Natal Cycad
Encephalartos natalensisR.A.Dyer & I.Verd.
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Pays · région · aire protégée · écorégion · biome
Graphe en cours d’indexation
Calcul du tissu écologique de Encephalartos natalensis.
Le graphe apparaîtra automatiquement dès que le calcul est terminé (rafraîchissement toutes les 5s).
Liste rouge IUCN
VU · Vulnérablecritères A2acd↘Décroissante- Évaluation
- 2022 · v3.1
- Altitude
- 200 – 1200 m
- Profondeur
- – m
État de la populationTexte officiel évaluation IUCNExpert
There are numerous subpopulations scattered throughout its range, with the number of mature individuals suspected to be between 8,300 and 12,000, but the actual population numbers are difficult to obtain for this widespread species. There has, however, been huge pressure placed on most subpopulations due to the collection of plant material for the trade in traditional medicine. Between 60% and 80% of samples analysed from two of the biggest traditional medicine markets were collected from this species (Cousins et al. 2011), and several large subpopulations have been reduced by >50% due to bark harvesting (C. Dalzell pers. comm.). Repeat photographs taken in 2014 showed a reduction of 40% from sites first photographed between 1945 and 1970 (Okubamichael et al. 2016). This species occurs in naturally fragmented subpopulations and most of the remaining subpopulations are on cliffs (B. Church pers. comm. 2011).
Menaces identifiées(2 menaces classées CMP-IUCN)
3_2Mining & quarryingUnknownMinority (<50%)Ongoing5_2_1Intentional use (species is the target)Slow, Significant DeclinesMajority (50-90%)Ongoing
Description complète des menacesTexte détaillé évaluation IUCNExpert
As with most species of Encephalartos in South Africa, removal of mature plants by plant collectors was historically the main threat and still continues albeit at a lower level. Several subpopulations have been impacted by collecting and bark harvesting for medicinal purposes, in some cases severely so. For example, the plants at the type locality at Monteseel have been debarked resulting in mortality and subpopulations near Pietermaritzburg have declined by more than 50% due to bark harvesting. Habitat destruction due to mining activities may also be a threat.
Habitats préférentiels (classification IUCN)
1_5Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry6Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks)
Mesures de conservation recommandéesStratégies de conservation IUCNExpert
This species is listed in Appendix I of the CITES Appendices. Subpopulations occur in the following reserves: Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, iGwala-Gwala (Natural Heritage Site), Rendsburg Cycad Colony (Natural Heritage Site), Mgwahumbe (Natural Heritage Site) and Hope Valley (Natural Heritage Site). An education and awareness programme linked to medicinal use, as well as the long-term monitoring of subpopulations, will support the conservation of this species.
Actions de conservation (2)Conservation Actions Classification Scheme — IUCNExpert
1_2Resource & habitat protection4_3Awareness & communications
Stress écologiques (3)Stresses Classification — IUCNExpert
1_1Ecosystem conversion1_2Ecosystem degradation2_1Species mortality
Usage & commerce (2)Use & Trade — IUCNExpert
13Pets/display animals, horticultureinternationalnational3Medicine - human & veterinarysubsistance
Priorités de recherche (3)Research Needed Classification — IUCNExpert
1_2Population size, distribution & trends2_3Harvest & Trade Management Plan3_1Population trends
Niche IUCN globaleRealms · Systems · LMEs · Growth forms · FAOs — biogéographie IUCNExpert
Royaumes biogéographiques
Afrotropical
Systèmes (terrestre/eau douce/marin)
Terrestrial
Formes de croissance
CycadTree - large
Références bibliographiques (9)Sources scientifiques de l'évaluation IUCNExpert
- IUCN. 2023. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2023-1. Available at: <a href="www.iucnredlist.org">www.iucnredlist.org</a>. (Accessed: 07 December 2023).
- IUCN. 2022. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2022-1. Available at: <a href="www.iucnredlist.org">www.iucnredlist.org</a>. (Accessed: 21 July 2022).
- Okubamichael, D.Y., Jack, S., Bösenberg, J.D., Hoffman, M.T. and Donaldson, J.S. 2016. Repeat photography confirms alarming decline in South African cycads. <i>Biodiversity and Conservation</i> 25: 2153–2170.
- Cousins, S.R., Williams, V.L. and Witkowski, E.T.F. 2011. Quantifying the trade in cycads (<i>Encephalartos</i> species) in the traditional medicine markets of Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa. <i>Economic Botany</i> 65: 356-370.
- Grobbelaar, N. 2002. <i>CYCADS - with special reference to the southern African species</i>. Privately published by Nat Grobbelaar, Pretoria, South Africa.
- Goode, D. 2001. <i>Cycads of Africa</i>. D & E Cycads of Africa, Gallo Manor, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Scott-Shaw, C.R. 1999. <i>Rare and Threatened Plants of KwaZulu-Natal and Neighbouring Regions</i>. KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Services, Pietermaritzburg.
- Donaldson, J.S. 1995. Understanding cycad life histories- an essential basis for conservation. In: Donaldson, J.S. (ed.), <i>Cycad Conservation in South Africa- Issues, actions and priorities</i>, pp. 8-13. Cycad Society of South Africa.
- Goode, D. 1989. <i>Cycads of Africa</i>. Struik Winchester, Cape Town.
Évaluateurs & contributeurs (3)Personnes ayant contribué à l'évaluation IUCNExpert
assessor
Bösenberg, J.D.
contributor
Donaldson, J.S.
evaluator
Donaldson, J.S.
⚠ 1 erratum publié après l'évaluation.
Bösenberg, J.D. 2022. Encephalartos natalensis (errata version published in 2023). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T41937A243430704. Accessed on 05 May 2026.
Distribution mondiale
Calcul de la distribution GBIF· ~10–60 s
Phénologie
Calcul du calendrier d'apparition· ~5–30 s
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