Aloidendron dichotomum | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Asphodelaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is experiencing population decline due wild harvesting for horticultural trade. This genus is in demand and of popular interest. As this species is vulnerable and experiencing several threats, recruitment and recovery 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 experiencing population decline due to threats of climate change, habitat degradation and wild harvesting for horticultural trade (Foden, 2018). This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. This species and others have been confiscated from illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2018-2022) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and this species may be at risk.

Foden, W. 2018. Aloidendron dichotomum (Masson) Klopper & Gideon.F.Sm. 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

Population size is unknown but it is deemed vulnerable with a declining population size. Climate change models substantiated by repeat photography predicts a 36% reduction in 100 years (Foden et al. 2007).

Foden, W., Midgley, G.F., Hughes, G., Bond, W.J., Thuiller, W., Hoffman, M.T., Kaleme, P., Underhill, L.G., Rebelo, A.G. and Hannah, L. 2007. A changing climate is eroding the geographical range of the Namib Desert tree Aloe through population declines and dispersal lags. Diversity and Distributions 13:645-653.

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

Whole individuals are harvested (Foden, 2018).

Foden, W. 2018. Aloidendron dichotomum (Masson) Klopper & Gideon.F.Sm. 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 has a large dispersal distance and is bird pollinated however mortality of individuals in northern subpopulations makes this species vulnerable to further loss (Foden, 2018).

Foden, W. 2018. Aloidendron dichotomum (Masson) Klopper & Gideon.F.Sm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

aloidendron _ eBay.pdf638.69 KB

Aloidendron dichotomum Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf635.49 KB