SANBI

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

This species has a very limited distribution and occurs in only three forests (Ntumeni, Dlinza and Ngoya). Entumeni (in a rural area) is fragmented—broken into small patches due to human activities, while Ngoya (in a rural area) and Dlinza (in the town of Eshowe) are not as heavily transformed but nevertheless impacted and vulnerable to external pressures. Overall, the range is considered to be severely fragmented (see Schoeman et al. 2013), and the species is in three threat locations. Fragmentation effects and the disruption of landscape level processes continue due to high human populations outside the forests, both within buffer zones and across the broader landscape (Berliner et al. 2006; D. Berliner pers. comm. 2014). Human population densities are especially high near Dlinza and Ngoya (D. Berliner pers. comm. 2014). Ngoya is formally protected but is nevertheless affected by human activities (Boudreu et al. 2005); Dlinza and Ntumeni are partially protected but there is a serious threat of fragmentation and disturbance which could affect natural processes. The species therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered.

Distribution

Found in three forest patches (Ntumeni, Dlinza and Ongoya) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Tilbury and Tolley 2009, Bates et al. 2014).

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

No information currently available, but considered severely fragmented as the forest patches are small and disconnected, and no forest patch has more than 50% of the population.

Threats

Threats generally relate to habitat degradation as a result of human activities. The broader landscape is heavily populated by a rural community (Driver et al. 2012), as are the buffer zones surrounding Dlinza and Ngoya. Ntumeni and Dlinza have been heavily transformed by plantations and the original forest matrix is no longer intact (see Schoeman et al. 2013). Recent trade in this species could pose a threat, with targeted exploitation affecting the majority of wild populations. The species is therefore listed as Sensitive on the South African National Sensitive Species List.

Uses and trade

Although this species has not previously been in pet trade, there are recent advertisements online (2018) where this species is for sale. This trade is currently unregulated and given the level of threat on this species, trade must be regulated and individuals should not be removed from the wild for trade.

Conservation

This species is listed in CITES Appendix II. Although all three forests are protected at some level, human impacts in the area are expected to continue. Conservation of this species should therefore mainly ensure that the forests are properly protected and that encroachment is minimised. Restore degraded areas within the forests, and reduce human population density in buffer zones, to help ensure that ecological processes are not further disrupted and that the forests remain healthy and intact. Perform additional surveys to determine whether chameleons use only pristine forest or are also found in degraded forest, and whether forest fragmentation has a seriously negative effect on gene flow. Removal of species from the wild for trade requires regulation, which could be accomplished by listing of the species on the South African Threatened or Protected Species list in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004). Strong enforcement of CITES regulations are needed, and if unregulated removal from the wild for trade continues, the species is a candidate for non-detriment findings and a Biodiversity Management Plan.

References

[@electronic{181632,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-2},
 year = {2018}
}
,@techreport{5228,
 address = {Pretoria, South Africa},
 author = {Driver, A., Sink, K.J., Nel, J.N., Holness, S., Van Niekerk, L., Daniels, F., Jonas, Z., Majiedt, P.A., Harris, L. and Maze, K.},
 institution = {South African National Biodiversity Institute and Department of Environmental Affairs},
 title = {National Biodiversity Assessment 2011: An assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems. Synthesis Report},
 year = {2012}
}
,@article{6409,
 author = {Boudreau, S., Lawes, M.J., Piper, S.E. and Phadima, L.J.},
 journal = {Forest Ecology and Management},
 pages = {149--165},
 title = {Subsistence harvesting of pole-size understorey species from Ongoye Forest Reserve, South Africa: Species preference, harvest intensity, and social correlates},
 volume = {21},
 year = {2005}
}
,@book{612,
 address = {Pretoria},
 author = {Bates, M.F., Branch, W.R., Bauer, A.M., Burger, M., Marais, J., Alexander, G.J. and de Villiers, M.S.},
 publisher = {Suricata 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute},
 title = {Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland},
 year = {2014}
}
,@book{3009,
 address = {Cape Town},
 author = {Tolley, K.A. and Burger, M.},
 publisher = {Struik},
 title = {Chameleons of Southern Africa},
 year = {2007}
}
,@article{3009,
 author = {Tilbury, C.R. and Tolley, K.A.},
 journal = {Zootaxa},
 pages = {43--57},
 title = {A new species of dwarf chameleon (Sauria; Chamaeleonidae, <i>Bradypodion</i> Fitzinger) from KwaZulu Natal South Africa with notes on recent climatic shifts and their influence on speciation in the genus},
 volume = {2226},
 year = {2009}
}
,@techreport{3009,
 address = {Pretoria, South Africa},
 author = {Berliner, D.D., van der Merwe, I., Benn, G. and Rouget, M.},
 institution = {UK DFID for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry},
 title = {Systematic Conservation Planning for the Forest Biome of South Africa. Approach, Methods and Results of the Selection of Priority Forests for Conservation Action},
 year = {2006}
}
,@article{3012,
 author = {Schoeman, F., Newby, T.S., Thompson, M.W. and Van den Berg, E.C.},
 journal = {South African Journal of Geomatics},
 number = {2},
 pages = {94--105},
 title = {South African National Land-Cover Change Map},
 volume = {2},
 year = {2013}
}
,]

How to cite this assessment

See the partners page

Send feedback about this assessment to SANBI

Red List of South African Species