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 mostly threatened by habitat loss and is not a popular species for trade as it is sensitive to disturbance and transplanting (Donaldson 2009). 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 the species from 1979-2019 for commercial, personal, scientific, artificial propagation and botanical garden purposes. Sourced from artificial propagation, and taken from the wild.
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 lanatus Stapf & Burtt Davy. 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
According to the IUCN Red List, there are 70 000-80 000 mature individuals remaining in the wild (Donaldson 2010). The species has a restricted range with highly fragmented subpopulations. Extent of occurrence is 1 100 km² and area of occupancy is 100 km² (Donaldson 2009). The species is found in two private nature reserves and a World Heritage Site.
Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos lanatus Stapf & Burtt Davy. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos lanatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T41933A10603740. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41933A10603740.en
This species is abundant however subpopulations are highly fragmented and two subpopulations are threatened which could lead to population decline (Donaldson 2009; Golding & Hurter 2003). If exploitation were to occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.
Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos lanatus Stapf & Burtt Davy. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
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.