Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Aloe vossii Reynolds
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
ASPHODELACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Near Threatened B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v)
Assessment Date
2020/01/27
Assessor(s)
H. Mtshali, P.J.D. Winter & L. von Staden
Justification
Aloe vossii has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1268 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 92 km². It is declining across its range due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation, but is still fairly common, occurring at more than 10 locations. Therefore it nearly meets the criteria threshold for Vulnerable under criterion B.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Limpopo
Range
This species is endemic to the Soutpansberg Mountains in northern Limpopo Province.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld, Soutpansberg Summit Sourveld
Description
It occurs in rocky grassland areas, 1200-1800 m.
Threats
There is ongoing densification of native woody species across large parts of the Soutpansberg, known as bush encroachment, which results in the decline of shade intolerant species. According to Willis and Willis (1995) bush encroachment is impacting subpopulations of A. vossii. The species is also affected by habitat degradation due to inappropriate fire management, overgrazing and alien invasive plants (Willis and Willis 1995). It has lost habitat to commercial timber plantations in the past (Craib 2005), but there is no significant ongoing expansion of timber plantations. There is however ongoing expansion of macadamia plantations across parts of the Soutpansberg. Currently, at least 60% of this species' habitat is irreversibly modified, and loss continues.
Population

Extensive field surveys across the Soutpansberg indicate that this species is fairly common within its range (Hahn 2002), and there are at least 12 locations, but possibly as many as 20. A continuing decline is inferred from ongoing habitat loss and degradation.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Aloe vossii ReynoldsData Deficient (Taxonomically Problematic) Raimondo et al. (2009)
Aloe vossii ReynoldsEN B1B2bcdeVictor (2002)
Aloe vossii ReynoldsRare Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Aloe vossii ReynoldsRare Hall et al. (1980)
Bibliography

Craib, C. 2005. Grass Aloes in the South African Veld. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.


Hahn, N. 2002. Endemic flora of the Soutpansberg. Unpublished MSc, Univeristy of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.


Hahn, N. 2017. Endemic flora of the Soutpansberg, Blouberg and Makgabeng. South African Journal of Botany 113:324-336.


Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.


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.


Smith, G.F., Steyn, E.M.A., Victor, J.E., Crouch, N.R., Golding, J.S. and Hilton-Taylor, C. 2000. Aloaceae: The conservation status of Aloe in South Africa: an updated synopsis. Bothalia 30(2):206-211.


Van Wyk, B.-E. and Smith, G.F. 2014. Guide to the Aloes of South Africa. (Third ed.). Briza Publications, Pretoria.


Victor, J.E. 2002. South Africa. In: J.S. Golding (ed), Southern African plant Red Data Lists. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 14 (pp. 93-120), SABONET, Pretoria.


Willis, C.K. and Willis, C.B. 1995. Notes on the current conservation status of Aloe vossii Reynolds, a threatened endemic of the Northern Province. Aloe 32(2):34-37.


Citation
Mtshali, H., Winter, P.J.D. & von Staden, L. 2020. Aloe vossii Reynolds. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2023/12/03

Comment on this assessment Comment on this assessment
Distribution map


Search for images of Aloe vossii on iNaturalist