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Scientific Name | Isoetes aemulans J.P.Roux |
Higher Classification | Ferns |
Family | ISOETACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2019/01/31 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Isoetes aemulans is a widespread species, occurring in small, scattered subpopulations. It is not suspected to be in danger of extinction. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga |
Range | This species occurs in the Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, from Mariepskop to Bushman's Nek. It also occurs in high-lying areas of the eastern Free State and is likely to extend into Lesotho. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Freshwater |
Major habitats | Mooi River Highland Grassland, Basotho Montane Shrubland, Eastern Free State Sandy Grassland, Steenkampsberg Montane Grassland, Northern Escarpment Afromontane Fynbos, Northern Drakensberg Highland Grassland, Southern Drakensberg Highland Grassland |
Description | It occurs in shallow seasonal pans, rock pools and seeps over sheetrock in montane grassland. It occurs predominantly on sandstone formations, rarely extending to basalt. |
Threats |
| The habitat of subpopulations in the Free State, Mpumalanga and the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands are subjected to overgrazing by livestock, but monitoring is needed to determine the impact of grazing on this species. One subpopulation in Mpumalanga occurs near a quarry and is potentially threatened by habitat loss, should the quarry expand. Large areas of suitable habitat is well protected in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, and subpopulations in these areas are not threatened. |
Population |
Isoetes aemulans is a widespread, but localized habitat specialist, known from only a few, widely scattered records. It is likely overlooked, as Isoetes are cryptic and therefore potentially more common than records suggest. The population trend is not known, and monitoring is needed to determine the impact of grazing.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Isoetes aemulans J.P.Roux | LC | 2020.1 | |
Bibliography |
Roux, J.P. 2013. ISOETACEAE: Isoetes aemulans, a new species from South Africa. Bothalia 43(2):218-221.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L. 2019. Isoetes aemulans J.P.Roux. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/09/14 |
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