Drimia barbata

It is threatened by current and future habitat loss and degradation. The subpopulation occurring at Kortdoringberg near Alexander Bay, one of the eight known subpopulations, is in an area where there is opencast mining. Degradation extends far beyond the mining sites due to windblown dust from mining disturbance and exposed mine dumps covering large areas, burying this species' quartz gravel habitat in sand. There are four subpopulations that fall within the footprint of the Boegoebaai Port development project being planned for implementation over the next 10 years. This development includes the construction of a Port for deep sea vessels, railway line and several refineries for oil and other minerals. The hills it is found on, are being targeted to quarry for roads and other infrastructure construction. The subpopulation on the Lüderitz Peninsula is potentially threatened by the proposed development of a harbour port and the Angra Industrial and Desalination Site development to service the green hydrogen projects for the Southern Corridor Development Initiative also proposed for construction within the next decade.

Should the Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen Plant and Port Development planned for South Africa proceed it will be very difficult to mitigate impacts to this species, the only way to avoid impact would be to shift the footprint for the entire development south of Port Nolloth. Similarly the green hydrogen projects for the Southern Corridor Development Initiative planned in Namibia should investigate alternative placements in areas with fewer restricted endemic plant species. There are no ex situ collections available for this species so seed collection is a priority. This is a small and cryptic species easily overlooked however since its required habitat of rocky outcrops are relatively rare within its range targeted fieldwork during flowering time and in appropriate habitat is required in order to establish exactly how many subpopulations remain extant.