Chloothamnus reholttumianus

In many areas of Sumba Island shifting cultivation and annual burning to promote new growth for cattle grazing have resulted in the original vegetation being replaced by fire-resistant grasses, shrubs and trees. Where there is severe burning and over-grazing, areas have become degraded and eroded (Jones et al. 1995). Widjaja and Karsono (2005) note that near Waingapu, where this species was thought to be formerly found, burning had occurred and there were no visible bamboo clumps remaining. The Laiwangi Wanggameti National Park, an important bird area in this part of the island, contains a large area of forest, but threats here have been identified as logging and also burning of vegetation for shifting agriculture (BirdLife International 2020). Between 2000 and 2018 there was estimated to have been 5.4 km² loss of forest cover within this area and land degradation particularly in the margins (JRC 2018).

This bamboo is noted to occur in the Wanggameti area, the the Laiwangi Wanggameti National Park is nearby, and it is suspected that it may occur within it. It is not known to be conserved ex situ (BGCI 2020). In view of ongoing threats, the establishment of further protected areas would be beneficial, in addition to surveys and monitoring needed to detect and enumerate decline.