Encephalartos longifolius

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Zamiaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This taxon is deemed not sensitive. Although this species is known to be exploited and targeted, population loss from illegal harvesting is small. Evidence shows that the Encephalartos genus is in high demand in international trade for ornamental and horticultural purposes as well as local medicinal purposes. The population size is not vulnerable and there is regeneration potential due to possible recruitment and recovery from the many remaining individuals in the wild.
Exploitation extent
Small or insignificant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, but utilisation is localised and/or affects only a small proportion of the wild population.
Justification and references

All South African cycads as well as this species is included in Appendix I of the CITES Convention which lists all species threatened with extinction that are, or may be affected by trade. According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Near Threatened where over-collection from poaching is identified as a threat to wild individuals of this species as well as the continued removal of mature plants in the wild is causing population decline (Donaldson 2009; Donaldson 2003). The IUCN Red List Assessment also notes the decline in population (Donaldson 2010). According to PlantZAfrica, E. longifolius is still well represented in the wild and nurseries are making cultivated plants available for the horticultural trade (Bösenberg 2006). However, a Times Live news article makes mention of the theft and illegal harvesting of Encephalartos longifolius individuals to the equivalent of a truck full (Gous 2017). E. longifolius individuals were also poached on private land in collusion with a cycad syndicate (Okubamichael et al. 2016; Bornman 2015). Cycad species are in trade demand and at risk from illegal collection (Smith 2014; Yeld 2014). Studies present strong evidence of ongoing and accelerating rates of decline in most cycad species due mainly to illegal removal (Okubamichael et al. 2016; Cousins & Witkowski 2017). The CITES trade database has recorded the trade of E. longifolius from 1979 to current with varying trade purposes of commercial, personal, artificial propagation, botanical garden and scientific. The source of E. longifolius specimens have been derived from artificial propagation, taken from the wild, and confiscated or seized. This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk.

Bösenberg, DW. 2006. Encephalartos longifolius (Jacq.) Lehm. PlantZAfrica. Available at: http://pza.sanbi.org/encephalartos-longifolius

Bornman, J. 2015. 27 September 2015. Farmer accused in huge cycad bust. Times Live. Available at: https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/news/2015-09-27-farmer-accused-in-huge-cycad-bust/

Cousins, S.R. and Witkowski, E.T.F., 2017. African cycad ecology, ethnobotany and conservation: a synthesis. The Botanical Review83(2), pp.152-194.

CITES trade statistics derived from the CITES Trade Database, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK.

Donaldson, J.S. 2003. Cycads. Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; Cambridge, UK.

Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos longifolius (Jacq.) Lehm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos longifoliusThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T41935A10604478. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41935A10604478.en

Gous, N. 2017. 7 November 2017. Check out SA's worst environment crimes. Times Live. Available at: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2017-11-07-check-out-sas-worst-environment-crimes/

Okubamichael, D. Y., S. L. Jack, J. D. Bösenberg, M. T. Hoffman & J. S. Donaldson. 2016. Repeat photography confirms alarming decline in south African cycads. Biodiversity Conservation 25(11): 2153–2170.

Smith, D. 2014. 1 September 2014. South Africa's ancient cycad plants under threat from poachers. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/01/ancient-cycad-plants-under-threat-poachers

Yeld, J. 2014. 7 August 2014. Cycad thieves strike again. IOL. Available at: https://www.iol.co.za/news/cycad-thieves-strike-again-1731799

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

According to the IUCN Red List Assessment there are between 7000-15000 individuals remaining in the wild (Donaldson 2010). According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, many subpopulations of the species has been recorded over a range of 7 000 km² with more than 10 locations as well as E. longifolius occurring in large numbers in some locations (Donaldson 2009). This species is still well represented in the wild as populations occurs in a variety of habitats, and within protected areas (Bösenberg 2006).

Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos longifolius (Jacq.) Lehm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos longifoliusThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T41935A10604478. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41935A10604478.en

Bösenberg, D. 2006. Encephalartos longifolius (Jacq.) Lehm. PlantZAfrica. Available at: http://pza.sanbi.org/encephalartos-longifolius

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

Mature plants are removed from the wild as mentioned in the Red List Assessment causing population decline (Donaldson 2009). Live specimens, stems and seeds have been recorded on the CITES trade database.

Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos longifolius (Jacq.) Lehm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

CITES trade statistics derived from the CITES Trade Database, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK.

Regeneration potential
This species has a fast population growth rate, and there is a good chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation.
Justification and references

As there remains many individuals in the wild, recruitment and recovery may be possible (Bösenberg. DW, personal communication 2021, 1 December).