forests of New Caledonia Though, in 2011, Conservation International (CI) dubbed the forests of New Caledonia as the second most imperilled in the world after mainland Southeast Asia a new study just released on the biodiversity of the Island’s Mountain Panie has come away with very positive news. Researchers found, that in the tiny remaining forests of the island, possibly sixteen new or recently-described species and they also rediscovered the lost crow honeyeater, thought extinct for years. One striking highlight was to see the crow honeyeater, as this bird has not been seen in decades, and was rumoured to be extinct in Province Nord, Said the survey’s lead author, François Tron. The crow honeyeater, only found in New Caledonia, is about the size of pigeon and sports orange wattles and a long scimitar beak. During their 2010 assessment, researchers uncovered 13 likely new species of plants including a pandanus that researchers describe as a flagship species and which is only found near the top of Mount Panié. Three potentially new reptiles were also discovered, including two geckos and one skink. New Caledonia is the worlds smallest biodiversity hotspot - areas that contain at least 0.5 percent of the world vascular plants or house at least 1,500 endemic plants. And, although small, New Caledonia houses an astonishing 3,700 plants (80% endemic), and, 114 birds, 71 reptiles, and six native mammals - all bats. Yet, only around 5% of New Caledonias original forests remain, because of, well, the usual suspects - deforestation, mining (nickel) and a growing population. Invasive species also make it hard for many of New Caledonias species to hang-on. This CI survey highlighted environmental pressures such as invasive species, bushfires and climate change. These not only affect flagship species but also entire ecosystems and the services they deliver to society such as the provision of fresh water and food security. Said CI’s Jean-Christophe Lefeuvre. enn/wildlife/article/46616
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 20:41:57 +0000
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