Aloe peglerae | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Asphodelaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is experiencing population decline due to the ongoing threat of illegal collection. Aloe species are widely utilised for traditional and medicinal purposes and are also popular in domestic and international horticulture trade. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. Existing threat causing population decline places 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 threatened by widespread, unregulated, unsustainable exploitation of wild populations. 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 Critically Endangered as it is range restricted endemic experiencing population decline due to the ongoing threat of illegal collection (Pfab et al. 2016). According to Pfab (2004), 'A search of the Internet reveals that the plants are commercially sold internationally and reports from the public suggest the existence of an illegal international trade in seed. Though the species is protected in the provincial conservation legislation, plants are illegally removed by public and hikers'. Illegal collection of mature individuals from the wild in combination with seed harvesting for the horticultural trade has resulted in population decline of 43% in 10 years and is expected to reduce by 80% in the next three generations (Pharma et al. 2014; Pfab et al. 2016). A study suggests that current levels of harvesting of the species is unsustainable due to its sensitivity, subpopulation size and slow growth (Pfab & Scholes 2004). There has been several recorded confiscations of the genus from illegal collection (Confiscation Lists (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this species and genus is being targeted and this species may be threatened.

Phama, J.O., Panagos, M.D., Myburgh, W.J. and Pfab, M.F., 2014. The population status of the endangered endemic plant Aloe peglerae: Area of occupancy, population structure, and past population trends. South African Journal of Botany, 93, pp.247-251.

Pfab, M.F. and Scholes, M.A., 2004. Is the collection of Aloe peglerae from the wild sustainable? An evaluation using stochastic population modelling. Biological Conservation, 118(5), pp.695-701.

Pfab, M.F., von Staden, L. & Hahn, N. 2016. Aloe peglerae Schönland. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

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

This taxon has an extent of occurrence of 3415 km², several subpopulations and an estimated population size 70 000 mature individuals in 2004 however this species is experiencing ongoing and rapid population decline (Pfab et al. 2016; Pharma et al. 2014).

Pfab, M.F., von Staden, L. & Hahn, N. 2016. Aloe peglerae Schönland. 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

Mature individuals are removed from the wild and seeds are harvested (Pfab et al. 2016).

Pfab, M.F., von Staden, L. & Hahn, N. 2016. Aloe peglerae Schönland. 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

This species is slow-growing, long lived and sensitive to harvesting (Pfab et al. 2016; Pfab & Scholes, 2004). A study suggests that the levels of harvesting are beyond the sustainable recovery of populations (Pfab & Scholes, 2004). High levels of seed harvesting for the horticultural trade is thought to potentially have a long term impact on the viability of this species, as it limits the population's ability to recover from ongoing, rapid decline (Pfab & Scholes, 2004).

Pfab, M.F. and Scholes, M.A., 2004. Is the collection of Aloe peglerae from the wild sustainable? An evaluation using stochastic population modelling. Biological Conservation, 118(5), pp.695-701.

Pfab, M.F., von Staden, L. & Hahn, N. 2016. Aloe peglerae Schönland. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

Pfab 2016 Aloe peglerae Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf867.77 KB

aloe _ eBay.pdf643.68 KB

Aloe Aucfan.pdf468.22 KB