Syzygium nitens is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia restricted to the southern part of Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic soil between 200 and 400 m asl. The population size is unknown. The main threat is posed by bushfires and mining activities, causing habitat degradation. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 8 km² while the number of locations is equal to 3. Therefore, S. nitens is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+B2ab(i,ii,iii,v).

Geographical area

S. nitens is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from 3 subpopulations restricted to the south of Grande Terre: Pic du Pin, Plaine des Lacs and Kuébini.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

S. nitens occurs in shrubland ('maquis') on ultramafic soil between 200 and 400 m asl.

Threats

The main threats identified are bushfires and mining activities at Goro that cause habitat degradation.

Conservation

This species is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but it occurs in one protected area: Pic du Pin. This species should be included in the regional legislation for a better protection of the species. The local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort should be informed about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. And in situ and ex situ conservation efforts are urgently needed, in particular : ensuring the follow-up of the known sub-populations and preserving it on delimited perimeters. Finally, further prospection in the south is recommended as well as collection of more herbarium specimens to better estimate its distribution and its extinction risks.

Bibliography

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

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

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.