The Vulnerable Gladiolus miniatus.
species flowers from August to
September, is Critically Endangered
and is one of the rarest plants in
nature. Too few individuals remain
in the wild (only one natural population survives in an area less than
50m2 in the grounds of the South
African Astronomical Observatory
in Cape Town) for this species to be
considered viable and the species is
literally on the brink of extinction in
the wild. Moraea aristata grew
abundantly in the shale soils on the
slopes of Devil’s Peak to Rondebosch. The threats to this species
have been urban expansion of the
City of Cape Town, habitat degradation, and infestations of exotic
and alien invasive grasses.
Babiana nana (Dwarf Babiana, Bobbejaantjie) flowers from August to
September and is classified as Endangered. Populations of this species are severely fragmented and
declining largely as a result of
The Near Threatened Satyrium
carneum.
The Critically Endangered
Moraea aristata.
coastal development. This species
used to be widespread from Lambert’s Bay to Mossel Bay, but is becoming increasingly extinct in the
southern parts of its range. The
threats to this species are urban
and agricultural expansion, coastal
development and infestations of
alien invasive plants.
Geissorhiza radians (Wine Cup,
Kelkiewyn, Wynkelkie) flowers from
September to October and is classified as Endangered. A previously
widespread and common species,
this species’ range has been much
reduced largely due to habitat
transformation. Currently less than
50% of the previously recorded
populations remain, the rest are
extinct. The treats to this species
are urban and agricultural expansion, animal grazing, and the effects of fertiliser and herbicide runoff.
Gladiolus miniatus (Salmon GladioThe Critically Endangered Disa
procera.
Photo : Ismail Ebrahim
The Endangered Babiana nana.
lus, Pypie) flowers from October to
November and is classified as Vulnerable. Previously widespread on
limestone soils close to the seashore from Hawston to Cape Agulhas, this species’ range has shrunk
by almost 25% in recent years.
Roughly 70% of the species’ remaining range is being threatened
by severe alien plant invasions and
coastal development. The remaining threats to this species include
habitat degradation and pollution.
Threats to our Biodiversity
The threats to our biodiversity can
loosely be classified into either historical or emerging threats. The
three most important historical
threats are: permanent habitat loss
(from urban and agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development); habitat degradation
(through overgrazing, improper
conservation management practices and inappropriate fire regimes);
The Critically Endangered Serruria furcellata
Photo: Andrew Massyn