Hypoxis suffruticosa

This species occurs in the Plateau and Taraba States of Nigeria and in the Adamaoua Region of Cameroon, where the main threat is from trampling and overgrazing by livestock (Onana and Cheek 2011). The two collection sites for this species in the Plateau State of Nigeria, at Vom and the Mongu Forest Reserve, are situated within the Jos Plateau. The area is densely populated, and human activities have resulted in almost all of the area’s natural vegetation being lost or highly degraded (Musa and Jiya 2011, Majekodunmi et al. 2014, WWF 2020). Currently, only a few small areas of natural grassland and savanna-woodland remain, largely in areas that are too inaccessible for human activities (WWF 2020). Indeed, WWF (2020) report the conservation status of the Jos Plateau ecoregion as "critical/endangered". The Jos Plateau is an important area for livestock rearing and has a high concentration of pastoralists (Majekodunmi et al. 2014). Over a million cattle are reported to be reared in the area and overgrazing is causing environmental degradation and erosion (Musa and Jiya 2011, Majekodunmi et al. 2014). Agriculture is also a significant threat in this area (Musa and Jiya 2011, Majekodunmi et al. 2014, WWF 2020). Intensive cultivation is driving vegetation loss on the plateau, and areas of this species’ montane grassland habitat have been converted to farmland (Musa and Jiya 2011, Majekodunmi et al. 2014, WWF 2020). The Jos Plateau is also an important mining centre and open cast tin mining has caused severe degradation of natural vegetation (Alexander 1990, Musa and Jiya 2011, Majekodunmi et al. 2014, WWF 2020).

In the Taraba State, this species has been found at the Gangoro Forest Reserve, the Nguroje Forest Reserve, as well as Chappal Waddi and Gangirwal in the Gotel Mountains. There is limited information available on the threats in the Gangoro Forest Reserve and Nguroje Forest Reserve. However, it has been reported that the town of Nguroje has expanded into the the Nguroje Forest Reserve alongside Eucalyptus plantings and cattle. It is likely that the remaining suitable habitat at this location is minimal (H. Chapman pers. comm. 2020). Livestock rearing and agriculture are practised across the Taraba State and likely pose a threat at these sites (Chapman et al. 2004, Oruonye et al. 2020). 

In the Gotel Mountains, this species has been found in grasslands of both the Nigerian and Cameroonian areas. It is suspected that the plateau grasslands of the Gotel Mountains have been heavily overgrazed by cattle, which has also caused erosion (Chapman et al. 2004, H. Chapman pers. comm. 2020). Similarly, at this species’ site at Tchabal Mbabo in Cameroon, the plateau grasslands have also been heavily grazed and have suffered from erosion, and shifting agriculture is also practiced in the area (Fotso et al. 2001, Chapman 2004, Green 2005). In Cameroon, the species also occurs at Mount Banyo, in an area where livestock raising and agriculture are important activities (Communes et Villes Unies du Cameroun 2020). Additionally, this collection site is situated within a mining concession (Global Forest Watch 2020). The final sites for this species are within the Vina Department of Cameroon at Mount Nganha and 18km south-south-east of Ngaoundéré. Agriculture is an important economic activity across the Vina department (Bell 2007, Bouba et al. 2012, Communes et Villes Unies du Cameroun 2020). Additionally, pastoral activities are practiced across the department, and overgrazing is reported to be widespread (Bouba et al. 2012). Although burning of grasslands is frequent across this species' sites (Onana and Cheek 2011), the species is thought to be a pyrophyte and has frequently been observed growing in burnt areas. Therefore, anthropogenic fires are not thought to represent a significant threat to this species.