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Euryops ericifolius

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asteraceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This taxon is experiencing population decline due to harvesting of wild individuals. Other species of this genus are known to be threatened by illegal collection of wild individuals. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. A declining population size with existing threats 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 Endangered as it is highly range restricted and experiencing population decline due to habitat loss, degradation and harvesting of wild individuals (Raimondo & Turner, 2006). This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that endangered species may be at risk to exploitation.

Raimondo, D. & Turner, R.C. 2006. Euryops ericifolius (Bél.) B.Nord. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

 

 

Population vulnerability
Unknown
Justification and references

This taxon has an extent of occurrence of 119 km² and its population is decreasing (Raimondo & Turner, 2006). Further population data is not available.

Raimondo, D. & Turner, R.C. 2006. Euryops ericifolius (Bél.) B.Nord. 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.
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

Range restriction and several threats of overgrazing, development and harvesting (Raimondo & Turner, 2006) are causing population decline which places the persistence of this species at risk.

Reference file
euryops.pdf546.73 KB
Euryops ericifolius Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf535.43 KB