Plant communities of the maquis on ultramafic rocks of New Caledonia

The soils derived from ultramafic rocks in New Caledonia support a rich and unique sclerophyllous shrubby vegetation: the maquis. A phytosociolgical analysis was carried out to identify the different plant communities of this maquis. We surveyed areas of Plaine des Lacs, Mont Dore, Montagne des Sources, Mount Dzumac and Mount Humboldt (Great South region), and along a broad elevation gradient on Mount Boulinda (central-west region). Multivariate analyses revealed 17 plant associations grouped in 5 alliances and 3 orders. The distribution of these associations appears determined by several parameters, including elevation, precipitation, topography, and the local edaphic, physicochemical and hydric conditions. The diversity of plant associations observed in New Caledonia is one of the most remarkable among vegetations on ultramafic rocks globally.This article is a translation of the chapter << Les groupements vegetaux des maquis >>(pp 69-120) of Jaffre (1980), with minor updates.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the plant communities derived from ultramafic rock soils in New Caledonia. It identified 17 different plant associations, which are influenced by parameters such as elevation, precipitation, topography, as well as local edaphic, physicochemical, and hydric conditions. The diversity of plant associations observed in New Caledonia is among the most remarkable worldwide.