Syzygium tchambaense is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is only known from Tchamba, in the northern east of Grande Terre. This little known species was first observed by MacKee in 1966 then by Veillon twelve years later and it has not been observed since. It occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary soil between 550 and 600 m asl. The main threat is posed by invasive species (feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis)) and bushfires causing habitat degradation. Known from a single location, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 8 km². Therefore, S. tchambaense is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v).

Geographical area

S. tchambaense is endemic to New Caledonia where it is only known from Tchamba in the northern east of Grande Terre.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

S. tchambaense occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary soil between 550 and 600 m asl.

Threats

The main threat is posed by invasive species (feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis)) and bushfires causing habitat degradation.

Conservation

This species is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it doesn't occur in any protected areas. It would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. This species should be included in the regional legislation for a better protection of the species. Since the species has not been observed since 1978, prospection on the Tchamba is strongly recommended to find it, better estimate population size and understand threats.

Bibliography

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.

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

Dawson J.W. 1999. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 23 : Myrtaceae Myrtoideae 1 : Syzygium.

Experts

Assessor(s): Héquet, V., Vandrot, H., Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Suprin, B., Chambrey, C., Laudereau, C., Haverkamp, C., Fogliani, B.

Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.

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