Lapeirousia macrospatha

This species has lost habitat due to open cast diamond and heavy mineral sand mining especially within the coastal portion of its range. It has also experienced severe habitat degradation as a result of extensive livestock overgrazing that was particularly severe in the Richtersveld between 2002 and 2016 but is still ongoing in some parts of its range. Abiotic changes linked to global change are currently being experienced in the Richtersveld and are expected to intensify into the future, with observed temperature changes over the past 10 years already reaching those predicted for near future scenarios (2035) (van Wilgen et al. 2016). These climatic changes include changes in wind frequency and direction which have led to substantial movement of the dune systems on which this species occurs. Predictions of future climate change include further increases in annual average temperature of between 1.4 °C and 2.4 °C by 2050, which will result in unbearably hot temperatures (Van Wilgen and Herbst 2017) and decrease in average rainfall of over 40% across the Richtersveld region (Engelbrecht et al. 2024). While extensive habitat degradation across its range is leading to increased availability of sandy plains habitat it is unlikely that this species will be able to colonise these new but continuously shifting habitats. Furthermore the Boegoebaai Port development project being planned for implementation over the next 10 years, which will include the construction of a port for deep sea vessels, railway line and several refineries for oil and other minerals as well as extensive renewable energy facilities to power a green hydrogen plant, is suspected to result in ongoing habitat loss.

This species is not protected by any provincial, national, or international legislation. None of the subpopulations occur within a protected area. According to BGCI (2024), this species is represented in one botanical garden.