Tristaniopsis jaffrei is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, where it is only known from the Koniambo massif in the north-west of Grande Terre. It was collected twice by Jaffré in 1972 and 2002, but was not found again during recent searches. It is threatened by ongoing mining activities on the Koniambo massif. Given the ongoing threats and it not being found in recent searches there is a fairly high probability that the species could be extinct, but it is possible that it may persist. It occurs in open shrubland on ultramafic substrate around 650 to 700 m asl. Known from a single location, its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both 8 km². Therefore, T. jaffrei is listed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) (CR (PE)) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).

Geographical area

Tristaniopsis jaffrei is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from the Koniambo massif in the north-west of Grande Terre. It was collected twice by Jaffré in 1972 and 2002, but was not found again during recent searches.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

T. jaffrei occurs in open shrubland on ultramafic substrate around 650-700 m asl.

Threats

The main threat to this species is the ongoing mining activity on the Koniambo massif (KNS).

Conservation

T. jaffrei is protected by legislation in province Nord, but does not occur in any protected areas. It is strongly recommended that prospection is carried out on the Koniambo massif to find this species and to collect biological material for ex situ conservation.

Bibliography

Dawson J.W. 1992. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 18 : Myrtacées Leptospermoïdées.

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

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Goxe, J., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.

Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.

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