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Scientific Name | Psammophora modesta (Dinter & A.Berger) Dinter & Schwantes |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Mesembryanthemum modestum Dinter & A.Berger |
Common Names | Gomvy (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable A2ace+4ace; B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2022/08/06 |
Assessor(s) | P.C.V. Van Wyk, N.A. Helme & D. Raimondo |
Justification | A species restricted to the Sperregebiet region of southern Namibia and the Richtersveld region of South Africa, it has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 5063km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 80 km² in South Africa. It is known from eight locations, and has experienced a 30% decline to the population since the year 1990 as a result of mining, climate linked drought mortality and severe livestock overgrazing in parts of its range. Further decline is predicted due to planned green hydrogen infrastructure projects as well as ongoing loss to climate change. An overall loss of between 30 and 50% of the population in a shifting time period from 1990 and 2045 is suspected (generation length 15 years). This species therefore qualifies for listing as Vulnerable under criteria A and B. In Namibia the population is experiencing similar pressure from mining and mortality from drought, there is therefore no adjustment of its regional status. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This species has a restricted distribution in Lüderitz and Sperrgebiet region of southern Namibia to the lower Gariep Valley in South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Desert |
Description | It grows in gravel or in sand-filled pockets. |
Threats |
| There is also mining activity happening within its range in Namibia. Furthermore the population is declining due to climate change. Its entire range has experienced below average rainfall since 2012. 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 and ongoing aridification throughout significant portions of the year (Van Wilgen et al. 2017). Within South Africa it has also lost habitat to severe overgrazing by livestock between the years 2002 and 2014. |
Population |
The population is declining. In South Africa about 20% of its habitat has been destroyed by mining, and another 10% has been severely impacted by grazing, resulting in a suspected 30% decline to the South African portion of the population over the past 22 years. Since this species can recruit easily, matures relatively rapidly, and disperses over long distances some resilience to the impacts of climate change are expected. However further significant loss of habitat is likely from the planned Green Hydrogen projects, in both South Africa and Namibia. An overall loss of between 30 and 50% of the population is thus suspected to take place between 1990 and 2035.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Psammophora modesta (Dinter & A.Berger) Dinter & Schwantes | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Snijman, D.A. 2013. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Van Wilgen, N.J. and Herbst, M. 2017. Taking stock of parks in a changing world: The SANParks Global Environmental Change Assessment. SANParks, Cape Town.
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Citation |
| Van Wyk, P.C.V., Helme, N.A. & Raimondo, D. 2022. Psammophora modesta (Dinter & A.Berger) Dinter & Schwantes. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/01/17 |
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