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Scientific Name | Gazania schenckii O.Hoffm. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ASTERACEAE |
Synonyms | Gazania aculeata Muschl. ex Dinter, Gazania suffruticosa Muschl. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered C2a(i) |
Assessment Date | 2022/10/15 |
Assessor(s) | D. Raimondo, P.C.V. Van Wyk & N.A. Helme |
Justification | A species that is restricted to the northern coastal region of the Ricthersvled in South Africa and the Sperrgebiet region of Nambia. Within South Africa it has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 15 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 12 km². It is known from three subpopulations all of which have fewer than 30 plants. The population is declining as a result of livestock grazing and the impacts of a prolonged and severe drought. It therefore qualifies for listing as Critically Endangered under criterion C. Since Namibia's subpopulations are also suspected to be declining due to drought, its national status is not downgraded. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | It is found from Lüderitz in Namibia to just south of Alexander Bay in South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Desert |
Description | It grows on coastal plains and on wind blown dunes inland from the coast. |
Threats |
| In the South African portion of its range all three known subpopulations are threatened. One occurs in the Richtersveld National Park where it is threatened by livestock grazing and mortality as a result of a severe drought that started in 2012 and is still ongoing at the time of assessment. The two other subpopulations within South Africa fall within the footprint of the Boegoebaai Port development project being planned for implementation over the next 10 years. This development includes the construction of a Port for deep sea vessels, railway line and several refineries for oil and other minerals. Both subpopulations are likely to be lost as a result of this development. |
Population |
Only three subpopulations have been found in South Africa, all of which have 30 or fewer mature individuals. The sizes of the subpopulations that occur in Nambia are unknown. The population is declining as a result of livestock grazing and drought. Decline in the future is expected to accelerate since two of the three subpopulations in South Africa occur within the proposed area for the large industrial Boegoebaai Port development.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Gazania schenckii O.Hoffm. | 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.
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Citation |
| Raimondo, D., Van Wyk, P.C.V. & Helme, N.A. 2022. Gazania schenckii O.Hoffm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
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