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Scientific Name | Ficinia overbergensis Muasya & C.H.Stirt. |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | CYPERACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2014/01/20 |
Assessor(s) | O.E. Curtis & L. von Staden |
Justification | A range-restricted (EOO 1133 km²), but still relatively common species, estimated to occur at between 20 and 25 locations, and threatened by ongoing habitat loss and degradation, predominantly due to overgrazing and agricultural expansion. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Overberg between Swellendam, Bredasdorp and Heidelberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Eastern Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Central Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Ruens Silcrete Renosterveld, Potberg Sandstone Fynbos, Potberg Ferricrete Fynbos |
Description | Quartz-silcrete patches, as well as silcrete outcrops where quartz is not strongly exposed. |
Threats |
| Less than 6% of Overberg Shale Renosterveld remains after extensive loss to expanding crop cultivation (Curtis et al. 2013). Ficinia overbergensis occurs in a specialized micro-habitat within this broader vegetation type, and it is not possible to estimate how much of this habitat type has been lost. Although this species is still quite common, most remaining subpopulations are found on small fragments of less than 500 ha. Small fragments of natural vegetation are often overstocked, and habitat degradation due to overgrazing continues. |
Population |
In spite of extensive habitat loss, Ficinia overbergensis is still quite common, but subpopulations are localized and relatively small, with fewer than 100 tufts recorded per site (Curtis et al. 2013).
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Ficinia overbergensis Muasya & C.H.Stirt. | NT B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) | 2014.1 | |
Bibliography |
Curtis, O.E., Stirton, C.H. and Muasya, A.M. 2013. A conservation and floristic assessment of poorly known species rich quartz-silcrete outcrops within Rûens Shale Renosterveld (Overberg, Western Cape), with taxonomic descriptions of five new species. South African Journal of Botany 87:99-111.
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Citation |
| Curtis, O.E. & von Staden, L. 2014. Ficinia overbergensis Muasya & C.H.Stirt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/10/06 |
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