Babiana regia | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Juan Swanepoel

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Iridaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

There have been recorded confiscations of species of the Babiana genus from illegal collection. This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. A small remaining 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 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 (Goldblatt et al. 2016). This genus is increasing in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. There have been recorded confiscations of Babiana spp. from illegal collections (2021, confiscation data provided by Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk from the wild.

Goldblatt, P., Raimondo, D. and von Staden, L. 2016. Babiana regia (G.J.Lewis) Goldblatt and J.C.Manning. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/12/24

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

There are six known remaining subpopulations. The largest two consists of between 200 and 300 plants, while the others all number between 10 and 100 mature individuals. Only one subpopulation occurs in a small provincial protected area, and monitoring of this subpopulation indicates significant decline over the past 10 years. Five of the six subpopulations occur on small, isolated renosterveld remnants, ranging in size from 0.4-2 km². The population is estimated to number <1000 mature individuals, is severely fragmented, and continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation (Goldblatt et al. 2016).

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

The population growth rate is unknown. Population size is limited by suitable habitat which is in decline. Should exploitation occur, even if only cuttings or leaves are collected, compounded with ongoing crop development, inappropriate fire management, spreading alien invasive plants, heavy grazing, eutrophication and herbicide drift from crop fields, and sand mining which have been identified as threats (Goldblatt et al. 2016), the chance of populations is poor.