Living Stone (Lithops gracilidelineata)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 232531392

Population survey and establishment of long-term monitoring plots of Lithops gracilidelineata, a threatened ‘living-stone’ plant endemic to the Namib Desert

Lithops gracilidelineata is a rare plant endemic to the Namib Desert that is severely threatened from over-collecting and habitat loss, but we currently lack sufficient population data to complete a formal conservation assessment. In order to conserve this species, we aim to conduct fieldwork across the native range of Lithops gracilidelineata and its subspecies (subsp. brandbergensis) in the Namib Desert to: 1. Record the morphological and ecological diversity of the species across its range. 2. Survey and map known populations. 3. Search for new populations. 4. Assess current and future threats to these populations. 5. Highlight threatened or significant populations in need of monitoring. Population data will be collected following the protocol established by the Threatened Plants Programme of Namibia. These data will then be used to: 6. Complete an IUCN Red List assessment for Lithops gracilidelineata. 7. Establish a conservation action plan with the Threatened Plants Programme of Namibia based on these collected data: the establishment of long-term monitoring plots of critical and threatened populations.

 

The population surveys undertaken as parted of the work funded by MBZ have provided valuable data that have informed our Red List assessment for the entire species. This work has resulted in the discovery that the threat risk of this species has elevated from LC (Least Concern) to Endangered (EN) in the last 20 years. This new status has drawn attention to the risks faced by this species and will significantly elevate its priority in conservation planning. This will be critically important for convincing the Namibian government to limit mining activities within its native range. In addition, during the process of this work, we discovered that one of the populations of Lithops gracilidelineata is a previously undescribed sub-species. We have submitted a paper detailing this new subspecies. Once recognised, this will afford it much greater protection, as it can be given a formal red list assessment and threat of extinction risk. We are extremely grateful to the MBZ species conservation fund for enabling field-work, data-collection and the effective long-term protection of this extraordinary species.