Meryta pachycarpa is an endemic monocaulous shrub (up to 4 m high) from New Caledonia. It is restricted to the south of Grande Terre, mainly from the far south of the main land to Dzumac as well as two isolated observations at comboui and Canala observed by Balansa in 1869. This species occurs in low undergrowth forests on ultramafic substrate up to 1,100 m asl. This species is a forest species and does not seem to be threatened at the moment. However the uncontrolled bushfires can be a threat to the low elevation subpopulations. Its Area of Occupancy (AOO) and Extent of Occurrence (EOO) are respectively estimated to be 68 and 2,425 km² and its number of locations is estimated to be over 10. Therefore, Meryta pachycarpa is considered Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with an estimated decline of all the concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

Meryta pachycarpa is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre, from the far south of the main land to Dzumac and two isolated observations at comboui and Canala observed by Balansa in 1869.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

Meryta pachycarpa occurs in low undergrowth forests on ultramafic substrate up to 1,100 m asl.

Threats

This species is a forest species and it does not seem to be threatened at the moment. However the uncontrolled bushfires can be a threat to the low elevation subpopulations.

Conservation

Meryta pachycarpa is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in four protected areas : Côte Oubliée, la Dumbéa, Haute Dumbéa, Foret Nord. It is recommended to search the species at Canala to confirm the location.

Bibliography

Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].

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): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A.