|
Scientific Name | Ruschia inconspicua L.Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Mesembryanthemum latens N.E.Br. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2022/08/05 |
Assessor(s) | P.C.V. Van Wyk, N.A. Helme, S. Loots & D. Raimondo |
Justification | A restricted range endemic to the Richtersveld region of South Africa and Sperrgebiet region of Namibia, this species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) in South Africa of 107 km² and an area of occupancy (A00) of 16 km². Known from only three locations, the population is currently declining as a result of loss of habitat to mining and mortality due to drought. It therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered under criterion B. This species also occurs on the Namibian side of the Orange river however the population is experiencing similar pressure from mining and mortality from drought, there is therefore no adjustment of its regional status. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This species occurs in southern Sperrgebiet region in Namibia and lower Gariep Valley in South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Desert |
Description | It grows on rocky hill slopes and summits. |
Threats |
| It has been negatively impacted by an extended drought which started in 2012 and is still ongoing at the time of assessment. Predictions of future climate change include further increases in annual average temperature of between 1.4°C and 2.4°C by 2050,
which will result in further aridification and unbearably hot temperatures throughout significant portions of the year (Van Wilgen et al, 2017). It is also losing habitat throughout its range as a result of diamond mining activities. |
Population |
The population is declining as a result of habitat loss to mining and loss of mature individuals caused by drought.
|
Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Ruschia inconspicua 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.
Van Wilgen, N.J. and Herbst, M. 2017. Taking stock of parks in a changing world: The SANParks Global Environmental Change Assessment. SANParks, Cape Town.
|
Citation |
| Van Wyk, P.C.V., Helme, N.A., Loots, S. & Raimondo, D. 2022. Ruschia inconspicua L.Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
Comment on this assessment
