Reason for the sensitivity status
In Namibia, this species is threatened by collecting for the succulent trade and parts of this species' range is under collecting pressure. Plants are easily grown in cultivation. Few known locations of occurrence with several existing threats including exploitation makes this species vulnerable to population loss. Recruitment and recovery 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 Vulnerable as it is known from 6 locations that are experiencing population decline due to habitat loss and degradation (von Staden, 2015). In Namibia, this species is threatened by collecting for the succulent trade and parts of this species' range is under collecting pressure (von Staden, 2015). Plants are however easily grown in cultivation (von Staden, 2015).
von Staden, L. 2015. Stapeliopsis neronis Pillans. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
Population vulnerability
Population is not vulnerable: size is > 2500 mature individuals, AND the number of known subpopulations is > 5 AND range > 100km2
Justification and references
This taxon is not endemic to South Africa, has an extent of occurrence of 1623 km² and is known from 6 locations (von Staden, 2015).
von Staden, L. 2015. Stapeliopsis neronis Pillans. 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 of occurrence with several existing threats including exploitation (von Staden, 2015), places the persistence of this species at risk whereby recruitment and recovery may be poor.
von Staden, L. 2015. Stapeliopsis neronis Pillans. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
