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Scientific Name | Drimia barbata J.C.Manning & J.M.J.Deacon |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | HYACINTHACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered A3ce+4ace |
Assessment Date | 2022/06/25 |
Assessor(s) | H. Mtshali & P.C.V. Van Wyk |
Justification | This dwarf deciduous species is rare and has a restricted range in northern Namaqualand. It is known from three locations, and the population is currently declining due to habitat degradation from open-cast mining. The entire population is projected to be lost by the year 2050 as a result of the planned Boegoebaai Port development project. This species' generation length is suspected to be 10 years. It therefore qualifies for listing as Critically Endangered under criterion A. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | It has a restricted distribution near Alexander Bay in the northern Namaqualand. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Northern Richtersveld Yellow Duneveld, Western Gariep Lowland Desert |
Description | This dwarf deciduous plant grows in rock crevices exposed to coastal fog. |
Threats |
| This species is highly threatened by current and future habitat loss and degradation. The subpopulation occurring at Kortdoringberg near Alexander Bay, one of the three known subpopulations, is in an area where there is open-cast mining. Degradation extends far beyond the mining sites due to windblown dust from mining disturbance and exposed mine dumps covering large areas, burying this species' quartz gravel habitat in sand.
The remaining two subpopulations 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. Even though two of the hills it is found on, are marked as protected areas for the Boegoebaai project, the pollutants from this development will most likely kill all plants on Boegoeberg. |
Population |
This species is localised, known from only three subpopulations with one of these currently declining due to habitat degradation from open-cast mining. The entire population is expected to be lost within the next 20 years due to future infrastructure and mining developments.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Bibliography |
Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2018. Systematics of Drimia Jacq. (Hyacinthaceae: Urgineoideae) in southern Africa. Strelitzia 40. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
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Citation |
| Mtshali, H. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2022. Drimia barbata J.C.Manning & J.M.J.Deacon. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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