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Scientific Name | Conophytum carpianum L.Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered A3d |
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 |
Justification | This succulent is endemic to the Northern Cape of South Africa where it is only recorded from two localities with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) of 20 km2. The dwarf succulents that comprise this genus have been increasingly targeted by illegal collection in recent years and the vast majority of species are in high demand by collectors. Whilst there is no evidence of illegal collection of this particular species at the time of this submission, closely related species, including some from the immediate area, have been illegally removed from habitat with a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants targeted since 2019. The threat of illegal collection is therefore regarded as very high for this particular species given its restricted range and a decline of up to 90% of the population is likely in the next 10 years. Climate change is also impacting the population although there is uncertainty of the response given the expected resilience of this taxon. It therefore qualifies as Critically Endangered under criterion A3. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to a small part of the Northern Cape province of South Africa where it is only found in two locations with a restricted geographic range |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Goariep Mountain Succulent Shrubland |
Description | This species is restricted to a small area of the Richtersveld bioregion of the Succulent Karoo biome which experiences winter rainfall. It is endemic to Gariep Mountain Succulent Shrubland. The plants occupy a niche habitat, typically growing on steep, moss covered granite slopes where they often sit in exfoliation joints, sheltering under rock lips or embedded in moss. 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 |
| Whilst there is no evidence of illegal collection of this species it is potentially threatened by illegal collection for the international ornamental succulent trade. Taxa across this genus have been and continue to be targeted by poachers as species across this genus are increasingly popular in cultivation. This species is thus likely to be a target in coming years. There is evidence of substantial illegal collection of succulents in this region since 2019. Despite the remote location the localised distribution makes this species vulnerable to collection pressure.
Anthropogenic climate change is a long-term threat to this species. While it is not possible to model the response of this species to climate change due to its restricted distribution, the average loss to climate change for 21 more widely distributed Conophytum species occurring within the same region is used as an indication of likely impact 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 86% by 2080 for Conophytum taxa within the region. However, as this taxon occurs in a very sheltered habitat 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 |
This species can be locally abundant, however, in response to an extended drought in the Richtersveld that started in 2016 and is still ongoing at the time of assessment, the population is suspected to be declining. No formal estimate of the population size has been made but is probably in the range 1,500-2,500 mature individuals. The area is remote and relatively poorly explored so this may be an underestimate.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum carpianum L.Bolus | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Conophytum carpianum L.Bolus | Lower Risk - Near Threatened | Victor (2002) | | Conophytum carpianum L.Bolus | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
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. 2021. Conophytum carpianum L.Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
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