Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Aloe fouriei D.S.Hardy & Glen
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
ASPHODELACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Near Threatened D2
Assessment Date
2019/03/12
Assessor(s)
H. Mtshali
Justification
Aloe fouriei is a rare, range-restricted species. It is known from six locations, and potentially threatened by habitat loss and degradation. Therefore it nearly meets the thresholds for the category Vulnerable under the criteria D2.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Limpopo, Mpumalanga
Range
The distribution of Aloe fouriei is uncertain. According to Hardy and Glen (1985) and Glen and Hardy (2000), it is localized to the Abel Erasmus Pass near the southern border of Limpopo Province. Craib (2005) reports this species from dolomite bushveld in the Strydpoort Mountains south of Polokwane, as well as the Steelpoort area in Sekhukhune. Field observations collected by die Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism Agency records it from dolomite grassland in the Pilgrim's Rest district south of the Abel Erasmus Pass.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Poung Dolomite Mountain Bushveld, Northern Escarpment Dolomite Grassland, Sekhukhune Mountain Bushveld
Description
It occurs in rocky areas in grasslands, either at the edges of large sheets of exposed dolomite, on cliff faces, or among large tumbled rocks on the summits of hills, generally on south to east facing slopes.
Threats
On the Abel Erasmus Pass, Aloe fouriei is potentially threatened by habitat degradation due to overgrazing (Craib 2005). In 2001, the subpopulation in this area was recorded to be large and stable, and the species was recorded as still extant at this location in 2007, but abundance was not recorded. Recent (2017) field observations recorded livestock present within this species' habitat, but the habitat is still in relatively good condition. Overgrazing is also a threat in the Strydpoort Mountains, where livestock is present even inside protected areas, and there is ongoing degradation of habitat. The species was last recorded at this location in the early 2000s, and field surveys are needed to gain a better assessment of the condition of the habitat and status of the subpopulation. In the Pilgrim's Rest district, Aloe fouriei subpopulations are not protected, and they are potentially threatened by habitat loss to expanding rural settlements, as well as degradation and trampling due to overgrazing. In the Steelpoort area, the species occurs on mineral rich norite, and plants were observed near an existing mine, and the species has possibly declined in the past due to habitat loss to mining (Craib 2005). Further habitat loss to mining remains a potential threat.
Population
Population trend
Unknown
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Aloe fouriei D.S.Hardy & GlenData Deficient (Taxonomically Problematic) Raimondo et al. (2009)
Aloe fouriei D.S.Hardy & GlenVU D2Victor (2002)
Aloe fouriei D.S.Hardy & GlenInsufficiently Known Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

Craib, C. 2005. Grass Aloes in the South African Veld. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.


Glen, H.F. and Hardy, D.S. 2000. Aloaceae (First part): Aloe. In: G. Germishuizen (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 5 Part 1, Fascicle 1:1-159. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


Hardy, D.S. and Glen, H.F. 1985. Aloe fouriei. Flowering Plants of Africa 49(3&4):t. 1941.


Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


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.


Smith, G.F., Steyn, E.M.A., Victor, J.E., Crouch, N.R., Golding, J.S. and Hilton-Taylor, C. 2000. Aloaceae: The conservation status of Aloe in South Africa: an updated synopsis. Bothalia 30(2):206-211.


Victor, J.E. 2002. South Africa. In: J.S. Golding (ed), Southern African plant Red Data Lists. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 14 (pp. 93-120), SABONET, Pretoria.


Citation
Mtshali, H. 2019. Aloe fouriei D.S.Hardy & Glen. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2023/12/08

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Distribution map


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