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Aloe nicholsii

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asphodelaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
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. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.
This species is either similar to another sensitive species or belongs to a group containing sensitive species, and is extremely rare in the wild. The localities of wild populations need to be protected to avoid loss to exploitation, which, due to its rarity, could drive the species to extinction within a very short time.
Exploitation extent
Uncertain - No data exists yet showing that this species is exploited in the wild, however it has one or more relatives or look-alike species (found in South Africa or globally) that are known to be utilised. This species has a similar life form or other relevant traits to its exploited relative(s), making it highly likely that it would be exploited for the same purposes.
Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Critically Endangered as it is a highly localised endemic, known from one small subpopulation, experiencing ongoing population decline due to habitat loss and degradation (von Staden, 2019). 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.

von Staden, L. 2019. Aloe nicholsii Gideon F.Sm. & N.R.Crouch. 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 is known from one subpopulation with a size of less than 100 mature individuals and an extent of occurrence and area of occupancy of less than 1 km² (von Staden, 2019).

von Staden, L. 2019. Aloe nicholsii Gideon F.Sm. & N.R.Crouch. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Targeted demographics
Unknown.
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 were exploitation to occur.

Reference file
von Staden 2019 Aloe nicholsii Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf872.37 KB
aloe _ eBay.pdf643.68 KB
Aloe Aucfan.pdf468.22 KB