BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT

March 2019

By S. Maphalala Ecologist [email protected]

Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2 GENERAL...... 3

3 METHODSA ...... 3

4 BIODIVERSITY ...... 4

4.1 FLORA ...... 4

4.2 FAUNA ...... 6

5 RED DATA LIST SPECIES ...... 7

5.1 FAUNA ...... 7

5.2 FLORA ...... 7

6 HYDROLOGY ...... 7

7 IMPACTS ...... 8

7.1 BIODIVERSITY ...... 8

7.2 FAUNA ...... 8

7.3 FLORA ...... 9

7.4 WATER ...... 10

8 RECOMMENDATION ...... 10

Biodiversity Assessment for Ngwenya Mine, Malolotja Nature Reserve

Ngwenya Mine Biodiversity Assessment 1 INTRODUCTION

The project is an existing mine in the Ngwenya Mountain on the Bomvu Ridge in the Hhohho region and it entail the processing of the waste dumps of the original mine. The project is undergoing an environmental audit to assess the state of the environment as it exists currently as according to the EAARR, 2000 as reviewed.

2 GENERAL The project site is the southern end of the Malolotja Nature Reserve in the third highest mountain in Eswatini with an altitude of 1829m. This is the extension of the eastern Drakensberg escarpment of southern Africa. The reserve is an extensive 18,000ha north south expanse of land predominantly in the Highveld with river valleys that are as low as the upper Middleveld spacially in the Mgwayiza mistbelt forest. The site covers 401.85 ha of Afromontane grassland that has been disturbed by the iron ore mine. The area is a mountain ridge with extremely sloppy sides especially in the west and the north and south. Presently the area is used as a tourist site by the Eswatini National Trust Commission. A mine dam is located on the northern end of the project area and was used as a source of water for the waste processing project.

It should be noted that the Swaziland Flora Protection Act (2001) provides legal protection for over 200 plant species in the country. It prohibits unauthorised plucking, cutting or uprooting of protected indigenous flora. The Game Act of 1991 provides legal protection for almost all large mammals and all birds. Stiff gaol sentences and/or fines may be imposed on persons contravening this act (which is a non-bailable offence).

The aim of this survey was to assess the ecological significance of Ngwenya Mine area with respect to the biodiversity that it supports. The main objectives of the survey were: • To characterise the ecosystems. • To make checklists of the plants, birds and mammals occurring on the area, • To identify any critical or threatened habitats on the area, • To identify any threatened and endemic species within the area.

This report presents the findings of an ecological/biodiversity survey, carried out in March 2019.

3 METHODS wandering vegetation and faunal survey was conducted to identify what plant, bird and mammal species occur within the proposed project area. Special emphasis was placed on threatened and endemic species. Threatened species were identified based on lists in Monadjem et al (2003) and Loffler & Loffler (2006). An ecosystem assessment was also conducted to ascertain whether any critical or threatened habitats occur on the area.

3 Biodiversity Assessment for Ngwenya Mine - Malolotja Nature Reserve

4 BIODIVERSITY The Hhohho region straddles three of the four ecological zones recorded in Swaziland and this essentially makes it one of the rich regions in terms of biodiversity. It boasts of cooler mountainous zones with the afro montane grasslands and warmer middleveld areas with sour forest as well as the savanna woodlands mosaic of the lowveld.

The vegetation type of the area as described by Sweet and Khumalo (1994) is Highveld Afromontane grassland. This grassland is however interspaced with afromontane forest in deep gullies and riverine forests along the young river valleys. Sour Highveld grasslands cover the area with few trees on rock outcrops a legacy of the high frequency of lightning fires. The area is also part of the Barberton-Makhonjwa Endemic Bird Area whose ecosystem protects species normally not found anywhere in the world except in this area. The area forma aobut 20% of the now declare Barberton Makhonjwa World Heritage Site for unique geology which has the oldest rock in the world. This has seen South Africa developing a Genesis Route with platforms to showcase the unique geology. The Ngwenya (Bomvu) Ridge is the southern tip of this unique geology.

4.1 FLORA

The Hhohho region is known to be home to just over 470 plants species, which indicates about ¾ of the total plant species recorded in the country. Some 20 of these species are known as of conservation importance, some of which occur within Malolotja Nature Reserve but only three of them were observed within the project area which is the Cussonia spp , melanospermum italae and the brachystelma codii. The Bomvu Ride of Ngwenya is also home to a significantly rare Cineraria ngwenyensis which is near endemic and classified as very rare by IUCN.

The vegetation on the project area has been extensively disturbed in the past and the effect of this has resulted in some bush encroachment dominated by plant species such as pinus spp and Acacia spp with a fast growing Solanum mauritianum population.

The site generally disturbed and as such a high number of invasive have invaded the area.

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Figure 1: Flora occurring on site

Table 1. Summary details of plant species recorded on the project area Number of indigenous plant species 11 Number of exotic plant species 8 Total number of plant species 19 Percentage of Swaziland’s indigenous plants (%) 4.0% Number of new records for Swaziland 0 Number of endemic species 0 Number of threatened species (listed in the Red Data Book) 0

Table 2. Flora species recorded on the project area Scientific Name Common Name Protected Status 1. Alepidea spp Giant alepidea 2. Rubus fruticosus Bramble Invasive 3. Acacia mensii Wattle Invasive 4. Protea comptonii Protea 5. Brachystelma coddii Rare 6. Melanospermum italae Near endemic

7. Watsonia bella 8. Erythria lysistemon Common Coral 9. Lantana camara Lantana Invasive 10. Melia azedarach Syringa Invasive 11. Rhus chirindensis Red currant 12. Solanum mauritianum Bug weed Invasive

13. Vangueria infausta Velvet wild-medlar 14. Commelina africana Yellow commelina 15. Celtis aricana Stinkwood 16. Pinus spp Pine Invasive 17. Rubus idaeus Raspberries Invasive 18. Cussonia spp Cabbage tree Protected 19. Coraderia selloana Elephant grass

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4.2 FAUNA

In the past, the afromonatne grassland of this area supported numerous species of large mammalian herbivores and carnivores (Monadjem, 1998a). These species are now almost exclusively confined to protected areas and currently only a few smaller antelope species may persist in the Ngwenya area. We did not see any antelope or their tracks/droppings during this survey; however, we suspect that grey duikers, clipspringers and grey rheboks still occur on the project area. The only mammals that we found signs of on the property were baboons and porcupines. There is also strong evidence of an existence of a leopard as we also found a porcupine kill with quills scattered around. Other carnivores have been recorded in this area including a thriving black back jackal population and

The Ngwenya and by extension the Malolotja Area supports a rich diversity of birds as is regarded as one of the highly significant refuges for birds in southern Africa. More than 280 bird species have been recorded in the park and it is a breeding habitat for globally significant bird species such as the blue swallow, bald ibis, blue crane and Stanleys bustard. The growth of the pine and wattle forest in the mine area have re attracted birds species and likely there are nesting site for some of the common bird species known to inhabit Malolotja Nature Reserve.

Table 3. Summary details of birds and mammals recorded on the Ngwenya Project area Number of indigenous bird species 9 Number of indigenous mammal species 4 Total number of species of birds and mammals 13 Percentage of Swaziland’s indigenous birds and mammals (%) Number of new records for Swaziland 0 Number of endemic species 0 Number of threatened species (listed in the Red Data Book) 0

Table 4. Fauna species recorded on the project area Scientific name Common name Protected Status Birds Pycnonotus tricolor Dark-capped Bulbul Streptopelia capicola Cape Turtle Dove Ploceus xanthops Golden Weaver Scopus umbretta Hamerkop Protected Passer domesticus House Sparrow Pycnotus barbatus Black eyed bulbul Falco rupicolus Rock Kestrels Buteo rufofuscus Jackal buzzard Aquila verreauxii Verreauxs eagle Mammals Sylvicapra grimmia Grey Duiker Pelea capreolus Grey rhebok Protected Hystrix africaeaustralis Porcupine Papio ursinus Chacma baboon

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5 RED DATA LIST SPECIES

5.1 FAUNA

As a conservation area the Malolotja is a significant sanctuary for a number of critically endangered species such as the blue swallow, bald ibis, blue crane and Stanleys bustard which nest inside the park. They are also home to high conservation value species such as the grey rhebok, eland Tsessebe and the leopard all of which are near threatened. Most of these are sensitive to disturbances such as the bald ibis. Blue swallows are known to nest in the Bomvu Ridge all the way towards Malolotja falls and the Mahulungwane gorge.

5.2 FLORA

Malolotja nature reserve hosts the endemic Barberton cycad (Encephalartos paucidentatus) which is under heavy threats of poaching. The project area however is a home to the near endemic Woolly cyscad (Encephalartos heenanii) and other herbaceous plants such as the Cheirostylis gymnochiloides, Brachystelma coddii and Cineraria ngwenyensis. The landscape below the project area is habitat for the Eswatini endemic pants Kniphofia umbrina (Redhot porker). The endemic plant occurs in close proximity to the Hawane wetlands and dam and is the sole reason the Hawane Conservation area was fenced around the dam. This plant is already threatened heavily by habitat change, agriculture and settlement expansion. The smaller plants tend to be overlooked and trampled in project activities hence care must be taken. These endemics and near endemics indicate the importance of the Malolotja grassland as part of the Barberton endemic landscape.

6 HYDROLOGY

The southern Malolotja is a well-drained landscape and due to the high mountains, it is a source to tributaries for major rivers in the Eswatini. The Ngwenya Mountain, Bomvu Ridge plays a significant role in water percolation for three major rivers: Motjane River a tributary of the Mbuluzi River, Ngwenya River, a tributary of the Lusushwana and Usuthu Rivers and Mlondozi River, a tributary of the Nkomati River. The Motjane River is located in the east of the escarpment and drains directly from the iron ore waste deposits on the mountain range. This river has a small dam that has been effectively used as a containment area during the waste processing.

The Motjane empties into the northern end of the Hawane dam where it meets the Mbuluzi River. This Mbuluzi is also percolated and supplied from the Ngwenya Mountain range just northern of the Motjane River. The Hawane dam is a resevior that supplies the Mbabane municipality and surrounding areas with water. Any significant changes in the water quality of these two rivers has a bearing on the health of the whole Mbabane Municipality and the Mbuluzi Catchment into Mozambique.

7 Biodiversity Assessment for Ngwenya Mine - Malolotja Nature Reserve

The southern end of the Bomvu Ridge is a source of the Ngwenya River which starts as a wetland on the foot of the mountain and extends over the MR3 Main road as a small stream. This stream eventually empties into the Lusushwana River which is one of the major rivers of Eswatini and supplies the Matsapha Industrial Area and surrounding areas as well as the part of the Manzini Municipality. The Lusushwana is the biggest tributary of the Lusutfu River a back bone of the country’s economy through agriculture.

7 IMPACTS

The impacts of the waste processing occur due to a number of factors. Directly, because of the removal of ground cover and use of machinery which change the physical landscape. This may displace some of the iron deposits which end up as dust in the atmosphere or as deposits in the soils and the streams. Indirectly, due to the other chemicals that are used for the processing which are removed as waste water and may end up in the ecosystem. The net effect is a changing of a sensitive ecosystem and habitats for flora and fauna.

7.1 BIODIVERSITY

The impacts of the waste processing had a negative effect on the biodiversity through the changing of the ecosystem. The expansion and spread of dust particles would be a normal occurrence in the less sensitive environment but in an endemic zone like Bomvu Ridge the changes in air quality reduces the ecosystems resilience and hence changes the conditions that establish the endemism. The iron ore dust particles also increase the temperature by reflect the short wave radiation from the earth effectively increasing surface temperature. These conditions increase the temperature range of the ecosystems changing habitats for flora and fauna.

7.2 FAUNA

The Malolotja Nature Reserve has a wide range of species found within the park. A lot of these have previously been recorded in Ngwenya. Since the start of the waste processing these may have relocated due to noise, human presence and increased dust and light. This is evidenced by the very few birds and small evidence of mammals observed in the area. The occurrence of protected fauna such as Bald ibis in the project area is limited to foraging sites which extends beyond the park into the Motjane and Nkhaba grasslands. This indicates a high relocation possibility in case of disturbances in the project area. There are no nesting sites close to the project area. This is particularly important as these birds are sensitive to human presence when nesting.

The river water quality indicates a decline as well which would explain the non-occurrence of herpeto-fauna (small reptiles and frogs) especially those that are aquatic. This is likely to have been influenced by the high turbidity of the water reducing light penetration (brownification) and subsequently increase bacteria and algal blooms which in turn decimate the oxygen for the fish and frogs as well as other insects. Once oxygen is minimal in water the process of eutrophication is well underway and the dams like the containment dam will be overrun with vegetation. 8 Biodiversity Assessment for Ngwenya Mine - Malolotja Nature Reserve

Figure 2: Kill zone for a porcupine by a predator likely a leopard

7.3 FLORA

The expansion of invasive species is a critical impact on the afro-montane grassland. The operation area is littered with wattle and pine but it is the expansion of the Bug weed this is of more concern. This occurred along the roads indicating an correlation with the vehicle movements especially ti areas previously not accessible to vehicles. This expansion of invasive plant is a major threat to the grassland ecosystem. It brings seeds and enable new plants and reduction of the grassland. The grassland is a key ecosystem for the near endemic plants in the area hence the expansion of large plats will likely cause a regional extinction of the such plants as the Brachystelma coddii and Cineraria ngwenyensis.

The heavily poached endemic Barberton Cycad may be pushed to extinction if care is not taken to prevent further removal related to human activity in the Ngwenya and the rest of the Malolotja area. These have been known to be target species for landscaping and traditional use.

Figure 3: Invasive plants in the disturbed area and growth along the access roads

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7.4 WATER

The percolation of the water in the Ngwenya range feeds the three large rivers of Eswatini these being the Komati, Mbuluzi and Lusushwana. This is an ecosystem service provided by the grassland. The usage of any water in the Ngwenya mountains reduces the water table and hence affects the springs feeding the major rivers. This was evident in the last operation of the mine when the Motjane River dried up drying up the Hawane Dam and reducing the flow of the Mbuluzi River thereby even reducing other reservoirs downstream such as IYSIS. Such impacts will be addressed by the integrated water management plan proposed for the project site. The major thrust for saving water in the project is in the recycling of water which will be implemented as part of the processing plan.

The presence of Iron ore in the water initiates oxidation resulting in the browning of the water which reduces its quality and this may have health implication to users of the water downstream.

8 RECOMMENDATION a. That all project activities be limited to a demarcated project area and no wondering of personnel and machinery into pristine area to reduce unnecessary impacts. b. Waste water be contained, processed and reused in the process to minimise the impact of aquatic habitat. c. Notices of no poaching be placed for all personnel to see d. Light be kept to minimum especially during the night as the landscape has a large number of nocturnal species such as moths and birds. e. No unnecessary removal of plant materials from the site or any other materials naturally occurring in the area. f. Water usage be kept at minimum level and that a limit for the natural recharge of the water table be observed g. That personnel be warned of possible encounter with dangerous wildlife in the area such as leopards. h. That the decommissioning phase must include grass seeding over the project area to reduce chances if erosion

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