Diplosoma luckhoffii | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Aizoaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is experiencing population decline due to collecting of wild individuals for the specialist succulent trade. This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. Isolated and localized subpopulations that are declining lowers this species chances of recruitment and recovery. Releasing data on this species could 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

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Near Threatened as it is range restricted and experiencing population decline due to habitat loss degradation and collecting of wild individuals for the specialist succulent trade (Klak et al. 2018). This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting.

Klak, C., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2018. Diplosoma luckhoffii (L.Bolus) Schwantes ex Ihlenf. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

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

This taxon has an extent of occurrence of 4027 km² and occurs in localized, isolated subpopulations at 10-15 locations that are declining (Klak et al. 2018).

Klak, C., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2018. Diplosoma luckhoffii (L.Bolus) Schwantes ex Ihlenf. 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 are removed.

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

Isolated and localized subpopulations that are declining lowers this species chances of recruitment and recovery (Klak et al. 2018).

Klak, C., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2018. Diplosoma luckhoffii (L.Bolus) Schwantes ex Ihlenf. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

Diplosoma Aucfan.pdf1.15 MB

Diplosoma luckhoffii Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf759.6 KB