Taxon name
Rhanterium epapposum
Oliv.
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Rhanterium epapposum
Oliv.
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Plants
Flowering Plants
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
Qualifying criteria (if given)
A2ac
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
This species has a relatively restricted area within the UAE, is severely fragmented and is experiencing a continuing decline in the number of mature individuals in addition to its habitat extent/quality. Although it occurs within at least one protected area, Rhanterium epapposum has experienced a population decline of over 75% in the past 20 years. Therefore, this species is assessed as Endangered.
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
This species is widespread in the northeastern UAE, from Jebel Hafeet (<a href=""http://data.rbge.org.uk/herb/E00586818"">RBGE; coll. J.R. Edmondson, 1980</a>; <a href=""http://data.rbge.org.uk/herb/E00586811"">RBGE; coll. R.A. Western 1982</a>) and Al Ain north to Ras Al Khaimah, widespread north of Abu Dhabi-Al Ain road, east to the foothills of the Hajar Mountains (Jongbloed et al. 2003). It is also recorded from Dubai, south of Dubai and to the west towards Abu Dhabi. Whilst subpopulations have been lost, leading to a decline in the area of occupancy, it is unclear whether the extent of occurrence has undergone decline. The species is found through the Arabian Peninsula to south-east Iraq and southern Iran (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2019).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This perennial dwarf shrub (up to 0.7 m in height) is found in sand and gravel plains, low sand dunes, and low hillsides (Jongbloed et al. 2003), in addition to some mountainous areas. It also occurs on Jebel Hafeet to c. 1,000 m asl.
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Overgrazing by both camels and sheep has led to the disappearance of this species in many locations, both within the UAE and across the region, and even where it still persists, it is often only possible to find flowering plants where they are protected from grazing (Jongbloed et al. 2003). Development (agricultural and urbanisation) has also caused further declines of Rhanterium epapposum.
History
This species was recorded as locally common in the 1980's, however it has since experienced a population decline of over 75% due to overgrazing and development.
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.
