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Alepidea macowani

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Apiaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is experiencing population decline due to harvesting for traditional medicinal trade. Other species in this genus are also known to be utilized for medicinal purposes and threatened by collection of wild individuals. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Alepidea genus from illegal collection. Few known locations of occurrence with existing threat causing population decline makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability. 
This species is extremely rare in the wild and is known to be exploited, utilised or traded. 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

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Endangered as it is naturally rare and experiencing population decline due to harvesting for traditional medicinal trade markets in the Eastern Cape (Williams & Dold, 2008; Dold & Cocks, 2002). There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Alepidea genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2010) provided by Cape Nature).

Dold, A.P. and Cocks, M.L. 2002. The trade in medicinal plants in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. South African Journal of Science 98:589-597.

Williams, V.L. & Dold, A.P. 2008. Alepidea macowani Dummer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Population vulnerability
Population is vulnerable: size is <= 2500 mature individuals OR the number of known subpopulations is <= 5 OR range is <= 100km2 OR species at risk of localised extinctions
Justification and references

Three of the seven known locations of this species is in decline, which is 43% of the population (William & Dold, 2008).

Williams, V.L. & Dold, A.P. 2008. Alepidea macowani Dummer. 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

Tubers are collected resulting in population decline (Williams & Dold, 2008).

Williams, V.L. & Dold, A.P. 2008. Alepidea macowani Dummer. 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

This taxon is naturally rare, known from few locations and so is vulnerable to continued population loss, lowering its chances of recovery (Williams & Dold, 2008).

Williams, V.L. & Dold, A.P. 2008. Alepidea macowani Dummer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
Alepidea macowani Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf721.59 KB