Ophioglossum polyphyllum | UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants

Taxa
Ophioglossum polyphyllum | A.Braun
Publication
UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
Taxonomic Group
Plants
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Ferns and Allies
Assessed taxon level
Species
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This plant occurs in coastal areas and in the Hajar Mountains (Jongbloed et al. 2003) and has been found to occur in Wadi Wurayah National Park, Fujairah (Feulner 2016). It also occurs at Jebel Ali along the Arabian Gulf Coast. The estimated EOO of this species is 2,646 km<sup>2</sup>. Globally, Ophioglossum polyphyllum is distributed across Africa and southwest Asia, eastwards to India and southwards to South Africa (Board of Trustees, RGB Kew 2018). In Europe it occurs only on the Canary Islands (Christenhusz et al. 2017). It is also distributed in Central America and Australia (Board of Trustees, RGB Kew 2018).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This perennial fern species is known to grow in open sand habitats and coastal areas (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Rothfels et al. 2012). At higher altitudes, it can grow within silt rather than sand (Jongbloed et al. 2003). It has two or three elliptic leaves growing from the stem in addition to other stem like leaves (Jongbloed et al. 2003). The plant generally appears after periods of rain (Jongbloed et al. 2003).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Near Threatened
Assessment status abreviation
NT
Assessment status criteria
B1b(iii)
Assessment rationale/justification
This species occurs within sand and coastal habitats in the UAE and has an estimated extent of occurrence of 2,646 km<sup>2</sup>; this falls within the threshold for Endangered under Criterion B. In addition, the species' habitat is declining due to ongoing coastal development, causing the once common species to become less common in its range. However, the number of locations for this species (based on the most plausible threat of habitat degradation) is currently unclear. Therefore, it is currently assessed as Near Threatened.
About the assessment
Assessment year
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
Government
IGO
Assessor affiliation specific
Government|IGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1 + Regional Guidelines v4.0
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Endemism
Endemic to region
Not_assigned
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: Not_assigned
Conservation
Threats listed in assessment
This plant is reportedly threatened by development in its coastal habitat range (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Feulner 2016).
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Further information
History
Coastal development within the UAE has been increasing in frequency and intensity since 1996, reducing the extent and quality of available habitat for this species.
Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Ophioglossum polyphyllum Plantae Tracheophyta Polypodiopsida Ophioglossales Ophioglossaceae Ophioglossum