Chlorophytum benuense

The main threats to this species are from trampling by cattle, conversion of habitat for cultivating food crops, artificial burning of grassland and woodland, and the construction of the Lagdo dam (Onana and Cheek 2011, Google Earth 2020). This species has been collected twice near to the Benue river in the North region of Cameroon, in an area where human activity has historically alternated between subsistence agriculture and livestock raising, in accordance with the natural flood rhythm (Tchotsoua et al. 2008). However, in 1982 the Lagdo dam and reservoir was constructed on the Benue river (Tchotsoua et al. 2008, Toro 1997). One collection from 1905 (Ledermann #4349) was in the locality that is now occupied by the Lagdo reservoir, and therefore the species is unlikely to remain in this locality (Toro 1997, Google Earth 2020). Even if this species does remain here, it may be threatened by further flooding events and farming, as it is at the other collection site on the river. The dam has altered the hydrological cycle and multiple flooding events have occurred in the area since its construction (Tchotsoua et al. 2008, Toro 1997). This flooding is further exacerbated by the clearance of land for agriculture and pasture, which has been increasing as the population in the area has been growing (Tchotsoua et al. 2008, Toro 1997). Overgrazing in the area has also increased the levels of erosion (Tchotsoua et al. 2008). This species has also been collected in the Maroua 1st commune of the Extreme North region of Cameroon. The main activity of the local population is agriculture, and this consists of the growing food crops, cash crops, tubers, and fruit trees (Communes et Villes Unies du Cameroun 2020). In particular, the soils around the seasonal streams in the area (the mayos) attract intensive agricultural activities (Communes et Villes Unies du Cameroun 2020). However, floods and agriculture activities around the mayos has contributed to erosion (Communes et Villes Unies du Cameroun 2020). Fulani people also graze livestock in the region, and trampling by these animals poses a threat this species (Communes et Villes Unies du Cameroun 2020, Onana and Cheek 2011). This species has also been collected in the Central African Republic between Bozoum and Bouar, in an area which is subject to agriculture and pastoral activities. Agricultural activity is visible in satellite images of this region, particularly near to the settlements in the area, many of which are along the main road between Bozoum and Bouar (Google Earth 2020). As the precise collection of this species is uncertain, it is unknown to what affect agriculture will affect the species in this area. With the recent approval of "The Project to Revitalize Crop and Livestock Production in the Savannah" (PREPAS), there are increasing efforts to strengthen agriculture and pastoral production in areas including Bouar, and possibly later expanding to Bozoum (IFAD 2018). Therefore, it is likely that agropastoral activities in the area will increase. 

This species is not known to occur within any protected areas and there are currently no known ex-situ conservation sites for this species (Protected Planet 2020, BGCI 2020). Most collections of this species were in the early 1900s, and therefore surveys are needed to confirm the species' current distribution and its population size and density. This will allow the threats to this species and its regeneration potential to be assessed, as well as allowing its conservation needs to be addressed.