| Scientific Name | Aspalathus tulbaghensis R.Dahlgren | Higher Classification | Dicotyledons | Family | FABACEAE | Synonyms | Aspalathus acuminata Lam. subsp. magniflora R.Dahlgren |
National Status | Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered A2c | Assessment Date | 2020/10/28 | Assessor(s) | J. Plummer, N.A. Helme & J.E. Victor | Justification | This small shrub is endemic to the Western Cape Province, South Africa, where it is only known from the lowlands of the Breede River valley between Wolseley and Worcester. The contemporary extent of occurrence for the species is not thought to exceed 65 km² and, owing to ongoing pressure for agricultural expansion across the whole area, this is considered to represent a single location. Continuing decline in habitat extent and quality is inferred to be contributing to the ongoing decline in the number of mature individuals and the area of occupancy for the species. Although part of the range overlaps with the transition zone of the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve, this has not prevented the conversion of natural habitat to agricultural land use. In 2014, the global population of this species was estimated to number 6795 individuals, and the population trend has been estimated to be decreasing. Satellite imagery indicates that more than 120 hectares of natural habitat have been converted to agricultural land use since 2006, an area estimated to overlap with 30-60% of the population as recorded at that time. At this rate of reduction, it is estimated that the population has declined between 57.9-82.8% over the last three generations. However, agricultural land use change is not the only threat in action, with other documented threats including urban and infrastructure development, wind farm construction, and invasive species. In light of these additional pressures, the upper limit of this range, that is, a population reduction of 82.8% over the last three generations, is viewed as an appropriate best estimate of reduction. The species is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered. Given the precarious status of the species, in situ species management and habitat restoration is necessary, alongside enhanced and extended site protection, and encouragement of stricter compliance to existing legislation. |
Distribution | Endemism | South African endemic | Provincial distribution | Western Cape | Range | This species has a limited distribution in the Western Cape, where it occurs from Wolseley to Worcester. |
Habitat and Ecology | Major system | Terrestrial | Major habitats | Breede Shale Fynbos, Breede Alluvium Fynbos | Description | This small shrub is found on sandy flats and lower slopes. As with other fynbos endemics, fire events represent an important component of the life cycle for this species (Conservation Leadership Programme 2005, Rebelo et al. 2006). |
Threats | | In 2006, it was estimated that the species had lost more than 80% of its habitat to agricultural expansion, particularly for fruit orchards and vineyards, and satellite imagery indicates that more than 120 hectares of natural habitat have since been converted to agricultural land use. Although agricultural conversion represents the primary threat in this area of the Breede river valley, road building and urban sprawl have also been documented as threats to the Breede alluvium fynbos to which the species is native. The recent establishment of the Wolseley wind farm near Romansrivier (Todd 2012) is also suspected to have disturbed suitable habitats for the species. One of the known subpopulations is reported to be severely threatened by invasive species, however, the details of the invasive species are not provided. Although the threats to this species are well documented, research may be beneficial to understand the impact of invasive species. It is also essential that habitat trends are effectively monitored to identify any further loss of suitable habitat and to inform or prevent additional cultivation or development. |
Population | In 2014, the global population of A. tulbaghensis was estimated to 6795 number of individuals (Euston-Brown 2014). Following fire events or disturbance, the species forms impenetrable thickets and may be frequent and dominant in highly localized patches (Mostert #3036, Helme, #4503, Dahlgren 1988). However, the population trend is decreasing on account of ongoing agricultural expansion. In 2006, 80% of suitable habitats across the native range had been transformed into agriculture (Helme and Victor 2006). Satellite imagery indicates that more than 120 hectares of natural habitat have been converted to agricultural land use since 2006, an area estimated to overlap with 30-60% of the population observed in 2006 (N. Helme pers. comm. 2020). Taking this rate of reduction, and assuming that the rate of habitat conversion to agriculture has been consistent, it is estimated that the population has declined by between 57.9-82.8% over the last three generations. The species is also reported to be adversely affected by alien invasives, and its habitat is also suspected to have been lost to urban development and wind farm construction (Conservation Leadership Programme 2005, Rebelo et al. 2006, Todd 2012). Given these additional population pressures and taking a precautionary approach, the upper limit of this range, that is, a population reduction of 82.8% over the last three generations, is viewed as an appropriate best estimate. Population monitoring is recommended to verify whether the proposed rate of reduction is genuine and to evaluate the ongoing decline in order to effectively mitigate this trend.
wind farm construction (Conservation Leadership Programme 2005, Rebelo et al. 2006, Todd 2012). Given these additional population pressures and taking a precautionary approach, the upper limit of this range, that is, a population reduction of 82.8% over the last three generations, is viewed as an appropriate best estimate. Population monitoring is recommended to verify whether the proposed rate of reduction is genuine, and to evaluate ongoing decline in order to effectively mitigate this trend.
| Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation | | In South Africa, the species is listed under section 56(1)(a) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004, prohibiting the collection of wild specimens for non-conservation purposes and habitat destruction (Molewa 2013). A single A. tulbaghensis germplasm accession, collected in South Africa, is held by the Millennium Seed Bank Project in the United Kingdom (Genesys Global Portal on Plant Genetic Resources 2020). One botanical garden is listed as a site of ex situ conservation for this species (BGCI 2020). The only protected area that overlaps the native range is the transition zone of the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2020), where sustainable management practices are promoted, but not legally enforced (Pool-Stanlivet et al. 2018). In 2006, the species was assessed as Critically Endangered B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii) in South Africa (Helme and Victor 2006). Given
the precarious status of the species, it is highly recommended to extend the current area of protection to encompass a larger proportion of its limited range. It is also recommended that the protection level be heightened to permit legal enforcement. Active management and a species recovery plan are advisable, facilitated by habitat restoration. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aspalathus tulbaghensis R.Dahlgren | CR B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography | Dahlgren, R. 1988. Crotalarieae (Aspalathus). In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of southern Africa 16 Fabaceae, Part 3 Papilionoideae, Fascicle 6:1-430. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29. South African National Biodiversity 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.
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Citation | | Plummer, J., Helme, N.A. & Victor, J.E. 2020. Aspalathus tulbaghensis R.Dahlgren. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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