Mondia whitei | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Apocynaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is experiencing population decline due to harvesting for medicinal use and wood products. A declining population size 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 experiencing population decline due to harvesting for medicinal use, wood products and habitat loss (Williams et al. 2008; Scott-Shaw, 1999).

Scott-Shaw, C.R. 1999. Rare and threatened plants of KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring regions. KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service, Pietermaritzburg.

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2008. Mondia whitei (Hook.f.) Skeels. 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

This population has declined by an estimated 50% in the last three generations (60 years) from over-harvesting (Williams et al. 2008).

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

This species roots and wood are harvested (Williams et al. 2008).

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

50% population reduction and ongoing threat places the persistence of this species at risk. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor.

Reference file

Mondia whitei Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf567.04 KB