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Aloe thompsoniae

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asphodelaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species has experienced population decline due to threats of illegal succulent collecting. Aloe species are widely utilised for traditional and medicinal purposes and are also popular in domestic and international horticulture trade. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. A small population size with existing threats causing population decline places 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 of Vulnerable as it is a range restricted endemic that has experienced population decline due to threats of illegal succulent collecting and habitat degradation (Mtshali et al. 2020). An internet survey indicated that this genus is very popular in trade, and that there is a very high demand. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during a recent criminal prosecution of illegal plant collecting. There has been several recorded confiscations of the genus from illegal collection (Confiscation Lists (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). Aloe species are widely utilised for traditional and medicinal purposes and are also popular in domestic and international horticulture trade (Grace, 2011). Many wild aloe species are threatened by over-exploitation for the succulent plant trade as well as over-utilisation for cosmetics and natural products which makes rare, endemic and utility taxa conservation priority (Grace, 2011). It is believed that the most sought after and so potentially vulnerable species among plant collectors, are rare endemics and difficult to grow species (Cousins & Witkowski, 2012). 

Cousins, S.R. and Witkowski, E.T.F., 2012. African aloe ecology: a review. Journal of Arid Environments, 85, pp.1-17.

Grace, O.M., 2011. Current perspectives on the economic botany of the genus Aloe L.(Xanthorrhoeaceae). South African Journal of Botany, 77(4), pp.980-987.

Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Aloe thompsoniae Groenew. 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 taxon has an extent of occurrence of 449-837 km² and a small population (Mtshali et al. 2020).

Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Aloe thompsoniae Groenew. 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

Whole individuals have been removed from the wild (Mtshali et al. 2020).

Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Aloe thompsoniae Groenew. 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 a fast, prolific grower, forming dense clusters (van Jaarsveld, 2009). Range restriction makes this species vulnerable to population loss and a small population may result in insufficient levels of recruitment if the species were to be over-collected.

van Jaarsveld, E. 2009. Aloe thompsoniae Groenew. PlantZAfrica. Available at: http://pza.sanbi.org/aloe-thompsoniae

 

Reference file
Aloe thompsoniae _ PlantZAfrica.pdf257 KB
aloe _ eBay.pdf643.68 KB
Aloe Aucfan.pdf468.22 KB
Mtshali et al. 2020 Aloe thompsoniae Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf639.45 KB