Massif du Panié (21826)
New Caledonia (to France), Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e, B2, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2026
National site name: Massif du Panié
Central coordinates: Latitude: -20.5667, Longitude: 164.7167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 1629
Area of KBA (km2): 316.86158
Protected area coverage (%): 17.56
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Massif du Panié is located in the north of Grande Terre and overlooks the east coast. Mount Panié (1,629 m) is the highest peak on Grande Terre. Situated in the southern part of the massif, it extends northward along a ridge spanning some thirty kilometers and crossing Mounts Colnett (1,512 m), Bouayonien (1,404 m), and Ignambi (1,311 m). The massif's eastern slope drops steeply—covering a distance of less than 5 km—directly down to the sea. To the west, beautiful valleys open up, feeding the Diahot and Ouaïème rivers. It is the largest contiguous forest massif on Grande Terre (over 30,000 hectares). Dense evergreen forests at low and medium altitudes, as well as high-altitude forests dominated by Agathis montana, cover the upper reaches of the massif (starting at 700 m). Further down, one encounters a transition zone featuring *Niaouli* savannas (between 300 and 700 m), followed by true savannas and areas altered by human activity.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a KBA due to the presence of 25 species. Among the plant groups, Araucaria schmidii (CR) triggers criterion A1e. Among birds, Pseudobulweria rostrata (NT) meets criterion D1a, Eunymphicus cornutus (VU) and Gymnomyza aubryana (CR) meet criterion B2, and the following Least Concern (LC) species also meet criterion B2: Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae, Myiagra caledonica, Clytorhynchus pachycephaloides, Gliciphila undulata, Pachycephala caledonica, Drepanoptila holosericea, Coracina caledonica, Rhipidura verreauxi, Cryptomicroeca flaviventris, Erythrura psittacea, Zosterops xanthochroa, Accipiter haplochrous (NT), Edolisoma anale (NT), Cincloramphus mariae, Corvus moneduloides, Myzomela caledonica, Lichmera incana, Ducula goliath (NT), Philemon diemenensis, Gerygone flavolateralis, and Aplonis striata. Additionally, there are 5 legacy bird species that need to be re-assessed under current KBA criteria.
Additional biodiversity: The site is home to 13 palm species, three of which are endemic to this massif. The most spectacular vegetation formation is the vast forest of Mountain Kauri (Agathis montana)—endemic to the massif—stretching from Mont Panié to Mont Colnett.
Micro-endemism is also highly significant in the animal kingdom (both vertebrates and freshwater invertebrates). Several herpetological studies have led to the discovery of various gecko species, such as Bavayia ornata and Bavayia validiclavis, and skink species, including Caledoniscincus orestes, Lioscincus steindachneri and Caledoniscincus aquilonius.
The nationally rare Peregrine Falcon has been sighted several times in the area, and the only truly localized nesting site is found near the KBA.
Manageability of the site: The manageability of the site has not been documented.
Delineation rationale: 2012-12-17 (BL Secretariat): original polygon clipped to hi-res coastline following identification in October 2012 of new marine IBA offshore this site; site area consequently changed from 31663 ha to 31686 ha.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Human disturbance and direct harvesting of seabirds are listed as threats to 26 and 23 of the 97 globally threatened seabirds respectively (Croxall et al. 2012). For Near Threatened and Least Concern species it is likely that human disturbance and consumption affect an even greater proportion, particularly of tropical species, for which major reductions in populations and/or breeding sites are increasingly indicated but seldom quantified, especially across the whole range of the many wide-ranging tropical seabird species (Croxall et al. 2012). Human disturbance (such as recreational activities and forest work) may occur at this site. The effect such disturbance causes is unknown but it may represent a threat to this population. Invasive Alien Species represent the greatest threat to seabirds globally (Croxall et al. 2012), causing adult mortality and reduced productivity owing to egg and chick predation. Alien Invasive Species are known to be present, including rats and feral pigs (Spaggiari et al. 2007). Polynesian Rat and Feral Pigs have been recorded predating adult seabirds as well as eggs and chicks (Kepler 1967, Spaggiari et al. 2007). They have precipitated island extinctions in small-bodied, ground-nesting seabirds, but their impacts on larger or arboreal nesting seabirds appear to be lower (Atkinson 1985, Jones et al. 2008). Black Rat, Brown Rat, Feral Cat and Feral Goat are all plausible but unconfirmed residents. Each can potentially cause declines in seabird colonies, and ungulates can exacerbate the threat from other invasive mammals through habitat modification (Atkinson 1985, Rodríguez et al. 2006, Jones et al. 2008, Duffy 2010). Feral pigs are known to be causing severe damage to the forest habitat, and are also known to predate on petrels in their burrows (Spaggiari et al. 2007). Overall, a range of invasive mammals are known to be present and are having a limiting effect on seabirds, or causing population declines. Seabirds are highly visually oriented and known to become disorientated at night in the presence of artificial light (Bruderer et al., 1999). On archipelagos worldwide, thousands of fledglings of different petrel species are attracted to artificial lights during their first flights from nest-burrows to the sea, a phenomenon called ‘fallout’ (Reed et al. 1985, Telfer et al. 1987, Le Corre et al. 2002, Rodríguez & Rodríguez 2009, Miles et al. 2010, Rodrigues et al. 2011). Grounded birds are vulnerable to starvation, predation, dehydration and collision with vehicles. The prevalence of this potential threat at this site is not known but it may be having a negative impact. Le feu a déjà modifié de manière significative le paysage de cette région. Les incendies à répétition qui brûlent peu à peu la forêt favorisent l’extension de la savane à Niaoulis, une espèce pionnière et assez résistante au feu. Dans cette savane, on observe des densités importantes de Cerf rusa. Bien que sa présence soit signalée sur tout le massif, y compris aux plus hautes altitudes, sa densité décroît avec le gradient altitudinal. Le Cochon sauvage est lui aussi présent à toutes altitudes mais fréquente préférentiellement le couvert forestier où il est bien plus abondant que le cerf. Dans l’ensemble, les deux espèces d’ongulés sont bien plus rares sur les flancs est du massif où les forêts sont dans un état de conservation souvent excellent. Avec les activités humaines et le transport de matériaux, la Fourmi électrique (Wasmania auropunctata) s’est propagée jusqu’aux limites forestières. Deux espèces de rats, noir et du Pacifique, sont présentes sur le massif. A Thoven, près de la tribu de Tiendanite, Dayu Biik a conduit un essai d’éradication de ces deux espèces, sur une zone test de 100 ha. Les quantités de rats capturées après plusieurs semaines de piégeage laissent entrevoir des densités remarquablement élevées de ces rongeurs. Des chiens et des chats sont également aperçus sur le massif et susceptibles de se livrer à des déprédations sur les oiseaux ou leurs nichées. La présence présumée d’une population de Méliphage toulou étant le point d’intérêt principal de l’IBA, les premières actions devraient s’orienter vers une précision du statut de l’espèce par le bais d’inventaires spécifiques poussés destinés à clarifier les zones d’occurrence de l’oiseau et au mieux, trouver ses nids. Il serait alors intéressant de poursuivre l’effort de lutte contre les rongeurs sur ces zones de reproduction . Le contrôle des chiens errants pourrait lui, à terme, permettre d’envisager la réintroduction du Cagou dans l’IBA. La chasse y est comme partout ailleurs pratiquée. Celle du gros gibier tend à contrôler leurs populations et doit être encouragée. Les notous et les roussettes sont également des cibles privilégiées, y compris en dehors des périodes de chasse autorisées. D’autres espèces protégées sont aussi victimes des chasseurs. Cependant le problème de la chasse provient essentiellement du développement d’une chasse commerciale écoulant illégalement d’importantes quantités de gibiers vers les zones urbaines. Il convient de sensibiliser les gens au danger que ces prélèvements peuvent engendrer sur les populations d’oiseaux et de roussettes. Pour éviter toute tentation de céder à ce commerce illégal, il faut promouvoir et soutenir des activités économiques alternatives durables. Il faut également renforcer la surveillance et la répression des contrevenants mais aussi des intermédiaires qui colportent les oiseaux et les revendent. Depuis 2002, Dayu Biik et Conservation International, en partenariat avec la province Nord, ont initié une opération de gestion participative autour du Mont Panié. Les habitants des tribus environnantes (Tiendanite, Panié, Haut-Coulna, Bas-Coulna, Tao et Ouaïème) sont associés à toutes les initiatives de restauration et d’aménagement, aussi bien en amont des projets qu’au cours de leur réalisation. Le Projet développe et soutient les activités susceptibles de valoriser, économiquement et de manière durable, ce site.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Bauer & Sadlier 1993; Chartendrault 2004; Chartendrault & Barré 2005a, c; Ekstrom et al. 2000; Ekstrom et al. 2002; Flannery 1997; Sadlier 1987; Sadlier et al. 1999; Stokes 1979; Whitaker 1997 Atkinson, I. A. E. (1985) The spread of commensal species of Rattus to oceanic islands and their effect on island avifaunas. Pages 35-81 in P. J. Moors, editor. Conservation of island birds. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Bruderer, B., Peter, D. and Steuri, T. (1999) Behavior of migrating birds exposed to Xband radar and a bright light beam. Journal of Experimental Biology 202: 1015–1022. Le Corre, M., Ollivier, A., Ribes, S. and Jouventin, P. (2002) Light-induced mortality of petrels: a 4-year study from Réunion Island (Indian Ocean). Biol. Conserv. 105: 93–102. Croxall, J. P., Butchart, S. H. M., Lascelles, B., Stattersfield, A. J., Sullivan, B., Symes, A. and Taylor, P. (2012) Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment. Bird Conservation International 22: 1-34. Duffy, D. C. (2010) Changing Seabird Management in Hawai‘i: from exploitation through management to restoration. Waterbirds 33: 193-207. IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (2012) Rattus exulans. Global Invasive Species Database. Downloaded from http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=170&fr=1&sts=sss on 8th October 2012. Jones, H. P., Tershy, B. R., Zavaleta, E. S., Croll, D. A., Keitt, B. S., Finkelstein, M. E. and Howald, G. R. (2008) Severity of the effects of invasive rats on seabirds: a global review. Conservation Biology 22: 16-26. Kepler, B. (1967) Polynesian rat predation on nesting Laysan Albatrosses and other Pacific seabirds. Auk 84: 426-430. Miles, W., Money, S., Luxmoore, R. and Furness, R.W. (2010) Effects of artificial lights and moonlight on petrels at St Kilda. Bird Study 57: 244–251. Reed, J.R., Sincock, J.L. & Hailman, J.P. (1985) Light attraction in endangered Procellariiform birds: reduction by shielding upward radiation. Auk 102: 377–383. Rodrigues, P., Aubrecht, C., Gil, A., Longcore, T. and Elvidge, C. (2011) Remote sensing to map influence of light pollution on Cory’s Shearwater in São Miguel Island, Azores Archipelago. Eur. J. Wildl. Res. doi: 10.1007/s10344-011-0555-5. Rodríguez, A. and Rodríguez, B. (2009) Attraction of petrels to artificial lights in the Canary Islands: effect of the moon phase and age class. Ibis 151: 299–310. Rodríguez, C., Torres, R. and Drummond, H. (2006) Eradicating introduced mammals from a forested tropical island. Biological Conservation 130: 98-105. Telfer, T.C., Sincock, J.L., Byrd, G.V. and Reed, J.R. (1987) Attraction of Hawaiian seabirds to lights: conservation efforts and effects of moon phase. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 15: 406–413. Spaggiari J, Chartendrault V & Barré N.2007. ZICO de Nouvelle Calédonie. SCO/Birdlife International.213p
Contributors: KBA originally identified using pre-existing criteria. Latest assessment of the KBA includes tree species completed by BGCI.