Aloe neilcrouchii | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Asphodelaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is potentially threatened by 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 makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from over-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

Small or insignificant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, but utilisation is localised and/or affects only a small proportion 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 habitat loss and degradation as well as being potentially threatened by illegal succulent collecting (Johnson et al. 2018). 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.

Johnson, I.M., Harvey, J., von Staden, L. & Mtshali, H. 2018. Aloe neilcrouchii R.R.Klopper & Gideon F.Sm. 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 660 km² and an area of occupancy of 36 km² with an estimated population size of 450-830 mature individuals (Johnson et al. 2018).

Johnson, I.M., Harvey, J., von Staden, L. & Mtshali, H. 2018. Aloe neilcrouchii R.R.Klopper & Gideon F.Sm. 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.

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

Range restriction makes this species vulnerable to population loss and a small population may result in insufficient levels of recruitment if over-harvesting were to occur.

Reference file

aloe _ eBay.pdf643.68 KB

Aloe Aucfan.pdf468.22 KB

Johnson et al. 2018 Aloe neilcrouchii Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf864.19 KB