Taxon name
Maerua crassifolia
Forssk.
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Maerua crassifolia
Forssk.
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Plants
Flowering Plants
Species authority
Forssk.
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Critically Endangered
Qualifying criteria (if given)
D
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
The only records of this species within the UAE are from to adjacent wadis in northern Ras al Khaimah, where a few scattered individuals are reported (Feulner and Roobas 2013). The total number of mature individuals is inferred to be less than 50. The species also occurs in the Ru'us al-Jibal at lower altitudes (Feulner 2011), however confirmation of presence within the UAE is required as its possible that these occurrences are the result of cultivation, due to most or all occurring in anthropogenic habitats. Based on the occurrence in the Wadi Ghalilah area, the extent of occurrence (EOO) and areas of occupancy AOO) are likely to be highly restricted, however these metrics have not been estimated as detailed locality records are not available. Based on the number of mature individuals being inferred to be less than 50, the species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR D) and it is likely that the species may also qualify for a threatened category under criterion B based on the probably restricted EOO and AOO. Further research and survey work is needed for this species to confirmation its distribution, origin, and population status. No rescue effect from populations in Oman is considered likely because the nearest known populations are in Oman close to Al Ain.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
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.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Jongbloed et al. (2003) recorded this species within the UAE from four very localised records in the Wadi Ghalilah and Wadi Sha'am, in the area of northern Ras al Khaimah by Allestree Fisher (Karim and Fawzi 2007, G.R. Feulner, in litt, MEW 2010, Feulner and Roobas 2013). The species also occurs in Oman in the Ru'us al-Jibal at lower altitudes (Feulner 2011), where it is common. Feulner (2011) notes that the main range of the species in the eastern Arabian Peninsula is south of the Al-Ain/Buraimi area, outside of the UAE. The species occurs close to Al Ain in Oman, at Jebel Qatar, and especially from Wadi Jizzi southwards (Feulner 2016). Globally, this species is distributed across Africa, through the Arabian Peninsula, to Iran and Pakistan (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2019).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Incomplete
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
Maerua crassifolia is a tree that can reach up to 9 m, found on the lower mountain slopes (Jongbloed et al. 2003) in the UAE. It also occurs on gravel terraces in Oman.
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
An extensive quarry operates in the lower parts of Wadi Ghalilah and dust from this may impact the species given the prevailing wind in the area. Grazing also impacts the species.
History
The situation for this species in 1996 is likely to have been similar to its current situation.
Publication
Allen, D.J., Westrip, J.R.S., Puttick, A., Harding, K.A., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Ali, H. 2021. UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants. Technical Report. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates, Dubai.
