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Scientific Name | Aloe nicholsii Gideon F.Sm. & N.R.Crouch |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | ASPHODELACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(i,ii); D |
Assessment Date | 2019/05/06 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | This species is known from one small subpopulation numbering fewer than 100 mature individuals, confined to a small fragment (EOO and AOO <1 km²) amidst timber plantations, and declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. About 30% of this species habitat is already irreversibly modified, and it is likely that more remaining subpopulations could still be found, but more surveys are needed to confirm the precise extent and population size of this species. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | It is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal, where it occurs between Babanango and Eshowe. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Midlands Mistbelt Grassland |
Description | Plants grow in rocky grassland. |
Threats |
| At least 30% of Northern Zululand Sourveld between Babanango and Eshowe has already been irreversibly modified, with loss predominantly to timber plantations. In addition, expanding rural settlements, subsistence agriculture, overgrazing and too frequent fire is causing ongoing degradation of remaining fragments. Several known subpopulations have been lost to habitat degradation in the past decade, and is likely to continue. This species is not known to occur in any formally protected areas, but may be present within the Ophate Game Reserve (Smith and Crouch 2010). |
Population |
It is currently known from a single small subpopulation of about 100 plants within a grassland fragment. Observations in the 1990s indicate that it was formerly more common within this area, but none of these subpopulations could be relocated despite repeated searches (Smith and Crouch 2010). All known records of this species are from roadside fragments, and it is quite likely that it may occur elsewhere within similar habitat, but subpopulations are also likely to be small and confined to isolated fragments. More surveys are needed to determine the precise extent of occurrence and population size of this species.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aloe nicholsii Gideon F.Sm. & N.R.Crouch | CR B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(ii) | 2014.1 | |
Bibliography |
Smith, G.F. and Crouch, N.R. 2010. Aloe nicholsii Gideon F.Sm. & N.R.Crouch (Asphodelaceae): a new leptoaloe from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Bradleya 28:103-106.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L. 2019. Aloe nicholsii Gideon F.Sm. & N.R.Crouch. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/10/08 |
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