Assessor: Sarah Schumann
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 of Least Concern as it is threatened by over-collecting with a low population decline and minor habitat reduction (Donaldson 2003). 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). According to the SANBI Red List Assessment this species is abundant however it has a restricted range. Apparently this species is not that popular with collectors (Donaldson 2009). The CITES Trade Database has recorded the trade of the species from 1980-2020 for commercial, personal, scientific purposes. Sourced from artificial propagation, taken from the wild and confiscated or seized.
CITES trade statistics derived from the CITES Trade Database, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK.
Cousins, S.R. and Witkowski, E.T.F., 2017. African cycad ecology, ethnobotany and conservation: a synthesis. The Botanical Review, 83(2), pp.152-194.
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 cycadifolius (Jacq.) Lehm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
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
The IUCN Red List states there is between 20 000-30 000 individuals in the wild however its range is restricted to the Bedford District of the Eastern Cape (Donaldson 2010; Donaldson 2009).
Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos cycadifolius (Jacq.) Lehm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos cycadifolius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T41942A10606926. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41942A10606926.en
According to the CITES Trade Database live individuals and seeds have been traded. Collection of wild individuals is occuring, causing population decline (Donaldson 2003).
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.
Research shows that cycads are generally long-lived, have slow growth rates, produce low numbers of offspring and have infrequent recruitment (Golding & Hurter 2003, Donaldson 2003, Cousins & Witkowski 2017). All groups of Encephalartos experience population decline from removal of adult plants (Donaldson 1995) .Viable seed production in Encephalartos populations tends to decline with decreasing population size (Cousins & Witkowksi 2017). Further research shows that this species is persistent with low recruitment levels and will not likely recover from losses of adults within a time period of less than 100 years (Raimondo & Donaldson 2003). However this species has a large population size which could result in recovery from exploitation (Bösenberg. DW, personal communication 2021, 1 December).
Cousins, S.R. and Witkowski, E.T.F., 2017. African cycad ecology, ethnobotany and conservation: a synthesis. The Botanical Review, 83(2), pp.152-194.
Donaldson, J.S., 1995. Understanding cycad life histories, an essential basis for successful conservation. In: Donaldson, J.S. (Ed.), Cycad Conservation in South Africa, Issues, Priorities and Actions. The Cycad Society of South Africa, Stellenbosch, pp. 8–13.
Donaldson, J.S. 2003. Cycads. Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; Cambridge, UK.
Golding, J.S. and Hurter, P.J.H., 2003. A Red List account of Africa's cycads and implications of considering life-history and threats. Biodiversity & Conservation, 12(3), pp.507-528.
Raimondo, D.C. and Donaldson, J.S. 2003. Responses of cycads with different life histories to the impact of plant collecting: simulation models to determine important life history stages and population recovery times. Biological Conservation 111:345-358.