Eugenia gatopensis is an endemic shrub of the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from 2 subpopulations (Taom and Koniambo). It is found in shrubland an humid forest on ultramafic substrates at an altitudinal range of 100-500 m asl. The main threat is presented by ongoing mining activities on the Taom and Koniambo Massif. Extraction projections for the coming 25 years could lead to a 50% reduction in the population. This species could also be impacted by Myrtle Rust, which was found in 2013 in New Caledonia. Eugenia gatopensis is assessed as Endangered (EN) under criterion A4c with an inferred population reduction of more than 50 % over three generations (75 years) starting in 1970 and projected to 2045; and under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with the number of threat-defined locations estimated to be three, a continuous decline of all concerned subcriteria and extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 26 km² and 20 km².

Geographical area

Eugenia gatopensis is an endemic shrub of the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from 2 subpopulations (Taom and Koniambo).

Population

Population size is unknown. Field surveys emphasise small populations. The mining extraction projections for the coming 25 years could lead to a 50% reduction in the population.

Habitat

Eugenia gatopensis is found in shrubland and humid forest on ultramafic substrates at an altitudinal range of 100-500 m asl.

Threats

The main threat is presented by ongoing mining activities at the Taom and Koniambo Massifs. New Caledonia contains between 20 and 30% of the world’s nickel resources and has experienced intense mining activities since the late 19th century which has generated soil erosion (1.2% of bare ground mapped by SPOT5 in 2007). Based on the distribution of metal-rich soils and site accessibility, these threats are predictable and planned (there was a rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year between 2013 and 2015). This species could be impacted by Myrtle Rust, which was discovered in 2013 on New Caledonia.

Conservation

Eugenia gatopensis is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to search areas surrounding of the two known subpopulations, to monitor subpopulations, and to preserve a viable population within delimited perimeters. The genus Eugenia should be taxonomically clarified.

Bibliography

L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.

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

Wulff AS, Hollingsworth PM, Ahrends A, Jaffré T, Veillon J-M, L’Huillier L, et al. 2013. Conservation Priorities in a Biodiversity Hotspot: Analysis of Narrow Endemic Plant Species in New Caledonia.

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): Tanguy, V., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Barrière, R., Fleurot, D., Gailhbaud, P., Garnier, D., Suprin, B.

Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.

Contributor(s): Wulff, A.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Chanfreau, S.