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Albizia suluensis

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Fabaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is threatened with harvesting for firewood, building materials, and bark for medicinal use. A small population size with existing threats causing population decline 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 Endangered as its population is decreasing due to threats of harvesting for firewood, building materials and bark for medicinal use (Scott-Shaw et al. 2014).

Scott-Shaw, C.R., Victor, J.E., von Staden, L. & van Wyk, A.E. 2014. Albizia suluensis Gerstner. 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 330-400 km², is known from two locations and has an estimated population size of 1 000-2 500 mature individuals that are declining (Scott-Shaw et al. 2014).

Scott-Shaw, C.R., Victor, J.E., von Staden, L. & van Wyk, A.E. 2014. Albizia suluensis Gerstner. 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

Trees are harvested for firewood, building materials and bark is harvested for medicinal purposes (Scott-Shaw et al. 2014).

Scott-Shaw, C.R., Victor, J.E., von Staden, L. & van Wyk, A.E. 2014. Albizia suluensis Gerstner. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

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

Gene flow by means of pollination and seed dispersal may be impacted as its habitat is fragmented and the population is declining, lowering chances of recovery (Scott-Shaw et al. 2014).

Scott-Shaw, C.R., Victor, J.E., von Staden, L. & van Wyk, A.E. 2014. Albizia suluensis Gerstner. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
Albizia suluensis Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf724.35 KB