|
Scientific Name | Cheiridopsis pillansii L.Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Cheiridopsis brachystigma L.Bolus, Cheiridopsis crassa L.Bolus, Cheiridopsis gibbosa Schick & Tischer, Cheiridopsis pillansii L.Bolus var. crassa (L.Bolus) G.D.Rowley |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable A4ace |
Assessment Date | 2022/06/03 |
Assessor(s) | D. Raimondo & P.C.V. Van Wyk |
Justification | This species is endemic to the Richtersveld region of the Northern Cape Province, South Africa where it has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 5975 km². While this species still occurs in high numbers and is locally common, the population has been observed to have declined by 20% due to an extended drought that started in 2015 and is still ongoing at the time of assessment. With climate models predicting ongoing aridification and increases in temperatures within this species range, and species in the family Aizoaceae having limited seed dispersal, and requiring reliable rainfall over multiple consecutive years for successful recruitment, this species' population is suspected to decline by a further 20% by 2050 (generation length 15 years). It therefore qualifies for listing as Vulnerable under criterion A. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This species occurs in the Richtersveld from Lekkersing to Springbok. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Desert, Succulent Karoo |
Description | It occurs on quartz flats, often in spongy, saline soils. |
Threats |
| Habitat loss, Habitat degradation, Pollution (affecting habitat and/or species) |
Population |
This is a locally common species, however despite this the population is declining in response to climate change and livestock overgrazing and trampling.
|
Population trend | Decreasing |
Notes |
| This species has been collected for ex situ conservation in the form of seed vouchers which are stored at the Desert Botanic Gardens at Sendelingsdrif. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Cheiridopsis pillansii L.Bolus | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Snijman, D.A. 2013. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
|
Citation |
| Raimondo, D. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2022. Cheiridopsis pillansii L.Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
Comment on this assessment
