Eugenia kaalensis is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the north west of Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic and serpentine substrates up to 400 m asl. The main threats to this species are bushfires, mining activities at Koniambo, Ouazangou, and Kaala massifs. The species is also impacted by bushfires. In 2019, a big bushfire event departed from Troulala at the base of Mont Kaala and went up to Mont Kaala at 1,000 m asl. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 127 and 48 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be eight. Therefore, Eugenia kaalensis is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+B2ab(i,ii,iii,v), with an estimated continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

Eugenia kaalensis is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the north west of Grande Terre.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

This species occurs in shrubland on ultramafic and serpentine substrates up to 400 m asl.

Threats

The main threats to this species are bushfires, mining activities at Koniambo, Ouazangou, and Kaala massifs. The species is also impacted by bushfires. In 2019, a big bushfire event departed from Troulala at the base of Mont Kaala and went up to Mont Kaala at 1,000 m asl.

Conservation

Eugenia kaalensis is protected by legislation in Province Nord and it does not occur in any protected area.I t is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Searches in north west massifs are needed in order to better estimate its population and threats. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to monitor the populations and to preserve a viable population within delimited perimeters on the mining area.

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.

Guillaumin A.,Virot R. 1953. Contributions à la flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie. Mémoires du Muséum national d'histoire naturelle. Série B, Botanique(4 (1)) , p.1-81.

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].

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.

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