Olifants River Cycad

The agricultural development of the distribution area of Encephalartos lanatus would have had a minimal effect on the species due to the types of farming practices employed (Fourie 1984). The species was, in the past, also reportedly not popular with cycad collectors as these plants are sensitive to disturbance and any transplanting ends in the death of plants (Goode 1993). However, two changes now pose greater threats to this species. First, since 2015 there has been an increase in illegal collecting and this has now been recorded from a number of sites (T. Steyn pers. comm.) and, second, mining companies have applied for rights to mine in the core of the main distribution area (S. Sidersky pers. comm.)

This species is listed in Appendix I of the CITES Appendices. In Gauteng province, this species is conserved in two private nature reserves and in a natural heritage site. Plants also occur in the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve and in the Botshabelo Nature Reserve. An education and awareness programme as well as the long-term monitoring of subpopulations will support the conservation of this species.