Below are photos of some of the botanical/landscape highlights from the recent expedition to New Caledonia that I participated in. But first, a bit of background:
New Zealand and New Caledonia both sit on the (largely) submerged continent Zealandia, which separated from Australia and the rest of Gondwana some 60-80 million years ago.
Wikipedia’s page on Zealandia.
Both New Caledonia and New Zealand are regarded as biodiversity hotspots. However, New Caledonia, despite a land area less than 10% of New Zealand’s, has far more species of indigenous vascular plants (very approximately 3300 cf. c. 2500). This probably reflects New Caledonia’s tropical setting; tropical areas generally have more species than temperate areas.
Endemism, where organisms are restricted to a particular area, is high for both New Caledonia and New Zealand, at about 75-80% amongst indigenous seed plants.
A large portion of New Zealand’s indigenous plants are found in its alpine zone. New Caledonia has no alpine zone, but it does have very different rock types which support very different plant communities.
Wikipedia’s page on Amborella trichopoda.
Wikipedia’s page on Parasititaxus usta.
The New Zealand kauri dieback website.
Hi Leon
Have you any advice on participating in a future botanically-focused tour to New Caledonia?
Failing that, do you know of any guide books that might aid a freelance or self-guided excursion?
Cheers
Geoff Rogers
Hello Geoff,
There may be commercial tours with a focus on botany, but I don’t know of them. You might trying contacting the herbarium in Nouméa, in case they have expeditions where they’d like assistance. http://publish.plantnet-project.org/project/nou
I don’t know of any books, but there is a very good website with good pictures of many of the plants: https://endemia.nc/en/ There is also an active Facebook group for people asking queries about New Caledonian plants: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627514144080340
I’ve a very rough draft photo guide to New Caledonia’s ferns that I’d be happy to share.
Cheers, Leon
Dear Sir,
I am an Asst. Professor in the Dept. of Botany, NSS College, Pandalam, Kerala University, South India. I am writing a guide book for students in Ferns. Purely for academic purpose, not for pocket or buisiness purpose. For that, may l use the image of Orthiopteris given in this website. You will be properly acknowledged and credit of the image will be given in the name of this website. Kindly give permission to use the image.
Anticipating swift response at your earliest.
Thanking you
Sincerely yours
Jithesh
Beautiful pictures and a fascinating country. Thank you.