Stangeria eriopus | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Zamiaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This taxon is sensitive as it is threatened with illegal collection of wild individuals, causing population decline. Evidence shows that this species is in high demand for local medicinal purposes. The species has a small remaining population size with multiple existing threats, making it vulnerable to further population loss. Releasing data on this species can 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 ongoing population decline due to harvesting of wild individuals for traditional medicinal trade as well as habitat loss (Williams et al. 2008; Peckover, 2007; Williams, 2007). This taxon is thought to be over-exploited throughout a large proportion of its range (Scott-Shaw, 1999). Indications show that this species is scarce, declining and targeted by collectors (Williams et al. 2008).

Peckover, R.G. 2007. Seen at a herbal market in Johannesburg. Veld & Flora 93(1):10.

Scott-Shaw, C.R. 1999. Rare and threatened plants of KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring regions. KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service, Pietermaritzburg

Williams, V.L., Witkowski, T.F. and Balkwill, K. 2007. Volume and financial value of species traded in the medicinal plant markets of Gauteng, South Africa. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 14(6):584-603.

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2008. Stangeria eriopus (Kunze) Baill. 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 lost 20% of its habitat over three generations (150 years) and has lost 10-20% of its population with further decline expected (Williams et al. 2008). This species is at rick of localized extinctions (Bösenberg. DW, personal communication 2021, 1 December).

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

Harvesting is proving to cause population decline (Williams et al. 2008).

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

Several threats and ongoing decline places the persistence of this species at risk as well as being vulnerable to over-exploitation (Williams et al. 2008). It is not likely the entire extant population will be removed (Bösenberg. DW, personal communication 2021, 1 December).

Reference file

Stangeria eriopus Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf698.01 KB