Siphonochilus kilimanensis

Most localities are seriously threatened due to the land use transformation related to the expansion of human settlements, transformation of wetland habitats to agriculture. And because this species is a pyrophytic geophyte, fire does not represent a threat, although this plant occurs in vulnerable habitats to frequent fires.

Several locations have probably disappeared around Beira and Quelimane, although also many of the extensive wetlands still containing populations of this species and are currently in healthy conditions. Note: these wetlands are seem to be threatened by clearing for cultivation of rice and sweet potatoes (J. Burrows pers. obs.).

The most threatened localities are from Angoche, Maganja da Costa districts and two localities from Dondo district. It is probably extinct near Mafambisse and at Manga. The record from near Mafambisse is exactly in the operation area of the Mafambisse sugar factory and plantation, and in Manga the suitable habitat seems to have been cleared due to urbanization development.

There are no specific conservation measures or management plans for this species, although Coutada 12 is being managed by Gorongosa National Park since January 2018 (www.gorongosa.org 2018), so it is likely to be protected here. But even with that, there is no certainty that Gorongosa National Park has already taken over or will take over the area around the lower Chinizua River (south of Coutada 12 ) which holds extensive grassy wetlands very suitable for Siphonochilus kilimanensis.