© Araucaria luxurians - Côte Oubliée - Luc Mauduit

CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF THE CALEDONIAN FOREST

Type of mission

© Côte Oubliée - Luc Mauduit
New Caledonia is one of the world’s 35 biodiversity hotspots (an area with a wealth of biodiversity but which is particularly threatened by human activity); it boasts more than 3,400 species of native vascular plants, of which 76% are endemic, and is being degraded at a dramatic rate.
 
For the last 10 years, Noé has been working to help protect endangered palm and conifer species. Today, the Programme for the Conservation and Restoration of the Caledonian Forest is taking action to preserve their habitat: the rainforest, a particularly critical habitat because its functioning ecosystem provides shelter for a multitude of species.

Background and objectives

New Caledonia is home to an exceptional range of flora with 76% of plant species endemic to its archipelago - one of the highest observed rates of endemism in the world.
 
However, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List (IUCN), half of these species are threatened with extinction. For the last 10 years Noe has been developing and implementing action plans to help protect these species; over this period, it has observed that one of the main threats to the region is fire. 
Every year, nearly 1% of New Caledonia’s territory is destroyed by man-made fires.
 
To address these issues, Noé has been running ecological restoration projects encouraging local communities to become involved in helping protect their environment. 
 
Today, this is achieved through:
  • the joint formulation of conservation action plans
  • improving capacity of tribal associations to produce endemic species for the purposes of ecological restoration
  • coordination of restoration initiatives 
  • raising public awareness about environmental challenges

Transplanting in Port Bouquet © Charline Henry

Activities and impacts

Project activities involve: 
 
  • Collaborative development of plans to help protect species and restore degraded sites based on analysis of the conservation status of the target species and their environment.
 
  • Carrying out ecological restoration activities.
 
  • Improving capacity of local communities to cultivate a diverse range of endemic species to be used for ecological restoration projects.
 
  • Creating an environment in which institutions and the general public support the preservation of the Caledonian forest and the species that live there.
 
Tree nursery in Petit Borendy © Mathilde Desurmont


Key facts about our activities


  • Downgrading of species on the IUCN Red List. The status of the Cyphophoenix nucele has been revised from “Critically endangered” to “Vulnerable.”
 
  • A Callitris Sulcata plantation pilot scheme to help restore the Comboui Valley which has been destroyed by fires.
 
  • Three supervised community nurseries used to produce endemic pioneer species for the purposes of ecological restoration. 
 
  • Creation and provision of an educational campaign about the rainforest (download below).

Planting in Petit Borendy © Emilie Ducouret

TOOLS AND RESSOURCES (in french only)

  • POSTER, KUA VALLEY

    Download

  • POSTER, FLORE PIC N'GA

    Download

  • POSTER, BOULINDA MOUNTAIN

    Download

  • CONSERVATION PLAN, KUA

    Download

  • RESTORATION PLAN, TOUPETI ISLAND

    Download

  • RESTORATION PLAN, N'GOYE to PETIT BORENDY

    Download

  • nurseryman's guide

    Download
  • POSTER OF THE PROGRAM
    Download
  • CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN CYPHOPHOENIX NUCELE
    Download
  • CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN ARAUCARIA SCOPULORUM
    Download
  • CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN ARAUCARIA LUXURIANS
    DOWNLOAD
  • CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN BURRETIOKENTIA KOGHIENSIS
    Download
  • Map of the project
    DOWNLOAD
  • NURSERY CHARTER
    Download
  • PROGRAMME FACEBOOK PAGE
    Download
  • POSTER ON THE PALMS AND CONIFERS OF NEW CALEDONIA
    Download
  • REPORT ON THE FORGOTTEN COAST
    Download
  • PHOTO EXHIBITION: PALMS AND CONIFERS OF NEW CALEDONIA
    Download
  • EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN, FIELD NOTEBOOK
    Download
  • EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN, FILE FOR TEACHERS
    Download
  • A GUIDE TO THE BUTTERFLIES OF LIFOU
    Download
  • PANEL ON THE PALM TREE OF LIFOU
    Download
  • PANEL ON THE
    COMBOUI TREE
    Download

An in-depth look at a flagship project

RESTORATION OF ECOLOGICAL CONTINUITY ON THE FORGOTTEN COAST


A section of the south-east coast on New Caledonia’s Grande Terre island, is home to an exceptional biodiversity. 80% of the region’s Araucaria can be found here. It is called the “Forgotten Coast” because there is no access road!
Forgotten? Sadly, not by everyone! 

Learn more

Partners

  • FONDATION PRINCE ALBERT II DE MONACO
    Active at international level, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation aims to unite scientists, political leaders, economic players and civilians around the preservation of the ocean and the earth.

    The Foundation's objectives are to act to limit the effects of climate change and promote renewable energies, preserve biodiversity, manage water resources and combat desertification.

    BEST 2.0+
    BEST 2.0+ is a programme funded by the European Commission under the Biodiversity4Life initiative. The objective of BEST 2.0+ is to promote the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of natural resources and ecosystem services, including for climate change adaptation and mitigation, in the Overseas Countries and Territories. 

    Furthermore, BEST 2.0+ aims to increase the visibility of Overseas Countries and Territories as prime examples of ecosystem approaches and key contributors to the achievement of European and international biodiversity targets.

    FONDATION GÉOTEC
    The purpose of the GEOTEC Foundation is to support the actions of associations by financing projects whose main objectives are to help people in difficulty with a view to better integration into society, to help disadvantaged populations in West Africa and to fight against global warming.

  • FRANKLINIA FOUNDATION
    The Franklinia Foundation supports projects that are primarily concerned with protecting endangered species of trees. The foundation adopts a species-level approach, given that species conservation helps preserve habitats and protect the interests of the populations that depend on them.

    OFFICE FRANCAIS DE LA BIODIVERSITÉ (FRENCH BIODIVERSITY AGENCY)
    The Office français de la biodiversité (OFB) is a public institution dedicated to protecting and restoring biodiversity in mainland France and overseas territories, under the authority of the ministries responsible for Ecology and Agriculture & Food.

    SOUTH PROVINCE
    The South Province is one of the three provinces that make up New Caledonia. 
    It includes the south-east part of Grande Terre and the île des Pins. Its capital is Nouméa which is also the capital of New Caledonia.

    CHANEL PERFUMES AND BEAUTY
    CHANEL is a French company that produces haute couture, as well as ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, perfumes, and a variety of luxury products.
    For several years, it has been supporting our actions to help protect the Lifou Palm.

Contact

CONTACT US TO: 
Find out more information about the programme or support our actions.

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