Current conservation status of the genus Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae) in Kenya, East Africa

Abstract

Kalanchoe is a predominantly leaf succulent plant genus with 174 species whose centres of diversity are in tropical Africa and Madagascar. In Kenya, Kalanchoe is represented by 19 species; a few of these (15.8%) have their conservation status categorised as being of Least Concern and need an update, but most (68.4%) have not been assessed at all. The conservation status of Kalanchoe indigenous to Kenya was revisited based on field studies and geographical criteria. Kalanchoe aubrevillei, K. boranae and K. fadeniorum were evaluated as Critically Endangered (CR); K. ballyi, K. bipartita, K. citrina, K. glaucescens, K. lateritia, K. marmorata, K. mitejea, K. nyikae sensu stricto, K. obtusa and K. prittwitzii were evaluated as Endangered (EN) while K. crenata, K. densiflora, K. laciniata and K. lanceolata were evaluated as Vulnerable (VU), all with Area of Occupancy (AOO) of less than 500km2 following the IUCN (2022) criteria. Additionally, comprehensive evaluation of K. lateritia and K. nyikae sensu stricto gave an assessment of low AOO. Habitat loss due to degradation and prolonged drought and flooding has reduced the area of occupancy for all the species, possibly resulting in their reduction in population size and for some, disappearance from their known localities.