PROPOSED KABA HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Baseline Terrestrial Ecology Study & Sensitivity Assessment
JULY 2018
Prepared for: Peter Velcich NuLeaf Planning and Environmental PostNet Suite 168 Private Bag X 844 Silverton 0127
Prepared by: Warren McCleland ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite 192 Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109
KABA LODGE ECOLOGY STUDY & SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT (ECOREX) JULY 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES...... 3 LIST OF FIGURES ...... 3 ABBREVIATIONS ...... 5 TERMINOLOGY ...... 5 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ...... 6 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 7 2. TERMS OF REFERENCE ...... 8 3. STUDY AREA ...... 9 4. METHODS ...... 11
4.1 FLORA...... 11 4.2 FAUNA ...... 11 4.3 SENSITIVITY AND IMPORTANCE ASSESSMENT ...... 12 5. ASSUMPTIONS, LIMITATIONS & KNOWLEDGE GAPS ...... 13 5.1 Seasonality ...... 13 5.2 Overlooked Species ...... 13 5.3 Vegetation Clearing...... 13 6. BIODIVERSITY BASELINE DESCRIPTION ...... 15
6.1 FLORA...... 15 6.1.1 Regional Context ...... 15 6.1.2 Local Vegetation Communities ...... 18 6.1.3 Conservation-Important Flora ...... 22 6.2 TERRESTRIAL FAUNA ...... 24 6.2.1 Mammals ...... 24 6.2.2 Birds ...... 25 6.2.3 Reptiles & Frogs ...... 28 7. SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT ...... 30 8. KEY POTENTIAL IMPACTS ...... 32 9. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 33 10. REFERENCES ...... 34 11. APPENDICES ...... 36
APPENDIX 1. CHECKLIST OF FLORA RECORDED DURING FIELDWORK ...... 36 APPENDIX 2. PLANT SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN OCCURRING IN GENERAL VICINITY OF THE STUDY AREA ...... 41 APPENDIX 3. CHECKLIST OF MAMMALS AND BIRDS RECORDED DURING FIELDWORK ...... 45 APPENDIX 4. FAUNA OF CONSERVATION CONCERN OCCURRING WITHIN THE GENERAL VICINITY OF THE STUDY AREA ...... 51 APPENDIX 5. CURRICULUM VITAE OF DUNCAN MCKENZIE ...... 54 APPENDIX 6. SPECIALISTS DECLARATION ...... 55
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List of Tables
Table 1. Sensitivity Driver Scores...... 12 Table 2. Overall Sensitivity and Importance Scores ...... 12 Table 3. Sensitivity Assessment of Vegetation Communities and Relevant Infrastructure ...... 30
List of Figures
Figure 1. Location of Study Area ...... 10 Figure 2. Map showing the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan Assessment for the study area ...... 17 Figure 3. Photographs of Coastal Dune Forest in the study area ...... 19 Figure 4. Photographs of Dry Evergreen Thicket ...... 20 Figure 5. Photographs of Degraded Open Woodland ...... 21 Figure 6. Vegetation communities within the study area ...... 23 Figure 7. Sensitivity Values for the vegetation communities within the study area ...... 31
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EIA REGULATIONS SPECIALISTS REPORT CHECKLIST
(1) A specialist report prepared in terms of the 2014 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations must contain-
(a) details of-
(i) the specialist who prepared the report; and page 07
(ii) the expertise of that specialist to compile a specialist report including a curriculum vitae; page 54
(b) a declaration that the specialist is independent in a form as may be specified by the competent authority; page 55
(c) an indication of the scope of, and the purpose for which, the report was prepared; page 07
(d) the date and season of the site investigation and the relevance of the season to the outcome of the assessment; page 11
(e) a description of the methodology adopted in preparing the report or carrying out the specialised process; page 11
(f) the specific identified sensitivity of the site related to the activity and its associated structures and infrastructure; page 30
(g) an identification of any areas to be avoided, including buffers; page 33
(h) a map superimposing the activity including the associated structures and infrastructure on the environmental page 31 sensitivities of the site including areas to be avoided, including buffers;
(i) a description of any assumptions made and any uncertainties or gaps in knowledge; page 13 (j) a description of the findings and potential implications of such findings on the impact of the proposed activity, page 30 including identified alternatives on the environment; (k) any mitigation measures for inclusion in the EMPr; page 33
(l) any conditions for inclusion in the environmental authorisation; page 33
(m) any monitoring requirements for inclusion in the EMPr or environmental authorisation; page 33
(n) a reasoned opinion-
(i) as to whether the proposed activity or portions thereof should be authorised; and page 33 (ii) if the opinion is that the proposed activity or portions thereof should be authorised, any avoidance, management and mitigation measures that should be included in the EMPr, and where applicable, the closure page 33 plan; (o) a description of any consultation process that was undertaken during the course of preparing the specialist X n/a report; (p) a summary and copies of any comments received during any consultation process and where applicable all X n/a responses thereto; and (q) any other information requested by the competent authority. none
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Abbreviations
IBA Important Bird Area IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature mamsl Metres Above Mean Sea Level NEMBA ToPS National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act Threatened or Protected Species (No. 10 of 2004) NFA National Forest Act (No. 30 of 1998) QDS Quarter Degree Square, for example 2431 AC
Terminology
Alien Introduced from elsewhere: neither endemic nor indigenous. Biodiversity The structural, functional and compositional attributes of an area, ranging from genes to landscapes. Epiphytic Living on the surface of other plants without causing harm Geophyte Plants that produce their growth points from organs stored below the ground, an adaption to survive frost, drought and / or fire. Transformed Transformed ecosystems are no longer natural and contain little or no indigenous flora. Examples include agricultural lands, plantations, urban areas, etc.
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Declaration of Independence
We declare that we have been appointed as independent consulting ecologists with no affiliation with or vested financial interests in the proponent, other than for work performed under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010. We have no conflicting interests in the undertaking of this activity and have no interests in secondary developments resulting from the authorisation of this project. Remuneration for our services by the proponent is not linked to approval by any decision-making authority responsible for authorising this development.
W.L. McCleland 11 July 2018
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1. INTRODUCTION
Peter Velcich of Nuleaf Planning and Environmental approached ECOREX Consulting Ecologists to assist with a terrestrial ecology and sensitivity assessment of a proposed residential development on the farms Ais 257 and Kaba 324. This study will provide a basis for assessing potential impacts of the proposed project on terrestrial ecology and guide the design and location of the infrastructure. The study comprised flora and key vertebrate fauna (mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs) and took place over two days in May 2018.
The primary deliverable for this study is a report describing the baseline biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems (including a vegetation map), assessing the ecological sensitivity of these ecosystems, and briefly describing potential key impacts on terrestrial ecology (including recommendations regarding infrastructure layout, where relevant).
Project Team Duncan McKenzie (Terrestrial Ecologist). Duncan has been involved in biodiversity assessments for ECOREX for ten years and countries of work experience include Lesotho, Swaziland, Mali, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Guinea, South Africa, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Duncan has previously worked as a Regional Coordinator for the Mondi Wetlands Project and lectures on many aspects of conservation in Mbombela and the Kruger National Park. He is currently the Regional Co-ordinator for the South African Bird Atlas Project, a position he has held for eight years, formerly sat on the KZN Bird Rarities Committee and is a co-author on the Wildflowers of the Kruger National Park project. A more detailed CV is presented in Appendix 5.
Linda McKenzie (GIS Specialist). Linda is a GIS Specialist/GIS Analyst with over 12 years’ experience in the industry. For the last four years she has operated her own GIS Consultancy called Digital Earth. She has extensive experience in both the private and public sector, as has worked on a wide variety of projects and GIS applications. These include, most recently, vegetation and sensitivity mapping, landcover data capture, municipal roads master planning, hydroelectric scheme and wind farm feasibility mapping and town planning, land surveyor and engineering support services. Linda currently serves as treasurer for GISSA Mpumalanga and is a registered Professional GISc Practitioner (PGP0170).
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2. TERMS OF REFERENCE
The terms of reference for this project were:
A. Conduct an assessment of the terrestrial ecosystems within the project area (vertebrate fauna and flora), which will include the following:
o Brief description of vegetation communities; o Overview of potentially occurring plant species of conservation concern; o Vegetation Map; o Description of bird assemblages; o Overview of potentially occurring fauna species of conservation concern (mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs). B. Assessment of the Ecological Sensitivity of the habitats represented in the immediate vicinity of the proposed infrastructure. C. Overview of key potential impacts of the project on terrestrial ecosystems and recommendations regarding infrastructure layout, where relevant..
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3. STUDY AREA
The proposed development is located on the following farm portions:
Portion 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 of the farm Ais 257 Portion 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15 of the farm Kaba 324
The study area is situated approximately 12 km south-west of the town of Alexandria, Sarah Baartman District, Eastern Cape Province (Figure 1). The project comprises the establishment of 14 private homes and all associated civil infrastructure.
The study area is situated within the quarter-degree grid 3326 CB between elevations of approximately 160 and 260 mamsl.
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Figure 1. Location of Study Area
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4. METHODS 4.1 Flora
Desktop
Broad-scale vegetation communities were identified prior to fieldwork using Google EarthTM satellite imagery. Red Data plant species listed for the quarter-degree grid 3326 CB in the Botanical Database of Southern Africa (BODATSA), which contains records from the National Herbarium in Pretoria, the Compton Herbarium in Cape Town and the KwaZulu- Natal Herbarium in Durban, were used to produce a list of the most likely species of conservation concern, which were searched for during fieldwork.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork took place on 30-31 May 2018. The field survey was focused on the immediate vicinity of the proposed stand locations. A short meandering transect was walked through each stand and adjacent habitat. A list of all visible plant species was compiled per vegetation community, noting dominant and diagnostic species. Focus was placed on locating plant species of conservation concern within the vicinity of the proposed infrastructure.
4.2 Fauna
Desktop
Lists of potentially occurring conservation-important mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs potentially were prepared using Swanepoel et al. (2016), the Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2 http://sabap2.adu.org.za/, Taylor et al. (2016), Minter et al. (2004) and Bates et al. (2014). The above data were captured mostly at a quarter-degree spatial resolution but were refined by excluding species unlikely to occur within the study area, due to unsuitable habitat characteristics (e.g. altitude and land-use). Bat species thought to only forage over the study area (i.e. mostly cave-roosting species) were not included in the assessment due to the lack of suitable roosting sites within the study area. Potential occurrence of fauna in the study area was predicted based on knowledge of known habitat requirements of each species.
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Fieldwork Birds were identified visually using Bushnell 10x42 binoculars or by listening to calls of species hidden in dense vegetation. Observations were made incidentally during the time that the vegetation survey was conducted and limited to birds seen and heard within the study area and immediate surrounds. Mammals, reptiles and frogs were recorded incidentally as they were encountered during the survey through direct evidence (sightings) and indirect evidence (spoor, dung).
4.3 Sensitivity and Importance Assessment
The overall ecological sensitivity of the proposed stand locations was assessed against seven Sensitivity Drivers on a sensitivity matrix. These drivers are indicated in Table 3. A score between zero and five was given for each of the Drivers with zero indicating an absent or not applicable impact and five that of a very high or confirmed one (Table 1). These scores were summed and compared to the sensitivity values reflected in Table 2. Scores of 21 or higher indicate options with a high sensitivity, indicating potentially high biodiversity / development conflict. Most favourable sites are those with lower potential for conflict.
Table 1. Sensitivity Driver Scores
SENSITIVITY DRIVER SCORE 1 = Very low / Negligible 2 = Low 3 = Moderate 4 = High 5 = Very High
Table 2. Overall Sensitivity and Importance Scores
OVERALL SENSITIVITY SCORE 7-10 = Very low / Negligible 11-15 = Low 16-20 = Moderate 21-25 = High 26-35 = Very High
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5. ASSUMPTIONS, LIMITATIONS & KNOWLEDGE GAPS
5.1 Seasonality
The assessment was based on a single field survey in the early part of winter (30-31 May 2018), which is not an optimal time for surveying flora. Plants which flower at other times of the year may have been overlooked and thus underrepresented. However, this is not a significant limitation that should affect a record of decision for the following reasons: the focus of the field survey was on describing vegetation communities and assessing suitability of habitat for threatened species, not compiling comprehensive species lists; vegetation communities are dominated by evergreen woody species that are identifiable even in winter, facilitating identification of a high proportion of visible species; sufficient data could be collected to assess the habitat suitability for species of conservation concern (SCC); and the proposed infrastructure occupies a very small footprint of natural habitat, significantly reducing the potential for impact on populations of SCC.
The likelihood of occurrence of SCC is dealt with in section 6.1.3 of this report.
5.2 Overlooked Species
Certain plant species, particularly geophytes, will only flower in seasons when conditions are optimal and may thus remain undetected, even over a survey that encompasses several seasons. Other plant species may be overlooked because of very small size and / or extreme rarity. A sampling strategy will always represent merely a subset of the true diversity of the study area. However, the level of sampling effort for this study is considered appropriate for the objectives of the study.
5.3 Vegetation Clearing
The vegetation strata below the canopy had been cleared at each proposed stand site prior to fieldwork. While an attempt was made to identify each of the plant species represented, it is likely that some species that had been present prior to vegetation clearing were no longer visible. While this is probably a more significant limitation than the above two, the footprint of natural habitat that is likely to be impacted is very limited, significantly reducing the potential
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for impact on populations of SCC and this limitation should thus not impact on a record of decision being made.
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6. BIODIVERSITY BASELINE DESCRIPTION
6.1 Flora
6.1.1 Regional Context
National Vegetation Types According to Mucina & Rutherford (2006), the study area is situated at the junction of three of South Africa’s biomes, namely the Albany Thicket, Forest and Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biomes. However, the predominantly azonal vegetation types of the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biome are not represented in the study area and are found closer to the coast. Two vegetation types from two biomes are represented in the study area. Each of these is described in more detail below, based on the accounts in Mucina & Rutherford (2006).
The Albany Coastal Belt (AT9) vegetation type, which is part of the Albany Thicket biome, is endemic to the Eastern Cape and is associated with the low, undulating hills close to the coast between the Kei and Sunday Rivers. It is thought to be a modified vegetation type that has replaced the original dense, non-seasonal thicket by early settlers who found this to be prime agricultural land. Vegetation structure is mostly short grasslands with scattered bushclumps, although areas of original thicket are still present, such as those represented in the study area. Acacia natalitia is usually dominant in this vegetation type. Thicket patches comprise a diverse array of woody shrubs and trees including Brachylaena elliptica, Canthium spinosum, Ficus sur, Sideroxylon inerme, Clausena anisata, Coddia rudis and Hippobromus pauciflorus. Climbers are also prominent in the thicket patches and include Cynanchum viminale, Rhoicissus digitata and Secamone alpini. Open grassland is usually dominated by grasses such as Cynodon dactylon, Brachiaria serrata, Dactyloctenium australe, Erharta calycina, Eragrostis curvula, Heteropogon contortus, Panicum maximum and Themeda triandra. Albany Coastal Belt was assessed by Mucina & Rutherford (2006) as Least Threatened even though it has a moderate level of transformation (17%) and only 1% of the protection target of 19% has been achieved, primarily in Alexandra Forest which is now part of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park.
According to Mucina & Rutherford (2006), the study area is also located within Southern Coastal Forest (FOz6), which is part of the forest biome. This forest type occurs in fragmented patches from the Cape Peninsula, along the Western and Eastern Cape coastlines, to just beyond the Kei River. Southern Coastal Forest has been assessed as Least Threatened because of a high protection level (over 20%) and low level of 15 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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transformation 6%). However, the subtropical forests of South Africa have recently been reclassified by Mucina (2018) and the study area falls within what is now classified as the Albany Coastal Forests. These forests are considered endemic to the Eastern Cape, occurring mainly on deep sands overlying the Nanaga and Alexandria Formations between the Maitland and Kei Rivers, and are best represented in the Alexandria Forest complex. Mucina et al. (2018) recognise six distinct vegetation communities within the Albany Coastal Forest, of which two are represented in the study area:
I. Celtis africana–Teclea natalensis Community This is a major community of the Woody Cape Section of the Alexandria Forest (part of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park), occurring mostly on deeper sands on valley bottoms. The tree canopy is well developed and ranges from 12 – 35 m in height. Dominant trees include Celtis africana, Afrocarpus falcatus, Erythrina caffra and Hypoestes aristata.
II. Mimusops obovata–Schotia latifolia Community This is also a tall, closed-canopy forest that occasionally occurs on valley bottoms, but is mostly associated with south-facing slopes. The dominant trees in the canopy are Afrocarpus falcatus, Euclea natalensis, Eugenia zeyheri, Mimusops obovata, Mystroxylon aethiopicum and Schotia latifolia.
The overall conservation value of both of these forest communities is high as they appear to be confined to the Alexandria Forest.
Centres of Plant Endemism The study area is situated in the Albany Centre of Plant Endemism (ACPE), an area of high plant diversity and endemism, with an estimated 4000 species present of which 15% are endemic or near-endemic (van Wyk & Smith, 2001). Approximately 130 species are threatened with extinction in the ACPE, as well as 72 species that are classified as Near Threatened, of which very few are protected in formal conservation areas (Victor & Dold, 2003). The study area (immediate vicinity of the proposed infrastructure) has a very low representation of ACPE endemics, and only one species was located during fieldwork (Dicliptera capensis).
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Threatened Ecosystems The study area does not fall with any Threatened Ecosystem as listed in Notice 1002 of Government Gazette 34809, 9 December 2011.
Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan The Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP) is a land-use planning tool that identifies and maps Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and other priority areas for conservation in the province, as well as providing recommendations on compatible land- uses for the different CBA classes (Berliner et al., 2007). The study area is situated within an area that has been defined as CBA1 and is immediately adjacent to the GAENP, which is classified as Protected Area 1 (Figure 2). Areas classified as CBA1 fall within the Biodiversity Land Management Class (BLMC) 1 – Natural Landscapes. Since areas that fall within this BLMC are considered to be critical for biodiversity persistence and ecosystem functioning, the land needs to be kept in as natural a condition as possible and should be managed for no net loss in biodiversity. Permissible land-uses for BLMC1 areas are Conservation and Game Farming (conditional).
Figure 2. Map showing the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan Assessment for the study area
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6.1.2 Local Vegetation Communities
Three vegetation communities were identified within the proposed development sites on the basis of distinctive vegetation structure (grassland, woodland, thicket, etc.), floristic composition (dominant and diagnostic species) and position in the landscape (mid-slopes, terrace, crest, etc.). These vegetation communities are described briefly below, and species lists are provided in Appendix 1. These accounts are relevant to the immediate vicinity of the proposed infrastructure only. The same vegetation communities were not surveyed away from the infrastructure and are likely to contain many other species not mentioned below or listed in Appendix 1.
6.1.2.1 Coastal Dune Forest
This is the primary vegetation community within the vicinity of the eastern units (Figure 6). Vegetation structure is Short to Low Forest (sensu Edwards, 1983) that is characterised by a dense, closed canopy that varies in height from 4-6 m, a distinct mid-stratum of diverse woody shrubs and an understory that is dominated by soft shrublets (Figure 3).
Sideroxylon inerme is the dominant canopy tree in this vegetation community, with other common tree species including Tarchonanthus littoralis, Cordia caffra and Strychnos decussata. Canopy tree diversity is high, with numerous infrequently encountered species such as Zanthoxylum capense, Harpephyllum caffrum, Brachylaena discolor, Apodytes dimidiata and Mystroxylon aethiopicum. The mid-stratum of evergreen woody shrubs or small trees is also diverse. Typical species in this stratum include Carissa bispinosa, Azima tetracantha, Dovyalis rhamnoides, Euclea natalensis and Eugenia capensis. The understory is dominated by soft shrublets in the Acanthaceae family, particularly Hypoestes aristata, H. forskaolii and Isoglossa ciliata.
Fifty-nine species (50% of the full species list) were recorded in Coastal Dune Forest in the vicinity of the proposed units 1-5 (Appendix 1). While a number of species are shared with the Dry Evergreen Thicket community, a high total of 35 species (59% of the community species list) was apparently confined to this community.
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Figure 3. Photographs of Coastal Dune Forest in the study area
No species of conservation concern as defined by Raimondo et al. (2009)1 were found in this vegetation community during fieldwork. One tree species that is protected under the National Forests Act (No. 30 of 1998) was located and is dominant in Coastal Dune Forest, namely Sideroxylon inerme. Three tree species that are protected under Schedule 4 of the Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance (No. 19 of 1974) were recorded.
The ecological sensitivity of Coastal Dune Forest is assessed in section 7. Even though the vegetation community is in a relatively undisturbed ecological state, has a high potential to support biodiversity and a high number of unique taxa (habitat specialists), the potential for negative associated impacts of the project is low, and size of the footprint is small, resulting in a sensitivity classification of Medium.
6.1.2.2 Dry Evergreen Thicket
This vegetation community is represented in the eastern part of the study area (Figure 6). Vegetation structure is Low Thicket (sensu Edwards, 1983) and is characterised by a lack of clear sub-canopy strata and a sparse herbaceous understory (Figure 4). A diverse array of small trees and woody shrubs dominate this community, with the most prominent being the spiny scrambling shrub Scutia myrtina, while other common species include Searsia crenata, Tecoma capensis, Gymnosporia buxifolia, Mystroxylon aethiopicum and Zanthoxylum capense. Less frequently encountered small trees and shrub include Gymnosporia harveyana, Diospyros dichrophylla, Acacia natalitia, Plumbago auriculata and Dovyalis
1 Raimondo et al. (2009) define “species of conservation concern” as those that are classified as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulmnerable), those that are classified as Near Threatened, and those species in the categories Declining, Rare and Critically Rare. 19 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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rhamnoides. Herbaceous understory species are less prominent than in Coastal Dune Forest, but do include Dicliptera capensis, Hypoestes forskaolii and Pupalia lappacea.
Forty-eight species were recorded in Dry Evergreen Thicket during fieldwork, representing 41% of the total plant species list (Appendix 1). A reasonable number of species are shared between this community and Coastal Dune Forest, although 48% of the species found in Dry Evergreen thicket appeared to be confined to it. One of these species, Dicliptera capensis, is endemic to the Albany Centre of Plant Endemism.
Figure 4. Photographs of Dry Evergreen Thicket
One species of conservation concern as defined by Raimondo et al. (2009)1 was found in Dry Evergreen Thicket during fieldwork, namely Dioscorea sylvatica, which is classified as Vulnerable. This slender climber appears to be rare in this vegetation community and was not located elsewhere in the study area. Sideroxylon inerme was the only nationally protected species found in this community during fieldwork. It is protected under the National Forests Act (No. 30 of 1998).
The ecological sensitivity of Dry Evergreen Thicket is assessed in section 7. The vegetation community is in a relatively undisturbed ecological state, has a high potential to support biodiversity and a high number of unique taxa (habitat specialists), but since the potential for negative project impacts is low, and size of the footprint is very low, the sensitivity classification is Medium.
1 Raimondo et al. (2009) define “species of conservation concern” as those that are classified as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulmnerable), those that are classified as Near Threatened, and those species in the categories Declining, Rare and Critically Rare. 20 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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6.1.2.3 Degraded Open Woodland / Grassland
This vegetation community is modified habitat that represents areas of forest or thicket that were historically cleared to provide dryland pastures for livestock and have been kept open ever since. Degraded Open Woodland / Grassland is present at both development sites as indicated in Figure 6. Vegetation structure varies from short grassland to low open woodland (sensu Edwards, 1983), with patches of low closed woodland where bush encroachment by Acacia natalitia has taken place (Figure 5). The dominant grass species throughout this community is Cynodon dactylon, with the alien Cenchrus clandestinus being co-dominant in places. Other less frequently encountered grass species are Digitaria eriantha, Sporobolus africanus, Eragrostis curvula and Setaria sphacelata. Trees are mostly sparsely scattered in Degraded Open Woodland / Grassland, with Acacia natalitia being the most prominent species, even forming patches of low closed woodland where disturbed areas have been colonised. The herbaceous layer is strongly dominated by grasses, with poor representation of forbs and geophytes such as Brunsvigia gregaria, Helichrysum rugulosum, Senecio species, Ledebouria revoluta and Jamesbrittenia microphylla.
Figure 5. Photographs of Degraded Open Woodland
No species of conservation concern as defined by Raimondo et al. (2009)1 and no protected species were found in Degraded Open Woodland / Grassland during fieldwork. The vegetation community is also modified habitat in a degraded ecological state, has a low potential to support biodiversity and a low number of unique taxa (habitat specialists). As a result, it has been classified as having Low ecological sensitivity.
1 Raimondo et al. (2009) define “species of conservation concern” as those that are classified as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulmnerable), those that are classified as Near Threatened, and those species in the categories Declining, Rare and Critically Rare. 21 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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6.1.3 Conservation-Important Flora
One hundred and nineteen plant species were recorded within the vicinity of the proposed development during fieldwork of which one is classified as threatened and five are protected by national and / or provincial legislation (Appendix 1). The threatened species is Dioscorea sylvatica, which has been classified as Vulnerable as a result of commercial harvesting in the 1950’s and current harvesting for the traditional medicine industry preventing populations from recovering (Williams et al., 2017). It is rare in the study area and was only found at one locality in Dry Evergreen Thicket. This species is also a listed Threatened or Protected Species (ToPS) under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004).
One species recorded in the vicinity of the development sites is protected under the National Forests Act (No. 30 of 1998), namely Sideroxylon inerme, which is a common tree species in the canopy of Coastal Dune Forest. Three species are protected under the Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance (No. 19 of 1974), namely Clausena anisata, Zanthoxylum capense and Zanthoxylum davyi. All three species are present in Coastal Dune Forest, although in relatively low numbers, while Z. capense is also present in Dry Evergreen Thicket.
An additional 36 plant species of conservation concern have been recorded from the quarter-degree grids in the vicinity of the study area (Appendix 2), of which two have a moderate of likelihood of occurring. The most threatened of these is Encephalartos arenarius, which is classified as Endangered by Raimondo et al. (2009). A number of plants of this species were found around existing buildings and were possibly transplanted from nearby forest habitat. Possibly grows naturally on the property but it is unlikely that this distinctive species was overlooked within the immediate vicinity of the infrastructure footprints. Clivia nobilis, which is classified as Vulnerable, has been confirmed to occur in the understory of Albany Coastal Forests by Mucina et al. (2018), although further west near Port Elizabeth. While this species may be present in Coastal Dune Forest in the study area, it is a distinctive plant that is unlikely to have been overlooked in the immediate vicinity of the infrastructure footprints.
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Figure 6. Vegetation communities within the study area
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6.2 Terrestrial Fauna
6.2.1 Mammals
The Greater Addo Elephant National Park (GAENP) supports a remarkable diversity of habitats and consequently has a list of 96 non-marine mammal species1, of which 44 are large to medium-sized mammals (Boshoff et al., 2002). Boshoff et al. (2002) defined 21 mammal habitat classes for the GAENP, of which only one occurs in the vicinity of the study area (Thicket Forest Mosaic). Only 16 mammal species were listed for the Thicket Forest Mosaic by Boshoff et al. (2002), indicating the significantly lower mammal diversity in the part of the GAENP in which the study area is situated. For this reason, and given the small size of the area investigated, it is likely that the natural habitat in the study area only supports a small proportion of the GAENP mammal list. While numerous mammal species of conservation concern are known to occur in the GAENP, only 10 species potentially occur within the general vicinity of the study area (Appendix 4). Most of these have a low likelihood of occurring because of a lack of suitable habitat or general rarity in the area. Leopard (Panthera pardus), which is classified as Vulnerable (VU), has been recorded historically on the property (pers.com. C. Brand) but is only likely to be a very infrequent visitor, particularly since it is estimated that one pair require about 20 000 ha of suitable habitat within the GAENP (Boshoff et al. 2002). Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola), which is classified as VU, has a moderate likelihood of occurring in the study area, particularly since it’s favoured thicket habitat is present. Four of the potentially occurring mammal species of conservation concern are listed ToPS species protected under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004), although only one of them (Leopard) has been recorded on the property. Sixteen mammal species were confirmed to occur in the study area during fieldwork (Appendix 3), although dedicated mammal surveys using motion-triggered cameras, rodent trapping and bat recording would have confirmed the presence of some of the more cryptic or nocturnal species that wouldn’t have been located during the brief survey period.
1 https://www.sanparks.org/assets/docs/parks_addo/mammals-species-list.pdf 24 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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6.2.2 Birds
Species Diversity The diverse range of habitats present within the GAENP has resulted in a very high bird list of 417 species1, although this is not a good indication of the diversity to be expected within the study area which is much smaller and has far less habitats represented. A better indication is data collected during the ongoing Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2), which is recorded at a much finer spatial scale, i.e. mapping units (pentads) of approximately 77 km2. The data from SABAP2 indicate that 218 bird species have already been recorded from the pentad in which the study area is situated (3340_2615)2. While this is a better indication of the bird diversity of the general vicinity of the study area, the pentad list includes numerous waterbirds that are unlikely to occur in the area investigated, which had no surface water present.
Eighty bird species were confirmed to occur in the study area during two days’ fieldwork (Appendix 3), which is a reasonable indication of expected winter avian diversity in the area. Further sampling over different times of the year would be needed to get an accurate estimate of species richness, but the data collected were sufficient in order to give broad descriptions of relevant bird assemblages.
Three broad bird assemblages were evident during fieldwork and are briefly described below.
I. Forest / Thicket Assemblage This is the most species-rich bird assemblage in the study area and is associated with the Dry Thicket and Coastal Dune Forest vegetation communities. The assemblage is characterised by a high proportion of forest / thicket specialists that are unlikely to occur elsewhere in the study area, such as Olive Woodpecker (Dendropicos griseocephalus), Olive Bushshrike (Chlorophoneus olivaceus), Terrestrial Brownbul (Phyllastrephus terrestris), Brown Scrub Robin (Erythropygia signata), Chorister Robin-Chat (Cossypha dichroa), Dark-backed Weaver (Ploceus bicolor) and Grey Sunbird (Cyanomitra veroxii). Knysna Woodpecker (Campethera notata), which is classified as Near Threatened and is endemic to South Africa, was also confined to this assemblage. Thirty-eight species, or 48%
1 https://www.sanparks.org/docs/groups_birders/checklists/birds-addo.pdf 2 Data accessed from http://sabap2.adu.org.za/ on 13/06/2018 25 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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of the fieldwork species list, were recorded in this assemblage (Appendix 3), although the true species richness is likely to be significantly higher.
II. Woodland Assemblage This assemblage is associated with parts of the Degraded Open Woodland vegetation community where tree / shrub density is highest. Bird species composition is dominated by generalist woodland / savannah species, such as Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris), Chinspot Batis (Batis molitor), Southern Fiscal (Lanius collaris), Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), White-browed Scrub Robin (Erythropygia leucophrys) and Southern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer diffusus), all of which were absent from the other assemblages in the study area. Twenty-seven species, or 34% of the fieldwork list, were recorded in this assemblage (Appendix 3) although true species richness is likely to be higher, particularly in summer when migratory species are present.
III. Grassland Assemblage The grassland assemblage is also associated with the Degraded Open Woodland vegetation community, but only in areas where tree cover is sparse and the vegetation structure is predominantly grassland. The species composition of this assemblage is dominated by widespread generalist species, such as Cape Turtle Dove (Streptopelia capicola), Black- headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala), Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus), Pied Starling (Spreo bicolor) and Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis), with only a few grassland specialists such as Black-winged Lapwing (Vanellus melanopterus) present.
Important Bird Areas The study area falls within the Woody Cape Section: Addo Elephant National Park Important Bird Area (IBA), which qualifies as a Global IBA under criteria A1, A2 and A31. IBA trigger species include globally threatened or near threatened species such as Damara Tern (Sterna balaenarum) (17% of South Africa’s breeding population), African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini), Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus), Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus), Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius), Denham's Bustard (Neotis denhami) and Knysna Woodpecker. A number of restricted-range and biome-restricted species are relatively common in the IBA, such as Olive Bush-Shrike, Knysna Turaco (Tauraco corythaix), Knysna Woodpecker, Brown Scrub Robin, Black-bellied
1 http://www.birdlife.org.za/conservation/important-bird-areas/iba-directory/item/236-sa094-woody- cape-section-addo-elephant-national-park 26 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Starling (Notopholia corruscus), Forest Canary (Crithagra scotops) and Grey Sunbird, all of which were confirmed to occur in the study area during fieldwork.
Species of Conservation Concern An estimated 30 bird species of conservation concern occur in the general vicinity of the study area, although suitable habitat is present for only four these species, the rest having a low to very low likelihood of occurring (Appendix 4). One species was confirmed to occur during fieldwork, namely Knysna Woodpecker, which is classified as Near Threatened. This species is a habitat specialist that is confined to forest or thicket habitats in the study area. The other three species are dealt with below.
Knysna Warbler Bradypterus sylvaticus This skulking warbler species is endemic to the coastal belt of South Africa, occurring in low, dense thicket or scrub, usually near drainage lines (Pearson, 2018). It has been assessed as Vulnerable by Taylor et al. (2015) as a result of a fragmented distribution and ongoing loss of forest habitat. Knysna Warbler has only been recorded four times out of 14 atlas cards submitted during SABAP2 for the pentad in which the study area is situated (3340_2615)1 and is probably a rare, localised resident. It is easily overlooked when not singing and occurrence in the study area would be best confirmed during its breeding season prior to egg-laying (Aug-Sep), when it is likely to be more vocal.
Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Lanner Falcon is a widespread African and southern European raptor, occurring throughout South Africa in a wide variety of habitats (Kemp & Marks, 2018). Taylor et al. (2015) have classified it as Vulnerable in South Africa as a result of documented and suspected local population declines. Lanner Falcon appears to be a rare, irregular visitor to the pentad in which Kaba is situated, with only 2 sightings recorded during SABAP2 to date2. It is thus only likely to be an irregular visitor to the study area and is unlikely to breed due to a lack of its preferred cliff nesting habitat.
1 http://sabap2.adu.org.za/pentad_info.php?pentad=3340_2615 2 http://sabap2.adu.org.za/pentad_info.php?pentad=3340_2615 27 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus This large bird of prey occurs throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa but is confined to the coastal belt and eastern escarpment of South Africa, where its preferred habitat is forest and thicket (Kemp et al., 2018). Although this species has only been recorded three times in the study area pentad during SABAP2, it has been confirmed to occur on adjacent properties (pers. comm. C. Brand) and is likely to be a relatively frequent visitor from the nearby Alexandria forest where it is a breeding resident1.
Three of the potentially occurring bird species of conservation concern are listed ToPS species protected under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004) (Appendix 4). However, none of these have a reasonable likelihood of occurring within the vicinity of the proposed infrastructure.
6.2.3 Reptiles & Frogs
Twenty-three terrestrial reptile species have been recorded from the quarter-degree grid 3326 CB2, none of which are threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable) or Near Threatened. One threatened marine reptile has been recorded in the grid, namely Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) which is classified as Vulnerable, but since this is strictly a marine species it is not relevant to this assessment. Two reptile species of conservation concern have been recorded from the Algoa Bay area, namely Albany Sandveld Lizard (Nucras taeniolata), which is classified as Near Threatened, and Albany Adder (Bitis albanica) which is Critically Endangered. Albany Sandveld Lizard is a poorly known species which seems to prefer thicket habitat away from the coast, but has been recorded at an altitude of 50 masl in the vicinity of Port Alfred (Burger, 2014) and thus potentially occurs in thicket habitat in the study area. Albany Adder is confined to valley bushveld habitat on limestone substrate (Branch & Turner, 2014), which is absent from the study area or general vicinity, and is highly unlikely to be present.
Two of the reptile species recorded in 3326 CB have restricted ranges and are endemic to the Algoa Bay region of the Eastern Cape, namely Algoa Bay Legless Skink (Acontias lineicauda) and Algoa Dwarf Burrowing Skink (Scelotes anguineus). Both species are known
1 http://www.birdlife.org.za/conservation/important-bird-areas/iba-directory/item/236-sa094-woody- cape-section-addo-elephant-national-park 2 http://vmus.adu.org.za/vm_sp_list.php 28 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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to occur in coastal thicket habitat and thus have a moderate to high likelihood of being present in the study area. Neither species is considered threatened.
No reptiles were observed during the limited fieldwork period and a dedicated reptile survey using pitfall traps and drift fences, as well as additional nocturnal surveys, would be needed to adequately sample this faunal group. However, this was considered unnecessary given the small size of the infrastructure footprint and location at the edge of degraded habitat.
Fourteen species of frogs have been recorded from the quarter-degree grid 3326 CB1, none of which are threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable) or Near Threatened, and most of which are relatively widespread habitat generalists. One species has a relatively restricted range and is almost endemic to the Eastern Cape, namely Eastern Leopard Toad (Sclerophrys pardalis), although it is a common species between Port Elizabeth and East London. This species has been recorded in the Woody Cape section of the GAENP (Burger, 2004). No frog species were recorded during fieldwork although no nocturnal surveys were undertaken. Dedicated frog surveys during the wet season when frogs are breeding and highly vocal would result in a small list of frogs, but none of these are likely to be species of conservation concern.
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7. SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT
The ecological sensitivity of the vegetation communities and relevant proposed infrastructure was assessed on a sensitivity matrix as indicated in Table 3 below. The score for each community is indicative of the potential biodiversity / infrastructure development conflict, with higher scores indicating potentially higher conflict. Most favourable sites are those in communities with lower potential for conflict.
Table 3. Sensitivity Assessment of Vegetation Communities and Relevant Infrastructure
SENSITIVITY DRIVERS
-
VEGETATION COMMUNITIES Negative
Habitat
Footprint
Biodiversity
Habitat Taxa / Habitat
Listed Species Listed
SENSITIVITY SCORE SENSITIVITY
Presence of Unique of Unique Presence
Associated Impacts Associated
Potential to Support Support to Potential
Potential for for Potential
Relative Size of Impact Impact of Size Relative
Current Ecological State Ecological Current
Irreplaceability of Natural of Natural Irreplaceability
Potential to Support Red Support to Potential Coastal Dune Forest (sites x -x) 4 4 3 2 2 1 4 20 Dry Evergreen Thicket (sites x -x) 4 4 3 2 2 1 4 20 Degraded Open Woodland / Grassland 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 12
SENSITIVITY DRIVER SCORE OVERALL SENSITIVITY SCORE 1 = Very low / Negligible 7-10 = Very low / Negligible 2 = Low 11-15 = Low 3 = Moderate 16-20 = Moderate 4 = High 21-25 = High 5 = Very High 26-35 = Very High
Both Coastal Dune Forest and Dry Evergreen Forest are in a relatively undisturbed state in the study area, and both vegetation communities have a high potential to support biodiversity and unique taxa (habitat specialists). Both communities also have a moderate potential to support Red-listed species. If the potential for negative impacts had been high and the infrastructure footprint large, then both communities would have been rated as having High sensitivity, but since this is not the case, they have been classified as Moderate. Degraded Open Woodland / Grassland is a modified habitat that is in a degraded ecological state with low potential to support biodiversity, unique taxa and Red-listed species and has been classified as Low sensitivity. The sensitivity values are depicted spatially in Figure 7.
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Figure 7. Sensitivity Values for the vegetation communities within the study area
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8. KEY POTENTIAL IMPACTS
This section gives a brief overview of the expected impacts of the infrastructure units on terrestrial ecosystems. Impacts are not arranged in any order of overall significance, and this is not a detailed impact assessment as this was not part of the terms of reference for this report. The following are potentially significant impacts on untransformed vegetation communities:
Loss of natural habitat within a Critical Biodiversity Area The study area is situated within a CBA1 adjacent to a Protected Area (GAENP). However, a very small amount of natural forest / thicket habitat that is representative of this CBA will be impacted by the current infrastructure layout which is situated within the degraded woodland / forest ecotone;
Loss of natural habitat within a centre of plant endemism A very small amount of natural forest / thicket habitat will be impacted by the current infrastructure layout which is situated within the degraded woodland / forest ecotone. Only one Albany Centre endemic was located in such habitat (Dicliptera capensis) and overall representation of ACPE endemics is low;
Loss or damage of plant species of conservation importance – five protected species could be impacted during the construction phase. One of these is a listed NEMBA ToPS species (Dioscorea sylvatica) and is also classified as Vulnerable. One species is protected under the NFA (Sideroxylon inerme), while Clausena anisata, Zanthoxylum capense and Z. davyi are protected under provincial legislation;
Invasion of natural habitat by alien plants – although relatively few alien plant species were located during fieldwork, construction activities could introduce seeds of pioneer alien plants which may thrive in bare soil exposed during construction;
Illegal utilisation of natural resources – if labour teams are unsupervised there is a risk of poaching of small game and collection of plant resources taking place.
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9. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
The terrestrial ecology of the proposed lodge sites was sampled over a two-day period in May 2018. The infrastructure footprint occurs within three distinct vegetation communities, two of which represent natural habitat that has Moderate sensitivity (Coastal Dune Forest, Dry Evergreen Thicket) and one that represented modified habitat that has Low sensitivity (Degraded Open Woodland / Grassland). Few species of conservation concern were found in the immediate vicinity of the infrastructure footprint although a number of species are known to occur in the general vicinity of the study area. The study area is within a Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA1), adjacent to a large formal Protected Area (GAENP), but only the two forest / thicket communities are representative of this CBA.
A sensitivity assessment matrix is presented in section 7, on which the following recommendations can be made with regards to the location and construction of the proposed infrastructure:
The placement of the proposed accommodation units within the degraded woodland / forest ecotone should avoid all milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) trees and rather be located around them; this also applies to mature specimens of the three provincially protected tree species that were recorded during fieldwork (Clausena anisata, both Zanthoxylum species). The placement of the proposed accommodation units within the degraded woodland / forest ecotone should avoid all Dioscorea sylvatica plants wherever possible; where this isn’t feasible, then the plants within the immediate vicinity of the infrastructure footprints should be carefully removed and relocated to the same habitat immediately adjacent to the footprint. This should be under the supervision of a botanist with suitable horticultural experience. Labour teams will need to be supervised at all times and if possible be accommodated off-site; all teams should be informed of the consequences if caught illegally harvesting any natural resources. Areas of bare soil exposed during construction should be regularly monitored during the construction phase to ensure that no invasive alien plants get established; where these plants are found they should be controlled through appropriate methods.
Provided the recommendations suggested in this report are followed, there is no objection to the proposed development in terms of the terrestrial ecosystems of the study area.
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10. REFERENCES
Animal Demography Unit. n.d. The Southern African Bird Atlas Project http://sabap2.adu.org.za/index.php accessed on 08/05/2017. Bates, M.F., Branch, W.R., Bauer, A.M., Burger, M., Marais, J., Alexander, G.J. & de Villiers, M.S. (eds). 2014. Atlas and Red Data List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Suricata 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Berliner, D., Desmet, P. & Hayes, R. 2007. Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan Handbook. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Project No 2005-012, King William’s Town. Boshoff, A. F., Kerley, G. I. H., Cowling, R. M. & Wilson, S. L. 2002. The potential distributions, and estimated spatial requirements and population sizes, of the medium to large-sized mammals in the planning domain of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park project. Koedoe 45(2): 85-116. Branch, W.R. & Turner, A.A. 2014. Bitis albanica. In: Bates, M.F., Branch, W.R., Bauer, A.M., Burger, M., Marais, J., Alexander, G.J. & de Villiers, M.S. (eds). Atlas and Red Data List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Suricata 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Burger, M. 2004. Bufo pardalis. In: Minter, L.R., Burger, M., Harrison, J.A., Braack, H.H., Bishop, P.J. & Kloepfer, D. Atlas and Red Data Book of the Frogs of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. SI/MAB Series No.9. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Burger, M. 2014. Nucras taeniolata. In: Bates, M.F., Branch, W.R., Bauer, A.M., Burger, M., Marais, J., Alexander, G.J. & de Villiers, M.S. (eds). Atlas and Red Data List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Suricata 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. DEA. 2014. National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 2004 (Act 10 of 2004) Alien and Invasive Species Lists. Government Gazette. DEAT. 2011. National List of Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems in South Africa. National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004). Government Gazette. Edwards, D. 1983. A broad-scale structural classification of vegetation for practical purposes. Bothalia 14:705-712. Kemp, A.C. & Marks, J.S. (2018). Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/53242 on 22 June 2018).
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Kemp, A.C., Kirwan, G.M. & Marks, J.S. (2018). Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/53184on 22 June 2018). Minter, L.R., Burger, M., Harrison, J.A., Braack, H.H., Bishop, P.J. & Kloepfer, D.2004. Atlas and Red Data Book of the Frogs of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. SI/MAB Series No.9. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Mucina, L. and Rutherford, M.C. (eds) 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Mucina, L. (ed.) 2018. Vegetation Survey and Classification of Subtropical Forests of Southern Africa. Springer International Publishing, Switzerland. Mucina, L., Dold, A.P., Tichy, L. & van Niekerk, A. 2018. Classification of the Albany Coastal Forests. In: Mucina, L. (ed.) Vegetation Survey and Classification of Subtropical Forests of Southern Africa. Springer International Publishing, Switzerland. Pearson, D. (2018). Knysna Warbler (Bradypterus sylvaticus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/58755 on 22 June 2018). Raimondo, D., Von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. & Manyama, P.A. (eds) 2009. Red List of South African Plants 2009. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Swanepoel, L.H., Balme, G., Williams, S., Power, R.J., Snyman, A., Gaigher, I., Senekal, C., Martins, Q., Child, M.F. 2016. A conservation assessment of Panthera pardus. In Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa. Taylor, M.R., Peacock, F., Wanless, R.W. (eds). 2015. The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Birdlife South Africa, Johannesburg. Van Wyk, A. E. & Smith, G. F. 2001. Regions of floristic endemism in southern Africa: A review with emphasis on succulents. Umdaus Press, Pretoria. Victor, J.E. & Dold, A.P. 2003. Threatened plants of the Albany Centre of Floristic Endemism. S.Afr.Journ.Science 99:437-446. Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2008. Dioscorea sylvatica Eckl. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2017.1.
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11. APPENDICES Appendix 1. Checklist of Flora recorded during fieldwork
Vegetation Communities
Taxa Growth Form Red Data Protected
Thicket
Woodland
Dry Dry
Degraded Open
Coastal Forest Dune PTERIDOPHYTA (FERNS AND FERN ALLIES) Family Aspleniaceae Asplenium capense (Kunze) Bir, Fraser-Jenk. & Lovis fern r Family Sinopteridaceae Cheilanthes viridis (Forssk.) Sw. var. viridis fern r SPERMATOPHYTA (ANGIOSPERMS): DICOTS
Family Acanthaceae Dicliptera capensis Nees herb r Hypoestes aristata (Vahl) Sol. ex Roem. & Schult. var. thiniorum K.Balkwill herb f r Hypoestes forskaolii (Vahl) R.Br. herb f f Isoglossa ciliata (Nees) Lindau herb f Family Achariaceae Kiggelaria africana L. tree r Family Amaranthaceae * Achyranthes aspera L. herb r Pupalia lappacea (L.) A.Juss. var. lappacea herb r r Family Anacardiaceae Harpephyllum caffrum Bernh. ex Krauss tree u Searsia crenata (Thunb.) Moffett tree r f Searsia dentata (Thunb.) F.A.Barkley tree r 36 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Searsia incisa (L.f.) F.A.Barkley var. incisa tree f Searsia longispina (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Moffett tree u Searsia pyroides (Burch.) Moffett var. pyroides tree u Family Apiaceae Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. f Family Apocynaceae Unidentified genus (without flowers) climber r r Carissa bispinosa (L.) Desf. ex Brenan shrub f Cynanchum viminale (L.) L. climber r Gomphocarpus physocarpus E.Mey. dwarf shrub r Secamone alpini Schult. climber r Secamone sp. (no flowers) climber u Family Araliaceae Cussonia thyrsiflora Thunb. shrub r r Family Asteraceae Berkheya sp. (no flowers) herb r Brachylaena discolor DC. tree u Felicia sp. dwarf shrub r Helichrysum rugulosum Less. herb r Helichrysum sp. herb r Nidorella auriculata DC. herb r Osteospermum moniliferum L. shrub r Schistostephium sp. herb r Senecio cf. angulatus climber u Senecio madagascariensis Poir. herb r Senecio quinquelobus (Thunb.) DC. climber r Senecio sp. herb r * Taraxacum officinale Weber herb r Tarchonanthus littoralis P.P.J.Herman tree f Family Bignoniaceae Tecoma capensis (Thunb.) Lindl. shrub u f Family Boraginaceae Cordia caffra Sond. tree f u Family Brassicaceae Unidentified genus (without flowers) herb r 37 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Lepidium africanum (Burm.f.) DC. subsp. africanum herb r Family Cannabaceae Celtis africana Burm. f. tree u Family Celastraceae Elaeodendron zeyheri Spreng. ex Turcz. tree u Gymnosporia buxifolia (L.) Szyszyl. tree f u Gymnosporia harveyana Loes. subsp. harveyana shrub r u Lauridia tetragona (L.f.) R.H.Archer shrub r Maytenus undata (Thunb.) Blakelock tree r Mystroxylon aethiopicum (Thunb.) Loes. subsp. aethiopicum tree u f Family Convolvulaceae Ipomoea sp. (no flowers) climber r Family Crassulaceae Cotyledon orbiculata L. var. orbiculata succulent r Family Ebenaceae Diospyros dichrophylla (Gand.) De Winter shrub u Diospyros scabrida (Harv. ex Hiern) De Winter var. cordata (E.Mey. ex A.DC.) De Winter tree u Diospyros sp. shrub r Euclea natalensis A.DC. subsp. angustifolia F.White tree u Family Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia kraussiana Bernh. var. kraussiana herb r Family Fabaceae Acacia natalitia E.Mey. tree r u d Erythrina caffra Thunb. tree r Rhynchosia caribaea (Jacq.) DC. climber r Schotia afra (L.) Thunb. var. afra shrub r Family Icacinaceae Apodytes dimidiata E.Mey. ex Arn. subsp. dimidiata tree u u Family Lamiaceae Clerodendrum glabrum E.Mey. tree r r Leonotis ocymifolia (Vis.) Iwarsson herb r Ocimum cf. burchellianum herb r Salvia sp. herb u Family Malvaceae Abutilon sonneratianum (Cav.) Sweet dwarf shrub r 38 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Grewia occidentalis L. var. occidentalis shrub r r Hermannia sp. (no flowers) herb r Family Moraceae Ficus burtt-davyi Hutch. shrub r r Ficus craterostoma Warb. ex Mildbr. & Burret tree r Family Myrtaceae Eugenia capensis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Sond. subsp. capensis tree u Family Ochnaceae Ochna arborea Burch. ex DC. var. arborea tree r Family Oxalidaceae Oxalis sp. herb r Family Plumbaginaceae Plumbago auriculata Lam. shrub r u Family Ranunculaceae Clematis brachiata Thunb. climber r Family Rhamnaceae Rhamnus prinoides L'Hér. shrub r Scutia myrtina (Burm.f.) Kurz shrub u d Family Rubiaceae Canthium inerme (L.f.) Kuntze tree r Canthium spinosum (Klotzsch) Kuntze tree r Pavetta lanceolata Eckl. tree r Psydrax obovata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Bridson subsp. obovata tree u r * Richardia brasiliensis Gomes herb r Family Rutaceae Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook.f. ex Benth. var. anisata shrub NECO r Zanthoxylum capense (Thunb.) Harv. tree NECO u f Zanthoxylum davyi (I.Verd.) P.G.Waterman tree NECO r Family Salicaceae Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. & Harv.) Warb. tree u Dovyalis rhamnoides (Burch. ex DC.) Burch. & Harv. tree u u Dovyalis rotundifolia (Thunb.) Thunb. & Harv. tree u Scolopia zeyheri (Nees) Harv. tree r Family Sapindaceae Hippobromus pauciflorus (L.f.) Radlk. tree r 39 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Pappea capensis Eckl. & Zeyh. tree r Family Sapotaceae Sideroxylon inerme L. subsp. inerme tree NFA d u Family Salvadoraceae Azima tetracantha Lam. shrub f r Family Scrophulariaceae Jamesbrittenia microphylla (L.f.) Hilliard herb r Family Solanaceae Solanum aculeatissimum Jacq. herb u Family Strychnaceae Strychnos decussata (Pappe) Gilg tree f Family Viscaceae Viscum sp. epiphyte r Family Vitaceae Cyphostemma cirrhosum (Thunb.) Desc. ex Wild & R.B.Drumm. climber r Rhoicissus digitata (L.f.) Gilg & M.Brandt climber r r SPERMATOPHYTA (ANGIOSPERMS): MONOCOTS Family Agavaceae * Agave sisalana Perrine succulent r Family Amaryllidaceae Brunsvigia gregaria R.A.Dyer bulb r Family Asparagaceae Asparagus sp.1 dwarf shrub r Asparagus sp.2 dwarf shrub r Asparagus sp.3 (photo) climber u r Family Cyperaceae Cyperus rotundus L. subsp. rotundus sedge r Cyperaceae sp. sedge r Family Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea sylvatica Eckl. var. sylvatica climber VU NEMBA r Family Dracaenaceae Sansevieria hyacinthoides (L.) Druce succulent r Family Hyacinthaceae Ledebouria revoluta (L.f.) Jessop bulb r 40 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Family Poaceae * Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone grass f Cymbopogon sp. grass r Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. grass d Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd. grass r Digitaria eriantha Steud. grass u Eragrostis capensis (Thunb.) Trin. grass r Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees grass r Panicum maximum Jacq. grass u Panicum sp. grass Setaria sphacelata (Schumach.) Stapf & C.E.Hubb. ex M.B.Moss monstr. myuros de Wit grass r Sporobolus africanus (Poir.) Robyns & Tournay grass u Sporobolus pyramidalis P.Beauv. grass r TOTAL 117 1 5 58 47 38
NFA = National Forests Act d = dominant NECO = Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance No. 19 of 1974 f = frequent NEMBA = National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act No. 10 of 2004 u = uncommon * = exotic species r = rare VU = Vulnerable
Appendix 2. Plant species of conservation concern occurring in general vicinity of the study area
Red Species Family Data Habitat Likelihood Reason Status
Heavy clay soils in renosterveld Apodolirion macowanii Amaryllidaceae VU Low No suitable habitat present or valley bushveld Coastal and inland forest Clivia nobilis Amaryllidaceae VU Moderate Some suitable habitat present patches below 600 m
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Seasonal wetlands in Albany Crinum campanulatum Amaryllidaceae NT Low No suitable habitat present Coastal Belt Crinum lineare Amaryllidaceae VU Coastal forelands Low No suitable habitat present
Seasonally waterlogged Cyrtanthus flavus Amaryllidaceae VU Low Only known from one locality grassland on loose, sandy soils
Grassy fynbos on moist, rocky Cyrtanthus staadensis Amaryllidaceae NT Low No suitable habitat present slopes No suitable habitat present, all grasslands Brachystelma campanulatum Apocynaceae NT Open grassland, only on sand Low present are degraded Grassy quartzite ridges Brachystelma comptum Apocynaceae VU Low No suitable habitat present surrounded by dense thicket Coastal grassland, in sand and No suitable habitat present, all grasslands Brachystelma delicatum Apocynaceae VU Low on rocky ridges present are degraded Grassy fynbos, plains and Aloe micracantha Asphodelaceae NT Low No suitable habitat present slopes, 0-700 m Cineraria lobata subsp. platyptera Asteraceae NT Grassy fynbos and thornveld Low No suitable habitat present Tertiary sands in coastal habitats and in transition soils Othonna rufibarbis Asteraceae VU Low No suitable habitat present between tertiary sands and shale Calcrete pavements in Albany Syncarpha recurvata Asteraceae EN Low No suitable habitat present Thicket Syncarpha sordescens Asteraceae VU Dunes and sandy slopes Low No suitable habitat present Curtisia dentata Cornaceae NT Afromontane Forest Low No suitable habitat present Dioscorea sylvatica Dioscoreaceae VU Forest Confirmed Erica chloroloma Ericaceae VU Coastal dune fynbos Low No suitable habitat present Sandy coastal flats and dunes Erica glumiflora Ericaceae VU Low No suitable habitat present and low coastal hills
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Flat areas, including coastal plains and higher lying plateaus, among scattered, broken No suitable habitat present, all grasslands Euphorbia meloformis subsp. valida Euphorbiaceae NT Low surface limestone or calcrete in present are degraded short open grasslands and openings in succulent thicket
Argyrolobium barbatum Fabaceae VU Bushveld, limestone outcrops Low No suitable habitat present Bauhinia bowkeri Fabaceae NT Coastal river banks Low No suitable habitat present Psoralea repens Fabaceae NT Coastal fynbos Low No suitable habitat present Bushveld and succulent Pelargonium exhibens Geraniaceae NT Low No suitable habitat present mountain scrub Fynbos or grassy fynbos on Aristea elliptica Iridaceae NT sandstone slopes and often in Low No suitable habitat present rock outcrops Sandy loam, clay or moderately fertile soils derived form the Gladiolus huttonii Iridaceae Low No suitable habitat present Witteberg slopes, mostly confined to the coastal plain High, cool, evergreen Ocotea bullata Lauraceae EN Low No suitable habitat present Afromontane forests Orthopterum waltoniae Mesembryanthemaceae NT Rocky shale soils Low No suitable habitat present Rapanea gilliana Myrsinaceae EN Coastal sand dunes Low No suitable habitat present Variable, in acidic an alkaline sands, on coastal lowlands and Disa lugens var. lugens Orchidaceae mountain slopes and plateaus. Low No suitable habitat present Near coast often in association with restios Very rare and concentrated to a forest Faurea macnaughtonii Protaceae Rare Mistbelt and scarp forest Low near Knysna Leucospermum cordifolium Protaceae NT Sandstone fynbos Low No suitable habitat present Sandstone fynbos at higher Leucospermum vestitum Protaceae NT altitudes and Alluvium Fynbos Low No suitable habitat present at lower altitudes
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Prunus africana Rosaceae VU Mistbelt and scarp forest Low Edge of distribution range Open shrubland, steep, rocky Encephalartos altensteinii Zamiaceae VU slopes and forests near the Low No records for the farm coast. Often along river banks Confirmed from the farm but these may be transplanted as they are situated around Coastal dune forest and scrub Low / Encephalartos arenarius Zamiaceae EN existing buildings. Possibly grows naturally bush on dunes Moderate on the property but likelihood within development footprints is Low Grassland and occasionally Found further to the north of the study Encephalartos caffer Zamiaceae NT Low thicket, often among rocks area Arid low succulent shrubland on Found further to the north of the study Encephalartos trispinosus Zamiaceae VU Low rocky ridges and slopes area
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Appendix 3. Checklist of mammals and birds recorded during fieldwork
Assemblages
Species Family
Endemic
Red Data
Woodland
Grassland
Forest / Thicket Mammals ORDER: RODENTIA Common Mole-rat Cryptomys hottentotus x x ORDER: LAGOMORPHA Family Leporidae (rabbits and hares) Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis E x ORDER: CARNIVORA Family Herpestidae (mongooses) Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata x Family Viverridae (genets & civets) Cape Genet Genetta tigrina E x ORDER: PERRISODACTYLA Family Equidae (horses) Plains (Burchell's) Zebra Equus quagga burchellii x x ORDER: CETARTIODACTYLA Family Suidae (pigs) Bushpig Potamochoerus larvatus x Family Giraffidae (giraffes) South African Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa x Family Bovidae (cattle & antilopes) Impala Aepyceros melampus melampus x x Red Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus caama x Common Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus x x x Grey Duiker Sylvicapra grimmea x Southern Savannah Buffalo Syncerus caffer caffer x
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Nyala Tragelaphus angasii x Eland Tragelaphus oryx x Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros x Southern Bushbuck Tragelaphus sylvaticus x Subtotal 16 0 2 9 4 8 Birds ORDER: ANSERIFORMES Family Anatidae (ducks, geese and swans) Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca x ORDER: GALLIFORMES Family Numididae (guineafowl) Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris x Family Phasianidae (pheasants, fowl and allies) Red-necked Spurfowl Pternistis afer x ORDER: PELECANIFORMES Family Threskiornithidae (ibises and spoonbills) Hadeda Ibis Bostrychia hagedash x Family Ardeidae (herons and bitterns) Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala x ORDER: ACCIPITRIFORMES Family Accipitridae (kites, hawks & eagles) African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro x Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus x ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES Family Burhinidae (thick-knees) Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis x Family Charadriidae (plovers) Black-winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus x Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus x ORDER: COLUMBIFORMES Family Columbidae (pigeons, doves) Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis x Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata x Cape Turtle Dove Streptopelia capicola x Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea x 46 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos x ORDER: MUSOPHAGIFORMES Family Musophagidae (turacos) Knysna Turaco Tauraco corythaix x ORDER: CAPRIMULGIFORMES Family Caprimulgidae (nightjars) Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis x ORDER: COLIIFORMES Family Coliidae (mousebirds) Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus x ORDER: CORACIIFORMES Family Alcedinidae (kingfishers) Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris x ORDER: BUCEROTIFORMES Family Upupidae (hoopoes) African Hoopoe Upupa africana x Family Phoeniculidae (wood-hoopoes) Green Wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus x Family Bucerotidae (hornbills) Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus x ORDER: PICIFORMES Family Lybiidae (African barbets) Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus x Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus x Family Picidae (woodpeckers) Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus x Knysna Woodpecker Campethera notata NT E x ORDER: PASSERIFORMES Family Platysteiridae (wattle-eyes and batises) Cape Batis Batis capensis x Chinspot Batis Batis molitor x Family Malaconotidae (bushshrikes) Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla x Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus x 47 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Southern Tchagra Tchagra tchagra x Olive Bushshrike Chlorophoneus olivaceus x Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus x Family Laniidae (shrikes) Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris x Family Oriolidae (figbirds and orioles) Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus x Family Dicruridae (drongos) Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis x Family Monarchidae (monarchs) Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus cyanomelas x Family Corvidae (crows and jays) Cape Crow Corvus capensis x Pied Crow Corvus albus x Family Paridae (tits and chickadees) Southern Black Tit Melaniparus niger x Family Pycnonotidae (bulbuls) Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor x x Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus x Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris x Family Hirundinidae (swallows and martins) Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola x Family Cisticolidae (cisticolas & allies) Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida x x Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica x Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura x Karoo Prinia Prinia maculosa x Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis x Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla x Family Zosteropidae (white-eyes) Cape White-eye Zosterops virens x Family Sturnidae (starlings) Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris x Black-bellied Starling Notopholia corruscus x Cape Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens x 48 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Pied Starling Lamprotornis bicolor E x Family Buphagidae (oxpeckers) Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus x Family Muscicapidae (chats and Old World flycatchers) White-browed Scrub Robin Erythropygia leucophrys x Brown Scrub Robin Erythropygia signata x African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta x Cape Robin-Chat Cossypha caffra x Chorister Robin-Chat Cossypha dichroa E x African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus x Family Nectariniidae (sunbirds) Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris x Grey Sunbird Cyanomitra veroxii x Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina x x Southern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris chalybeus x Greater Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris afer E x Family Passeridae (Old World sparrows) House Sparrow Passer domesticus x Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus x Family Ploceidae (weavers and widowbirds) Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis x Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus x Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis x Dark-backed Weaver Ploceus bicolor x Family Estrildidae (waxbills, mannikins) African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata x Family Motacillidae (wagtails and pipits) Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis x Cape Longclaw Macronyx capensis x African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus x Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys x Family Fringillidae (finches, canaries & allies) Forest Canary Crithagra scotops E x Brimstone Canary Crithagra sulphurata x Streaky-headed Seedeater Crithagra gularis x 49 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Cape Canary Serinus canicollis x Subtotal 80 1 5 27 38 18 TOTAL 96 1 7 36 42 26
NT = Near Threatened E = Endemic
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Appendix 4. Fauna of conservation concern occurring within the general vicinity of the study area
SABAP2 Reportin Likelihoo Species Scientific Name Habitat g Rate Reason d for 3326
Red Data Protected CB
Mammals African Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis NT Rivers and streams Low No suitable habitat present Southern African NEMBA NT Low Edge of distribution range Hedgehog Atelerix frontalis (PR) Wide variety of habitats E Some suitable habitat present but Tree Hyrax Dendrohyrax arboreus Forest Low N unrecorded from the farm NEMBA Serval Leptailurus serval NT Grassland, wetlands Low Limited suitable habitat present (PR) E Upland plains grassland Low No suitable habitat present Oribi Ourebia ourebi N V NEMBA Confirmed sightings from the farm Leopard Panthera pardus Wide variety of habitats Low U (PR) but only very occasionally NEMBA NT Wide variety of habitats Low No records from the farm Brown Hyaena Parahyaena brunnea (PR) Grey Rhebok Pelea capreolus NT Mountainous grasslands Low No suitable habitat present Some suitable habitat present. V Blue Duiker Philantomba monticola Forest Moderate Unrecorded from the farm but U may be overlooked E Hilly grassland and open Mountain Reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula Low Limited suitable habitat present N woodland Subtotal 10 10 4 Birds V No suitable habitat present Southern Black Korhaan Afrotis afra U Fynbos Low Forested rivers and Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata NT 0.70% Low No suitable habitat present streams V Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii Mountainous areas 0.70% Low No suitable habitat present U V Knysna Warbler Bradypterus sylvaticus U Dense, temperate thickets 7.10% Moderate Suitable habitat present 51 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
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Knysna Woodpecker Campethera notata NT Temperate forest 42.1% Confirmed Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus NT Salt pans - Very Low No suitable habitat present V Black Stork Ciconia nigra Rivers, cliffs 2.10% Very Low No suitable habitat present U Open woodland, Limited foraging habitat present Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus NT grassland 0.70% Low only E Limited foraging habitat present Black Harrier Circus maurus N Fynbos, grassland 2.10% Low only E No suitable habitat present African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus N Marshes, moist grassland 2.90% Low European Roller Coracias garrulus NT Open woodland 1.40% Low Edge of distribution range V Suitable foraging habitat present Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Wide variety of habitats 2.10% Moderate U only V Forested rivers and White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus Very Low No suitable habitat present U streams - NEMBA Grasslands and wheat Blue Crane Grus paradiseus NT (PR) fields - Low Limited suitable habitat present V Coastal and inland Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia U wetlands - Low No suitable habitat present V Cape Gannet Morus capensis U Coastline 2.90% Very Low No suitable habitat present V NEMBA Denham's Bustard Neotis denhami U (VU) Grasslands 19.30% Low Limited suitable habitat present Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata NT Coastal inland wetlands - Very Low No suitable habitat present Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa NT Wetlands 0.70% Very Low No suitable habitat present V Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus U Wetlands - Very Low No suitable habitat present E Cape Cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis N Coastline - Very Low No suitable habitat present V Well wooded streams and African Finfoot Podica senegalensis - Very Low No suitable habitat present U rivers E NEMBA Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus Woodland, savannah 5.70% Low Very rare in the general area N (EN) Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis NT Wetlands - Low No suitable habitat present V Open woodland, Very rare in the general area, Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius 11.40% Low U grassland limited suitable habitat present V Striped Flufftail Sarothrura affinis U Moist grassland - Low No suitable habitat present
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E African Penguin Spheniscus demersus N Coastline - Very Low No suitable habitat present V Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus Forest 6.40% Confirmed on neighbouring farms U High E Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii N Coastline - Very Low No suitable habitat present Although confirmed to breed C within the adjacent Alexandria Damara Tern Sternula balaenarum Coastline - Very Low R Dunebelt, this habitat is absent from the study area Subtotal 30 30 3 Reptiles Suitable habitat present but poorly Albany Sandveld Lizard Nucras taeniolata NT Thicket, thornveld Moderate known species No suitable habitat present, only C Limestone thickets on Albany Adder Bitis albanica Low known from areas to the west of R plains the study area Subtotal 2 2 0 Frogs No suitable habitat present, no Giant Bull Frog Pyxicephalus adspersus NT Pans Very Low recent records for the area Subtotal 1 1 TOTAL 42 42 7
CR = Critically Endangered EN = Endangered VU = Vulnerable NT = Near-threatened NEMBA = National Environmental Management: Biodiversity
Act
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Appendix 5. Curriculum Vitae of Duncan McKenzie
Name: Duncan Robert McKenzie Profession: Terrestrial Ecologist Date of Birth: 9 Nov 1977 Name of Firm: ECOREX Consulting Ecologists cc Position in Firm: Ecologist Years with firm: 10 Nationality: South African Qualifications:
N.Dip. [Nature Conservation] UNISA, RSA 2007 N.Cert. [Nature Guiding] Drumbeat Academy, RSA 2004
Membership in Professional Societies: BirdLife South Africa Animal Demography Unit, University of Cape Town Languages: Speaking Reading Writing English (home): Excellent Excellent Excellent Afrikaans: Good Good Good isiZulu: Good Fair Fair
Countries of Work Experience : Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe (Guiding). South Africa, Mozambique, DRC, Mali, Lesotho, Tanzania, Guinea, Swaziland, Sierra Leone (Consulting Ecologist)
OVERVIEW OF EXPERIENCE 10 years’ experience in specialist species identification, conducting baseline surveys, data analysis and report writing in various biomes in southern Africa, particularly savannah, forest and grassland biomes 2 years’ experience game reserve management (KwaZulu-Natal) 5 years’ experience (part time) of wetland delineation and management 2 years’ experience of plant propagation and use for rehabilitation Specialist knowledge of identification of vascular plants Specialist knowledge of identification of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians SABAP2 Regional Co-ordinator: Mpumalanga Member of the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Bird Rarities Committee
Employment Record: 2007 - present ECOREX Ecologist 2005 - 2006 Iglu (London, UK) Specialist Travel Agent 1997 - 2005 Duncan McKenzie Bird Tours Owner, Specialist Guide District Conservation Officer, Reserve 2001 KZN Wildlife Manager Part-time Horticulturalist and Rehabilitation 1999 - 2001 Institute of Natural Resources Officer Part-time Field Assistant and Regional Co- 1997-2001 Mondi Wetlands Project ordinator 1996-1997 Natal Parks Board Ranger
54 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]
KABA LODGE ECOLOGY STUDY & SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT (ECOREX) JULY 2018
Appendix 6. Specialists Declaration
10.4 The Specialist
Note: Duplicate this section where there is more than one specialist.
I …Duncan McKenzie…, as the appointed specialist hereby declare/affirm the correctness of the information provided as part of the application, and that I:
in terms of the general requirement to be independent (tick which is applicable):
other than fair remuneration for work performed/to be performed in terms of this application, have no business, X financial, personal or other interest in the activity or application and that there are no circumstances that June compromise my objectivity; or
am not independent, but another EAP that is independent and meets the general requirements set out in Regulation 13 has been appointed to review my work (Note: a declaration by the review specialist must be submitted);
have expertise in conducting specialist work as required, including knowledge of the Act, regulations and any guidelines that have relevance to the proposed activity; will ensure compliance with the EIA Regulations 2014; will perform the work relating to the application in an objective manner, even if this results in views and findings that are not favourable to the application; will take into account, to the extent possible, the matters listed in regulation 18 of the regulations when preparing the application and any report, plan or document relating to the application; will disclose to the proponent or applicant, registered interested and affected parties and the competent authority all material information in my possession that reasonably has or June have the potential of influencing any decision to be taken with respect to the application by the competent authority or the objectivity of any report, plan or document to be prepared by myself for submission to the competent authority (unless access to that information is protected by law, in which case I will indicate that such protected information exists and is only provided to the competent authority); declare that all the particulars furnished by me in this form are true and correct; am aware that it is an offence in terms of Regulation 48 to provide incorrect or misleading information and that a person convicted of such an offence is liable to the penalties as contemplated in section 49B(2) of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998).
Signature of the specialist
ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC
Name of company
11/07/2018
Date
55 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC Postnet Suite #192, Private Bag X2 Raslouw 0109 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]