Xyris festucifolia

The main threat to Xyris festucifolia is activities associated with mining projects, that has led to a decline in habitat quality, especially on Nimba Mountain, where the subpopulation is situated both within and outside the limits of a mining concession. Should an exploitation decision be made in Nimba Mountain, part of the subpopulation of this species is expected to disappear due to mining activities. Interestingly, it has not been reported from Simandou, though similar habitats also occur there (high altitude bowe and marshes). The subpopulations of Loma and Tingi Mountains do not show any evidence of direct threat. The subpopulation of Macenta, Kounounkan and Langbalima (Guinea) are also threatened by grazing and human-induced fires, that induce a decline in habitat quality.

Xyris festucifolia is known from three protected areas: the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve in Guinea, the Loma Mountains National Park and the Tingi Hills (Sankan Biriwa) in Sierra Leone. However, since the species is threatened by grazing from livestock and mining activities, various conservation measures should be considered. First, it should be sought in other places, such as the Liberian and Ivorian part of the Nimba Mountains protected areas and the Simandou range in Guinea to increase knowledge of its full distribution. Second, it should be regarded as an HCV1 species (High Conservation Value), and as a consequence should be included in the management plan of the industrial concessions within which it occurs. Third, ex situ conservation should be tested, both within the countries where it occurs, and internationally. Finally, a public awareness campaign must be conducted targeting industrial companies and other private actors, NGOs, scientific institutions, and the different governments to ensure that X. festucifolia is taken into consideration when decisions are made that could impact its conservation.