5.2 Biological Environment
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
3 slight exceedance of 3 µg/m against the WHO limit for PM2.5 at AN1, AN2 and AN4 (results of 28 µg/m3 compared to the WHO limit of 25 µg/m3). In general, air quality at all the sampling stations was good/healthy based on the air quality results obtained. This is due to the sampling location being a low density, coastal area with no industrial air discharges, and where the likelihood of poor air movement is low due to the land and sea breeze interaction. 5.1.11 Ambient Noise Ambient noise level sampling was carried out from 18th to 21st February 2016 at the same stations as the air quality survey. The results were compared against the maximum permissible sound level for Suburban Residential Areas, Public Spaces, Parks and Recreational Areas specified under Schedule 1 of the Guidelines for Environmental Noise Limits and Control /9/, where the permissible sound level is 55 dB(A) for day time and 45 dB(A) for night time. Detailed explanation of the methods and results is provided in Appendix C. The ambient noise levels during day time and night time were relatively high, exceeding the limit at all stations except at AN2 and AN4 during day time hours (Table 5.16). The predominant source at all stations was road traffic noise. Table 5.16 Sound levels (LAeq) recorded at the sensitive receptors during the surveys in February and March 2014. Period Sound Level Equivalent (LAeq), dB(A) Guidelines Schedule 1 for Suburban Residential AN1 AN2 AN3 AN4 AN5 (dB(A)) Day 56.3 51.5 56.7 53.9 59.2 55 time Night 55.3 49.2 53.6 50.6 54.1 45 time 5.2 Biological Environment 5.2.1 Data Collection and Sources The existing biological environment consists of both terrestrial and marine environments, encompassing different types of habitats. In order to capture the diversity of habitats and to ensure their adequate representation, the biological environment is described within the following boundaries: Marine ecology – encompassing an area covering more than 10 km radius from the project boundary extending to Tg. Tuan. Terrestrial ecology – 5 km from the project boundary. Table 5.17 Details of data collection for biological environment Component Type of Data Source Date of Collection Terrestrial vegetation Primary Survey 26 January 2016 Secondary Satellite Image SPOT-6 2015 and Google Earth January 2016 5-86 62801230-RPT-02 Existing Environment Component Type of Data Source Date of Collection Terrestrial fauna Primary Mist nets 9 - 12 April 2015 Cage trappings 31 May - 3 June 2015 Avifauna Primary Point count survey 12 - 15 December Transect line survey 2015 Mangrove Primary Survey 25 January 2016 Secondary Satellite Image SPOT-6 2015 and Google Earth January 2016 Seagrass Primary Survey 24 April 2016 Benthic Habitat Primary Splash camera survey 5 – 11 February 2016 Side scan survey 2 – 13 February 2016 Marine megafauna Secondary Various publications Fish fauna Primary Seven sampling stations Neap: 3 - 4 February 2016 and 26 March 2016 Spring: 13 March 2016 and 15 March 2016 Fish trap: 2 - 18 April 2016 Plankton Primary 8 sampling stations 25 – 26 January 2016 1 – 2 February 2016 Benthos Primary 16 sampling stations 27 – 31 January 2016 5.2.2 Terrestrial Ecology 5.2.2.1 Vegetation Terrestrial vegetation along the coastline within the study area is predominantly mangroves or mixed beach vegetation. Further inland it is dominated by plantation areas, particularly palm oil. Based on the satellite image interpretation and subsequent field verification, the total terrestrial vegetation area, excluding grassland and swamp, is approximately 1,083 hectares, measured approximately 5 km inland (Figure 5.57 and Table 5.18). Photo 5.5 shows some examples of terrestrial flora along the coastline which includes Barringtonia asiatica or putat laut (Lecythidaceae), Callophyllum inophyllum or bintanggor laut (Clusiaceae), Terminalia catappa or ketapang (Lecythidaceae), Casuarina equisetifolia or rhu (Casuarinaceae) and Pandanus affinis (Pandanaceae). Focusing on the 1 km boundary from the project site, vegetation within the village areas is mainly remnant grassland patches and scattered trees in between houses (refer to Appendix C for survey findings). In other areas, where trees were observed, the physiognomic type is mostly shrubland or sparse shrubland. Vegetation species include Areca catechu (Pokok 5-87 Pinang), Mangifera indica (mango tree), Colocasia species (elephant-ear plant), Mallotus paniculatus, Macaranga spp. (Pokok Mahang), Melastoma malabathricum, Bambusa spp., Acacia auriculiformis, Oncosperma tigillarium, Mimosa pudica, Lalang (Imperata cylindrical), Terminalia catappa, Stenochlaena palustris, Dicranopteris linearis (fern) and some other shrubs and ferns. Figure 5.57 Vegetation type within 5 km of the project area. Table 5.18 Percentage of vegetation type within 5 km of the project area Vegetation Type Area (ha) Percentage Grassland 304 9 Plantation 1822 56 Swamp 39 1 Terrestrial Vegetation 1083 33 Total 3248 100 5-88 62801230-RPT-02 Existing Environment Photo 5.5 Beach vegetation along the shoreline from Tg. Batu Supai to Tg. Che’ Amar 5-89 5.2.2.2 Fauna Generally, mammal diversity in different habitats (mudflats, mangroves, mixed vegetation, and orchards) within Kuala Linggi is relatively high. A total of 24 species of mammals were recorded during surveys in 2015 (refer to Appendix E for fauna survey report) comprising four species of carnivores (cat, civet and otters), six species of chiropterans (bats), three species of primates (macaque, monkey and loris), eight species of rodentia (rats and squirrels), one species of pholidota (pangolin), one species of scandentian (treeshrew) and one species of ungulate (wild boar). A total of 16 mammals species were recorded inhabiting Sungai Linggi mangrove, represented by four species of carnivores (cats, civets and otters), four species of chiropterans (bats), three species of primates (monkeys and slow loris), three species of rodentia (rat and squirrels), one species of scandentia (common treeshrew), and one ungulate (wild boar). Mammals are categorised as Totally Protected, Protected and Not Protected according to the Wildlife Act 2010. Out of the 24 species of mammals documented, four species were listed as totally protected mammals (slow loris (Nycticebus coucang), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), oriental small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea) and smooth otter (Lutra perspicillata)) and four species were listed as protected (dusky leaf monkey (Trahypithecus obscurus), common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and wild pig (Sus scrofa)). The remaining non-protected 16 mammals include the common treeshew (Tupaia glis) and Malaysian wood rat (Rattus tiomanicus). All of the totally protected and protected mammals mentioned above were mainly found within the Sg. Linggi mangrove area. The exception is the long-tailed macaque which was mainly found along the shoreline of Negeri Sembilan (Tg. Agas to Tg. Selamat) where a mangrove fringe along the shoreline is available and Pasir Panjang forest reserve. The lowest mammal diversity was observed along the shoreline of Malacca (Tg. Batu Supai to Kuala Sg. Baru) due to the mainly residential landuse and more limited terrestrial vegetation compared to the Sg. Linggi and Negeri Sembilan shoreline (refer to Figure 5.57 for terrestrial vegetation cover). Among the bat species, the common long-tongued fruit bat (Macroglossus minimus) is the dominant and most common fruit-eating (frugivorous) bat in the mangrove forests and coastal area. Other frugivorous bats recorded are the Horsfield’s bat (Cynopterus horsfieldi) and cave nectar bat (Eonycteris spelaea). The insectivorous bats (Microchiroptera), however are less commonly encountered. An individual trefoil horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus trifoliatus) and a pouched tomb bat (Tophozous saccolaimus) were also recorded. The shrews were represented by the common tree-shrew (Tupaia glis). This species is known to be widespread on the mainland in all types of forest habitats, extending from the lowlands to higher elevations up to 1500 m. Squirrels were represented by two species, one of which is the plantain squirrel (Callosciurus notatus). Members of this arboreal species are commonly found in scrubs, gardens, orchards, and smallholdings, where they range freely into the adjoining forest including the mangrove, inland primary and secondary forests. The smooth otter (Lutra perspicillata) was commonly sighted in Kuala Linggi. The mangrove waterways and creeks in the area support a viable population of this species. The most abundant primate in the area is the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). This species is ubiquitous throughout the mainland, occurring abundantly from the coastal zone (including mangroves), to primary and secondary forests, orchards, plantations, and forest fringes. In fact, this species has even colonised settlement areas and has learnt to co-exist successfully with humans to the extent that the monkeys have become a pest and nuisance. The most prevalent large mammal in the survey area is the wild boar (Sus scrofa). This species is known to occupy all types of habitats including mangroves, scrubs, forest fringes, and plantation areas. The wild boar, pangolin, and primates are all protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. 5-90 62801230-RPT-02 Existing Environment Photo 5.6 Example of protected wildlife captured from the camera trap: long-tailed macaque (top) and wild boar (bottom) Photo 5.7 Monkeys and squirrels observed within study site 5.2.3 Avifauna The bird survey consisted of point count observations for land birds and line transects for the wader census, which was conducted during migratory (1 campaign) and non-migratory (2 campaigns) seasons between April 2015 and December 2015 (see Figure 5.58). Refer to Appendix E for details on the survey findings and methodology, including coordinates of survey stations. 5-91 Figure 5.58 Avifauna survey stations 5.2.3.1 Species Diversity and Abundance A total of 100 bird species, from 47 families, were recorded within the study site, from both point count and transect data. A total of 86 species from 42 families of birds were observed through the point count method.