Syzygium apetiolatum is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, restricted to the north east of Grande Terre. It is known from 2 subpopulations : Mount Aoupinié and Mt. Goro Até. The sepcies is found in humid forest on volcano sedimentary substrate at an altitudinal range 850-1,000 m asl. This species does not seem directly threatened. However due to its altitudinal range of habitat, this species may be impacted by climate change and invsive species such as feral pigs (Sus scrofa). Therefore, due to it occurring at a small number of locations, and having a small extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO), S. apetiolatum is assessed as Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); D2.

Geographical area

S. apetiolatum is endemic to New Caledonia and it is restricted to the north east of Grande Terre. It is known from two subpopulations: Mount Aoupinié and Mt. Goro Até.

Population

Population size is unknown but field observations indicate a species relatively abundant at Aoupinié.

Habitat

S. apetiolatum occurs in humid forest on volcano sedimentary substrate at an altitudinal range 850-1,000 m asl.

Threats

This species does not seem directly threatened because of its altitudinal habitat. Climate change could be a potential threat for altitudinal species and also feral pigs (Sus scrofa).

Conservation

This species is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does occur in only one protected area: Aoupinié. This species should be included in the regional legislation for a better protection of the species and it is essential to raise awarness amongs the local population.

Bibliography

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.

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

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): Tanguy, V., Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.