Encephalartos paucidentatus | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Yes

Family

Zamiaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This taxon is sensitive as it is threatened with illegal collection of wild individuals, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the Encephalartos genus is in high demand in international trade for ornamental and horticultural purposes as well as local medicinal purposes. The species has a small remaining population size with multiple existing threats, making it vulnerable to further population loss. Releasing data on this species can exacerbate threat and vulnerability.

This species is threatened by widespread, unregulated, unsustainable exploitation of wild populations. The localities of remaining populations need to be protected to avoid any further exploitation, which is likely to drive it to extinction.

Exploitation extent

Significant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, and utilisation is widespread, affects the majority of wild populations and/or is causing rapid decline of the wild population.

Justification and references

All South African cycads as well as this species is included in Appendix I of the CITES Convention which lists all species threatened with extinction that are, or may be affected by trade. According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, This species is Vulnerable as it is threatened by illegal collecting, harvesting for horticultural purposes, and habitat clearing whereby the population is declining (Donaldson 2009; Donaldson 2003). Cycad species are in trade demand and at risk from illegal collection (Smith 2014; Yeld 2014). Studies present strong evidence of ongoing and accelerating rates of decline in most cycad species due mainly to illegal removal (Okubamichael et al. 2016; Cousins & Witkowski 2017). Research shows that this species is among the 25 of 37 Encephalartos species that is being utilised for traditional medicine (Cousins, 2012). The CITES Trade Database has recorded the trade of the species from 1979-2019 for commercial, personal, scientific, artificial propagation and botanical garden purposes. Sourced from artificial propagation. This all suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be a risk.

The CITES Trade Database has recorded the trade of live individuals, dried plants and seeds. Mature individuals are removed from the wild and bark harvesting is also taking places (Donaldson 2009; Cousins 2012).

CITES trade statistics derived from the CITES Trade Database, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK.

Cousins, S.R., Williams, V.L., & Witkowski, E.T.F. 2012. Uncovering the cycad taxa (Encephalartos species) traded for traditional medicine in Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany, 78, 129–138. DOI:10.1016/j.sajb.2011.06.001

Cousins, S.R. and Witkowski, E.T.F., 2017. African cycad ecology, ethnobotany and conservation: a synthesis. The Botanical Review, 83(2), pp.152-194.

Donaldson, J.S. 2003. Cycads. Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; Cambridge, UK.

Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos paucidentatus Stapf & Burtt Davy. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1

Okubamichael, D. Y., S. L. Jack, J. D. Bösenberg, M. T. Hoffman & J. S. Donaldson. 2016. Repeat photography confirms alarming decline in south African cycads. Biodiversity Conservation 25(11): 2153–2170.

Smith, D. 2014. 1 September 2014. South Africa's ancient cycad plants under threat from poachers. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/01/ancient-cycad-plants-under-threat-poachers

Yeld, J. 2014. 7 August 2014. Cycad thieves strike again. IOL. Available at: https://www.iol.co.za/news/cycad-thieves-strike-again-1731799

Population vulnerability

Population is not vulnerable: size is > 2500 mature individuals, AND the number of known subpopulations is > 5 AND range > 100km²

Justification and references

There are an estimated 3000-5000 individuals in the wild with an extent of occurrence of 224 km² according the latest unpublished Red List assessment (Bösenberg. DW, personal communication 2021, 1 December). Population decline has been estimated at more than 30% over the past 60 years with fewer than 10 known subpopulation locations (Donaldson 2009).

Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos paucidentatus Stapf & Burtt Davy. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1

Targeted demographics

Mature (breeding) individuals are killed, significantly weakened or are permanently removed from the wild, OR immature individuals are targeted and this significantly impacts mature (breeding) individuals.

Justification and references

The CITES Trade Database has recorded the trade of live individuals, roots, and seeds. Mature individuals are removed from the wild and bark harvesting is also taking place causing population decline (Donaldson 2009; Cousins 2012).

CITES trade statistics derived from the CITES Trade Database, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK.

Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos paucidentatus Stapf & Burtt Davy. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1

Regeneration potential

This species has a slow population growth rate, or the growth rate varies depending on habitat, and there is a poor chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation OR a collector might feasibly harvest the entire extant population removing the chance of subsequent recruitment.

Justification and references

It is unlikely that the entire extant population of this species will be removed (Bösenberg. DW, personal communication 2021, 1 December). However a small remaining population with existing threat including exploitation (Donaldson 2009), places the persistence of this species at risk whereby recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos paucidentatus Stapf & Burtt Davy. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1

Reference file

CITES Trade Database on Encephalartos paucidentatus21.94 KB

South Africa's ancient cycad plants under threat from poachers _ South Africa _ The Guardian-compressed.pdf608.75 KB

Cycad thieves strike again.pdf206.26 KB

Donaldson 2009 Encephalartos paucidentatus Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf834.84 KB

[Rakuten Ichiba] Encephalartos mail order.pdf516.29 KB

encephalartos_ Search Result _ eBay.pdf1.49 MB