TheRed List of South African Plants is a system used to classify endemic species of plants inSouth Africa that are at risk of extinction. TheSouth African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) designates theconservation status of endemic species according to theIUCN Red List system of categories and criteria.^[1]

Prior to publication of the Red List of South African Plants in 2010 was theThreatened Plants of Southern Africa in 1980 where 1893 taxa was assessed, theRed Data List of Southern African Plants in 1997 where 3916 taxa was assessed, and theSouthern African Botanical Diversity Network Report in 2002 where 948 taxa was assessed.^[2]

In 2010, as part of SANBI's Threatened Species Programme, 20 456 indigenous plant taxa was assessed and each given a conservation status.^[2] This was the first time amegadiverse country had fully assessed the status of its entire flora; 13 265 of the assessed flora was endemic to South Africa.^[2]

Plants are assessed against the IUCN Red List system of categories and criteria.^[1]

ExtinctEX

For species when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.

Extinct in the WildEW

For species known only to survive in cultivation.

Regionally ExtinctRE

For species known to be extinct in an assessed region.

Critically EndangeredCR

For when evidence of a species meets one of the five criteria in the IUCN Red List for Critically Endangered species.

• Critically Endangered, Possibly ExtinctCR PE

A special tag associated with the category Critically Endangered.

EndangeredEN

Equivalent to the IUCN category of Endangered.

VulnerableVU

Equivalent to the IUCN category of Vulnerable.

Near ThreatenedNT

Equivalent to the IUCN category of Near Threatened.

Least ConcernLC

For species that don't meet the criteria for Rare.

Data Deficient - Insufficient InformationDDD

For when there is insufficient data to make an assessment

Data Deficient - Taxonomically ProblematicDDT

For species that are difficult to describe taxonomically, thus assessment of its range and habitat is not well-defined.

Not Evaluated

For species that are hybrids, cultivars or naturalised exotic species.

Critically Rare

For species known to occur at a single site, but is not threatened and does not qualify against the five IUCN criteria for threatened species.

Rare

For species that meet one of the four South African criteria for rarity:

• Restricted range -Extent of occurrence (EOO) < 500 km², OR
• Habitat specialist -Area of occupancy (AOO) < 20 km², OR
• Low densities of individuals- The species occurs as single individuals or small subpopulations (fewer than 50 mature individuals), OR
• Small global population - The species has less than 10 000 mature individuals.

Declining

The species' overall population is in decline but a threshold of concern has not been reached.

A quarter of all assessed endemic species of plants are threatened with extinction or of conservation concern;^[3] in 2010, 13% of endemic plants were faced with extinction, with 11% of conservation concern.^[2]

• South African Environmental Observation Network – A network to perform long-term ecological research in South Africa and surrounding waters
• Forest conservation in South Africa
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Red List of South African Plants

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