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Richtersveldia columnaris

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Apocynaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is known to be experiencing population decline due to succulent collecting. Few known locations of occurrence with existing threats including harvesting 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 Vulnerable as it is known from 8-10 locations that are experiencing population decline due to succulent collecting and habitat degradation (von Staden & Van Wyk, 2015). This species has been recorded in confiscations of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation List (2022) provided by Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden).

von Staden, L. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Richtersveldia columnaris (Nel) Meve & Liede. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

von Staden, L., Liltved, W.R., Oliver, E.G.H. & Oliver, T.A. 2006. Satyrium foliosum Sw. 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  564 km² and is known from 8-10 locations with a declining population size (von Staden & Van Wyk, 2015).

von Staden, L. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Richtersveldia columnaris (Nel) Meve & Liede. 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

Few known locations of occurrence with existing threats including harvesting (von Staden & Van Wyk, 2015), places the persistence of this species at risk. Recruitment and recovery may be poor.

von Staden, L. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Richtersveldia columnaris (Nel) Meve & Liede. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
Richtersveldia columnaris Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf803.42 KB