Syzygium kuebiniense is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia restricted to the Massif du Sud in the south of Grande Terre. It occurs in dense humid forest on ultramafic rocks between 494 and 940 m asl. The population size is unknown but field observations indicate a species relatively common in Côte Oubliée. The main threats identified are bushfires, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and potential mining activities causing a degradation of its habitat quality. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 632 and 24 km², respectively, while the number of locations is equal to six. Therefore, S. kuebiniense is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+B2ab(i,ii,iii,v) with an estimated deline of the subcriteria concerned.

Geographical area

S. kuebiniense is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the Massif du Sud in the south of Grande Terre. It is known from six subpopulations: Bwa Bwi, Grand Lac/haute Kuebini, forêt de la Superbe, Haute Pourina, Haute Rivière Bleue and Rivière Bleue.

Population

Population size is unknown but but field observation indicate a species relatively common with a regeneration in Côte Oubliée.

Habitat

S. kuebiniense occurs in dense humid forest on ultramafic rocks between 494 and 940 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are bushfires, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and mining activity at Goro that contribute to the declinde of its habitat.

Conservation

This species is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in two protected areas: Rivière bleue, Côte Oubliée and Haute Pourina. This species should be included in the regional legislation for a better protection of the species. This species would benefit from in situ and ex situ emergency conservation actions. The local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort should be informed about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It is moreover suggested to realise prospections in similar habitats of the Massif du Sud to better estimate its status.

Bibliography

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Dawson J.W. 1999. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 23 : Myrtaceae Myrtoideae 1 : Syzygium.

Morat, P.; Jaffré, T.; Tronchet, F.; Munzinger, J.; Pillon, Y.; Veillon, J.-M. and Chalopin, M. 2012. Le référentiel taxonomique Florical et les caractéristiques de la flore vasculaire indigène de la Nouvelle-Calédonie [The taxonomic database « FLORICAL » and characteristics of the indigenous flora of New Caledonia]. Adansonia sér 3(34) , p.177-219.

Experts

Assessor(s): Héquet, V., Vandrot, H., Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Suprin, B., Chambrey, C., Laudereau, C., Haverkamp, C., Fogliani, B.

Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.

Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.