Rationale
(Changed due to Same category but change in criteria)
This species occurs only in one small forest and has a very small area of occupancy (25 km2) and extent of occurrence (47 km2). However, Ngome Forest is formally protected as it falls within the Ntendeka Wilderness Area. At present, there is little encroachment from the surrounding human community (I. van der Merwe pers. comm. 2014). Transformation of the forest into plantations is not a serious threat at this time because no additional licenses for water rights will be granted (I. van der Merwe pers. comm. 2014). Although there are no immediate threats to the intact forest, this species is of concern due to its restricted range, coupled with the potential for transformation of the broader landscape in the future and is considered Near Threatened as it almost qualifies for a threatened listing under criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
Distribution
Endemic to a single forest patch, Ngome Forest, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Tolley and Burger 2007, Tilbury and Tolley 2009, Bates et al. 2014), with an AOO of 24 km2 and EOO of 46 km 2 .
No information is currently available on population status and trends, but the species is estimated as stable at present.
Threats
Most of Ngome Forest is intact and the human population density within the surrounding buffer area is low (Berliner et al. 2006). However, human density and habitat transformation across the overall landscape is high (see Meadows and Hoffmann 2002, Schoeman et al. 2013) and could pose a threat in the future. Encroachment of pine plantation into the buffer zone is possible, and the forest edge is highly exposed.
Uses and trade
There is no known trade in this species (UNEP-WCMC 2017).
Conservation
This species is listed in CITES Appendix II; it occurs in two protected areas. Monitoring of the situation at Ngome forest is required to ensure that there is no further encroachment by plantations or transformation by human settlements. If any encroachment, degradation or transformation takes place, re-assess the species.
[@electronic{181632,
address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
author = {IUCN},
title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-2},
year = {2018}
}
,@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}
}
,@electronic{3009,
address = {https://trade.cites.org/},
author = {UNEP-WCMC},
title = {CITES Trade Database},
year = {2017}
}
,@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}
}
,@article{176291,
author = {Meadows, M.E. and Hoffmann, M.T.},
journal = {Area},
number = {4},
pages = {428--437},
title = {The nature, extent and causes of land degradation in South Africa: Legacy of the past, lessons for the future?},
volume = {34},
year = {2002}
}
,]
