Back to search results

Encephalartos altensteinii

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. Although this species does not have a small population size- several threats, slow growth rates and infrequent recruitment makes it vulnerable to further population loss and recovery uncertain. 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 due to threats of removal by collectors and harvesting of bark for medicinal purposes as well as habitat loss (Donaldson 2009; Donaldson 2003). A more than 30% decline in populations have been observed. Donaldson (2003) ascribes its population decline as low with moderate habitat reduction. 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 by Cousins (2012) shows that this species is among the 25 of 37 Encephalartos species that is being utilized for traditional medicine. The CITES Trade Database has recorded the trade of the species from 1978-2018 for commercial, personal, scientific, travelling exhibition and botanical garden purposes. Sourced from artificial propagation, taken from the wild and confiscated or seized. This suggests that this species and genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk to over-exploitation.

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 altensteinii Lehm. 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

The IUCN Red List states there are between 4000-10000 mature individuals in the wild (Donaldson 2010). The species is widely distributed (Donaldson 2009).

Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos altensteinii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T41908A10589725. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41908A10589725.en.

Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos altensteinii Lehm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1

Winter, J. 2004. Encephalartos altensteinii Lehm. PlantZAfrica. Available at: http://pza.sanbi.org/encephalartos-altensteinii

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 and seeds. The removal of mature individuals by collectors and poachers as well as the harvesting of bark has been noted by the SANBI Red List which are causing population decline(Donaldson 2009).

Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos altensteinii Lehm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1

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

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 species is long-lived and grows easily. However the species faces multiple threats and recovery from exploitation is uncertain (Winter 2004). All groups of Encephalartos experience population decline from removal of adult plants (Donaldson 1995). Viable seed production in Encephalartos populations tends to decline with decreasing population size (Cousins & Witkowksi 2017). 

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., 1995. Understanding cycad life histories, an essential basis for successful conservation. In: Donaldson, J.S. (Ed.), Cycad Conservation in South Africa, Issues, Priorities and Actions. The Cycad Society of South Africa, Stellenbosch, pp. 8–13.

Winter, J. 2004. Encephalartos altensteinii Lehm. PlantZAfrica. Available at: http://pza.sanbi.org/encephalartos-altensteinii

Reference file
CITES Trade Database on Encephalartos altensteinii42.9 KB
Donaldson 2009 Encephalartos caffer Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf359.67 KB
South Africa's ancient cycad plants under threat from poachers _ South Africa _ The Guardian-compressed.pdf608.75 KB
Donaldson 2009 Encephalartos altensteinii Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf851.57 KB