Encephalartos umbeluziensis
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| PLANTAE |
TRACHEOPHYTA |
CYCADOPSIDA |
CYCADALES |
ZAMIACEAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Encephalartos umbeluziensis |
| Species Authority: |
R.A.Dyer |
|
Common Name/s:
|
Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Endangered
B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v); C1
ver 3.1
|
| Year Published: |
2010 |
| Assessor/s: |
Bösenberg, J.D. |
| Reviewer/s: |
Donaldson, J.S. & Achenbag, L. |
| Contributor/s: |
|
Justification:
Originally classified as Vulnerable in 2003, but qualifies as Endangered based on small extent of occurrence (336 km²) and area of occupancy, occurrence at <5 locations and and ongoing decline due to habitat loss and removal of plants. Also qualifies as Endangered under criterion C1 due to population size being <2,500 mature individuals and ongoing decline that is estimated to exceed 20% over two generations (capped at 100 years from now).
|
| History: |
| 2003 |
– |
Vulnerable
(IUCN 2003)
|
| 2003 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 1997 |
– |
Vulnerable
(Walter and Gillett 1998)
|
|
Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
This species occurs in a number of localities in Mozambique and Swaziland. The population is restricted to the valley of the Umbeluzi River. Occurs from 50 to 120 m asl. |
| Countries: |
Native: Mozambique; Swaziland |
| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
Population
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| Population: |
The population is thought to number between 1,000 and 1,500 mature individuals.
|
| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
|
Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
This species is found in the shade of low scrub woodland or in relatively dry savanna and bushveld. To the west the plants are found in valleys and further eastwards towards Mozambique they occur on the floodplains of rivers.
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
Illegal removal of plants from the wild has been recorded, even within reserves.
|
Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
This species is listed on Appendix I of the CITES Appendices. Populations are protected in the Mlawula Nature Reserve in Swaziland.
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