Eugenia virotii is an endemic shrub found in the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from 3 subpopulations (Poum, Tiébaghi and Ile Art from a single herbarium specimen which dated from 1975). It is found in shrubland and humid forest on ultramafic substrates at an altitudinal range of 20-400 m asl. The main threat is presented by ongoing mining activities in Tiébaghi and Poum. Extraction projections for the coming 25 years could lead to a 50% reduction in the impacted subpopulations. This species could also be impacted by Myrtle Rust, which was found in 2013 in New Caledonia, and bushfires. Eugenia virotii 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 170 km² and 20 km².

Geographical area

Eugenia virotii is an endemic shrub of the north-western part of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from 3 sub-populations (Poum, Tiébaghi, and Ile Art from a single herbarium specimen which dated from 1975).

Population

Population size is unknown. Mining extraction projections for the coming 25 years could lead to a 50% reduction in the impacted subpopulations and thus contribute to the potential reduction of the total population size.

Habitat

Eugenia virotii is found in shrubland and humid forest on ultramafic substrates at an altitudinal range of 20-400 m asl.

Threats

The main threat is presented by ongoing mining activities in Tiébaghi and Poum. New Caledonia contains 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). Ile Art is also under a heightened threat from bushfire. Uncontrolled fires sweep across lowlands of New Caledonia each year, especially during the dry season (an average of 20,000 ha of land is burnt each year). This species could be impacted by Myrtle Rust, which was discovered in 2013 on New Caledonia.

Conservation

Eugenia virotii is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected area. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to monitor the known populations and to preserve viable populations within delimited perimeters on Tiébaghi and Poum. Searches around pointe de Faro (Poum) should also be carried out. The genus Eugenia should be taxonomically clarified.

Bibliography

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.

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.

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

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): Chanfreau, S., Tanguy, V.