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Scientific Name | Conophytum breve N.E.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Conophytum breve N.E.Br. var. minor L.Bolus, Conophytum doornense N.E.Br., Conophytum membranaceum L.Bolus, Conophytum paucipunctum Tischer, Conophytum pumilum N.E.Br., Conophytum pygmaeum Schick & Tischer, Conophytum subtile N.E.Br. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable A3ce+4ad |
Assessment Date | 2021/11/16 |
Assessor(s) | A.J. Young, P.G. Desmet, I. Ebrahim, D. Guo, A. Harrower, L. Jabar, L. Knoetze, C. Rodgerson, P.C.V. Van Wyk & N.N. Mhlongo |
Justification | This succulent is endemic to the Northern Cape province of South Africa and has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 16,491 km² and area of occupancy (AOO) of 332 km². The population is experiencing initial levels of decline due to the illegal ornamental succulent plant trade, with collection likely to increase as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants targeted since 2019. The continued threat of illegal collection is therefore regarded as very high for this particular species. The species is well distributed across its range, usually as scattered individuals or small colonies of a handful of individuals. This may limit substantial declines in the overall population and a decline of 30-49% is likely within the next three generations (90 years). Climate change is also likely to negatively impact the population although there is uncertainty of the response given the expected resilience of this species. Thus while model predictions place this species in the category Endangered under criterion A3, predicting a 56% decline by the year 2080, we have decreased the expected population reduction by 20% to 36%. Suspected declines due to illegal collection and climate change places the species in the category Vulnerable under criteria A3 and A4. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Northern Cape province of South Africa where it is widespread. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Succulent Karoo |
Description | This species is widespread in both the Succulent Karoo and Desert biomes, primarily within the Richtersveld, Namaqualand Hardeveld and Gariep Desert bioregions. It is found across 18 vegetation units. Plants are well dispersed and typically found in small clusters in shallow grit pans on weathered gneiss, but are also found on other rock types such as granite. Plants can also be found in partial shade near rocks or larger shrubs. This species has a generation length of 30 years. It is expected to be sensitive to the impacts of climate change as it does not disperse and while adapted to arid conditions, is dependent on limited seasonal rainfall. Species in the genus are sensitive to long periods of drought. Drought related mortality has been observed for other closely related taxa within the genus. |
Threats |
| This species is currently threatened by illegal collection for the international trade in ornamental succulents. This is likely to increase in future as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants targeted since 2019. A decline of at least 30% of the population is likely due to collection over three generations.
Anthropogenic climate change is a long-term threat to this species. Climate models for the likely emission scenarios where emissions stay at present day levels (RCP 2.6) (Hausfather and Peters 2020) and worst case scenarios where emissions continue to increase during the 21st century (RCP 8.5) indicate that there will be a loss of suitable bioclimatic envelope of between 56% and 98% by 2080 for this species. However, as this taxon possesses certain morphological traits likely to afford resilience to xerophytic conditions and is found across several vegetation units it is expected to have a level of resilience to climate change and the expected population loss is reduced by 20% to 36%. Species in this genus have limited dispersal ability and migration to suitable habitats elsewhere is regarded as highly unlikely. |
Population |
There is no estimate of population size for this species but is probably well in excess of 25,000 mature individuals. The population is currently declining due to illegal harvesting to supply the ornamental succulent plant trade.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum breve N.E.Br. | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Hammer, S. 2002. Dumpling and his wife: New view of the genus Conophytum. EAE Creative Colour, Norwich.
Hammer, S.A. 1993. The genus Conophytum: A conograph. Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
Hausfather, Z. and Peters, G.P. 2020. Emissions - the 'business as usual' story is misleading. Nature 577(618-620).
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Citation |
| Young, A.J., Desmet, P.G., Ebrahim, I., Guo, D., Harrower, A., Jabar, L., Knoetze, L., Rodgerson, C., Van Wyk, P.C.V. & Mhlongo, N.N. 2021. Conophytum breve N.E.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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