ENDANGERED SPECIES/PLANTS
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All of this information below is copied exactly from the website http://www.iucnredlist.org/info/faq#How_do_I_search_by_country_ "This website provides the world with the most objective, scientifically-based information on the current status of globally threatened biodiversity."
Bunolagus monticularis:
critically endangered animal
HABITAT: The Riverine Rabbit inhabits dense growth along the seasonal rivers in the central Karoo. Occurs specifically in riverine vegetation on alluvial soils adjacent to seasonal rivers. The habitat is highly transformed. Studies show the habitat to be 67% fragmented in certain areas that can be considered representative of the entire distribution.
POPULATION: There are less than 90% of mature individuals in one subpopulation. There are 10 subpopulations. There has been a rapid decline of population due to loss of 50-60% of habitat in the past 70 years, this decline has been arrested due to a decrease in cultivation and public awareness and establishment of conservancies. The current population is estimated at less than 250 breeding pairs and is declining. It is estimated that over the last 70 years the population has declined by 60% or more. Population decline of 10% or more is predicted to occur between 2002 and 2022. The population is fragmented, with no subpopulation containing more than 50 individuals. Population densities were estimated at 0.064-0.166/ha (Duthie et al. 1989).
THREATS: Loss and degradation of habitat are the main threats to the species. Over the last century, 50-80% of habitat has been lost as a result of cultivation (mostly in the past) and livestock farming (ongoing). Other threats to the species include hunting (the rabbit is hunted for sport and by farm workers), and accidental mortality in traps set for pest animals on farmland
critically endangered animal
HABITAT: The Riverine Rabbit inhabits dense growth along the seasonal rivers in the central Karoo. Occurs specifically in riverine vegetation on alluvial soils adjacent to seasonal rivers. The habitat is highly transformed. Studies show the habitat to be 67% fragmented in certain areas that can be considered representative of the entire distribution.
POPULATION: There are less than 90% of mature individuals in one subpopulation. There are 10 subpopulations. There has been a rapid decline of population due to loss of 50-60% of habitat in the past 70 years, this decline has been arrested due to a decrease in cultivation and public awareness and establishment of conservancies. The current population is estimated at less than 250 breeding pairs and is declining. It is estimated that over the last 70 years the population has declined by 60% or more. Population decline of 10% or more is predicted to occur between 2002 and 2022. The population is fragmented, with no subpopulation containing more than 50 individuals. Population densities were estimated at 0.064-0.166/ha (Duthie et al. 1989).
THREATS: Loss and degradation of habitat are the main threats to the species. Over the last century, 50-80% of habitat has been lost as a result of cultivation (mostly in the past) and livestock farming (ongoing). Other threats to the species include hunting (the rabbit is hunted for sport and by farm workers), and accidental mortality in traps set for pest animals on farmland
Aceros waldeni: critically endangered bird
HABITAT: It inhabits closed-canopy forests, also frequenting logged areas and occasionally isolated trees in clearings. It is probably adapted to lower or mid-elevation forest, with records from 400-1,200 m on Panay and 300-950 m on Negros. It is omnivorous, taking some animal matter to its nests (Kauth et al. 1998) and feeding in the canopy on figs and other fruits. It may make local nomadic movements in response to food availability. It nests in large trees.
POPULATION: There were 752 active nest holes in the Central Panayan Mountain Range in 2007 (E. Curio in litt. 2008). This represents 1,504 mature individuals, and so it is sensible to estimate the mature population to number between 1,000-2,499. This equates to 1,500-3,749 individuals in total, rounded here to 1,500-4,000 individuals.
THREATS: Chronic deforestation has led to its extinction on Guimaras and its extreme scarcity elsewhere. An estimated 4% of Negros and 8% of Panay remained forested in 1988, although this has reportedly since been reduced to c.3% and c.6%, respectively (W. Oliver in litt. 2007). Only 10% (c.110 km2) of this is thought to be below 1,000 m. It heavily utilises (at least temporally) forest fruits and thus is adversely affected by deforestation. Hunting has reportedly had severe impacts in the past, with one estimate of up to a quarter of the (then estimated) population of north-west Panay shot in a single day in 1997, although the validity of this report is uncertain. Nest poaching, whether for sale of incumbent females and their dependant chicks for human consumption or into local bird trade, is the most serious threat. Poaching affected c.50% of broods before the implementation of a nest guarding scheme which now protects about two thirds of all broods in the Central Panay Mountain Range, but until the nest guarding scheme can be expanded the remaining third are still vulnerable (W. Oliver in litt. 2007; E. Curio in litt. 2007, 2008).
HABITAT: It inhabits closed-canopy forests, also frequenting logged areas and occasionally isolated trees in clearings. It is probably adapted to lower or mid-elevation forest, with records from 400-1,200 m on Panay and 300-950 m on Negros. It is omnivorous, taking some animal matter to its nests (Kauth et al. 1998) and feeding in the canopy on figs and other fruits. It may make local nomadic movements in response to food availability. It nests in large trees.
POPULATION: There were 752 active nest holes in the Central Panayan Mountain Range in 2007 (E. Curio in litt. 2008). This represents 1,504 mature individuals, and so it is sensible to estimate the mature population to number between 1,000-2,499. This equates to 1,500-3,749 individuals in total, rounded here to 1,500-4,000 individuals.
THREATS: Chronic deforestation has led to its extinction on Guimaras and its extreme scarcity elsewhere. An estimated 4% of Negros and 8% of Panay remained forested in 1988, although this has reportedly since been reduced to c.3% and c.6%, respectively (W. Oliver in litt. 2007). Only 10% (c.110 km2) of this is thought to be below 1,000 m. It heavily utilises (at least temporally) forest fruits and thus is adversely affected by deforestation. Hunting has reportedly had severe impacts in the past, with one estimate of up to a quarter of the (then estimated) population of north-west Panay shot in a single day in 1997, although the validity of this report is uncertain. Nest poaching, whether for sale of incumbent females and their dependant chicks for human consumption or into local bird trade, is the most serious threat. Poaching affected c.50% of broods before the implementation of a nest guarding scheme which now protects about two thirds of all broods in the Central Panay Mountain Range, but until the nest guarding scheme can be expanded the remaining third are still vulnerable (W. Oliver in litt. 2007; E. Curio in litt. 2007, 2008).
Aegotheles savesi: Critically endangered bird
HABITAT: The records are from Melaleuca savanna and humid forest. The 1998 sighting was of a single bird foraging for insects briefly at dusk, in evergreen riverine forest(Ekstrom et al.2000, Tobias and Ekstrom 2002). Other owlet-nightjars Aegotheles spp. are territorial and vocal inhabitants of various wooded habitats (Tobias and Ekstrom 2002). They nest and roost in holes in trees and are largely sit-and-wait predators of small animals, foraging from perches or from the ground. A. savesi is larger and has much longer legs than congeners, which may indicate more terrestrial habits (Olson et al. 1987, J. Ekstrom in litt.1999, Tobias and Ekstrom 2002).
POPULATION: The population is assumed to be tiny (fewer than 50 individuals and mature individuals), with just a single record (in 1998) since 1960.
THREATS: There is no direct information on threats. However, the ecologically similar A. cristatus is believed to suffer high predation rates of both adults and nests (Brigham and Geiser 1997). It seems likely that A. savesi has declined through predation by introduced rats and possibly cats or habitat loss through fire, mining and logging.
HABITAT: The records are from Melaleuca savanna and humid forest. The 1998 sighting was of a single bird foraging for insects briefly at dusk, in evergreen riverine forest(Ekstrom et al.2000, Tobias and Ekstrom 2002). Other owlet-nightjars Aegotheles spp. are territorial and vocal inhabitants of various wooded habitats (Tobias and Ekstrom 2002). They nest and roost in holes in trees and are largely sit-and-wait predators of small animals, foraging from perches or from the ground. A. savesi is larger and has much longer legs than congeners, which may indicate more terrestrial habits (Olson et al. 1987, J. Ekstrom in litt.1999, Tobias and Ekstrom 2002).
POPULATION: The population is assumed to be tiny (fewer than 50 individuals and mature individuals), with just a single record (in 1998) since 1960.
THREATS: There is no direct information on threats. However, the ecologically similar A. cristatus is believed to suffer high predation rates of both adults and nests (Brigham and Geiser 1997). It seems likely that A. savesi has declined through predation by introduced rats and possibly cats or habitat loss through fire, mining and logging.
Abies fanjingshanensis:
Endangered plant
HABITAT: This rare species has been found on Mt. Fanjing (Wuling Shan) at 2,100-2,300 m a.s.l. The climate on this mountain is cool and moist, with only a short summer season at this altitude. The species occurs there in a mixed forest with, among other species, Tsuga chinensis, Acer flabellatum, Rhododendron hypoglaucum, Enkiartnus chinensis andPrunus serrulata. Only a few Abies trees are found scattered in the forest.
POPULATION: Is locally common, but many trees have died due to the impacts of acid rain. The population is estimated to number about 17,000 trees, but the number of mature trees is probably less than 2,500 (<10% of the population).
THREATS: Only known from a single locality with a small population in forest dominated by other tree species. Mt. Fanjing has a forest reserve which includes this species. The population has been in decline for some time because of the impacts of acid rain presumably caused by air pollution. The acid rain problem is ongoing.
Endangered plant
HABITAT: This rare species has been found on Mt. Fanjing (Wuling Shan) at 2,100-2,300 m a.s.l. The climate on this mountain is cool and moist, with only a short summer season at this altitude. The species occurs there in a mixed forest with, among other species, Tsuga chinensis, Acer flabellatum, Rhododendron hypoglaucum, Enkiartnus chinensis andPrunus serrulata. Only a few Abies trees are found scattered in the forest.
POPULATION: Is locally common, but many trees have died due to the impacts of acid rain. The population is estimated to number about 17,000 trees, but the number of mature trees is probably less than 2,500 (<10% of the population).
THREATS: Only known from a single locality with a small population in forest dominated by other tree species. Mt. Fanjing has a forest reserve which includes this species. The population has been in decline for some time because of the impacts of acid rain presumably caused by air pollution. The acid rain problem is ongoing.
Abronia campbelli:
Critically Endangered lizard
HABITAT:
The habitat of this lizard is pine-oak forest of lower montane moist forest (Köhler 2003, Wilson and Johnson 2010). Oak trees occur as remnants in this area, with as few as 406 trees recorded within the lizard's range (Ariano and Torres 2010).
POPULATION: The total estimated population size (from sampling the adults in remnant trees) is approximately 500 individuals (Ariano and Torres 2010). Exploitation for the international pet trade is presumed to be leading to a decline in the number of mature individuals, given the small population size and the numbers recorded in trade.
THREATS:
The main threats to this species are habitat loss and degradation from cattle raising and collection for the pet trade. In addition, the oak trees where the species occurs are affected by pollution from chemical runoffs from pig farms.
Critically Endangered lizard
HABITAT:
The habitat of this lizard is pine-oak forest of lower montane moist forest (Köhler 2003, Wilson and Johnson 2010). Oak trees occur as remnants in this area, with as few as 406 trees recorded within the lizard's range (Ariano and Torres 2010).
POPULATION: The total estimated population size (from sampling the adults in remnant trees) is approximately 500 individuals (Ariano and Torres 2010). Exploitation for the international pet trade is presumed to be leading to a decline in the number of mature individuals, given the small population size and the numbers recorded in trade.
THREATS:
The main threats to this species are habitat loss and degradation from cattle raising and collection for the pet trade. In addition, the oak trees where the species occurs are affected by pollution from chemical runoffs from pig farms.
Afrothismia winkleri:
Critically Endangered Plant
HABITAT:
Occurs in lowland evergreen forest; 0–1150 m alt. Saprophyte; host(s) unknown.
POPULATION:
As usual in this family, numbers in each site are very low and it is believed only 16 individuals have been seen in total.
THREATS:
The main threat to the species is forest clearance for agriculture, timber and plantations in the Cameroon populations. There is also severe fragmentation (if the varieties truly belong to the same species).
Critically Endangered Plant
HABITAT:
Occurs in lowland evergreen forest; 0–1150 m alt. Saprophyte; host(s) unknown.
POPULATION:
As usual in this family, numbers in each site are very low and it is believed only 16 individuals have been seen in total.
THREATS:
The main threat to the species is forest clearance for agriculture, timber and plantations in the Cameroon populations. There is also severe fragmentation (if the varieties truly belong to the same species).
Aechmea cymosopaniculata: Critically endangered plant
HABITAT: The only specimen of this species was collected from the highland area around Tovar. This is within the Cordillera La Costa montane forests ecoregion. The predominant habitat here is montane forest. Epiphytes (ferns, orchids, bromeliads, ericads and gesneriads) and terrestrial ferns are very abundant in the evergreen montane cloud forests of this region, and the shrub and herb layer is usually dense and dominated by endemic species (WWF 2001).
POPULATION: There are no population data available for this species.
THREATS: Deforestation due to shifting cultivation has been responsible for most of the destruction of the original forests on the lower and middle mountain slopes of northern Venezuela. Deforestation is also caused by construction of tourist and recreation resorts in the vicinity of the larger cities, which also involves intensive road building into previously inaccessible areas. The area around Tovar, where the taxon was collected over 150 years ago, has dramatically changed since then, being very close to the capital of the country, Caracas, however reasonable size forest patches still remain. The selective extraction of some plants of commercial value is threatening several orchid and tree fern species in this region. The only known locality of this species is only approximately 40 km from the capital. It is therefore likely that this area is/was heavily collected for these purposes.
HABITAT: The only specimen of this species was collected from the highland area around Tovar. This is within the Cordillera La Costa montane forests ecoregion. The predominant habitat here is montane forest. Epiphytes (ferns, orchids, bromeliads, ericads and gesneriads) and terrestrial ferns are very abundant in the evergreen montane cloud forests of this region, and the shrub and herb layer is usually dense and dominated by endemic species (WWF 2001).
POPULATION: There are no population data available for this species.
THREATS: Deforestation due to shifting cultivation has been responsible for most of the destruction of the original forests on the lower and middle mountain slopes of northern Venezuela. Deforestation is also caused by construction of tourist and recreation resorts in the vicinity of the larger cities, which also involves intensive road building into previously inaccessible areas. The area around Tovar, where the taxon was collected over 150 years ago, has dramatically changed since then, being very close to the capital of the country, Caracas, however reasonable size forest patches still remain. The selective extraction of some plants of commercial value is threatening several orchid and tree fern species in this region. The only known locality of this species is only approximately 40 km from the capital. It is therefore likely that this area is/was heavily collected for these purposes.
Aloe ghibensis: critically endangered plant
HABITAT: n Combretum-Terminalia woodland on edge of cliffs on volcanic outcrops. Associated plants include Combretum collinum, Acacia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha andFicus sycomorus. The main flowering period is in November and between March and April.
POPULATOIN: there is no population available.
THREATS: Deterioration of the surrounding vegetation through anthropogenic influence in the area is likely. The rock cliff habitat of the species is most likely to be affected by erosion and changes in water run-off resulting from that degradation. Climate change may also represent a future threat but it is hard to predict.
HABITAT: n Combretum-Terminalia woodland on edge of cliffs on volcanic outcrops. Associated plants include Combretum collinum, Acacia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha andFicus sycomorus. The main flowering period is in November and between March and April.
POPULATOIN: there is no population available.
THREATS: Deterioration of the surrounding vegetation through anthropogenic influence in the area is likely. The rock cliff habitat of the species is most likely to be affected by erosion and changes in water run-off resulting from that degradation. Climate change may also represent a future threat but it is hard to predict.
Geronticus eremit: a critically endangered bird
Habitat: Breeding Colonies are usually situated in rocky areas, cliffs and escarpments in remote arid regions (Cramp et al. 1977). In the past castles, ruins and walls were used as nest sites even in urban areas (Hancock et al. 1992). They are often located near the banks of rivers, along streams or on the coast (Hancock et al. 1992). Birds may feed on dry ground and rocky slopes, as well as in wetlands, on coastal sandy strips, on river beds and in sandy banks on the sea shore(Hancock et al. 1992). Roosts away from the breeding site can be in trees, on cliff ledges or sometimes in fields (Hancock et al. 1992).Non-breeding During the non-breeding season it may be found in mountain meadows, stubble fields, short grass, rocky semi-arid ground, and damp ground in lower areas of high plateaus (Hancock et al. 1992). It prefers areas with very sparse vegetation, but sometimes frequents pastures and cultivated fields (Aghnaj et al. 2001). It avoids tilled fields and pastures where the grass exceeds 25 cm in height (Hancock et al. 1992). Birds that migrate to Ethiopia during the non-breeding season feed on high moors, wet meadows and by fast-flowing mountain streams and lake margins up to 3,500 m elevation (Hancock et al. 1992). Diet It has a broad diet, feeding on any available animal life (Aghnaj et al. 2001) including insects, arachnids, scorpions, earthworms, snails and vertebrates such as fish, amphibians, lizards and snakes, small rodents and small birds, whether alive or dead(Hancock et al. 1992). It will also feed on vegetation including berries, shoots, duckweed, and rhizomes of aquatic plants (Hancock et al. 1992).
Population: In Souss-Massa National Park and Tamri, Morocco, 113 pairs (i.e. 226 mature individuals) nested, out of 319 adults in 2013, and produced 148 fledged young (Oubrou and El Bekkay 2013). In 2011, at least 100 pairs produced at least 130 fledged young, matching the breeding success of 2010, when 105 pairs fledged 138 young (R. Grimmettin litt. 2011). After the breeding season the total number of birds in the western population may have exceeded 500 in 2011-2012 (IAGNBI 2012), but most recently has been evaluated as 443 individuals (SEO/BirdLife Morocco 2013). Only a single mature female returned to Syria in 2013 (C. Bowden in litt. 2013), and 2011 was the last successful breeding when a single breeding pair fledged two young (R. Grimmett in litt. 2011). The Turkish population now numbers around 100 individuals (IAGNBI 2012), but these managed birds are excluded from the total estimate
Threats: It has declined for several centuries, perhaps partly owing to unidentified natural causes. However, the more recent rapid decline is undoubtedly the result of a combination of factors, with different threats affecting different populations. In Morocco, illegal building and disturbance close to the breeding cliffs and changes in farming on the feeding grounds are the threats that may have the most severe impact on the population. Hunting is the main threat to the tiny Syrian population, and overgrazing and collecting of firewood have reduced habitat quality in feeding areas. A well was under construction at a main feeding site in Syria in 2007. This is likely to increase disturbance to the species and might render this important site unsuitable in the near future (G. Serra in litt. 2007). Disturbance from other human activities is on-going, and this population is also potentially threatened by trophy hunters, combined with a lack of safe areas with water sources (Serra et al. 2009). The integrity of the protected area at the Syrian breeding colonies is potentially threatened by oil concessions, infrastructure development and plans for urbanisation (Serra et al. 2009, Murdoch 2010). Satellite tracking of juvenile birds indicates that the main threat to the eastern population is mortality from hunting in the Arabian Peninsula. Three birds tagged in summer 2010 did not survive their first winter (R. Grimmett in litt. 2011). Breeding productivity in Syria in 2005 was zero: local rangers reported predation as the cause. In Turkey, a major historical threat was poisoning and reduced breeding success caused by pesticides used against locusts and mosquitoes (Murdoch 2010). In Syria, the most serious nest predator is Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis, however, predation by Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopteruson young ibis chicks is also suspected (Serra et al. 2009). The Birecik population has also suffered from losses to predation in some years (J. Tavares pers. comm. 2008). At Souss-Massa NP, the most recent causes of breeding failure have been loss of eggs to predators and, more importantly, poor chick survival as a result of starvation and predation (Bowden et al. 2003). A proposed tourist development at the national park could prove detrimental to the birds if it is not constructed in a sensitive way (Anon 2009). Poisoning was suspected to be the cause of death of three tagged individuals found in Jordan, however electrocution whilst standing on electricity pylons is now believed to have been the most likely cause (Anon 2009).
Habitat: Breeding Colonies are usually situated in rocky areas, cliffs and escarpments in remote arid regions (Cramp et al. 1977). In the past castles, ruins and walls were used as nest sites even in urban areas (Hancock et al. 1992). They are often located near the banks of rivers, along streams or on the coast (Hancock et al. 1992). Birds may feed on dry ground and rocky slopes, as well as in wetlands, on coastal sandy strips, on river beds and in sandy banks on the sea shore(Hancock et al. 1992). Roosts away from the breeding site can be in trees, on cliff ledges or sometimes in fields (Hancock et al. 1992).Non-breeding During the non-breeding season it may be found in mountain meadows, stubble fields, short grass, rocky semi-arid ground, and damp ground in lower areas of high plateaus (Hancock et al. 1992). It prefers areas with very sparse vegetation, but sometimes frequents pastures and cultivated fields (Aghnaj et al. 2001). It avoids tilled fields and pastures where the grass exceeds 25 cm in height (Hancock et al. 1992). Birds that migrate to Ethiopia during the non-breeding season feed on high moors, wet meadows and by fast-flowing mountain streams and lake margins up to 3,500 m elevation (Hancock et al. 1992). Diet It has a broad diet, feeding on any available animal life (Aghnaj et al. 2001) including insects, arachnids, scorpions, earthworms, snails and vertebrates such as fish, amphibians, lizards and snakes, small rodents and small birds, whether alive or dead(Hancock et al. 1992). It will also feed on vegetation including berries, shoots, duckweed, and rhizomes of aquatic plants (Hancock et al. 1992).
Population: In Souss-Massa National Park and Tamri, Morocco, 113 pairs (i.e. 226 mature individuals) nested, out of 319 adults in 2013, and produced 148 fledged young (Oubrou and El Bekkay 2013). In 2011, at least 100 pairs produced at least 130 fledged young, matching the breeding success of 2010, when 105 pairs fledged 138 young (R. Grimmettin litt. 2011). After the breeding season the total number of birds in the western population may have exceeded 500 in 2011-2012 (IAGNBI 2012), but most recently has been evaluated as 443 individuals (SEO/BirdLife Morocco 2013). Only a single mature female returned to Syria in 2013 (C. Bowden in litt. 2013), and 2011 was the last successful breeding when a single breeding pair fledged two young (R. Grimmett in litt. 2011). The Turkish population now numbers around 100 individuals (IAGNBI 2012), but these managed birds are excluded from the total estimate
Threats: It has declined for several centuries, perhaps partly owing to unidentified natural causes. However, the more recent rapid decline is undoubtedly the result of a combination of factors, with different threats affecting different populations. In Morocco, illegal building and disturbance close to the breeding cliffs and changes in farming on the feeding grounds are the threats that may have the most severe impact on the population. Hunting is the main threat to the tiny Syrian population, and overgrazing and collecting of firewood have reduced habitat quality in feeding areas. A well was under construction at a main feeding site in Syria in 2007. This is likely to increase disturbance to the species and might render this important site unsuitable in the near future (G. Serra in litt. 2007). Disturbance from other human activities is on-going, and this population is also potentially threatened by trophy hunters, combined with a lack of safe areas with water sources (Serra et al. 2009). The integrity of the protected area at the Syrian breeding colonies is potentially threatened by oil concessions, infrastructure development and plans for urbanisation (Serra et al. 2009, Murdoch 2010). Satellite tracking of juvenile birds indicates that the main threat to the eastern population is mortality from hunting in the Arabian Peninsula. Three birds tagged in summer 2010 did not survive their first winter (R. Grimmett in litt. 2011). Breeding productivity in Syria in 2005 was zero: local rangers reported predation as the cause. In Turkey, a major historical threat was poisoning and reduced breeding success caused by pesticides used against locusts and mosquitoes (Murdoch 2010). In Syria, the most serious nest predator is Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis, however, predation by Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopteruson young ibis chicks is also suspected (Serra et al. 2009). The Birecik population has also suffered from losses to predation in some years (J. Tavares pers. comm. 2008). At Souss-Massa NP, the most recent causes of breeding failure have been loss of eggs to predators and, more importantly, poor chick survival as a result of starvation and predation (Bowden et al. 2003). A proposed tourist development at the national park could prove detrimental to the birds if it is not constructed in a sensitive way (Anon 2009). Poisoning was suspected to be the cause of death of three tagged individuals found in Jordan, however electrocution whilst standing on electricity pylons is now believed to have been the most likely cause (Anon 2009).