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Scientific Name | Astridia vanheerdei L.Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered A4ace |
Assessment Date | 2022/06/03 |
Assessor(s) | D. Raimondo, P.C.V. Van Wyk & N.A. Helme |
Justification | A restricted (area of occupancy of 12 km²) endemic found only in the Gariep Valley of South Africa. It is known from two locations and is experiencing rapid ongoing decline to its population due to mining and the impacts of climate change. The population has declined by 60% since 1985 and is projected to decline by a further 50% by 2045 (generation length 20 years), it therefore qualifies for listing as Critically Endangered under criterion A4. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This species occurs in a small area near Kuboes, in the Richtersveld region of the Northern Cape, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Desert, Succulent Karoo |
Description | It grows in rocky alluvial schist and in dolomite hills and outcrops. |
Threats |
| This species is severely threatened by mining, 20% of the population has been lost since 1985 to mining activities. It has also been impacted by the most severe drought on record for this region, which started in 2015 and is still ongoing at the time of assessment. Between 30 and 40% of mature individuals have been lost to drought. One of the two subpopulations will experience ongoing loss to mining resulting in a further 20% future decline. Climate models predict ongoing aridification of the region. |
Population |
There are two known subpopulations, one occurs at Bloedrif and the other at Baken. The subpopulation at Bloedrif consists of around 10 000 mature individuals. It is also the type locality for the species. At Baken the subpopulation consists of around 2000 individuals. The population is declining due to mining and drought-related mortality.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Astridia vanheerdei L.Bolus | Data Deficient | 2015.1 | | Astridia vanheerdei L.Bolus | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Astridia vanheerdei L.Bolus | Insufficiently Known | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Glen, H.F. 1986. Numerical taxonomic studies in the subtribe Ruschiinae (Mesembryanthemaceae) - Astridia, Acrodon and Ebracteola. Bothalia 16(2):203-226.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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.
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Citation |
| Raimondo, D., Van Wyk, P.C.V. & Helme, N.A. 2022. Astridia vanheerdei L.Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
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