CONSERVATION STATUS AND THREATS TO ENDEMIC PLANT SPECIES OF GRIQUALAND WEST OF SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

Endemic species are important to biodiversity of any region they are situated. They are to be protected from over exploitation and population decline. This study evaluated the conservation status and threats to endemic plant species of Griqualand West in South Africa. The SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute) Red List data base was used in determining the conservation status and threats to these endemic species. The result of this study showed that all the endemic species of Griqualand West of South Africa are of conservation concern meaning they need to be given attention in terms of conservation. Also human induced threats were discovered in this study. This study thereby recommend that conservation priority should be given to the endemic species of this region that are of conservation concern, and also efforts should be made to control the human induced threats identified in this study.