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Monsonia herrei

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Geraniaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is threatened by collection of wild individuals for the specialist succulent trade. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. Few known locations and several threats including exploitation makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery may be poor.
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 Endangered as it is known from five locations and is experiencing population decline due to habitat degradation and collection of wild individuals for the specialist succulent trade (von Staden & van Wyk, 2015). Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting.

von Staden, L. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Monsonia herrei (L.Bolus) F.Albers. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.von Staden, L. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Monsonia herrei (L.Bolus) F.Albers. 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

This taxon has an extent of occurrence of 1036 km² and is known from five locations (von Staden & van Wyk, 2015).

von Staden, L. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Monsonia herrei (L.Bolus) F.Albers. 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

Few known locations and several threats including exploitation makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Reference file
Monsonia herrei Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf545.19 KB