Biodiversity Management Plan for 11 Critically Endangered and 4 Endangered Encephalartos Species.

The aim of the Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) is to ensure the long-term survival in nature of 15 critically endangered Encephalartos species. For the purpose of this BMP long-term survival is interpreted as halting the decline of the in situ populations and thereafter attaining a population growth which will result in a down-listing of the species in terms of its conservation status in the IUCN Red List. eneric aspects of the BMP-S which are applicable to all 15 Encephalartos species include an increase in protection of wild cycads, essential research, and effective management of confiscated cycads and ex situ collections. Specific objectives, actions and recovery targets were established for all 15 Encephalartos species ranging from surveys to determine current population status, identification of secure sites for reintroduction, proclamation of areas as Specially Protected Areas in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act to recovery objectives such as reintroduction of seed and/or seedlings into secure localities.