Research

Research on the lizards of Province Nord, New Caledonia – with special reference to threatened species and the herpetofauna of threatened or restricted habitats.

This is a collaborative research currently being undertaken by Tony Whitaker (Whitaker Consultants), Ross Sadlier (Australian Museum), and Aaron Bauer (Villanova University), and funded by the Direction du Dèveloppement Economique et de l’Environnement, Province Nord.

The objectives of the project are to:

1. Identify the lizard fauna of poorly known areas in Province Nord with particular attention to the coast, ranges, and islands of the far north and north-west of the island
2. Identify potential threats and make recommendations on conservation management of these lizard faunas

Research on the main island will concentrate on the west coast of Province Nord between Poya, in the south, and Poum in the north. It is proposed to survey five high elevation peaks (from south to north): Boulinda, Kopeto, Koniambo, Ouazangou-Taom, and Kaala, and low elevation peaks from Koumac north to Poum. The high (>1,000m), ‘free-standing’ forested peaks are separated from the axial ranges by broad expanses of low-lying ground. These peaks extend from Massif du Boulinda (1,241m), in the south near Poya, to Kaala (1,033m) near Kaala-Gomen in the north. Many of these peaks are threatened by clearance for mining activities and encroachment by wildfires from the lower slopes. No herpetofaunal surveys have been undertaken on them. Similarly none of the islands off Province Nord have been surveyed for lizards.

Research will also be conducted on offshore islands in the region including the Belep Islands. These islands, 50 km north of Grand Terre, are the largest of these and likely to offer the greatest diversity of lizard habitats. Small islands often have endemic lizard species, genetically distinct populations of more widespread taxa, relict populations of vulnerable species, or exceptionally high density lizard populations, thus making them important sites for lizard conservation. The Belep Islands are inhabited; the threats to the lizard fauna and habitats are unknown.

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002