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Scientific Name | Erica atherstonei Diels ex Guthrie & Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened D2 |
Assessment Date | 2006/11/15 |
Assessor(s) | M. Lötter, J.E. Burrows & L. von Staden |
Justification | It has specialized habitat requirements and occurs within a restricted range. Seven to 10 known locations are potentially threatened by mining, afforestation, inappropriate fire management and alien plant invasion. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Mpumalanga |
Range | Pilgrim's Rest to Buffelskloof. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Grassland |
Description | Rocky areas (quartzite) in montane grassland at edge of escarpment or on steep slopes, occasionally in moist areas, 1500-2500 m. |
Threats |
| Main potential threat to this species is several mining applications pending in the Long Tom Pass area between Lydenburg and Sabie (M. Lötter pers. comm.) Mining could also become a threat further north around Pilgrim's Rest, as interest in gold mining in the area has been renewed in recent years.
At the southern edge of the range the habitat is surrounded by forestry plantations where the species is potentially threatened by poor fire regimes, escaping seedlings and further conversion to pine plantations around trig beacons and sites such as Kemp's Heights which have previously been protected through the efforts of Johan Kluge, but the land is still owned by forestry companies who may decide to plant the area in future. |
Population |
Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica atherstonei Diels ex Guthrie & Bolus | NT D2 | 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.
Verdoorn, I.C. 1954. The Transvaal Ericaceae. Journal of South African Botany 20:91-115.
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Citation |
| Lötter, M., Burrows, J.E. & von Staden, L. 2006. Erica atherstonei Diels ex Guthrie & Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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