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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REPORT: MARLOTH PARK NKOMAZI: MPUMALANGA PROVINCE PREPARED BY: RHENGU ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES P O Box 1046 Cell: 082 414 7088 MALELANE Fax: 086 685 8003 1320 E–mail: [email protected] PREPARED FOR: MAY 2015 COPYRIGHT WARNING With exceptions the copyright in all text and presented information is the property of RHENGU ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES. It is a criminal offence to reproduce and or use, without written consent, any information, technical procedure and or technique contained in this document. Criminal and civil proceedings will be taken as a matter of strict routine against any person and or institution infringing the copyright of RHENGU ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CC. 2 DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION LIST ORGANISATION CONTACT COPIES Client Mr. T. Hayman 2 Hard Copies and CD TOTAL COPIES 3 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 1. ABBREVIATIONS 5 2. GENERAL INFORMATION 6 3. LOCALITY INFORMATION 8 4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 9 5. DESCRIPTION OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 11 6. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 13 6.1. CRITICAL ISSUES 13 6.2. IMPORTANT ISSUES 13 6.3. OPERATIONAL ISSUES 13 6.4. ISSUES AND RESULTS 14 7. OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 26 TABLE 1: Grass Species List 23 TABLE 2: Grass Species Composition and Biomass 24 TABLE 3: Large Animal Units 40 TABLE 4: Control Methods and Procedures for Alien Plants 41 TABLE 5: Works Schedule 43 Environmental- and Wildlife Photographs 47 APPENDIX A: MAP, VELD CONDITION RESULT SHEETS AND TABLES 52 8. REFERENCES 84 4 Executive Summary Mr. Tony Hayman (Marloth Park Property Owners Association: MPPOA) requested Rhengu Environmental Services (RES) to conduct an updated ecological study of the Marloth Park Wildlife Estate (MPWE). The survey was commissioned to determine the prevailing veld condition of the property and to identify the ecological problems facing the management of this very special system. The approach to this survey and to this document is based on the Ecological Report submitted by Ben Orban in 2006. The Orban Report, although comprehensive, proved to be very cumbersome to read and understand and few if any of the recommendations were implemented by the Marloth Park Management Team (MPMT). What was now required was to update the Orban Report and encapsulate the important aspects of its’ contents into a functional, practical, hands on version of events describing the prevailing wildlife conditions. This report should then provide for a more dynamic, down to earth instruction manual on wildlife management issues, problems and solutions. The results of the study were used to compile an Environmental Management Report (EMR). The following key aspects are considered important and or will require attention by Management: Game species do not utilise the entire 528 ha of the parkland available in the Reserve and this fact has implications for the stocking rate of the property. Although not all the development stands will be developed (some land owners have purchased more than 1 stand), the 528ha will be available to wildlife in the long term whilst undeveloped stands will add some additional grazing space on an ad hoc basis. The expected stocking rate has dropped significantly to the extent that the majority of the animals must be removed to avoid die offs and starvation. Remove 165 LAU’s of impala, warthog, giraffe and kudu as described in the report. Monitor the condition of browsers over the next twelve months to collect reliable information on the well being of these species. This must include the qualification of animal condition as a percentage of the population numbers. Stocking Rate: The ongoing monitoring of veld condition; animal condition; fire management and associated factors, as listed in paragraph 7, will in future assist with decision making in this regard. In the long term it is estimated that with improved veld conditions and grass species composition, the stocking rate can be adjusted and re-defined. None of the 15 sites surveyed at this stage of the season satisfy the criteria for a management burn (more than 3000kg/ha and more than 60% decreaser/increaser 1 species in the field layer). Decreaser grasses (climax, palatable, good grasses) comprise 12 % of the MPWE field layer. This figure must be improved over time. Grazing impact must be reduced/minimised on all the feeding sites. Supplementation must take place on under-utilised sites and rotated regularly (every 6 weeks). More than 62% of the field layer consists of weeds which are indicative of overgrazed pasture conditions. Alien- and invasive plants (including weeds) are contributing to lowering the carrying capacity of the veld. These plants must be removed systematically. Implement the veld rehabilitation programme as described in chapter 7. Remove 66% of the sickle bush trees. A designated Game Farm Manager must supervise and oversee the scientific management of the property on an ongoing basis. This will include the implementation of the monitoring programme and the works schedule. MPWE residents/shareholders and owners must trust the decisions taken by the designated manager, is so far as these have bearing on the wildlife management component of the Estate. When in doubt applicable expertise and advice can be sourced to confirm or verify certain aspects. The EMR was translated into a set of recommendations which if implemented over time, should ensure a sustainable product which will function within the framework of Integrated Environmental Management. 5 1. ABBREVIATIONS ASAP As Soon As Possible Asl Above sea level DWA&S Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation EIA’s Environmental Impact Assessments EMPr Environmental Management Programme EMR Environmental Management Report GPS Geographical Positioning System g Gram Ha hectare Kg kilogram LAU Large Animal Unit m metre MP Marloth Park MPEMT Marloth Park Estate Management Team MPMT Marloth Park Management Team MPPOA Marloth Park Property Owners Association MPWE Marloth Park Wildlife Estate mm millimetre NA Not Applicable OMP Operational Management Plan RES Rhengu Environmental Services 6 2. GENERAL INFORMATION Project Title Environmental Management Report: Property: Marloth Park Wildlife Estate, Mpumalanga Province. Name of Client Marloth Park Property Owners Association: Representative: Mr. Tony Hayman Mr. Tony Hayman Address P. O. Box 681 Komatipoort 1340 Contact Person Mr. Tony Hayman Cell Number 082 572 7074 E Mail [email protected] Name of Consultant Rhengu Environmental Services (RES) P. O. Box 1046 Address Malelane 1320 Contact Person/s Ralf Kalwa Pr. Nat. Sci. Reg. Nr. 400046/08 Telephone Number 082 414 7088 Fax Number 086 685 8003 Date of Report May 2015 Wildlife roams freely between the houses on the estate 7 Date of Site 1. 24/03/2015-26/03/2015: Site Inspections and field work. Inspection/s Reason for Site All game reserves and game areas in South Africa are obliged to Visit and Field abide by various acts and statutes of legislation. To this end the Work. National Environmental Management Act and specifically the Biodiversity Protection Act are of particular importance. To ensure that the Marloth Park Wildlife Estate abides by all aspects pertaining to environmental law and to manage the Estate in a responsible, sustainable way, the MPPOA: Environmental Management Committee took the decision to undertake an updated Ecological Study of the area. RES were appointed to undertake the surveys and determine the veld condition/carrying capacity of the reserve with special reference to identify and quantify the ecological potential of the area with the view to continuing the wildlife enterprise in a sustainable manner. The contents of this EMR, describes the status of the prevailing veld condition and the condition of the habitat available to game animals on the reserve. Finally, the EMR through a set of recommendations guides the MPPOA to implement a number of programmes which will benefit the habitat at Marloth Park and the well-fare of the wildlife in the medium to long term. A Browse Line is evident on key species of woody vegetation, e.g. Acacia spp. 8 3. LOCALITY INFORMATION Name of Place and Locality Marloth Park is found to the east of Hectorspruit, a few kilometres north of the N4 Maputo Corridor Toll Road in the Nkomazi District, Mpumalanga. Region Nkomazi District. Size of Development Approximately 1627ha. Approximately 528ha is available to conservation (Orban 2006). Certain stands have not been developed and may also be available to wildlife. 528ha is however guaranteed for use by wildlife in the long term. Magisterial District Nkomazi. Nearest Town/City Hectorspruit-Komatipoort. Nearest Main Road N4 Toll Road. Type of area where the development is located (mark all applicable blocks). CBD Rural X City Recreational area X Commercial Agricultural X Town X Inf. Settlement Industrial Homesteads Township Other: Tourism X Road X Building A plethora of man-made waterholes provide water for the wildlife at Marloth Park 9 4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Current Status and Infrastructure: Access to the Estate and the game reserve is via the national road (N4) northwards to the Crocodile River. The MPWE has optimised many aspects of lifestyle living and provides for a variety in recreational opportunities, i.e. cycling; game viewing; birding; nature trails and hiking. This survey and report describes the issues pertaining to the wildlife/game “farming” operation. The reserve is fenced off with a security- and game fence which is electrified and patrolled daily. A 24 hour security service-access control and surveillance provides for all aspects of safety and security. Water supply for game is more than adequate with a number of earthen dams/impoundments, man-made troughs/water holes and drainage lines providing water to various habitat sections on the reserve. MPWE is home to a variety of land uses which include retirement homes, private lodges, commercial tourism lodges and supportive infrastructure including shops, restaurants and businesses that provide services to the above listed facilities. MPWE falls under the jurisdiction of the local Nkomazi Municipality, the latter providing municipal services including sewerage, electricity and water.