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Scientific Name | Conophytum ectypum N.E.Br. subsp. ignavum S.A.Hammer |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered A3d |
Assessment Date | 2021/11/23 |
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 where it is only recorded from two locations with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 160 km² and area of occupancy (AOO) of 24 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 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 taxon. Given its low population size occurring at only two locations a complete decline of 100% of the population is likely within the next three generations (90 years). While climate change is also highly likely to impact this taxon the rapid declines to the population as a result of illegal collection means it qualifies as Critically Endangered under criterion A3. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This succulent is endemic to the Northern Cape province of South Africa where it has a very restricted range. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Bushmanland Inselberg Shrubland, Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland |
Description | The plants are found in both the Richtersveld and the Namaqualand Hardeveld bioregions of the Succulent Karoo biome where they receive winter rainfall. They primarily grow in cracks and crevices amongst larger quartz blocks. This succulent 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 particular taxon is not currently threatened by illegal collection but it is very likely that it will likely become a target in coming years as the majority of other species in the genus have been increasingly targeted since 2019.
There is a decline in habitat quality for this succulent as inferred by changes in vegetation cover determined from changes in Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) between 1984 and 2018 using Landsat data (Venter et al. 2020). While it is not possible to model the response of this taxon to climate change due to its restricted distribution, the average loss to climate change for 15 more widely distributed Conophytum species occurring within the same region is used as an indication of likely impact to this taxon. 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 72% and 99% by 2080 for this taxon. Species in this genus have limited dispersal ability and migration to suitable habitats elsewhere is regarded as highly unlikely. |
Population |
This succulent is only known from two, highly range-restricted, localities where the number of mature individuals is estimated to be fewer than 2,500. This taxon has not yet been impacted by illegal collection but is expected to decline in future given the current increasing demand for succulents from this genus.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum ectypum N.E.Br. subsp. ignavum S.A.Hammer | Rare | 2017.1 | | Conophytum ectypum N.E.Br. subsp. ignavum S.A.Hammer | 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).
Opel, M.R. 2004. The rediscovery of Crassula alcicornis. Haseltonia 10:38-40.
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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 ectypum N.E.Br. subsp. ignavum S.A.Hammer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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