Encephalartos humilis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
PLANTAE	TRACHEOPHYTA	CYCADOPSIDA	CYCADALES	ZAMIACEAE

Scientific Name:

Encephalartos humilis

Species Authority:

I.Verd.

Common Name/s:

English

–

Dwarf Cycad

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2acd; C1 ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

Donaldson, J.S.

Reviewer/s:

Agenbag, L. & Bösenberg, J.D.

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Mostly affected by forestry plantations in its primary habitat, and an estimated 30% of habitat has been lost in the past 60 years. Forestry has slowed, but it is estimated that a further 10% of habitat may be affected in the next 30 years.

History:

2003	–	Vulnerable (IUCN 2003)
2003	–	Vulnerable
1997	–	Vulnerable (Walter and Gillett 1998)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species occurs in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Subpopulations are found in the catchment area of the Crocodile River, in the vicinity of Nelspruit, Waterval Boven and Lydenburg.
Countries:	Native: South Africa (Mpumalanga)
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The estimated population size of E. humilis is 4,500-10,000 mature individuals. The habitat of this species has been transformed through pine and eucalypt plantations that now occupy approximately 30% of its original habitat.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species grows in subalpine grassland, on slopes on sandy soils over sandstones and are often wedged between sandstone rocks. Populations are mostly found on east and northeast facing slopes. Heavy rains and dense mists favour coning.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This species is threatened by the lack of natural fires in vast managed plantations and this possibly suppresses coning frequency. Many plants have also been removed for ornamental purposes.

Major Threat(s):

This species is threatened by the lack of natural fires in vast managed plantations and this possibly suppresses coning frequency. Many plants have also been removed for ornamental purposes.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is listed on Appendix I of the CITES Appendices. Populations are protected in the Mondi Cycad Reserve, Makobulaan Nature Reserve, Wonderkloof Nature Reserve, Buffelskloof Private Nature Reserve, Mbesan Natural Heritage Site and the Coetzeestroom Conservation area.

Conservation Actions:

This species is listed on Appendix I of the CITES Appendices. Populations are protected in the Mondi Cycad Reserve, Makobulaan Nature Reserve, Wonderkloof Nature Reserve, Buffelskloof Private Nature Reserve, Mbesan Natural Heritage Site and the Coetzeestroom Conservation area.

Citation:	Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos humilis. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 June 2013.
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