A Red List account of Africa's cycads and implications of considering life-history and threats

Abstract

The global and national Red List status of cycads known from mainland Africa are presented in this study. Seventy-four taxa (including five as yet undescribed taxa) occur in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. South Africa has the highest richness of cycad taxa (41). Fifty-two of the continent's cycads are confirmed country endemics, and 59% are globally threatened. One undescribed Encephalartos taxon is categorised as extinct (Malawi) and three, Encephalartos woodii Sander, E. relictus P.J.H. Hurter and another undescribed Encephalartos taxon (South Africa), are known only from material in cultivation. The nature and extent of threats to cycads appear to be different in the southern African region compared to the rest of the continent, and illegal collection is thought to be the primary factor. Taxa listed as data deficient primarily occur in war-torn and botanically under-explored areas. The results of the Red Lists are interpreted in terms of life-history strategies and threats. Continental-level conservation efforts are suggested for preserving wild stocks.