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Maerua crassifolia | UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants

Publication
UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
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
Flowering Plants
Assessed taxon level
Species
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).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
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.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Incomplete
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Critically Endangered
Assessment status abreviation
CR
Assessment status criteria
D
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.
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
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.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Further information
History
The situation for this species in 1996 is likely to have been similar to its current situation.