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Alepidea amatymbica

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Apiaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is threatened by harvesting of wild individuals for traditional medicinal trade. Other species in this genus are also known to be utilized for medicinal purposes and threatened by collection of wild individuals. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Alepidea genus from illegal collection. A declining population size with existing threat 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 it is has experienced a 50% population reduction due to harvesting of wild individuals for traditional medicinal trade (Raimondo et al. 2016). Over-exploitation of wild populations of the species is occurring across its distribution, is in high demand and can be found at high quantities at several markets across the country (Dold & Cocks, 2002; O'Connor, 2004). There have been several recorded confiscations of this species of  from illegal collection of wild individuals (Confiscation List (2010) provided by Cape Nature).

Dold, A.P. and Cocks, M.L. 2002. The trade in medicinal plants in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. South African Journal of Science 98:589-597.

O'Connor, T.G. 2004. Influence of land use on populations of the medicinal plant Alepidea amatymbica in the southern Drakensberg. South African Journal of Botany 70(2):319-322.

Raimondo, D., Hutchinson, S.L., Dold, A.P., Cawe, S. & van Wyk, B.E. 2016. Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh. 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's population has declined by 50% over three generations (60 years) (Raimondo et al. 2016).

Raimondo, D., Hutchinson, S.L., Dold, A.P., Cawe, S. & van Wyk, B.E. 2016. Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh. 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

Roots are recorded in confiscations (Confiscation List (2010) provided by Cape Nature).

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

Over-exploitation has fragmented its population, creating isolated subpopulations that have a lower chance of recovery. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor.

Reference file
Alepidea amatymbica Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf637.68 KB