Chlorophytum staudtii

Most of the collections of this species have been made on inselbergs to the west of Yaounde, the capital city of Cameroon. Inselbergs are under increasing pressure with human activities impacting inselberg communities both directly, and indirectly through the modification of surrounding habitat (Porembski and Barthlott 2000, Burke 2003). Yaounde has been expanding rapidly as its population increases, and this will be putting increasing pressure on this species’ habitat (Nkwemoh et al. 2017, Nkwemoh and Tchindjang 2018, Google Earth 2020). The growing population has led to an increasing demand for food, and consequently an increase in the conversion of land for agriculture in and around the city (Nkwemoh et al. 2017, Nkwemoh and Tchindjang 2018, Google Earth 2020). There has been significant urban expansion in the N'kolbisson area: the region is now dominated by human settlement and agriculture, and these can be seen encroaching onto the inselbergs (Google Earth 2020). Additionally, a major threat to inselbergs is from the extraction of rocks for infrastructure and development (Onana and Cheek 2011). Inselbergs are formed of granite, a major component of concrete and tarmac, and so are frequently exploited for infrastructure projects (Couch et al. 2019). This species, which grows on rocks, is likely to be particularly vulnerable to this threat. Fires represent another threat to inselberg vegetation, with fires intentionally lit for hunting or amusement or accidentally spreading from slash and burn cultivation (Porembski and Barthlott 2000, Burke 2003). Logging may also pose a threat, with trees felled to be used locally for fuelwood, charcoal, construction, and furniture (Nkwemoh et al. 2017).

In Nigeria, this species has been found in the Adamawa State at Vogel Peak, where habitat has been deteriorating (Hall 1971, Adanu et al. 2011). The area has been heavily cultivated, particularly with yams, by slash and burn farmers (Hall 1971, Adanu et al. 2011). Additionally, Vogel Peak is used extensively for livestock rearing and, alongside overgrazing, annual burning and erosion may pose a threat to this species (Hall 1971, Adanu et al. 2011).

The final site for this species at Kana in the Kasaï-Central Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Both subsistence farming and livestock rearing are important activities in the Kasaï-Central Province and likely pose a threat at this site (Marivoet et al. 2018). Additionally, the collection site is situated near to a mining concession (Global Forest Watch 2020).

There are currently no known ex situ conservation sites for this species (BGCI 2020) and it is not known to occur within any protected areas (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2020). Further research is needed into this species' current distribution and, since its most recent collection was in 1984, its known sites should be revisited to confirm its current presence (Onana and Cheek 2011). Additionally, basic population data should be gathered as a baseline for future monitoring. Research is also needed into its regeneration potential and density so that its management needs can be assessed (Onana and Cheek 2011).