Details of this species in Tahiti Is. Status: Alien
Invasiveness: Invasive
Occurrence: Established
Source: Le Roux Wieczorek & Meyer 2008 Arrival Date: 1920 (PIOER 2000); 1937 (Loope 1997)
Introduction: Intentional Species Notes for this Location:
The introduction of a single tree in 1937 to Tahiti, miconia infestations are now characterised by extensive monotypic stands found over a large portion of the island (Meyer 1996, in Le Roux Wieczorek & Meyer 2008). Currently, miconia has spread into 70% (c. 780 km²) of
Tahiti’s forested land surface, forming dense nearly monotypic stands over 25% (c. 260 km²) of the island, significantly impacting native biodiversity (Meyer & Florence 1996, in Le Roux Wieczorek & Meyer 2008). Management Notes for this Location:
Miconia calvescens was declared a noxious weed in Tahiti in 1990. Impacts:
Ecosystem change: Ecosytems have become completely transformed as M. calvescens gains dominance, due to its creation of deep shade which no native species can tolerate (Meyer 1996).
Threat to endangered species: Up to 50 of the 107 endemic plants of Tahiti are directly threatened with extinction by miconia (Meyer and Florence 1996). On Tahiti, endemic species of the genus Psychotria (Rubiaceae) show a significant decrease in the production of flowers and seeds with increased density of miconia (Meyer et al. 2003) and regeneration of the IUCN Red List Critically Endangered Myrsine longifolia is weaker in understories that have been heavily invaded by miconia (Meyer 2007). Last Modified: 29/06/2010 1:23:00 p.m.
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