BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT:

Ecological study on the potential impacts of the proposed Hoekklip- Zandkopsdrift 132kV line and associated infrastructure, Western and Northern Cape

Prepared by

Dr David Hoare (Ph.D., Pr.Sci.Nat.)

David Hoare Consulting cc 41 Soetdoring Ave Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria

for

Gibb (Pty) Ltd PO Box 35007, Menlo Park 0102

on behalf of Eskom

7 October 2013

REPORT VERSION: 3rd Draft

David Hoare Consulting cc

Biodiversity Assessments, Vegetation Description / Mapping, Species Surveys

1 REGULATIONS GOVERNING THIS REPORT

This report has been prepared in terms the EIA Regulations promulgated under the National Environmental Management Act No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA). A Basic Assessment study is undertaken in accordance with Regulation 22 in terms of the EIA Regulations published in Government Notice (GN) R543 of 18 June 2010, in terms of Chapter 5 of Section 24(5) of the National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998).

Appointment of specialist

David Hoare of David Hoare Consulting cc was commissioned by Gibb (Pty) Ltd to provide specialist consulting services for the Basic Assessment for the proposed Hoekklip- Zandkopsdrift 132kV line and associated infrastructure near Vredendal on the West Coast in the Western and Northern Cape Provinces. The consulting services comprise an assessment of potential impacts on the general ecology in the study area by the proposed project.

Details of specialist

Dr David Hoare David Hoare Consulting cc Postnet Suite no. 116 Private Bag X025 Lynnwood Ridge, 0040

Telephone: 012 804 2281 Cell: 083 284 5111 Fax: 086 550 2053 Email: [email protected]

Summary of expertise

Dr David Hoare: • Has majors in Botany and Zoology with distinction from Rhodes University, Grahamstown, an Honours Degree (with distinction) in Botany from Rhodes University, an MSc (cum laude) from the Department of Plant Science, University of Pretoria, and a PhD in Botany from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth with a focus on species diversity. • Registered professional member of The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Ecological Science, Botanical Science), registration number 400221/05. • Founded David Hoare Consulting cc, an independent consultancy, in 2001. • Ecological consultant since 1995, with working experience in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape and Free State Provinces, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique and Swaziland. • Conducted, or co-conducted, over 330 specialist ecological surveys as an ecological consultant. Areas of specialization include general ecology, biodiversity assessments, vegetation description and mapping, plant species surveys and remote sensing of vegetation. Has undertaken work in grassland, thicket, forest, savannah, fynbos, coastal vegetation, wetlands and nama-karoo vegetation, but has a specific specialization in grasslands and wetland vegetation.

2 • Published six technical scientific reports, 15 scientific conference presentations, seven book chapters and eight refereed scientific papers. • Attended 15 national and international congresses & 5 expert workshops, lectured vegetation science / ecology at 2 universities and referee for 2 international journals.

Independence

David Hoare Consulting cc and its Directors have no connection with Eskom. David Hoare Consulting cc is not a subsidiary, legally or financially, of the proponent. Remuneration for services by the proponent in relation to this project is not linked to approval by decision- making authorities responsible for authorising this proposed project and the consultancy has no interest in secondary or downstream developments as a result of the authorisation of this project. David Hoare is an independent consultant to Gibb (Pty) Ltd and has no business, financial, personal or other interest in the activity, application or appeal in respect of which he was appointed other than fair remuneration for work performed in connection with the activity, application or appeal. There are no circumstances that compromise the objectivity of this specialist performing such work.

Conditions relating to this report

The findings, results, observations, conclusions and recommendations given in this report are based on the author’s best scientific and professional knowledge as well as available information. David Hoare Consulting cc and its staff reserve the right to modify aspects of the report including the recommendations if and when new information may become available from ongoing research or further work in this field, or pertaining to this investigation.

This report must not be altered or added to without the prior written consent of the author. This also refers to electronic copies of this report which are supplied for the purposes of inclusion as part of other reports, including main reports. Similarly, any recommendations, statements or conclusions drawn from or based on this report must make reference to this report. If these form part of a main report relating to this investigation or report, this report must be included in its entirety as an appendix or separate section to the main report.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS REGULATIONS GOVERNING THIS REPORT...... 2

APPOINTMENT OF SPECIALIST ...... 2 DETAILS OF SPECIALIST ...... 2 SUMMARY OF EXPERTISE ...... 2 INDEPENDENCE ...... 3 CONDITIONS RELATING TO THIS REPORT ...... 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... 4 INTRODUCTION...... 6

TERMS OF REFERENCE AND APPROACH ...... 6 STUDY AREA ...... 7 METHODOLOGY ...... 9

ASSESSMENT PHILOSOPHY ...... 9 PLANT SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN ...... 10 Red List plant species ...... 10 Protected trees ...... 10 Other protected plant species ...... 11 Species probability of occurrence ...... 11 HABITAT SENSITIVITY ...... 11 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS ...... 14 LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS ...... 16 DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA ...... 18

LOCATION AND SITE CONDITIONS ...... 18 LANDUSE AND LANDCOVER OF THE STUDY AREA ...... 19 BROAD VEGETATION PATTERNS ...... 19 Knersvlakte Quartz Vygieveld ...... 20 Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld ...... 20 Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland ...... 20 Namaqualand Riviere ...... 21 Namaqualand Sand Fynbos ...... 21 Namaqualand Spinescent Grassland ...... 22 Namaqualand Strandveld...... 22 CONSERVATION STATUS OF BROAD VEGETATION TYPES ...... 22 RED LIST PLANT SPECIES OF THE STUDY AREA ...... 24 PROTECTED PLANTS (N ATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT : BIODIVERSITY ACT ) ...... 24 PROTECTED TREES ...... 25 RED LIST ANIMAL SPECIES OF THE STUDY AREA ...... 25 PROTECTED ANIMALS ...... 26 RELEVANT LEGISLATIVE AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS ...... 28

LEGISLATION ...... 28 National Environmental Management Act, Act No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA) ...... 28 Environment Conservation Act No 73 of 1989 Amendment Notice No R1183 of 1997 .... 28 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No 10 of 2004) ...... 28 GNR 151: Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Protected Species List .... 29 GNR 1187: Amendment of Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Protected Species List ...... 29 Western Cape Nature Conservation Laws Amendment Act of 2000 (Act 3 of 2000) ...... 29 National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act No. 101 of 1998) ...... 29 Integrated Coastal Zone Management Act (Act No. 24 of 2008) ...... 29 Sea Birds and Seals Protection Act (Act No. 46 of 1973) ...... 30 Other Acts ...... 30

4 IDENTIFICATION OF RISKS AND DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS ...... 31

DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS ...... 31 Impact 1: Impacts on indigenous natural vegetation (terrestrial) ...... 31 Impact 2: Impacts on threatened plants ...... 31 Impact 3: Impacts on protected tree species ...... 32 Impact 4: Impacts on watercourses and drainage areas ...... 32 Impact 5: Establishment and spread of declared weeds and alien invader plants ...... 32 Impact 6: Loss or fragmentation of habitat for threatened/protected terrestrial fauna ... 33 Impact 7: Collision of bats with infrastructure ...... 33 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS...... 35

CONSTRUCTION PHASE ...... 35 Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation ...... 35 Impacts on threatened plants ...... 38 Damage to watercourses ...... 40 Loss/fragmentation of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna ...... 42 OPERATIONAL PHASE ...... 45 Establishment and spread of declared weeds and alien invader plants ...... 45 Collision of bats with infrastrcuture ...... 46 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS ...... 47

CONCLUSION ...... 48 REFERENCES: ...... 50 APPENDICES: ...... 51

APPENDIX 1: PLANT SPECIES OF CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE (T HREATENED , NEAR THREATENED AND DECLINING ) THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN RECORDED IN THE STUDY AREA ...... 51 APPENDIX 2: LIST OF PROTECTED TREE SPECIES (N ATIONAL FORESTS ACT )...... 53 APPENDIX 3: CHECKLIST OF PLANT SPECIES RECORDED DURING PREVIOUS BOTANICAL SURVEYS IN THE STUDY AREA AND SURROUNDS ...... 54 APPENDIX 4: VERTEBRATE SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN WITH A GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION THAT INCLUDES THE STUDY AREA ...... 64 APPENDIX 5: ANIMAL SPECIES WITH A GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION THAT INCLUDES THE STUDY AREA . ... 67 APPENDIX 6: FLORA AND VERTEBRATE ANIMAL SPECIES (EXCLUDING BIRDS ) PROTECTED UNDER THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT : BIODIVERSITY ACT , 2004 (A CT 10 OF 2004) ...... 69

5 INTRODUCTION

Terms of reference and approach Gibb (Pty) Ltd. was appointed by Eskom to undertake an application for environmental authorisation through a Basic Assessment (BA) for the proposed “Hoekklip-Zandkopsdrift 132kV line Project". The project involves the construction of a 132kV overhead power line and associated infrastructure, including a substation at Hoeklip and a switching station at Landplaas. The purpose of the BA is to identify environmental impacts associated with the project.

On 16 April 2013 David Hoare Consulting cc was appointed by Gibb (Pty) Ltd to undertake a general ecology assessment of the study area. It was agreed that the study would include the following: 1. Provide a description of the broad vegetation types and/or habitats for the area, including any areas of potential conservation value. This was to be based on published sources, including the vegetation map of South Africa (Mucina et al. 2006), the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment and any Biodiversity Conservation Plans that exist for the Province. 2. Provide the national conservation status of major vegetation types in which the study sites are located, as listed in The National List of Ecosystems that are Threatened and need of protection (GN1002 of 2011), published under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10, 2004). 3. Provide an investigation into the Red Data (threatened and endangered) flora and fauna species within the Province and more specifically the project study area, including information on habitats in which they are most likely to be encountered. 4. Provide an assessment of the potential presence/absence of Red Data fauna species by means of assessments of the presence, status and linkage of available habitat in the study area. These attributes were to be rated for each Red Data species that has a geographical distribution including the sites using the available literature and personal field experience. Three parameters were to be used to assess the probability of occurrence for each species: a. Habitat requirements : most Red Data species have very specific habitat requirements and the presence of these habitat characteristics within the study area was to be assessed; b. Habitat status : in the event that available habitat is considered suitable for these species, the status or ecological condition is to be assessed. Often, a high level of degradation of a specific habitat type will negate the potential presence of Red Data species (especially wetland-related habitats where water-quality plays a major role); and c. Habitat linkage : for animals, movement between areas used for breeding and feeding purposes forms an essential part of ecological existence of many species. The connectivity of the study area to these surrounding habitats and adequacy of these linkages were to be assessed for the ecological functioning Red Data species within the study area. 5. Investigation into the potential presence of trees protected according to the National Forests Act and fauna and flora protected under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act. 6. Provide an assessment of the general status of vegetation on site in order to provide a description of which areas contain natural habitat versus those that are transformed and/or degraded. 7. Potential impacts on biodiversity, sensitive habitats and ecosystem function were to be listed and described. These were to be compiled from a generic list of possible impacts derived from previous projects of this nature and from a literature review of the potential impacts of such development on the ecological environment. 8. Impacts were to be assessed according to methodology provided by Gibb.

6 This report provides details of the results of the Basic assessment. The findings of the study are based on a desktop assessment of the study area, mapping from aerial imagery and other sources and a field assessment of the study area.

Study area

At a regional level the study area falls primarily within the Western Cape Province to the north-west of the town of Vredendal, with a small part of the project falling within the Northern Cape Province. A more detailed description of the study area is provided in a section below.

Infrastructure alternatives Alignment alternatives are shown in Figure 1 in the section below titled “Description of Study Area”. Alternative 1 is approximately 82km long and passes through the proposed Hoekklip substation, onto the proposed Landplaas switching station, and into the Zandkopsdrift substation (which is situated within the Zandkopsdrift mine). Alternative 1 traverses in a northerly to north north–westerly direction from the proposed Landplaas switching station which is located to the east of and approximately parallel with the road between Waterklip and Biesiesfontein. Alternative 2 (preferred) also traverse along a similar route alignment as with Alternative 1, with the exception of a few deviations. These deviations occur firstly at the proposed Hoekklip substation where Alternative 2 heads out in a North-Westerly direction for

Typical vegetation in the central part of the study area.

7 approximate 4.5km before linking up with Alternative 1 again. The second deviation occurs South of the Zandkopsdrift mine, where the Alternative 2 deviates slightly to the East before entering the Zandkopsdrift mine substation, covering a total distance of 81.5 km. Alternative 2 lies predominantly to the East of Alternative 1.

8 METHODOLOGY

The assessment is to be undertaken in a single phase, a Basic Assessment. The objective of the study was to review fauna and flora patterns within the study area in order to identify any highly sensitive areas that should be avoided during development. It was therefore necessary to provide checklists of sensitive species that could potentially occur in the study area as well as habitats with high conservation value. For potential species, only those of high conservation concern are provided. It was also intended to provide a habitat/sensitivity map of the study area based on available maps and database information.

Assessment philosophy

Many parts of South Africa contain high levels of biodiversity at species and ecosystem level. At any single site there may be large numbers of species or high ecological complexity. Sites also vary in their natural character and uniqueness and the level to which they have been previously disturbed. Assessing the potential impacts of a proposed development often requires evaluating the conservation value of a site relative to other natural areas and relative to the national importance of the site in terms of biodiversity conservation. A simple approach to evaluating the relative importance of a site includes assessing the following: • Is the site unique in terms of natural or biodiversity features? • Is the protection of biodiversity features on the site of national/provincial importance? • Would development of the site lead to contravention of any international, national or provincial legislation, policy, convention or regulation?

Thus, the general approach adopted for this type of study is to identify any critical biodiversity issues that may lead to the decision that the proposed project cannot take place, i.e. to specifically focus on red flags and/or potential fatal flaws. Biodiversity issues are assessed by documenting whether any important biodiversity features occur on site, including species, ecosystems or processes that maintain ecosystems and/or species. These can be organised in a hierarchical fashion, as follows:

Species 1. threatened plant species 2. protected trees

Ecosystems 1. threatened ecosystems 2. protected ecosystems 3. critical biodiversity areas 4. areas of high biodiversity 5. centres of endemism

Processes 1. corridors 2. mega-conservancy networks 3. rivers and wetlands 4. important topographical features

It is not the intention to provide comprehensive lists of all species that occur on site, since most of the species on these lists are usually common or widespread species. Rare, threatened, protected and conservation-worthy species and habitats are considered to be the highest priority, the presence of which are most likely to result in significant negative impacts

9 on the ecological environment. The focus on national and provincial priorities and critical biodiversity issues is in line with National legislation protecting environmental and biodiversity resources, including, but not limited to the following which ensure protection of ecological processes, natural systems and natural beauty as well as the preservation of biotic diversity in the natural environment: 1. Environment Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989) 2. National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998) 3. National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004. (Act 10 0f 2004)

Plant species of conservation concern

There are two types of species of concern for the site under investigation, (i) those listed by conservation authorities as being on a Red List and are therefore considered to be at risk of extinction, and (ii) those listed as protected according to National and/or Provincial legislation.

Red List plant species Determining the conservation status of a species is required in oder to identify those species that are at greatest risk of extinction and, therefore, in most need of conservation action. South Africa has adopted the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria to provide an objective, rigorous, scientifically founded system to identify Red List species. A published list of the Red List species of South African plants (Raimondo et al. 2009) contains a list of all species that are considered to be at risk of extinction. This list is updated regularly to take new information into account, but these are not published in book/paper format. Updated assessments are provided on the SANBI website ( http://redlist.sanbi.org/ ). According to the website of the Red List of Southern African Plants ( http://redlist.sanbi.org/ ), the conservation status of plants indicated on the Red List of South African Plants Online represents the status of the species within South Africa's borders. This means that when a species is not endemic to South Africa, only the portion of the species population occurring within South Africa has been assessed. The global conservation status, which is a result of the assessment of the entire global range of a species, can be found on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species: http://www.iucnredlist.org . The South African assessment is used in this study.

The purpose of listing Red List plant species is to provide information on the potential occurrence of species at risk of extinction in the study area that may be affected by the proposed infrastructure. Species appearing on these lists can then be assessed in terms of their habitat requirements in order to determine whether any of them have a likelihood of occurring in habitats that may be affected by the proposed infrastructure.

Lists were compiled specifically for any species at risk of extinction (Red List species) previously recorded in the area. Historical occurrences of threatened plant species were obtained from the South African National Biodiversity Institute ( http://posa.sanbi.org ) for the quarter degree square/s within which the study area is situated. Habitat information for each species was obtained from various published sources. The probability of finding any of these species was then assessed by comparing the habitat requirements with those habitats that were found, during the field survey of the site, to occur there.

Protected trees Regulations published for the National Forests Act (Act 84 of 1998) as amended, provide a list of protected tree species for South Africa. The species on this list were assessed in order to determine which protected tree species have a geographical distribution that coincides with the study area and habitat requirements that may be met by available habitat in the study

10 area. The distribution of species on this list were obtained from published sources (e.g. van Wyk & van Wyk 1997) and from the SANBI Biodiversity Information System website (http://sibis.sanbi.org/ ) for quarter degree grids in which species have been previously recorded. Species that have been recorded anywhere in proximity to the site (within 100 km), or where it is considered possible that they could occur there, were listed and were considered as being at risk of occurring there. The site was searched for these species during the field survey and any individuals or concentrations noted.

Other protected plant species National legislation was evaluated in order to provide lists of any plant or animal species that have protected status. The most important legislation is the following: • National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No 10 of 2004)

This legislation contains lists of species that are protected. These lists were scanned in order to identify any species that have a geographical range that includes the study area and habitat requirements that are met by those found on site. These species were searched for within suitable habitats on site or, where relevant, it was stated that it was considered possible that they could occur on site.

There is additional legislation that provides lists of protected species, but the legislation to which these are attached deal primarily with harvesting or trade in listed species and do not seem to specifically address transformational threates to habitat or individuals. This includes the following legislation: • Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act (Act No 9 of 2009) • CITES: Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora .

Species probability of occurrence Some species of plants may be cryptic, difficult to find, rare, ephemeral or generally not easy to spot while undertaking a survey of a large area. An assessment of the possibility of these species occurring there was therefore provided. For all threatened or protected flora that occur in the general geographical area of the site, a rating of the likelihood of it occurring on site is given as follows: • LOW: no suitable habitats occur on site / habitats on site do not match habitat description for species; • MEDIUM: habitats on site match general habitat description for species (e.g. karoo shrubland), but detailed microhabitat requirements (e.g. mountain shrubland on shallow soils overlying sandstone) are absent on the site or are unknown from the descriptions given in the literature or from the authorities; • HIGH: habitats found on site match very strongly the general and microhabitat description for the species (e.g. mountain shrubland on shallow soils overlying sandstone); • DEFINITE: species found in habitats on site.

Habitat sensitivity

The purpose of producing a habitat sensitivity map is to provide information on the location of potentially sensitive features in the study area. This was compiled by taking the following into consideration:

1. The general status of the vegetation of the study area was derived by compiling a landcover data layer for the study area ( sensu Fairbanks et al. 2000) using available

11 satellite imagery and aerial photography. From this it can be seen which areas are transformed versus those that are still in a natural status. 2. Various provincial, regional or national level conservation planning studies have been undertaken in the area, e.g. the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment (NSBA). The mapped results from these were taken into consideration in compiling the habitat sensitivity map. 3. Habitats in which various species of plants or animals occur that may be protected or are considered to have high conservation status are considered to be sensitive.

An explanation of the different sensitivity classes is given in Table 1. Areas containing untransformed natural vegetation of conservation concern, high diversity or habitat complexity, Red List organisms or systems vital to sustaining ecological functions are considered potentially sensitive. In contrast, any transformed area that has no importance for the functioning of ecosystems is considered to potentially have low sensitivity.

Table 1: Explanation of sensitivity ratings. Sensitivity Factors contributing to sensitivity Example of qualifying features VERY HIGH Indigenous natural areas that are highly positive • CBA 1 areas. for any of the following: • Remaining areas of • presence of threatened species (Critically vegetation type Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable) listed in Draft and/or habitat critical for the survival of Ecosystem List of populations of threatened species. NEM:BA as Critically • High conservation status (low proportion Endangered, remaining intact, highly fragmented, Endangered or habitat for species that are at risk). Vulnerable. • Protected habitats (areas protected • Protected forest according to national / provincial patches. legislation, e.g. National Forests Act, Draft • Confirmed presence Ecosystem List of NEM:BA, Integrated of populations of Coastal Zone Management Act, Mountain threatened species. Catchment Areas Act, Lake Areas Development Act) And may also be positive for the following: • High intrinsic biodiversity value (high species richness and/or turnover, unique ecosystems) • High value ecological goods & services (e.g. water supply, erosion control, soil formation, carbon storage, pollination, refugia, food production, raw materials, genetic resources, cultural value) • Low ability to respond to disturbance (low resilience, dominant species very old). HIGH Indigenous natural areas that are positive for any • CBA 2 “critical of the following: biodiversity areas”. • High intrinsic biodiversity value • Habitat where a (moderate/high species richness and/or threatened species turnover). could potentially • presence of habitat highly suitable for occur (habitat is threatened species (Critically Endangered, suitable, but no Endangered, Vulnerable species). confirmed records). • Moderate ability to respond to disturbance • Confirmed habitat (moderate resilience, dominant species of for species of lower

12 Sensitivity Factors contributing to sensitivity Example of qualifying features intermediate age). threat status (near • Moderate conservation status (moderate threatened, rare). proportion remaining intact, moderately • Habitat containing fragmented, habitat for species that are at individuals of risk). extreme age. • Moderate to high value ecological goods & • Habitat with low services (e.g. water supply, erosion ability to recover control, soil formation, carbon storage, from disturbance. pollination, refugia, food production, raw • Habitat with materials, genetic resources, cultural exceptionally high value). diversity (richness And may also be positive for the following: or turnover). • Protected habitats (areas protected • Habitat with unique according to national / provincial species composition legislation, e.g. National Forests Act, Draft and narrow Ecosystem List of NEM:BA, Integrated distribution. Coastal Zone Management Act, Mountain • Ecosystem Catchment Areas Act, Lake Areas providing high value Development Act) ecosystem goods and services. MEDIUM- Indigenous natural areas that are positive for one • CBA 2 “corridor HIGH or two of the factors listed above, but not a areas”. combination of factors. • Habitat with high diversity (richness or turnover). • Habitat where a species of lower threat status (e.g. (near threatened, rare) could potentially occur (habitat is suitable, but no confirmed records). MEDIUM Other indigenous natural areas in which factors listed above are of no particular concern. May also include natural buffers around ecologically sensitive areas and natural links or corridors in which natural habitat is still ecologically functional. MEDIUM- Degraded or disturbed indigenous natural LOW vegetation. LOW No natural habitat remaining.

Any natural vegetation within which there are features of conservation concern will be classified into one of the high sensitivity classes (MEDIUM-HIGH, HIGH or VERY HIGH. The difference between these three high classes is based on a combination of factors and can be summarised as follows:

1. Areas classified into the VERY HIGH class are vital for the survival of species or ecosystems. They are either known sites for threatened species or are ecosystems that have been identified as being remaining areas of vegetation of critical conservation importance. CBA1 areas would qualify for inclusion into this class. 2. Areas classified into the HIGH class are of high biodiversity value, but do not necessarily contain features that would put them into the VERY HIGH class. For

13 example, a site that is known to contain a population of a threatened species would be in the VERY HIGH class, but a site where a threatened species could potentially occur (habitat is suitable), but it is not known whether it does occur there or not, is classified into the HIGH sensitivity class. The class also includes any areas that are not specifically identified as having high conservation status, but have high local species richness, unique species composition, low resilience or provide very important ecosystem goods and services. CBA2 “irreplaceable biodiversity areas” would qualify for inclusion into this class, if there were no other factors that would put them into the highest class. 3. Areas classified into the MEDIUM-HIGH sensitivity class are natural vegetation in which there are one or two features that make them of biodiversity value, but not to the extent that they would be classified into one of the other two higher categories. CBA2 “corridor areas” would qualify for inclusion into this class.

Assessment of impacts

All possible impacts associated with the proposed development were considered, including from construction and operation phases of the project. The following criteria were considered when assessing potential impacts:

Criteria Rating Scales Notes Positive This is an evaluation of the type of effect the Negative construction, operation and management of Nature the proposed development would have on Neutral the affected environment. Local (limited to the site and its immediate Local surroundings Extent Regional Regional (beyond a 10 km radius) National National Short-term 0-5 years Medium-term 6-15 years 16-30 years – where the impact will cease Duration after the operational life of the activity either Long-term because of natural processes or by human intervention Where the impact affects the environment in such a way that natural, cultural and social Low functions and processes are minimally affected Where the affected environment is altered but natural, cultural and social functions and processes continue albeit in a modified way; Medium and valued, important, sensitive or Intensity vulnerable systems or communities are negatively affected Where natural, cultural or social functions and processes are altered to the extent that the impact will temporarily or permanently High cease; and valued, important, sensitive or vulnerable systems or communities are substantially affected.

14 Criteria Rating Scales Notes

Potential for No No irreplaceable resources will be impacted. impact on There is no potential for replacing a irreplaceable Yes particular vulnerable resource that will be resources impacted. Improbable It is highly unlikely that an impact will occur. It is less than 50 % likely that an impact will Probability Probable occur. (the likelihood It is between 50 and 90 % certain that the of the impact Highly probable impact will occur. occurring) The impact will occur regardless of any Definite prevention measures. Low Confidence Medium level High

Practical mitigation measures were identified and described to reduce the significance of the impact. The impact was re-assessed following application of mitigation measures and an assessment was repeated to demonstrate how the impact criteria may change after implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.

The consequence of the potential impact was determined according to the following table:

• High intensity at a regional level and endure in the long term • High intensity at a national level and endure in the medium term • Medium intensity at a national level and endure in the long term • High intensity at a regional level and endure in the medium term • High intensity at a national level and High endure in the short term Consequence • Medium intensity at a national level and (a combination endure in the medium term of extent, • Low intensity at a national level and duration, endure in the long term intensity and • High intensity at a local level and endure the potential in the long term for impact on • Medium intensity at a regional level and irreplaceable endure in the long term resources). • High intensity at a local level and endure in the medium term • Medium intensity at a regional level and endure in the medium term • High intensity at a regional level and Medium endure in the short term • Medium intensity at a national level and endure in the short term • Medium intensity at a local level and endure in the medium term • Medium intensity at a local level and

15 endure in the long term • Low intensity at a national level and endure in the medium term • Low intensity at a regional level and endure in the long term • Low intensity at a regional level and endure in the medium term • Low intensity at a national level and endure in the short term • High intensity at a local level and endure in the short term • Medium intensity at a regional level and endure in the short term Low • Low intensity at a local level and endure in the long term • Low intensity at a local level and endure in the medium term • Low intensity at a regional level and endure in the short term • Low to medium intensity at a local level and ensure in the short term

The significance of an impact was defined as a combination of the consequence of the impact occurring and the probability that the impact will occur. The significance of each impact was rated as follows:

• LOW – will not have an influence on the decision to proceed with the proposed project, provided that recommended mitigation measures are implemented; • MEDIUM – should influence the decision to proceed with the proposed project, provided that recommended measures are implemented; • HIGH – would strongly influence the decision to proceed with the proposed project.

Consequence rating Consequence x Probability HIGH significance • High x Definite • High x Highly probable • High x Probable • High x Improbable • Medium x Definite MEDIUM significance • Medium x Highly probable • Medium x Probable LOW significance • Medium x Improbable • Low x Definite • Low x Highly probable • Low x Probable • Low x Improbable

Limitations and exclusions

• Red List species are, by their nature, usually very rare and difficult to locate. Compiling the list of species that could potentially occur in an area is limited by the paucity of collection records that make it difficult to predict whether a species may occur in an

16 area or not. The methodology used in this assessment is designed to reduce the risks of omitting any species, but it is always possible that a species that does not occur on a list may be unexpectedly located in an area. • This study excludes avifauna, which are undertaken in separate specialist study.

17 DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA

Location and site conditions

The proposed power line extends from adjacent to the Olifants River settlement near Lutzville northwards to the Zandkopsdrift mine, which is near Rietpoort (Figure 1). The infrastructure falls within the quarter degree grids 3017DD, 3018CC, 3117BB, 3118AA, AC and AD. It is situated along the West Coast of South Africa within 30 km of the coastline.

The study site is situated in an area with relatively gentle topography. The general slope in this area is from east to west down towards the coastline, but the local topography is also influenced by local features. The elevation on site varies from 60 to 310 m above sea level.

Detailed soil information is not available for broad areas of the country. As a surrogate, landtype data was used to provide a general description of soils in the study area (landtypes are areas with largely uniform soils, topography and climate). The landtypes described below provide a generalized description of soils on site that may differ in detail from site-specific patterns, but not in overall trends. There are four land types in the study area, the Ae, Ag, Ah and Fc landtypes (Land Type Survey Staff, 1987). The Fc land type occupies only a vary small area in the south of the study area, with the other three a land types being dominant.

The A-group of land types refer to yellow and red soils without water tables belonging to one or more of the following soil forms: Inanda, Kranskop, Magwa, Hutton, Griffin, Clovelly. These are red-yellow apedal, freely drained soils. The Ae landtype consists of red, high base status,

Figure 1: Location of the proposed power line and associated infrastructure.

18 > 300 mm deep soils and no dunes (MacVicar et al. 1974). The Ag landtype consists of red, high base status, < 300 mm deep soils and no dunes. The Ah landtype consists of red and yellow, high base status soils.

Rainfall occurs from May to August. Mean annual rainfall is 100 mm to 120 mm per year. All areas with less than 400 mm rainfall are considered to be arid. The study area can therefore be considered to be very arid. Winter dew is common and moisture is also supplemented by fog rolling in from the sea.

Landuse and landcover of the study area

A landcover map of the study area (Fairbanks et al . 2000) indicates that most of the study area consists of natural vegetation, but that there are regular areas of cultivated fields throughout the study area (Figure 2). The 1:50 000 topocadastral maps of the study area and field observations confirm this pattern. The natural vegetation is classified in the landcover map as “shrubland and low fynbos”.

Broad vegetation patterns

The vegetation of the study area indicates that there are a number of different regional vegetation types occurring in the study area. The distribution of these relative to the proposed infrastructure is shown in Figure 3. The vegetation types that are directly affected by the proposed infrastructure are briefly described below.

Figure 2: Landcover of the study area.

19

Knersvlakte Quartz Vygieveld This vegetation type is found on slightly undulating landscapes covered by prominent though very patchy white layer of quartzite (Mucina et al. 2006). This represents an edaphically defined special habitat that carries large local densities of endemic plants (Mucina et al. 2006). The vegetation is a dwarf succulent shrubland with a high proportion of compact and subterranean vygies, often imitating their surroundings (Mucina et al. 2006). The mosaic of floristically and ecologically distinct quartz vygieveld communities and the matrix of low succulent shrublands are very intricate and small-scale in places (Mucina et al. 2006). This vegetation unit carries one of the largest local densities of endemic plants in the country, including more than 60 species and three genera (Mucina et al. 2006). Relative to the proposed infrastructure, only a small section of this vegetation type is potentially affected in the extreme southern part of the study area (see Figure 3).

Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld This vegetation type occurs on undulating plains in which heuweltjies are a prominent feature (Mucina et al. 2006). These are ancient termite mounds up to 10 m in diameter (Mucina et al. 2006). The vegetation is a mosaic of communities of low shrubland dominated by leaf- succulent species (Mucina et al. 2006). The heuweltjies are often the home of burrowing animals like aardvark, porcupine and Brant’s whistling rat (Mucina et al. 2006). Approximately the northern quarter of the extent of the proposed infrastructure is within this vegetation type (see Figure 3).

Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland This vegetation type occurs in a dramatic landscape of huge granite and gneiss domes,

Figure 3: Vegetation of the study area.

20 smooth glacis and disintegrating boulder koppies (Mucina et al. 2006). The vegetation is an open shrubland up to 1 m tall, dominated by shrubs of dwarf to medium stature and with ericoid or succulent leaves (Mucina et al. 2006). The kokerboom, Aloe dichotoma , may be found mostly on north-facing slopes (Mucina et al. 2006). A large proportion of the central part of the proposed infrastructure is situated within this vegetation type (see Figure 3).

Namaqualand Riviere This vegetation type is found along dry river beds of Namaqualand (Mucina et al. 2006). The vegetation is a complex of alluvial shrublands and patches of tussock grasslands (Mucina et al. 2006). In places, low thickets of Acacia karroo and Tamarix usneoides may be encountered (Mucina et al. 2006). According to the proposed layout, the extreme southern end of the proposed infrastructure is within this vegetation type (see Figure 3), although mapping of this vegetation type appears to have been a bit generous and little of this vegetation type will be affected by the proposed project.

Namaqualand Sand Fynbos This vegetation is found on coastal plains on slightly undulating plains comprising both isolated streets and dune fields of Aeolian sands (Mucina et al. 2006). The vegetation is dominated by restios with scattered tall shrubs (Mucina et al. 2006). There are substantial floristic differences between dune ridges and dune slacks (Mucina et al. 2006). Relative to the proposed infrastructure, only a small section of this vegetation type is potentially affected in the extreme southern part of the study area (see Figure 3).

Vegetation at site of proposed Hoeklip substation.

21

Namaqualand Spinescent Grassland This vegetation occurs in level landscapes and is covered by spinifex-like grass and a few scattered emergent taller shrubs that include species that are both succulent and non- succulent (Mucina et al. 2006). Geophytes and annuals occur in the shrub-grass matrix (Mucina et al. 2006). This vegetation type occurs in the extreme southern part of the study area and is not affected by the proposed infrastructure (see Figure 3).

Namaqualand Strandveld. Namaqualand Strandveld is found on more stable substrates of quaternary stabilized Aeolian, deep red or yellowish-red stable dunes and deep sands (Mucina et al. 2006). This is on the flat to slightly undulating landscape of the coastal peneplain (Mucina et al. 2006), extending to just beyond 25 km inland from the coastline in places. The vegetation is a well-developed coastal shrubland containing a high proportion of succulent shrub species (Mucina et al. 2006). Most of the southern half of the proposed infrastructure, including the proposed Landplaas switching station, is within this vegetation type (see Figure 3).

Conservation status of broad vegetation types

On the basis of a scientific approach used at national level by SANBI (Driver et al . 2005), vegetation types can be categorised according to their conservation status which is, in turn, assessed according to the degree of transformation relative to the expected extent of each vegetation type. The status of a habitat or vegetation type is based on how much of its original area still remains intact relative to various thresholds. The original extent of a vegetation type is as presented in the most recent national vegetation map (Mucina, Rutherford & Powrie 2005) and is the extent of the vegetation type in the absence of any historical human impact. On a national scale the thresholds are as depicted in Table 2, as determined by best available scientific approaches (Driver et al . 2005). The level at which an ecosystem becomes Critically Endangered differs from one ecosystem to another and varies from 16% to 36% (Driver et al. 2005).

Determining ecosystem status (Driver et al. 2005). *BT = biodiversity target (the minimum conservation requirement). 80–100 least threatened LT

60–80 vulnerable VU *BT–60 endangered EN

Habitat remainin g(%) 0–*BT critically endangered CR

According to scientific literature (Driver et al. 2005; Mucina et al., 2006), the vegetation types that occur in the study area are all listed as Least Threatened (Table 3).

Table 3: Conservation status of different vegetation types occurring in the study area, according to Driver et al . 2005 and Mucina et al . 2005. Vegetation Type Target Conserved Transformed Conservation status (%) (%) (%) Driver et al . 2005; National Mucina et al ., Ecosystem List 2006 (NEM:BA) Knersvlakte Quartz 28 5 2 Least Threatened Not listed Vygieveld

22 Namaqualand 28 11 3 Least Threatened Not listed Heuweltjieveld Namaqualand 28 6 5 Least Threatened Not listed Klipkoppe Shrubland Namaqualand 24 0 16 Least Threatened Not listed Riviere Namaqualand Sand 29 1 2 Least Threatened Not listed Fynbos Namaqualand 26 4 4 Least Threatened Not listed Spinescent Grassland Namaqualand 26 0 10 Least Threatened Not listed Strandveld

The National List of Ecosystems that are Threatened and need of protection (GN1002 of 2011), published under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10, 2004), lists national vegetation types that are afforded protection on the basis of rates of transformation. The thresholds for listing in this legislation are higher than in the scientific literature, which means there are fewer ecosystems listed in the National Ecosystem List versus in the scientific literature.

There are no vegetation types occurring in the study area that are listed in the National List of Ecosystems that are Threatened and need of protection (GN1002 of 2011).

Critical Biodiversity Areas have been identified for all municipal areas of the Western and

Figure 4: Crit ical Biodiversity Areas of the study area.

23 Northern Cape Province and are published on the SANBI website (bgis.sanbi.org). These maps identify some areas of concern in the current study area (Figure 4). These include migration corridors (shown as “NDM CBAs terrestrial” in Figure 4), aquatic areas (shown as “NDM CBAs aquatic” in Figure 4) and Critical Biodiversity Areas of the Matzikama Municipality. No fine- scale plans exist for the central part of the study area, but, based on surrounding assessments, it is assumed that any drainage areas should be considered to be sensitive. With this in mind, all rivers are shown in Figure 4 and include tributaries of the Brak, Sout and Olifants Rivers.

Red List plant species of the study area

Lists of plant species previously recorded in the quarter degree grids in which the study area is situated were obtained from the South African National Biodiversity Institute. These are listed in Appendix 1. Additional species that could occur in similar habitats, as determined from database searches and literature sources, but have not been recorded in these grids are also listed.

The species on this list were evaluated to determine the likelihood of any of them occurring on site on the basis of habitat suitability. Of the species that are considered to occur within the geographical area under consideration, there are a large number of threatened or near threatened species that could occur in habitats that are available in the study area (see Appendix 1). These are associated with any of the natural habitats occurring in the study area. Any natural habitat affected by the proposed infrastructure must therefore be considered to potentially contain populations of plant species of conservation concern.

Table 4: Explanation of IUCN Ver. 3.1 categories (IUCN, 2001), and Orange List categories (Victor & Keith, 2004). IUCN / Orange List Definition Class category EX Extinct Extinct CR Critically Endangered Red List EN Endangered Red List VU Vulnerable Red List NT Near Threatened Orange List Declining Declining taxa Orange List Rare Rare Orange List Critically Rare Rare: only one subpopulation Orange List Rare-Sparse Rare: widely distributed but rare Orange List DDD Data Deficient: well known but not enough Orange List information for assessment DDT Data Deficient: taxonomic problems Data Deficient DDX Data Deficient: unknown species Data Deficient

Protected plants (National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act)

Plant species protected under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004) are listed in Appendix 4. One plant species that appears on this list that could potentially occur in the general region, although it has not previously been recorded in the grids of the study area, is Hoodia gordonii . This species is currently listed in Appendix II to the

24 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which includes species not currently considered endangered but are at risk if trade is not controlled. Hoodia gordonii has a wide tolerance of growing habitats and is found in deep Kalahari sands, on dry stony slopes or flats and under the protection of xerophytic bushes. Suitable conditions do occur on site, but the species is only found further inland on the sub- continent, and it is considered very unlikely that this species could occur on site. It was not found during the field survey.

Protected trees

Tree species protected under the National Forest Act are listed in Appendix 2. There are none that are known to have a geographical distribution that includes the grids in which the proposed infrastructure is to be located. Two species occur in distantly nearby grids, namely Acacia erioloba and Acacia haematoxylon , but neither is considered likely to occur in the study area. Collection records for these species obtained from the SANBI website (http://sibis.sanbi.org/) indicate that neither species occurs anywhere near to the site. No individuals were observed on site or in the surrounding areas during this and other field assessments.

Red List animal species of the study area

All threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable) or near threatened vertebrate animals (mammals, reptiles, amphibians) that could occur in the study area are listed in Appendix 4. Those vertebrate species with a geographical distribution that includes the study area, and habitat preference that includes habitats available in the study area are discussed further. Birds are covered in a separate specialist study and are not reported on here.

There are two threatened terrestrial mammal species that have a geographical distribution that includes the site and habitat requirements which are met by those found on site. These are Grant’s Golden Mole, listed nationally as Vulnerable, and the White-tailed Rat, listed nationally as Endangered.

Grant’s Golden Mole is listed globally as Least Concern, but this includes another subspecies that is common in Namibia. The national listing is therefore considered valid for the subspecies that occurs only in South Africa, i.e. that the populations in South Africa should be considered to be Vulnerable. It is found in Strandveld Succulent Karoo (represented in the study area by Namaqualand Strandveld vegetation type, see Figure 3) in subterranean habitats in shifting sands. Due to the distribution of the species relative to the infrastructure and the fact that habitat conditions are suitable for the species, there is a high probability that it could occur on or within the footprint of the proposed infrastructure.

The White-tailed Rat occurs in Highveld and montane grassland, but requires sandy to loam soils with good cover. It has been previously recorded in a grid in which the study area is located, which indicates that there is a high probability of it occurring in the study area. The study area contains sandy soils with natural vegetation. There is therefore a high probability of these areas being suitable for this species. The potential occurrence of the species within the footprint of the proposed infrastructure is difficult to determine due to the sparse nature of existing populations of this species and it’s wide distribution across South Africa.

25 There are three bat species of low conservation concern that could occur on site. These are the Natal Long-fingered Bat, the Cape Horseshoe Bat and Geoffroy’s Horseshoe Bat. All three are listed nationally as Near Threatened (Friedmann & Daly 2004, Monadjem et al. 2010) and globally as Least Concern ( www.iucn.org ).

The Cape Horseshoe Bat is found in coastal and escarpment regions from Eastern Cape to Cape Town and northwards up the West Coast. The species is also endemic to South Africa and a small area of southern Namibia and is therefore primarily a South African concern. It is listed as Near Threatened in South Africa (Friedmann & Daly 2004, Monadjem et al. 2010) and Least Concern globally (www.iucn.org ), which does not make sense considering it is practically endemic to South Africa. From a biodiversity point of view, it would be sensible to treat it as a Near Threatened species.

There are no amphibian species of conservation concern that have a geographical distribution that includes the study area.

There is one reptile species of conservation concern that has a distribution that includes the study area and which could occur within the footprint of the proposed infrastructure, the Namaqua Plated Lizard (Near Threatened). This is a terrestrial species that is found in dry sandy areas and bare rocky hillsides in succulent karoo and renosterveld. It shelters in a short burrow dug at the base of a bush or in rodent burrows. It has the habit of wriggling into loose sand so that only the tip of the snout sticks out. It has been previously recorded in the quarter degree grid just to the south of the study area and there is a possibility it could occur within the footprint of the proposed infrastructure.

In summary, the following threatened or near threatened animal species could potentially occur within the footprint of the proposed infrastructure and may therefore be of concern for development of the site: 1. Grant’s Golden Mole (VU), 2. White-tailed Rat (EN), 3. Natal Long-fingered Bat (NT), 4. Cape Horseshoe Bat (NT), 5. Geoffroy’s Horseshoe Bat (NT), 6. Namaqua Plated Lizard (NT).

Protected animals

There are a number of animal species protected under the Western Cape Nature Conservation Laws Amendment Act of 2000 (Act 3 of 2000). These are listed in Appendix 5. According to the Western Cape Nature Conservation Laws Amendment Act, "No person shall without a permit hunt or be in possession of any endangered wild animal or the carcass of any such animal ". The Act does not imply that habitat for these species should be regarded as sensitive and appears to be primarily concerned with protecting individual animals from hunting or trading. No permit requirements are contained in the Act for cases where such individuals may occur on land for which an application for development is being considered (as in the current case).

Those species protected according to the Western Cape Nature Conservation Laws Amendment Act of 2000 (Act 3 of 2000) that have a geographical distribution that includes the site and that may, therefore, occur on site are listed in Appendix 5, marked with the letter “P”. This includes the following species: Black-footed Cat, Honey Badger, Leopard, Cape Fox and Armadillo Girdled Lizard.

26 There are a number of animal species protected according to the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004). According to this Act, “ a person may not carry out a restricted activity involving a specimen of a listed threatened or protected species without a permit issued in terms of Chapter 7 ”. Such activities include any that are “ of a nature that may negatively impact on the survival of a listed threatened or protected species ”. This implies that any negative impacts on habitats in which populations of protected species occur or are dependent upon would be restricted according to this Act.

Those species protected according to the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004) that have a geographical distribution that includes the site and that may, therefore, occur on site are listed in Appendix 6, marked with the letter “N”. This includes the following species: Black-footed Cat, Honey Badger, Leopard, Cape Fox and Armadillo Girdled Lizard.

All of these species are mobile animals that are likely to move away in the event of any activities on site disturbing them. They are therefore unlikely to be affected by the proposed development of the power line and associated infrastructure. The Armadillo Girdled Lizard is less mobile and could potentially be negatively affected by construction activities. According to habitat information, the Armadillo Girdled Lizard was considered to be unlikely to occur on site even though its geographical distribution includes the site. In summary, the following animal species protected by National legislation (National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act) could potentially occur on site and may therefore be of concern for development of the study area: 1. None.

27 RELEVANT LEGISLATIVE AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

Relevant legislation is provided in this section to provide a description of the key legal considerations of importance to the proposed project. The applicable legislation is listed below.

Legislation National Environmental Management Act, Act No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA) NEMA requires, inter alia, that: • “development must be socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable”, • “disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological diversity are avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied.” , • “a risk-averse and cautious approach is applied, which takes into account the limits of current knowledge about the consequences of decisions and actions”, NEMA states that “the environment is held in public trust for the people, the beneficial use of environmental resources must serve the public interest and the environment must be protected as the people’s common heritage.”

Environment Conservation Act No 73 of 1989 Amendment Notice No R1183 of 1997 The ECA states that: Development must be environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. Sustainable development requires the consideration of inter alia the following factors: • that pollution and degradation of the environment is avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied; • that the use and exploitation of non-renewable natural resources is responsible and equitable, and takes into account the consequences of the depletion of the resource; • that the development, use and exploitation of renewable resources and the ecosystems of which they are part do not exceed the level beyond which their integrity is jeopardised; and • that negative impacts on the environment and on peoples’ environmental rights be anticipated and prevented, and where they cannot be altogether prevented are minimised and remedied. The developer is required to undertake Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for all projects listed as a Schedule 1 activity in the EIA regulations in order to control activities which might have a detrimental effect on the environment. Such activities will only be permitted with written authorisation from a competent authority.

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No 10 of 2004) In terms of the Biodiversity Act, the developer has a responsibility for: • The conservation of endangered ecosystems and restriction of activities according to the categorisation of the area (not just by listed activity as specified in the EIA regulations). • Promote the application of appropriate environmental management tools in order to ensure integrated environmental management of activities thereby ensuring that all development within the area are in line with ecological sustainable development and protection of biodiversity. • Limit further loss of biodiversity and conserve endangered ecosystems.

Chapter 4 of the Act relates to threatened or protected ecosystems or species. According to Section 57 of the Act, "Restricted activities involving listed threatened or protected species": • (1) A person may not carry out a restricted activity involving a specimen of a listed threatened or protected species without a permit issued in terms of Chapter 7.

28 Such activities include any that are “of a nature that may negatively impact on the survival of a listed threatened or protected species”.

Chapter 5 of the Act relates to species and organisms posing a potential threat to biodiversity. According to Section 75 of the Act, "Control and eradication of listed invasive species": • (1) Control and eradication of a listed invasive species must be carried out by means of methods that are appropriate for the species concerned and the environment in which it occurs. • (2) Any action taken to control and eradicate a listed invasive species must be executed with caution and in a manner that may cause the least possible harm to biodiversity and damage to the environment. • (3) The methods employed to control and eradicate a listed invasive species must also be directed at the offspring, propagating material and re-growth of such invasive species in order to prevent such species from producing offspring, forming seed, regenerating or re-establishing itself in any manner.

GNR 151: Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Protected Species List Published under Section 56(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004).

GNR 1187: Amendment of Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Protected Species List Published under Section 56(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004).

Western Cape Nature Conservation Laws Amendment Act of 2000 (Act 3 of 2000) In terms of Section 26 of this Act, " No person shall without a permit hunt or be in possession of any endangered wild animal or the carcass of any such animal ". Schedule 2 of this Act provides a list of Protected Wild Animals.

National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act No. 101 of 1998) Provides requirements for veldfire prevention through firebreaks and required measures for fire-fighting. Chapter 4 of the Act places a duty on landowners to prepare and maintain firebreaks. Chapter 5 of the Act places a duty on all landowners to acquire equipment and have available personnel to fight fires.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management Act (Act No. 24 of 2008) The purpose of the Act is to establish a system of integrated coastal and estuarine management in the Republic, including norms, standards and policies, in order to promote the conservation of the coastal environment, and maintain the natural attributes of coastal landscapes and seascapes, and to ensure that development and the use of natural resources within the coastal zone is socially and economically justifiable and economically sustainable; to define rights and duties in relation to coastal areas; to determine the responsibilities of organs of state in relation to coastal areas; to prohibit incineration at sea; to control dumping at sea, pollution in the coastal zone, inappropriate development of the coastal environment and other adverse effects on the coastal environment; to give effect to South Africa's international obligation in relation to coastal matters; and to provide for matters connected therewith. The Act provides for integrated management of the coastal zone and contains a number of Chapters dealing with various components. Those that may affect the current project are as follows: • A coastal protection zone is defined in which development is restricted or controlled. A relatively arbitrary distance of 1000 m is defined in the act as

29 constituting this coastal protection zone, but sections of the act (sections 26 to 29) set out procedures whereby the various coastal areas may be specifically demarcated on a case-by-case basis. • Assessing the environmental impact of activities which may detrimentally affect the coastal zone will be done in terms of the general environmental impact assessment regulations which were promulgated in terms of Chapter 5 of NEMA. Section 63 of Act 24 of 2008 provides the factors and criteria which the competent authority must consider when issuing environmental authorisations for activities affecting the coastal zone.

Sea Birds and Seals Protection Act (Act No. 46 of 1973) Provides protection for certain species of marine birds, including the Damara Tern and the Bank Cormorant.

Other Acts Other Acts that may apply to biodiversity issues, but which are considered to not apply to the current site are as follows: • National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of 2003) • Marine Living Resources Act (Act No. 18 of 1998) • Mountain Catchment Areas Act (Act No. 63 of 1970) • Lake Areas Development Act (Act No. 39 of 1975)

30 IDENTIFICATION OF RISKS AND DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Potential issues relevant to potential impacts on the ecology of the study area include the following:

• Impacts on biodiversity: this includes any impacts on populations of individual species of concern, including protected species, on overall species richness and on habitats of species of concern. This includes impacts on genetic variability, population dynamics, overall species existence or health and on habitats important for species of concern. • Secondary and cumulative impacts on ecology: this includes an assessment of the impacts of the proposed project taken in combination with the impacts of other known projects for the area or secondary impacts that may arise from changes in the social, economic or ecological environment.

A number of direct risks to ecosystems that would result from construction of the proposed infrastructure are as follows:

• Excavation of foundations. • Clearing of land for construction. • Construction of access roads. • Placement of power lines and cables. • Establishment of borrow and spoil areas. • Chemical contamination of the soil by construction vehicles and machinery. • Operation of construction camps. • Storage of materials required for construction.

There are also risks associated with operation of the proposed infrastructure, as follows:

• Maintenance of surrounding vegetation as part of management of the facility.

Description of potential impacts

Impact 1: Impacts on indigenous natural vegetation (terrestrial) The vegetation type on site is a mixture of seven regional vegetation types that fall within the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo Biomes. All of the vegetation types potentially affected by the proposed infrastructure are classified as Least Threatened. Nevertheless, individual vegetation types have varying degrees of floristic value in terms of high diversity and/or high local endemism.

Some loss of natural habitat will occur, but this will be insignificant in comparison to the total area of the vegetation types concerned. Power lines typically occupy a very small footprint on the ground. Access/service roads potentially have a greater impact on natural habitat than the power line tower structures. Development of the infrastructure will not cause fragmentation of natural vegetation, when assessed at a regional level. The development of the proposed infrastructure will, however, lead to direct loss of natural vegetation, irrespective of the route alternative selected.

Impact 2: Impacts on threatened plants Nature: Plant species are especially vulnerable to infrastructure development due to the fact that they cannot move out of the path of the construction activities, but are also affected by overall loss of habitat.

31 Threatened species include those classified as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. For any other species a loss of individuals or localised populations is unlikely to lead to a change in the conservation status of the species. However, in the case of threatened plant species, loss of a population or individuals could lead to a direct change in the conservation status of the species, possibly extinction. This may arise if the proposed infrastructure is located where it will impact on such individuals or populations. Consequences may include:

1. fragmentation of populations of affected species; 2. reduction in area of occupancy of affected species; and 3. loss of genetic variation within affected species.

These may all lead to a negative change in conservation status of the affected species, which implies a reduction in the chance of survival of the species.

There are a large number of threatened plant species listed for the grids that include the study area. There is a high probability that one or more of these will be within areas potentially affected by the proposed infrastructure. Any natural areas are potential habitat for plant species of conservation concern.

Impact 3: Impacts on protected tree species There are a number of tree species that are protected according to Government Notice no. 1012 under section 12(I)(d) of the National Forests Act, 1998 (Act No. 84 of 1998). In terms of section1 5(1) of the National Forests Act, 1998 “no person may cut, disturb, damage or destroy any protected tree or possess, collect, remove, transport, export, purchase, sell donate or in any other manner acquire or dispose of any protected tree or any forest product derived from a protected tree, except under a license granted by the Minister to an (applicant and subject to such period and conditions as may be stipulated”.

No protected tree species have a geographic distribution that includes the study area. The development of the proposed infrastructure will not lead to loss of individuals of protected trees, irrespective of the route alternative selected. This potential impact is therefore not applicable to the current project and is not evaluated further.

Impact 4: Impacts on watercourses and drainage areas The study area is in an arid area and the soils are mostly deep and sandy. There are few surface wetlands, but various watercourses occur in the study area, including tributaries of the Brak, Sout and Olifants Rivers. It is possible that there may be underground movement of water through the sandy soils, but this is not evident from surface patterns. Impacts on watercourses and drainage areas are therefore potentially of concern for the current project.

Impact 5: Establishment and spread of declared weeds and alien invader plants Major factors contributing to invasion by alien invader plants includes inter alia high disturbance (such as clearing for construction activites) and negative grazing practices (Zachariades et al . 2005). Exotic species are often more prominent near infrastructural disturbances than further away (Gelbard & Belnap 2003, Watkins et al . 2003). Consequences of this may include: 1. loss of indigenous vegetation; 2. change in vegetation structure leading to change in various habitat characteristics; 3. change in plant species composition; 4. change in soil chemical properties; 5. loss of sensitive habitats;

32 6. loss or disturbance to individuals of rare, endangered, endemic and/or protected species; 7. fragmentation of sensitive habitats; 8. change in flammability of vegetation, depending on alien species; 9. hydrological impacts due to increased transpiration and runoff; and 10. impairment of wetland function.

There is a moderate possibility that alien plants could be introduced to areas within the footprint of the proposed infrastructure from surrounding areas in the absence of control measures. The potential consequences may be serious for surrounding natural habitats, whereas control measures could prevent the impact from occurring.

Impact 6: Loss or fragmentation of habitat for threatened/protected terrestrial fauna Construction of infrastructure will lead to direct loss of habitat for threatened or protected fauna. Consequences of the potential impact of loss of habitat occurring may include: 1. general loss of habitat for sensitive species; 2. disturbance to processes maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services.

The following animal species of conservation concern could potentially occur on site and may therefore be of concern for development within the study area: 1. Grant’s Golden Mole (VU), 2. White-tailed Rat (EN), 3. Namaqua Plated Lizard (NT).

Only Grant’s Golden Mole is restricted to the coastal region. The other two species (White- tailed rat and Namaqua Plated Lizard) have a wider inland distribution and will not be affected by fragmentation of habitat due to development of the proposed infrastructure. It is therefore considered highly improbable that development of the site will cause fragmentation of populations of any threatened and/or protected terrestrial animal species. There may be some localised loss of habitat, but, given the wide distribution of the White-tailed rat and Namaqua Plated Lizard, neither of these species is likely to be significantly affected. Only Grant’s Golden Mole, which may have populations that are locally restricted due to the position of burrows, may potentially be affected by local loss of habitat.

Impact 7: Collision of bats with infrastructure There are three bat species of potential conservation concern that could occur in the surrounding areas, Natal Long-fingered Bat, Cape Horseshoe Bat and Geoffroy’s Horseshoe Bat. These species are listed globally as Least Concern ( www.iucnredlist.org ) and nationally as Near Threatened (Monadjem et al. 2010).

The Natal Long-fingered Bat occurs widely in the region, but more often in the southern and eastern parts than the arid west. It is predominantly a temperate to sub-tropical species with the core of its distribution in the savannas and grasslands of southern Africa. It is cave- dependent and congregates in huge numbers in suitable sites.

The Cape Horseshoe Bat roosts in caves and mine adits where it may form colonies of a thousand or more individuals. Its distribution is closely tied to the fynbos and succulent karoo biomes, it but forages predominantly in the canopy of trees.

33 Geoffroy’s Horseshoe Bat occurs widely in southern African region, but less often in arid parts. It roosts in caves and subterranean habitats, such as mine adits, as well as rock hollows. These habitats do not occur on site.

Areas where caves are likely to be found in relation to the site are the rugged Hardeveld area between Koekenaap and Nuwerus to the north-east of the site and the mountains and hills around Klawer (closest are a minimum of 30 km to the south-east). It is possible that the study area forms part of a migration route or foraging area for these three species, but it is unlikely that they roost anywhere on site. It is therefore unlikely that the study area forms an important locality for the species, although foraging individuals may occur.

Bats rely on echo-location when flying, although they may not make use of this when travelling. They are unlikely to collide with stationary objects, including power lines. The proposed infrastructure is therefore not likely to have more than a negligible impact on any of these species.

34 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS

The following section provides a detailed assessment of the potential impacts identified in the sections above. Impacts are assessed impacts according to Construction, Operations and Decomisioning phases of the project and, where applicable, for each component of infrastructure, i.e., power lines, access/service roads and substation / switching station. Mitigation measures are proposed for reducing impacts and an assessment is provided for each impact following application of mitigation measures.

Construction Phase

Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation Power line option 1 This powerline option crosses mostly natural vegetation, including five different regional vegetation types. The main impact of the powerline is due to construction of the tower structures, each of which occupies only a very small local footprint (approximately 1m 2 around each foot).

Loss or fragmentation of natural vegetation would be a negative impact that will have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be medium term and the intensity medium. It is definite that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore medium and

Vegetation at Zandkopsdrif mine end of power line.

35 the significance HIGH. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 1: Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation due to construction activities: overhead power line option 1 Impact Description: Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation Without Negative Local Medium Medium Definite Yes Medium High MEDIUM HIGH Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Construction impacts must be contained within the footprint of the tower structures and/or the servitude of the power line. Ensure that unnecessary impacts on natural vegetation do not occur, e.g. driving around in the veld. Use existing access roads as far as possible. With Negative Local Medium Low Definite Yes Medium High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

Power line option 2 This powerline option crosses mostly natural vegetation, including five different regional vegetation types. The main impact of the powerline is due to construction of the tower structures, each of which occupies only a very small local footprint (approximately 1m 2 around each foot).

Loss or fragmentation of natural vegetation would be a negative impact that will have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be medium term and the intensity medium. It is definite that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore medium and the significance HIGH. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 1: Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation due to construction activities: overhead power line option 2 Impact Description: Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation Without Negative Local Medium Medium Definite Yes Medium High MEDIUM HIGH Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Construction impacts must be contained within the footprint of the tower structures and/or the servitude of the power line. Ensure that unnecessary impacts on natural vegetation do not occur, e.g. driving around in the veld. Use existing access roads as far as possible. With Negative Local Medium Low Definite Yes Medium High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

36 Service/access roads Service and access roads will mostly cross natural vegetation, unless existing roads and tracks can be used. Service roads under power lines are usually limited to twin-track jeep tracks, which have a relatively limited impact on natural habitat.

Loss or fragmentation of natural vegetation would be a negative impact that will have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be long term, due to the fact that these roads would be used during operation, and the intensity medium. It is definite that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore medium and the significance HIGH. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 1: Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation due to construction activities: access / service roads Impact Description: Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation Without Negative Local Long Medium Definite Yes Medium High MEDIUM HIGH Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Use existing access roads as far as possible.Construction impacts must be contained within the servitude of the power line. Ensure that unnecessary impacts on natural vegetation do not occur, e.g. driving around in the veld. With Negative Local Long Low Definite Yes Medium High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

Substation / switching station There is one substation (Hoekklip) and one switching station (Landplaas). The Hoekklip substation is located in an area of degraded vegetation between a railway line and a gravel access road. The Landplaas switching station is in a previously cultivated area. Both will have limited impact on natural habitat.

Loss or fragmentation of natural vegetation would be a negative impact that will have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be long term, due to the fact that this infrastructure is relatively permanent, and the intensity low. Due to the fact that natural habitat is not directly affected, it is improbable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore low and the significance LOW. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 1: Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation due to construction activities: substation / switching station Impact Description: Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation Without Negative Local Long Low Improbable No Low High LOW LOW Mitigation term

37 Mitigation Description: Use existing access roads as far as possible.Construction impacts must be contained within the footprint of the substation / switching station. Ensure that unnecessary impacts on natural vegetation do not occur, e.g. driving around in the veld. With Negative Local Long Low Improbable No Low High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

Impacts on threatened plants Power line option 1 This powerline option crosses mostly natural vegetation, including five different regional vegetation types. The probability on encountering threatened or near threatened plant species is therefore relatively high. The main impact of the powerline is due to construction of the tower structures, each of which occupies only a very small local footprint (approximately 1m 2 around each foot). There is, therefore, ample opportunity to shift tower structures to avoid populations of threatened plant species, if they are encountered.

Loss of populations or individuals of threatened or near threatened plant species would be a negative impact that will have regional consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be long term and the intensity high. It is probable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore high and the significance HIGH. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 2: Loss of populations or individuals of threatened or near threatned plant species due to construction activities: overhead power line option 1 Impact Description: Loss of populations or individuals of threatened / near threatened plant species Without Negative Regional Long High Probable Yes High High HIGH HIGH Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Where areas of natural vegetation will be affected, undertake a detailed threatened plant species specialist assessment. This should take place during an appropriate season and may require a number of site visits at different times of the year to cover the flowering period or emergence of potentially affected species. If any threatened plant species are found to occur within 50 m of the infrastructure then alternative siting of the infrastructure should take place or that component of the infrastructure should be omitted from the facility. With Negative Regional Short Low Improbable Yes High High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

Power line option 2 This powerline option crosses mostly natural vegetation, including five different regional vegetation types. The probability on encountering threatened or near threatened plant species is therefore relatively high. The main impact of the powerline is due to construction of the tower structures, each of which occupies only a very small local footprint (approximately 1m 2 around each foot). There is, therefore, ample opportunity to shift tower structures to avoid populations of threatened plant species, if they are encountered.

38 Loss of populations or individuals of threatened or near threatened plant species would be a negative impact that will have regional consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be long term and the intensity high. It is probable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore high and the significance HIGH. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 2: Loss of populations or individuals of threatened or near threatned plant species due to construction activities: overhead power line option 2 Impact Description: Loss of populations or individuals of threatened / near threatened plant species Without Negative Regional Long High Probable Yes High High HIGH HIGH Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Where areas of natural vegetation will be affected, undertake a detailed threatened plant species specialist assessment. This should take place during an appropriate season and may require a number of site visits at different times of the year to cover the flowering period or emergence of potentially affected species. If any threatened plant species are found to occur within 50 m of the infrastructure then alternative siting of the infrastructure should take place or that component of the infrastructure should be omitted from the facility. With Negative Regional Short Low Improbable Yes High High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

Service/access roads Service and access roads will mostly cross natural vegetation, unless existing roads and tracks can be used. Service roads under power lines are usually limited to twin-track jeep tracks, which have a relatively limited impact on natural habitat.

Loss of populations or individuals of threatened or near threatened plant species would be a negative impact that will have regional consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be long term and the intensity high. It is probable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore high and the significance HIGH. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 2: Loss of populations or individuals of threatened or near threatned plant species due to construction activities: access / service roads Impact Description: Loss of populations or individuals of threatened / near threatened plant species Without Negative Regional Long High Probable Yes High High HIGH HIGH Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Where areas of natural vegetation will be affected, undertake a detailed threatened plant species specialist assessment. This should take place during an appropriate season and may require a number

39 of site visits at different times of the year to cover the flowering period or emergence of potentially affected species. If any threatened plant species are found to occur within 50 m of the infrastructure then alternative siting of the infrastructure should take place or that component of the infrastructure should be omitted from the facility. With Negative Regional Short Low Improbable Yes High High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

Substation / switching station There is one substation (Hoekklip) and one switching station (Landplaas). The Hoekklip substation is located in an area of degraded vegetation between a railway line and a gravel access road. The Landplaas switching station is in a previously cultivated area. Both will have limited impact on natural habitat.

Loss of populations or individuals of threatened or near threatened plant species would be a negative impact that will have regional consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be long term and the intensity high. It is improbable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore high and the significance HIGH. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 2: Loss of populations or individuals of threatened or near threatned plant species due to construction activities: substation / switching station Impact Description: Loss of populations or individuals of threatened / near threatened plant species Without Negative Regional Long High Improbable Yes High High HIGH HIGH Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Where areas of natural vegetation will be affected, undertake a detailed threatened plant species specialist assessment. This should take place during an appropriate season and may require a number of site visits at different times of the year to cover the flowering period or emergence of potentially affected species. If any threatened plant species are found to occur within 50 m of the infrastructure then alternative siting of the infrastructure should take place or that component of the infrastructure should be omitted from the facility. With Negative Regional Short Low Improbable Yes High High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

Damage to watercourses Power line option 1 This powerline option crosses drainage lines and/or watercourses in various places. The main impact of the powerline is due to construction of the tower structures, each of which occupies only a very small local footprint (approximately 1m2 around each foot). The tower structures can be positioned to avoid drainage lines and watercourses.

40 Damage to watercourses would be a negative impact that will have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be medium term and the intensity medium. It is probable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore medium and the significance MEDIUM. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 4: Damage to watercourses due to construction activities: overhead power line option 1 Impact Description: Damage to watercourses Without Negative Local Medium Medium Probable Yes Medium High MEDIUM MEDIUM Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Ensure that tower structures are kept a minimum of 50 m outside the outer edge of any watercourse or drainage area. With Negative Local Short Low Improbable Yes Medium High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

Power line option 2 This powerline option crosses drainage lines and/or watercourses in various places. The main impact of the powerline is due to construction of the tower structures, each of which occupies only a very small local footprint (approximately 1m2 around each foot). The tower structures can be positioned to avoid drainage lines and watercourses.

Damage to watercourses would be a negative impact that will have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be medium term and the intensity medium. It is probable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore medium and the significance MEDIUM. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 4: Damage to watercourses due to construction activities: overhead power line option 2 Impact Description: Damage to watercourses Without Negative Local Medium Medium Probable Yes Medium High MEDIUM MEDIUM Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Ensure that tower structures are kept a minimum of 50 m outside the outer edge of any watercourse or drainage area. With Negative Local Short Low Improbable Yes Medium High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

41 Service/access roads It is probable that service and access roads will cross watercourses in various places, unless existing roads and tracks can be used. Service roads under power lines are usually limited to twin-track jeep tracks, which have a relatively limited impact on natural habitat. They could, however, cause damage to banks that may lead to further degradation.

Damage to watercourses would be a negative impact that will have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be long term, due to the fact that these roads would be used during operation, and the intensity medium. It is highly probable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore medium and the significance MEDIUM. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 4: Damage to watercourses due to construction activities: access / service roads Impact Description: Damage to watercourses Without Negative Local Long Medium Highly Yes Medium High MEDIUM MEDIUM Mitigation term probable Mitigation Description: Use existing access roads as far as possible.Construction impacts must be contained within the servitude of the power line. Ensure that unnecessary impacts on watercourses do not occur, e.g. driving around in the veld. If necessary, proper erosion control structures must be constructed. A water use license may be required if impacts on watercourses are expected. With Negative Local Long Low Highly Yes Medium High LOW LOW Mitigation term probable Cumulative Impact: Low

Substation / switching station There is one substation (Hoekklip) and one switching station (Landplaas). Neither of these will have any direct impacts on watercourses or drainage areas. This potential impact is therefore not applicable to this infrastructure component.

Loss/fragmentation of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna Power line option 1 There is one species of threatened fauna that could potentially be restricted to particular sites, i.e. would not be easily able to move from the site of construction. This is Grant’s Golden Mole. The main impact of the powerline is due to construction of the tower structures, each of which occupies only a very small local footprint (approximately 1m 2 around each foot).

Loss or fragmentation of of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna would be a negative impact that will have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be medium term and the intensity medium. It is improbable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore medium and the significance LOW. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would stay LOW.

42

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 6: Loss/fragmentation of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna due to construction activities: overhead power line option 1 Impact Description: Loss/fragmentation of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna Without Negative Local Medium Medium Improbable Yes Low Medium MEDIUM LOW Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Construction impacts must be contained within the footprint of the tower structures and/or the servitude of the power line. Ensure that unnecessary impacts on natural vegetation do not occur, e.g. driving around in the veld. Use existing access roads as far as possible. Undertake a targeted survey for Grant’s Golden Mole in potentially suitable habitat. With Negative Local Medium Low Improbable Yes Low Medium LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

Power line option 2 There is one species of threatened fauna that could potentially be restricted to particular sites, i.e. would not be easily able to move from the site of construction. This is Grant’s Golden Mole. The main impact of the powerline is due to construction of the tower structures, each of which occupies only a very small local footprint (approximately 1m 2 around each foot).

Loss or fragmentation of of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna would be a negative impact that will have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be medium term and the intensity medium. It is improbable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore medium and the significance LOW. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would stay LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 6: Loss/fragmentation of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna due to construction activities: overhead power line option 2 Impact Description: Loss/fragmentation of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna Without Negative Local Medium Medium Improbable Yes Low Medium MEDIUM LOW Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Construction impacts must be contained within the footprint of the tower structures and/or the servitude of the power line. Ensure that unnecessary impacts on natural vegetation do not occur, e.g. driving around in the veld. Use existing access roads as far as possible. Undertake a targeted survey for Grant’s Golden Mole in potentially suitable habitat. With Negative Local Medium Low Improbable Yes Low Medium LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

43 Service/access roads There is one species of threatened fauna that could potentially be restricted to particular sites, i.e. would not be easily able to move from the site of construction. This is Grant’s Golden Mole. Service roads under power lines are usually limited to twin-track jeep tracks, which have a relatively limited impact on natural habitat.

Loss or fragmentation of of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna would be a negative impact that will have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be medium term and the intensity medium. It is improbable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore medium and the significance LOW. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would stay LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 6: Loss/fragmentation of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna due to construction activities: service / access roads Impact Description: Loss/fragmentation of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna Without Negative Local Medium Medium Improbable Yes Low Medium MEDIUM LOW Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Construction impacts must be contained within the footprint of the tower structures and/or the servitude of the power line. Ensure that unnecessary impacts on natural vegetation do not occur, e.g. driving around in the veld. Use existing access roads as far as possible. Undertake a targeted survey for Grant’s Golden Mole in potentially suitable habitat. With Negative Local Medium Low Improbable Yes Low Medium LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

Substation / switching station There is one substation (Hoekklip) and one switching station (Landplaas). The Hoekklip substation is located in an area of degraded vegetation between a railway line and a gravel access road. The Landplaas switching station is in a previously cultivated area. Both will have limited impact on natural habitat and are therefore unlikely to affect populations of threatened fauna.

Loss or fragmentation of of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna would be a negative impact that will have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be medium term and the intensity medium. It is improbable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore medium and the significance LOW. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would stay LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 6: Loss/fragmentation of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna due to construction activities: substation / switching station Impact Description: Loss/fragmentation of habitat for threatened terrestrial fauna Without Negative Local Medium Medium Improbable Yes Low Medium MEDIUM LOW

44 Mitigation term Mitigation Description: Construction impacts must be contained within the footprint of the infrastructure. Ensure that unnecessary impacts on natural vegetation do not occur, e.g. driving around in the veld. Use existing access roads as far as possible. Undertake a targeted survey for Grant’s Golden Mole in potentially suitable habitat. With Negative Local Medium Low Improbable Yes Low Medium LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

Operational Phase

Establishment and spread of declared weeds and alien invader plants All infrastructure The existence of infrastructure represents a disturbance in the landscape that could advance consitions in which declared weeds and alien invader plants could potentially be favoured.

Invasion by alien invasive species would be a negative impact that may have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be long term and the intensity high in serious cases. It is highly probable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore high and the significance HIGH. With the appropriate mitigation, the intensity can be reduced, the consequence also reduced and the significance would become LOW.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 5: Establishment and spread of declared weeds and alien invader plants: all infrastructure components Impact Description: Establishment and spread of declared weeds and alien invader plants Without Negative Local Long High Highly Yes Medium High HIGH HIGH Mitigation term probable Mitigation Description: Existing concentrations of alien plants within the zone of control of the wind energy facility on site should be eradicated. Areas disturbed due to construction activities should be rehabilitated as quickly as possible. Soil stockpiles should not be translocated from areas with alien plants into the site and within the site alien plants on stockpiles must be controlled so as to avoid the development of a soil seed bank of alien plants within the stock-piled soil. Any alien plants must be immediately controlled to avoid establishment of a soil seed bank. An ongoing monitoring programme should be implemented to detect and quantify any aliens that may become established and provide information for the management of aliens. This should form part of an alien management programme. With Negative Local Short Low Improbable Yes Medium High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

45 Collision of bats with infrastructure All infrastructure, except service / access roads Any vertical infrastructure poses a collision risk for flying animals. Bats have echo-location that they may use to avoid such impacts, but they do not use it all the time. There is therefore a small risk that a small number of individuals may be killed or become injured through collisions.

Collisions of bats with vertical infrastructure would be a negative impact that may have local consequences. The duration of an impact is likely to be long term and the intensity low. It is improbable that the impact will occur. The consequence is therefore low and the significance LOW. No mitigation measures are proposed or recommended.

Impact Nature Extent Duration Intensity Probability Impact Irreplaceable on Resources Reversibility Confidence Consequence Significance Impact 7: Collision of bats with infrastructure: all vertical infrastructure components Impact Description: Collision of bats with infrastructure Without Negative Local Long Low Improbable Yes Low High LOW LOW Mitigation term Mitigation Description: None With Negative Local Long Low Improbable Yes Low High LOW LOW Mitigation term Cumulative Impact: Low

46 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Most of the study area consists of natural vegetation, but there are regular areas of cultivated fields throughout the study area. This means that large proportions of the infrastructure are likely to be within natural areas.

There are a number of different regional vegetation types occurring in the study area. On the basis of rates of transformation and conservation, the conservation status for all these vegetation types is listed as Least threatened. There are no vegetation types occurring in the study area that are listed in the National List of Ecosystems that are Threatened and need of protection (GN1002 of 2011).

Critical Biodiversity Areas in the study area include migration corridors, aquatic areas and Critical Biodiversity areas of the Matzikama Municipality in the extreme southern part of the study area. Any drainage areas should be considered to be sensitive and include tributaries of the Brak, Sout and Olifants Rivers.

There are a relatively high number of threatened or near threatened plant species that could occur in natural habitats in the study area. Any natural habitat affected by the proposed infrastructure must therefore be considered to potentially contain populations of plant species of conservation concern.

There are six animal species of conservation concern that have a geographical distribution that includes the site and habitat preference that includes the type of habitat that could potentially occur on site. This includes the following species: 1. Grant’s Golden Mole (VU), 2. White-tailed Rat (EN), 3. Natal Long-fingered Bat (NT), 4. Cape Horseshoe Bat (NT), 5. Geoffroy’s Horseshoe Bat (NT), 6. Namaqua Plated Lizard (NT).

A risk assessment was undertaken which identified seven potential negative impacts due to construction or operation of the proposed power line infrastructure. The potential impacts are as follows: 1. loss of indigenous natural vegetation, 2. loss of populations or individuals of threatened or near threatened plant species, 3. loss of individuals of protected tree species, 4. impacts on watercourses or drainage areas, 5. establishment and spread of declared weeds and alien invader plants, 6. loss or fragmentation of habitat for threatened or protected terrestrial fauna, and 7. mortaility of bats due to collisions with vertical infrastructure.

Impacts were assessed after collection of relevant data in the field. A summary of the significance of impacts is given in Table 10 below. This shows that the potential impact on natural vegetation and on threatened or near threatened plant species due to construction of infrastructure are the only impacts with a significance of “high” during construction. These impacts can be reduced to “low” by applying appropriate mitigation measures. Other potential impacts are either “low” or “medium” and can be reduced to “low” with mitigation. There are therefore no impacts that cannot be reduced to “low” significance.

In terms of the option between the two alignment options, either option is acceptable. Both have the same relative proportion of sensitive habitats and numbers of sensitive species.

47 Conclusion

With the application of appropriate mitigation measures, the overall impacts of this proposed project are of low significance. With mitigation measures implemented, it should be possible to reduce all negative impacts to low significance. Taking this assessment into consideration this project is supported from an ecological point of view.

48

Table 10: Summary of significance of impacts Impact Power line Power line Service / access roads Substation & switching (option 1) (option 2) station Without With Without With Without With Without With mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation 1. Loss or fragmentation of High Low High Low High Low Low Low vegetation 2. Impacts on threatened High Low High Low High Low High Low plants 3. Damage to watercourses Medium Low Medium Low Medium Low n/a n/a

4. Loss of habitat for Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low threatened animals 5. Spread of alien plants High Low High Low High Low High Low

6. Collision of bats with Low Low Low Low n/a n/a Low Low infrastructure

49 REFERENCES:

ALEXANDER, G. & MARAIS, J. 2007. A guide to the reptiles of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town. BRANCH, W.R. (1988) South African Red Data Book—Reptiles and Amphibians. South African National Scientific Programmes Report No. 151. DU PREEZ, L. & CARRUTHERS, V. 2009. A complete guide to the frogs of southern Africa. Random House Struik, Cape Town. FAIRBANKS, D.H.K., THOMPSON, M.W., VINK, D.E., NEWBY, T.S., VAN DEN BERG, H.M & EVERARD, D.A. 2000. The South African Land-Cover Characteristics Database: a synopsis of the landscape. S.Afr.J.Science 96: 69-82. FRIEDMANN, Y. & DALY, B. (eds.) 2004. The Red Data Book of the Mammals of South Africa: A Conservation Assessment: CBSG Southern Africa, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (SSC/IUCN), Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa. IUCN (2001). IUCN Red Data List categories and criteria: Version 3.1 . IUCN Species Survival Commission: Gland, Switzerland. MARAIS, J. 2004. A complete guide to the snakes of southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town. MILLS, G. & HES, L. 1997. The complete book of southern African mammals. Struik Publishers, Cape Town. MINTER, L.R., BURGER, M., HARRISON, J.A., BRAACK, H.H., BISHOP, P.J. and KLOEPFER, D. (eds.) 2004. Atlas and Red Data Book of the Frogs of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. SI/MAB Series #9. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. MONADJEM, A., TAYLOR, P.J., COTTERILL, E.P.D. & SCHOEMAN, M.C. 2010. Bats of southern and central Africa. Wits University Press, Johannesburg. MUCINA, L. AND RUTHERFORD, M.C. (editors) 2006. Vegetation map of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland: an illustrated guide. Strelitzia 19, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. MUCINA, L., RUTHERFORD, M.C. AND POWRIE, I.W. (editors) 2005. Vegetation map of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, 1:1 000 000 SCALE SHEET MAPS South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. PASSMORE, N.I. & CARRUTHERS, V.C. (1995) South African Frogs; a complete guide. Southern Book Publishers and Witwatersrand University Press. Johannesburg. SKELTON, P. 2001. A complete guide to the freshwater fishes of southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town. TOLLEY, K. & BURGER, M. 2007. Chameleons of southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.

50 APPENDICES: Appendix 1: Plant species of conservation importance (Threatened, Near Threatened and Declining) that have historically been recorded in the study area.

Sources: South African National Biodiversity Institute in Pretoria.

Family Taxon Status Habitat Likelihood of occurrence in study area MOLLUGINACEAE Adenogramma VU St. Helena Bay to northern Namaqualand. Well- HIGH teretifolia drained sand associated with granite or sandstone. Threats: Infrastructure development and agriculture along Olifants Rivier Valley and near St. Helena Bay. 3117BB MESEMBRYANTHEM Antimima Threatene Terrestrial. No habitat information, distribution MEDIUM ACEAE komkansica d appears to indicate a coastal species. 3117BB, 3118AC (3017DC, 3118CC) APIACEAE Arctopus NT Koekenaap to Durbanville. Strandveld, sand MEDIUM dregei plain fynbos and shale renosterveld. 3118AC IRIDACEAE Babiana Declining Coastal Namaqualand between Lambert's Bay HIGH brachystachys and Hondeklipbaai. Grows on deep white sands near the coast, in West Coast strandveld vegetation. 3117BB (3118DA) IRIDACEAE Babiana NT Southern Namaqualand (Groen River) to HIGH confusa Hopefield. Sandy flats and mountain plateaus. 3017DD, 3118AD IRIDACEAE Babiana VU Knersvlakte. Succulent Karoo. Confined to HIGH lewisiana quartz patches over saline clays. Potentially threatened by mining and crop cultivation. 3017DD, 3117BB, 3118AD IRIDACEAE Babiana VU Kotzesrus, Namaqualand. Sandy flats in HIGH rubella Namaqualand Strandveld. 3017DD, 3117BB (no others) ASPHODOLACEAE Bulbine VU Knersvlakte. Limestone outcrops. 3118AD LOW margarethae ROSACEAE Cliffortia CR Malmesbury to Joostenberg. Renosterveld, on ZERO acockii low clay hills. 3117BB (Grid and habitat does not fit description) CRASSULACEAE Crassula NT Holgat River to Saldanha. Alkaline, coastal MEDIUM ammophila sands. 3118AD HYACINTHACEAE Drimia VU Western Knersvlakte. Quartz patches. 3118AD LOW fimbrimargina ta MESEMBRYANTHEM Drosanthemu Threatene Terrestrial habitats. 3118CA, CB, DA, AB, AD, MEDIUM ACEAE m d BA, BC . pulverulentum ERIOSPERMACEAE Eriospermum VU Velddrif to Wallekraal. West Coast strandveld or HIGH arenosum succulent karoo shrubland, either white or red sandy Aeolian soils, under small karroid bushes. 3118AC (3017DC, 3118DA) ERIOSPERMACEAE Eriospermum VU Vredendal to Bitterfontein. Quartz patches on LOW titanopsoides shale. Restricted to quartz patches on the Knersvlakte, where it has been recorded at four locations. 3118AD, (3018CD) AMARYLLIDACEAE Gethyllis CR Bitterfontein, Nuwerus, Meerhofkasteel. LOW latifolia Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland on granitic soils. Known from four plants at one site. Location is approx. 10 km east of alignment. 3118AA ASTERACEAE Helichrysum NT Orange River to Heerenlogementsberg HIGH marmarolepis Mountain, north of Clanwilliam. Fynbos, Sands in sandveld vegetation. 3117BB, (3117BD, 3118DA) ASTERACEAE Helichrysum NT Namaqualand to Bokbaai. Succulent Karoo. HIGH tricostatum Sandveld, on sandy flats. Threatened by

51 ongoing habitat loss and degradation due to overgrazing, expanding potato cultivation and coastal development. 3017DD MESEMBRYANTHEM Jacobsenia VU Komkans and Koekenaap. Deep, sandy soils in HIGH ACEAE hallii succulent karoo shrubland. 3118AA. Komkans is near the alignment.

HYACINTHACEAE Lachenalia NT Namaqualand, Garies to Kliprand, Loeriesfontein HIGH barkeriana and Brand-se-baai. Deep, red sandy soils on flats, granitic sand at the base of granite outcrops, and clay soils on alluvial plains. 3017DD, 3118AC (3018CD) FABACEAE Lebeckia EN Darling and Worcester to the Cape Peninsula. LOW plukenetiana Renosterveld on shales and granites. 3017DD, most records in fynbos/renosterveld area closer to Cape Peninsula. MESEMBRYANTHEM Leipoldtia EN Klawer. Arid gravel slopes. This species occurs MEDIUM ACEAE klaverensis close to the Olifants River, much of its habitat has been lost to vineyard farming. This loss is ongoing as irrigation technologies improve. 3017DD, 3118CB PROTEACEAE Leucadendron VU Cape Flats to Riversdale. Fynbos. Typically on LOW linifolium acid and alkaline sands that are seasonally waterlogged. Also appears to benefit from veld that is disturbed, overgrazed or too-frequently burned. 3017DD, 3118DA (incorrect records?) PROTEACEAE Leucospermu VU Namaqualand to Cape Peninsula. Sand fynbos HIGH m rodolentum on the west coast lowlands, survives in arid areas by tapping deep water. 3017DD MESEMBRYANTHEM Lithops NT Loeriesfontein and Vanrhynsdorp. Arid clay flats HIGH ACEAE divergens and slopes. 3017DD POLYGALACEAE Muraltia VU Brand-se-Baai to Saldanha. Sandy flats. HIGH obovata 3117BB, 3118AC, 3118AD (3118CA, 3018CC) ASTERACEAE Oedera VU Western Knersvlakte. Stony quartzite outcrops. LOW silicicola (3118CB) ASTERACEAE Othonna VU Vanrhynsdorp and Hondeklipbaai. Flat areas HIGH cakilifolia with deep, red sands. Known from the area around Nuwerus, from fewer than five locations. 3118AA ASTERACEAE Othonna hallii VU Vanrhynsdorp district, between Hol River and MEDIUM Koekenaap. Records show distribution northwards of this as well. 3118CB, AD, AB OXALIDACEAE Oxalis dines VU Vanrhynsdorp to Clanwilliam and Calvinia. MEDIUM Seasonal pools and pans in clay. 3117BB (3118DA) RHAMNACEAE Phylica greyii EN Cape Columbine to Yzerfontein. Coastal ZERO limestones. 3117BB (Grid and habitat does not fit distribution) RHAMNACEAE Phylica hirta NT Nardous and Olifants River Mountains. Fynbos. HIGH Sandstone slopes and plateaus. 3017DD, 3117BB, 3117BD MESEMBRYANTHEM Ruschia Threatene Terrestrial habitats. 3118AD, CB, CD, 3117BD MEDIUM ACEAE bipapillata d SCROPHULARIACEA Selago EN Heerenlogement to Graafwater. Sandy flats. MEDIUM E heterotricha 3118AC PROTEACEAE Serruria EN Gifberg to Hopefield. Sand fynbos of the West MEDIUM fucifolia Coast lowlands. 3118AD is northernmost grid. CRASSULACEAE Tylecodon VU Nuwerus. Rock crevices in sandstone, quartzite LOW nolteei or shale. 3118AB, BA * Conservation Status Category assessment according to IUCN Ver. 3.1 (IUCN, 2001), as evaluated by the Threatened Species Programme of the South African National Biodiversity Institute in Pretoria. *IUCN (3.1) Categories: VU = Vulnerable, EN = Endangered, CR = Critically Endangered, NT = Near Threatened.

52

Appendix 2: List of protected tree species (National Forests Act).

Acacia erioloba Acacia haematoxylon Adansonia digitata Afzelia quanzensis Balanites subsp. maughamii Barringtonia racemosa Boscia albitrunca Brachystegia spiciformis Breonadia salicina Bruguiera gymnhorrhiza Cassipourea swaziensis Catha edulis Ceriops tagal Cleistanthus schlectheri var. schlechteri Colubrina nicholsonii Combretum imberbe Curtisia dentata Elaedendron (Cassine) transvaalensis Erythrophysa transvaalensis Euclea pseudebenus Ficus trichopoda Leucadendron argenteum Lumnitzera racemosa var. racemosa Lydenburgia abottii Lydenburgia cassinoides Mimusops caffra Newtonia hildebrandtii var. hildebrandtii Ocotea bullata Ozoroa namaensis Philenoptera violacea (Lonchocarpus capassa ) Pittosporum viridiflorum Podocarpus elongatus Podocarpus falcatus Podocarpus henkelii Podocarpus latifolius Protea comptonii Protea curvata Prunus africana Pterocarpus angolensis Rhizophora mucronata Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra Securidaca longependunculata Sideroxylon inerme subsp. inerme Tephrosia pondoensis Warburgia salutaris Widdringtonia cedarbergensis Widdringtonia schwarzii

None have a geographical distribution that coincides with the study area.

53 Appendix 3: Checklist of plant species recorded during previous botanical surveys in the study area and surrounds.

This checklist has been compiled from data obtained from the SANBI website (http://posa.sanbi.org/searchspp.php) and includes species from quarter degree grid in which the site is located as well as surrounding grids in which similar vegetation types are found. The checklist provides an indication of the species that occur in the general area and is not a checklist for the site itself.

3017DD Acacia cyclops A.Cunn. ex G.Don Adromischus marianiae (Marloth) A.Berger var. immaculatus Uitewaal Albuca fragrans Jacq Amphiglossa celans Koekemoer Rare Amphiglossa tomentosa (Thunb.) Harv. Annesorhiza altiscapa Schltr. Antimima compacta (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Antimima solida (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Antizoma miersiana Harv. Arctotis acaulis L. Aridaria noctiflora (L.) Schwantes subsp. straminea (Haw.) Gerbaulet Aristida diffusa Trin. subsp. burkei (Stapf) Melderis Babiana confusa (G.J.Lewis) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning NT Babiana curviscapa G.J.Lewis Babiana flabellifolia Harv. ex Klatt Babiana grandiflora Goldblatt & J.C.Manning Babiana lewisiana B.Nord. VU Babiana rubella Goldblatt & J.C.Manning VU Babiana spiralis Baker Ballota africana (L.) Benth. Bryum argenteum Hedw. Bulbine abyssinica A.Rich. Bulbine alooides (L.) Willd. Bulbine longifolia Schinz Bulbine louwii L.I.Hall Rare Bulbine wiesei L.I.Hall Rare Caesia contorta (L.f.) T.Durand & Schinz Calobota sericea (Thunb.) Boatwr. & B.-E.van Wyk Centella tridentata (L.f.) Drude ex Domin var. tridentata Chaetobromus involucratus (Schrad.) Nees subsp. sericeus (Nees) Verboom Chrysocoma cernua L. Chrysocoma ciliata L. Cladoraphis cyperoides (Thunb.) S.M.Phillips Cotula bipinnata Thunb. Cyanella hyacinthoides Royen ex L. Cynanchum africanum (L.) Hoffmanns. Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis (L.f.) Koekemoer Dorotheanthus rourkei L.Bolus Drosanthemum curtophyllum L.Bolus Drosanthemum diversifolium L.Bolus Drosanthemum hispidum (L.) Schwantes Ehrharta barbinodis Nees ex Trin. Ehrharta brevifolia Schrad. var. cuspidata Nees Ehrharta calycina Sm. Ehrharta thunbergii Gibbs Russ. Euphorbia caput-medusae L. Euphorbia celata R.A.Dyer

54 Felicia hyssopifolia (P.J.Bergius) Nees subsp. glabra (DC.) Grau Ficinia argyropus Nees Fockea comaru (E.Mey.) N.E.Br. Gladiolus caryophyllaceus (Burm.f.) Poir. Gladiolus saccatus (Klatt) Goldblatt & M.P.de Vos Gladiolus scullyi Baker Gnidia geminiflora E.Mey. ex Meisn. Helichrysum hebelepis DC. Helichrysum leontonyx DC. Helichrysum stellatum (L.) Less. Helichrysum tricostatum (Thunb.) Less. NT Heliophila pendula Willd. Hemimeris racemosa (Houtt.) Merr. Hermannia scordifolia Jacq. Hermannia trifurca L. Hessea breviflora Herb. Hirpicium alienatum (Thunb.) Druce Hoplophyllum spinosum DC. Indigofera meyeriana Eckl. & Zeyh. Indigofera nigromontana Eckl. & Zeyh. Lampranthus otzenianus (Dinter) Friedrich Lapeirousia arenicola Schltr. Lapeirousia dolomitica Dinter subsp. dolomitica Lapeirousia silenoides (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. Lebeckia plukenetiana E.Mey. EN Leipoldtia klaverensis L.Bolus EN Leipoldtia schultzei (Schltr. & Diels) Friedrich Leucadendron linifolium (Jacq.) R.Br. VU Leucospermum rodolentum (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke VU Lithops divergens L.Bolus NT Lotononis falcata (E.Mey.) Benth. Manulea altissima L.f. subsp. glabricaulis (Hiern) Hilliard Manulea paniculata Benth. Manulea silenoides E.Mey. ex Benth. Melolobium humile Eckl. & Zeyh. Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum L. Metalasia densa (Lam.) P.O.Karis Microloma sagittatum (L.) R.Br. Monilaria chrysoleuca (Schltr.) Schwantes Moraea gawleri Spreng. Moraea longipes Goldblatt & J.C.Manning Moraea miniata Andrews Moraea schlechteri (L.Bolus) Goldblatt Nenax namaquensis Puff Nestlera biennis (Jacq.) Spreng. Oncosiphon suffruticosum (L.) Källersjö Osteospermum grandiflorum DC. Oxalis ambigua Jacq. Oxalis virginea Jacq. Rare Pelargonium ceratophyllum L'Hér. Pelargonium crithmifolium Sm. Pelargonium grandicalcaratum R.Knuth Pelargonium longiflorum Jacq. Pelargonium radicatum Vent. Pharnaceum dichotomum L.f. Phiambolia unca (L.Bolus) Klak Phylica cephalantha Sond.

55 Phylica hirta Pillans NT Phyllobolus delus (L.Bolus) Gerbaulet Phyllobolus nitidus (Haw.) Gerbaulet Phyllobolus sinuosus (L.Bolus) Gerbaulet Polygala leptophylla Burch. var. leptophylla Psilocaulon foliosum L.Bolus Pteronia ciliata Thunb. Pteronia divaricata (P.J.Bergius) Less. Pteronia ovalifolia DC. Rhynchopsidium pumilum (L.f.) DC. Riccia villosa Steph. Ruschia caroli (L.Bolus) Schwantes Ruschia leucosperma L.Bolus Ruschia muelleri (L.Bolus) Schwantes Salvia dentata Aiton Salvia lanceolata Lam. Sarcocaulon l'heritieri Sweet Senecio laticipes Bruyns Spergularia media (L.) C.Presl Stipagrostis zeyheri (Nees) De Winter subsp. macropus (Nees) De Winter Stoeberia frutescens (L.Bolus) Van Jaarsv. Stoeberia utilis (L.Bolus) Van Jaarsv. Sutherlandia microphylla Burch. ex DC. Thamnochortus bachmannii Mast. Thesium nudicaule A.W.Hill Thesium spinosum L.f. Thesium urceolatum A.W.Hill DDT Trachyandra adamsonii (Compton) Oberm. Trachyandra arenicola J.C.Manning & Goldblatt Trachyandra revoluta (L.) Kunth Tribolium echinatum (Thunb.) Renvoize Tribolium hispidum (Thunb.) Desv. Tripteris sinuata DC. var. sinuata Troglophyton parvulum (Harv.) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt Ursinia pygmaea DC. Rare Wahlenbergia thunbergiana (H.Buek) Lammers Wiborgia sericea Thunb. Willdenowia incurvata (Thunb.) H.P.Linder

3117BB Adenogramma teretifolia (Thunb.) Adamson VU Amellus alternifolius Roth subsp. angustissimus (DC.) Rommel Amphibolia laevis (Aiton) H.E.K.Hartmann Antimima granitica (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Antimima komkansica (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Threatened Antimima solida (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Arctotis auriculata Jacq. Astephanus triflorus (L.f.) Schult. Babiana brachystachys (Baker) G.J.Lewis Declining Babiana lewisiana B.Nord. VU Babiana rubella Goldblatt & J.C.Manning VU Babiana spiralis Baker Babiana torta G.J.Lewis Babiana virescens Goldblatt & J.C.Manning Brunsvigia bosmaniae F.M.Leight. Bulbine frutescens (L.) Willd. Bulbine louwii L.I.Hall Rare

56 Bulbinella gracilis Kunth Centella tridentata (L.f.) Drude ex Domin var. tridentata Chasmanthe floribunda (Salisb.) N.E.Br. Chlorophytum viscosum Kunth Cliffortia acockii Weim. CR Cliffortia teretifolia L.f. Conophytum rugosum S.A.Hammer Cotula bipinnata Thunb. Cysticapnos vesicaria (L.) Fedde subsp. namaquensis J.C.Manning & Goldblatt Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis (L.f.) Koekemoer Diosma ramosissima Bartl. & H.L.Wendl. Drosanthemum curtophyllum L.Bolus Drosanthemum diversifolium L.Bolus Drosanthemum hispidum (L.) Schwantes Drosanthemum salicola L.Bolus Empodium namaquensis (Baker) M.F.Thomps. Erica plukenetii L. subsp. plukenetii Erythrophysa alata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Hutch. Euclea racemosa Murray subsp. racemosa Ferraria ferrariola (Jacq.) Willd. Ficinia argyropus Nees Ficinia laevis (Vahl) Nees Ficinia nigrescens (Schrad.) J.Raynal Ficinia oligantha (Steud.) J.Raynal Gasteria pillansii Kensit var. pillansii Gnidia geminiflora E.Mey. ex Meisn. Gnidia meyeri Meisn. Gnidia scabra Thunb. Harveya squamosa (Thunb.) Steud Helichrysum marmarolepis S.Moore NT Heliophila cornuta Sond. var. squamata (Schltr.) Marais Heliophila juncea (P.J.Bergius) Druce Hemimeris racemosa (Houtt.) Merr. Hoplophyllum spinosum DC. Hypertelis angrae-pequenae Friedrich Lachenalia ensifolia (Thunb.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt Lachenalia splendida Diels Lachenalia undulata Masson ex Baker Lebeckia ambigua E.Mey. Lessertia spinescens E.Mey. Leucoptera oppositifolia B.Nord. Rare Limonium equisetinum (Boiss.) R.A.Dyer Limonium peregrinum (P.J.Bergius) R.A.Dyer Metalasia densa (Lam.) P.O.Karis Moraea filicaulis Baker Moraea rivulicola Goldblatt & J.C.Manning Rare Muraltia obovata DC. VU Nestlera biennis (Jacq.) Spreng. Osyris compressa (P.J.Bergius) A.DC. Othonna macrophylla DC. Othonna retrorsa DC. Oxalis annae F.Bolus Oxalis dines Ornduff VU Phylica greyii Pillans EN Phylica hirta Pillans NT Phylica oleifolia Vent. Phyllobolus spinuliferus (Haw.) Gerbaulet

57 Polygala garcinii DC. Protea acuminata Sims Psilocaulon foliosum L.Bolus Psilocaulon junceum (Haw.) Schwantes Pteronia onobromoides DC. Restio macer Kunth Restio praeacutus Mast. Restio vimineus Rottb. Romulea flexuosa Klatt Romulea tabularis Eckl. ex Bég. Ruschia floribunda L.Bolus DDT Ruschia muelleri (L.Bolus) Schwantes Ruschia subpaniculata L.Bolus Scabiosa columbaria L. Stipagrostis zeyheri (Nees) De Winter subsp. macropus (Nees) De Winter Thamnochortus bachmannii Mast. Thesium nudicaule A.W.Hill Thesium strictum P.J.Bergius Tritonia gladiolaris (Lam.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning Ursinia chrysanthemoides (Less.) Harv. Wahlenbergia oxyphylla A.DC.

3118AA Adromischus marianiae (Marloth) A.Berger var. immaculatus Uitewaal Arctotis erosa (Harv.) Beauverd Arctotis hirsuta (Harv.) Beauverd Aridaria serotina L.Bolus Babiana fimbriata (Klatt) Baker Babiana pilosa G.J.Lewis Rare Ballota africana (L.) Benth. Bromus pectinatus Thunb. Bulbine praemorsa (Jacq.) Spreng. Bulbinella divaginata P.L.Perry Chrysocoma oblongifolia DC. Crassula hirtipes Harv. Crossyne flava (W.F.Barker ex Snijman) D.& U.Müll.-Doblies Didelta carnosa (L.f.) Aiton var. carnosa Didelta spinosa (L.f.) Aiton Ehrharta barbinodis Nees ex Trin. Eriocephalus microphyllus DC. var. pubescens (DC.) M.A.N.Müll. Eriocephalus namaquensis M.A.N.Müll. Eriocephalus pedicellaris DC. Eriospermum minutiflorum P.L.Perry Ferraria ferrariola (Jacq.) Willd. Geissorhiza aspera Goldblatt Gethyllis britteniana Baker subsp. britteniana Gethyllis latifolia Masson ex Baker CR Haworthia arachnoidea (L.) Duval var. namaquensis M.B.Bayer Hebenstretia namaquensis Roessler Helichrysum leontonyx DC. Hermannia cuneifolia Jacq. var. cuneifolia Hermannia desertorum Eckl. & Zeyh. Holothrix aspera (Lindl.) Rchb.f. Indigofera nigromontana Eckl. & Zeyh. Jacobsenia hallii L.Bolus VU Lapeirousia dolomitica Dinter subsp. dolomitica Lapeirousia pyramidalis (Lam.) Goldblatt subsp. pyramidalis

58 Lapeirousia silenoides (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. Lasiospermum brachyglossum DC. Leipoldtia schultzei (Schltr. & Diels) Friedrich Monoculus monstrosus (Burm.f.) B.Nord. Montinia caryophyllacea Thunb. Moraea longipes Goldblatt & J.C.Manning Moraea miniata Andrews Nemesia anisocarpa E.Mey. ex Benth. Othonna cakilifolia DC. VU Othonna lepidocaulis Schltr. Rare Oxalis sonderiana (Kuntze) T.M.Salter Pelargonium crithmifolium Sm. Pelargonium echinatum Curtis Pelargonium fulgidum (L.) L'Hér. Phyllobolus prasinus (L.Bolus) Gerbaulet Psilocaulon leptarthron (A.Berger) N.E.Br. Pteronia incana (Burm.) DC. Romulea kamisensis M.P.de Vos Searsia undulata (Jacq.) T.S.Yi, A.J.Mill. & J.Wen Selago stenostachya Hilliard Strumaria truncata Jacq. Tribolium acutiflorum (Nees) Renvoize Tylecodon pearsonii (Schönland) Toelken Ursinia chrysanthemoides (Less.) Harv. Zygophyllum leptopetalum E.Mey. ex Sond.

3118AC Anthospermum spathulatum Spreng. subsp. spathulatum Antimima exsurgens (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Antimima granitica (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Antimima komkansica (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Threatened Antimima maleolens (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Antimima ventricosa (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Arctopus dregei Sond. NT Bulbine alooides (L.) Willd. Bulbine cepacea (Burm.f.) Wijnands Cephalophyllum tricolorum (Haw.) Schwantes Crassula columnaris Thunb. subsp. prolifera Friedrich Dimorphotheca tragus (Aiton) B.Nord. Dipcadi crispum Baker Erica inaequalis (N.E.Br.) E.G.H.Oliv. Eriospermum arenosum P.L.Perry VU Euclea racemosa Murray subsp. racemosa Felicia hirsuta DC. Felicia hyssopifolia (P.J.Bergius) Nees subsp. glabra (DC.) Grau Gnidia clavata Schinz Gnidia meyeri Meisn. Haemanthus crispus Snijman Harveya squamosa (Thunb.) Steud. Helichrysum micropoides DC. Hessea stellaris (Jacq.) Herb. Ixia capillaris L.f. Lachenalia barkeriana U.Müll.-Doblies, B.Nord. & D.Müll.-Doblies NT Lapeirousia silenoides (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. Leipoldtia calandra (L.Bolus) L.Bolus Leucadendron brunioides Meisn. var. brunioides Leucospermum rodolentum (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke VU

59 Moraea saxicola Goldblatt Muraltia obovata DC. VU Oncosiphon suffruticosum (L.) Källersjö Otholobium arborescens C.H.Stirt. Pelargonium fulgidum (L.) L'Hér. Phyllobolus trichotomus (Thunb.) Gerbaulet Polpoda capensis C.Presl Pteronia glabrata L.f. Restio longiaristatus (Pillans ex H.P.Linder) H.P.Linder & C.R.Hardy Rare Restio macer Kunth Restio rudolfii (Pillans) H.P.Linder & C.R.Hardy Romulea lutea J.C.Manning & Goldblatt Ruschia muelleri (L.Bolus) Schwantes Ruschia phylicoides L.Bolus DDT Ruschiella lunulata (A.Berger) Klak Selago heterotricha Hilliard EN Selago namaquensis Schltr. Struthiola leptantha Bolus Tetragonia fruticosa L. Ursinia cakilefolia DC. Wiborgia obcordata (P.J.Bergius) Thunb.

3118AD Justicia cuneata Vahl subsp. latifolia (Nees) Immelman Tetragonia arbuscula Fenzl Tulbaghia capensis L. Gethyllis lata L.Bolus subsp. orbicularis D.Müll.-Doblies DDT Haemanthus coccineus L. Haemanthus crispus Snijman Hessea breviflora Herb. Strumaria pygmaea Snijman Rare Strumaria truncata Jacq. Secamone alpini Schult. Hydrocotyle verticillata Thunb. Asparagus exuvialis Burch. forma exuvialis Aloe variegata L. Bulbine dactylopsoides G.Will. Bulbine diphylla Schltr. ex Poelln. Bulbine flexuosa Schltr. DDT Bulbine margarethae L.I.Hall VU Bulbinella divaginata P.L.Perry Trachyandra jacquiniana (Roem. & Schult.) Oberm. Trachyandra muricata (L.f.) Kunth Trachyandra tortilis (Baker) Oberm. Amellus microglossus DC. Arctotis erosa (Harv.) Beauverd Centaurea solstitialis L. Chrysocoma oblongifolia DC. Dimorphotheca tragus (Aiton) B.Nord. Eriocephalus pedicellaris DC. Helichrysum alsinoides DC. Helichrysum micropoides DC. Hoplophyllum spinosum DC. Hymenolepis parviflora (L.) DC. Lasiopogon debilis (Thunb.) Hilliard Lasiopogon glomerulatus (Harv.) Hilliard Leucoptera oppositifolia B.Nord. Rare

60 Leucoptera subcarnosa B.Nord. Rare Leysera tenella DC. Oedera silicicola (K.Bremer) Anderb. & K.Bremer VU Oncosiphon suffruticosum (L.) Källersjö Othonna hallii B.Nord. VU Othonna macrosperma DC. DDT Pentzia peduncularis B.Nord. Pteronia ciliata Thunb. Pteronia divaricata (P.J.Bergius) Less. Pteronia heterocarpa DC. Pteronia onobromoides DC. Pteronia paniculata Thunb. Senecio bulbinifolius DC. Senecio niveus (Thunb.) Willd. Senecio repandus Thunb. Sonchus oleraceus L. Stoebe nervigera (DC.) Sch.Bip. Stoebe spiralis Less. Wahlenbergia capensis (L.) A.DC. Wahlenbergia ecklonii H.Buek Wahlenbergia oxyphylla A.DC. Wahlenbergia paniculata (Thunb.) A.DC. Dianthus laingsburgensis S.S.Hooper Spergularia media (L.) C.Presl Atriplex nummularia Lindl. subsp. nummularia Salsola tetramera Botsch. Adromischus marianiae (Marloth) A.Berger var. immaculatus Uitewaal Crassula ammophila Toelken NT Crassula expansa Dryand. subsp. pyrifolia (Compton) Toelken Crassula filiformis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) D.Dietr. Crassula multiceps Harv. Rare Crassula muscosa L. var. muscosa Tylecodon nolteei Lavranos VU Tylecodon pearsonii (Schönland) Toelken Tylecodon schaeferianus (Dinter) Toelken Tylecodon striatus (Hutchison) Toelken Tylecodon tenuis (Toelken) Bruyns Rare Diospyros austro-africana De Winter var. rugosa (E.Mey. ex A.DC.) De Winter Euclea natalensis A.DC. subsp. capensis F.White Euclea undulata Thunb. Eriospermum titanopsoides P.L.Perry VU Euphorbia celata R.A.Dyer Euphorbia gentilis N.E.Br. subsp. gentilis Ricinus communis L. var. communis Calobota sericea (Thunb.) Boatwr. & B.-E.van Wyk Crotalaria excisa (Thunb.) Baker f. subsp. excisa Indigofera amoena Aiton Medicago polymorpha L. Rafnia amplexicaulis (L.) Thunb. Pelargonium dasyphyllum E.Mey. ex R.Knuth Pelargonium praemorsum (Andrews) F.Dietr. subsp. praemorsum Myriophyllum spicatum L. Albuca viscosa L.f. Drimia fimbrimarginata Snijman VU Lachenalia obscura Schltr. ex G.D.Duncan Lachenalia patula Jacq. Empodium namaquensis (Baker) M.F.Thomps.

61 Babiana cinnamomea J.C.Manning & Goldblatt Rare Babiana grandiflora Goldblatt & J.C.Manning Babiana lewisiana B.Nord. VU Babiana pilosa G.J.Lewis Rare Babiana striata (Jacq.) G.J.Lewis Ferraria ferrariola (Jacq.) Willd. Gladiolus ceresianus L.Bolus Gladiolus saccatus (Klatt) Goldblatt & M.P.de Vos Gladiolus venustus G.J.Lewis Lapeirousia pyramidalis (Lam.) Goldblatt subsp. pyramidalis Moraea gawleri Spreng. Moraea pilifolia Goldblatt Moraea serpentina Baker Triglochin bulbosa L. Ballota africana (L.) Benth. Hermannia incana Cav. Cissampelos capensis L.f. Antimima maleolens (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Antimima watermeyeri (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Arenifera spinescens (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann Cephalophyllum caespitosum H.E.K.Hartmann Cephalophyllum framesii L.Bolus Conophytum calculus (A.Berger) N.E.Br. subsp. calculus Delosperma crassum L.Bolus Dicrocaulon grandiflorum Ihlenf. Dicrocaulon nodosum (A.Berger) N.E.Br. Drosanthemum inornatum (L.Bolus) L.Bolus Drosanthemum pulverulentum (Haw.) Schwantes Threatened Monilaria moniliformis (Thunb.) Ihlenf. & S.Jörg. Oophytum oviforme (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br. Phyllobolus nitidus (Haw.) Gerbaulet Prenia pallens (Aiton) N.E.Br. subsp. lancea (Thunb.) Gerbaulet Psilocaulon dinteri (Engl.) Schwantes Psilocaulon junceum (Haw.) Schwantes Psilocaulon leptarthron (A.Berger) N.E.Br. Ruschia bipapillata L.Bolus Threatened Ruschia suaveolens L.Bolus DDT Vanzijlia annulata (A.Berger) L.Bolus Pharnaceum dichotomum L.f. Montinia caryophyllacea Thunb. Ficus cordata Thunb. subsp. cordata Grielum humifusum Thunb. var. parviflorum Harv. Jasminum glaucum (L.f.) Aiton Holothrix aspera (Lindl.) Rchb.f. Orobanche ramosa L. var. ramosa Oxalis pes-caprae L. var. pes-caprae Oxalis pulchella Jacq. var. glauca T.M.Salter Oxalis salteri L.Bolus Rare Limonium peregrinum (P.J.Bergius) R.A.Dyer Chaetobromus involucratus (Schrad.) Nees subsp. dregeanus (Nees) Verboom Ehrharta brevifolia Schrad. var. cuspidata Nees Ehrharta calycina Sm. Ehrharta delicatula Stapf Ehrharta longiflora Sm. Ehrharta villosa J.H.Schult. var. villosa Parapholis incurva (L.) C.E.Hubb. Stipagrostis ciliata (Desf.) De Winter var. capensis (Trin. & Rupr.) De Winter

62 Stipagrostis zeyheri (Nees) De Winter subsp. macropus (Nees) De Winter Tribolium utriculosum (Nees) Renvoize Muraltia obovata DC. VU Emex australis Steinh. Tortula atrovirens (Sm.) Lindb. Triquetrella tristicha (Müll.Hal.) Müll.Hal Leucadendron pubescens R.Br. Serruria fucifolia Salisb. ex Knight EN Phylica oleifolia Vent. Riccia villosa Steph. Carpacoce scabra (Thunb.) Sond. subsp. scabra Osyris compressa (P.J.Bergius) A.DC. Thesium elatius Sond. Diascia rudolphii Hiern Hebenstretia dentata L. Jamesbrittenia fruticosa (Benth.) Hilliard Manulea decipiens Hilliard Nemesia euryceras Schltr. Selago glabrata Choisy Datura stramonium L. Struthiola ciliata (L.) Lam. Struthiola confusa C.H.Wright Struthiola leptantha Bolus Zygophyllum foetidum Schrad. & J.C.Wendl. Zygophyllum simplex L.

63 Appendix 4: Vertebrate species of conservation concern with a geographical distribution that includes the study area.

MAMMALS (excluding bats) Common Taxon Habitat 1 National Global Likelihood of name status 1 status 2 occurrence Grant’s Eremitalpa Strandveld Succulent Karoo, VU LC HIGH , previously Golden granti Namib Desert, in subterranean (excludes (includes recorded in Mole habitats in shifting sands. Namib Namib neighbouring grid, Species includes two subspecies Golden Mole Golden Mole substrate properties – Grant’s Golden Mole only subspecies) subspecies) on site considered occurs south of Orange River, to be suitable for Namib Golden Mole found in this species. Namib Desert. White- Mystromus Highveld and montane grassland, EN - HIGH , previously tailed rat albicaudatus requires sandy soils with good recorded in grid, cover. Found throughout South substrate properties Africa except Northern Cape and on site considered Limpopo to be suitable for this species Cape Chrysochloris Subterranean habitats; arable DD LC HIGH , previously Golden asiatica land; urban areas; renosterveld; recorded in Mole fynbos and strandveld succulent neighbouring grid, karoo; sandy soil substrate properties on site considered to be suitable for this species. Honey Mellivora Wide variety of habitats. NT LC MEDIUM , badger capensis Probably only in natural habitats. previously recorded in neighbouring grid Lesueur’s Cistugo Occurs primarily in Lesotho and NT LC LOW , not Wing- lisueuri the Drakensberg as well as in the previously recorded gland bat Cedarberg with only scattered in grids, overall records inbetween. It is geographical associated with broken terrain distribution includes with suitable rock crevices and this area, but is water in the form of dams, rivers marginal; no or marshes. suitable roosting habitat likely to occur on site. Natal Miniopterus Occurs widely in the region, but NT LC MEDIUM , overall long- natalensis more often in the southern and geographical fingered eastern parts than the arid west. distribution includes bat It is predominantly a temperate this area; no to sub-tropical species with the suitable roosting core of its distribution in the habitat likely to savannas and grasslands of occur on site southern Africa. It is cave- dependent and congregates in huge numbers in suitable sites. Uses separate hibernacula and summer maternity roosts. Females migrate between these

64 caves, which may be up to 150 km apart. Cape Rhinolophus Endemic to the south-western NT LC MEDIUM overall horseshoe capensis part of southern Africa, occurring geographical bat from the Eastern Cape to Cape distribution includes Town and then north to just this area; no south of the Namibian border. suitable roosting Roosts in caves and mine adits habitat likely to where it may form colonies of a occur on site thousand or more individuals. Closely tied to the fynbos and succulent karoo biomes, but forages predominantly in the canopy of trees. Geoffroy’s Rhinolophus Occurs widely in southern African NT LC MEDIUM , horseshoe clivosus region, but less often in arid previously recorded bat interior parts. Roosts in caves in neighbouring and subterranean habitats, such grid; no suitable as mine adits, as well as rock roosting habitat hollows. May form large colonies likely to occur on of up to several thousand site. individuals. Associated with a variety of habitats including arid savannah, woodland and riparian forest. 1Distribution and national status according to Friedmann & Daly 2004. 2Global status according to IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.3. ( www.iucnredlist.org ). Downloaded on 7 November 2011.

AMPHIBIANS Common name Species Habitat Status Likelihood of occurrence None 1Status according to Minter et al. 2004.

REPTILES Common Species Habitat Status 3 Likelihood of occurrence name Armadillo Cordylus Rock cracks and crevices. Diet consists VU LOW , no suitable habitat girdled lizard cataphractus mainly of termites, beetles and likely to occur on site. grasshoppers McLachlin’s Cordylus Restricted to rocky outcrops, occupying VU LOW , just outside known girdled lizard mclachlani cracks in sandstone outcrops. distribution range. No rocky habitat on site. Namaqua Gerrhosaurus Dry sandy areas and bare rocky hillsides NT HIGH , geographical plated lizard typicus distribution range includes site. Habitat on site probably suitable. Namaqua day Phelsuma Boulder strewn hillsides and rocky NT LOW , no suitable habitat gecko ocellata outcrops, but may also be found in trees likely to occur on site. and bushes Southern Homopus Rocky outcrops and ridges in regions of NT LOW , just outside known

65 speckled signatus cafer relatively low rainfall. Occurs west of distribution range. No rocky padloper Cedarberg to the coast, which is to the habitat on site south of the site. 3Distribution according to Marais 2004. 4Status according to IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.3. ( www.iucnredlist.org ). Downloaded on 7 November 2011.

66 Appendix 5: Animal species with a geographical distribution that includes the study area. Notes: 1. Species of conservation concern are in red lettering. 2. Species protected according to the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act of 2009 (Act 9 of 2009) marked with “P” 3. Species protected according to the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act of 2004 (Act 10 of 2000) marked with “N”

Mammals: Spectacled dormouse PSpringbok Porcupine PKlipspringer Large-eared mouse PSteenbok Pygmy mouse Cape grysbok Verreaux's mouse Common duiker White-tailed rat Rock hyrax Vlei rat Water mongoose Saunders' vlei rat Black-backed jackal Karoo bush rat Caracal Striped mouse Yellow mongoose Cape gerbil NPBlack-footed cat PCape rock elephant-shrew African wild cat Aardvark Small grey mongoose Small-spotted genet Reptiles: Large grey mongoose PWestern dwarf chameleon Striped polecat PNamaqua chameleon NHoney badger Puff adder Bat-eared fox Many-horned adder NPLeopard Cape cobra African weasel Black spitting cobra PAardwolf Rinkhals Suricate Coral snake / coral shield cobra NCape fox Boomslang PLeseur's wing-gland bat Dwarf beaked snake PLong-tailed serotine bat Karoo whip snake PNatal long-fingered bat Namib sand snake PCape serotine bat Beetz’s tiger snake PEgyptian slit-faced bat Brown house snake PCape horseshoe bat Spotted rock snake PGeoffroy's horseshoe bat Mole snake PEgyptian free-tailed bat Sundevall's shovel-snout Cape golden mole Common egg-eater PReddish-grey musk shrew Delalande's beaked blind snake Grant's golden mole Schinz's beaked blind snake PLesser dwarf shrew PSouthern rock agama Cape hare PSouthern spiny agama Scrub hare Knox’s desert lizard Chacma baboon Western sandveld lizard Namaqua rock mouse Cape legless skink Cape dune mole-rat Coastal dwarf legless skink Common mole-rat Southern blind legless skink Grey climbing mouse Cape dwarf burrowing skink Short-tailed gerbil Striped dwarf burrowing skink Cape mole-rat Cape skink Hairy-footed gerbil Variegated skink

67 Western rock skink Fish NPArmadillo girdled lizard Estuarine round herring PMcLachlan’s girdled lizard Chubbyhead barb PKaroo girdled lizard Sharptooth catfish PLarge-scaled girdled lizard Cape galaxias (NT) PGraceful crag lizard Largemouth bass PNamaqua plated lizard Smallmouth bass PDwarf plated lizard Spotted bass PStriped dwarf leaf-toed gecko Banded tilapia PGiant ground gecko Mozambique tilapia PBibron’s tubercled gecko Cape kurper PAusten’s dune gecko Cape silverside PRough gecko Flathead mullet PWestern Cape gecko PWeber’s gecko PMarico gecko PNamaqua day gecko PSpeckled padloper PAngulate tortoise PKaroo tent tortoise

Amphibians PNamaqua rain frog PRaucous toad PKaroo toad PCommon platanna PNamaqua caco PCape river frog PClicking stream frog PCape sand frog

68 Appendix 6: Flora and vertebrate animal species (excluding birds) protected under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004) (as updated in R. 1187, 14 December 2007)

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES Robust golden mole Flora Tsessebe Adenium swazicum Black rhinoceros Aloe pillansii Mountain zebra Diaphananthe millarii African wild dog Dioscorea ebutsniorum Gunning’s golden mole Encephalartos aemulans Oribi Encephalartos brevifoliolatus Red squirrel Encephalartos cerinus Four-toed elephant-shrew Encephalartos dolomiticus Encephalartos heenanii Encephalartos hirsutus VULNERABLE SPECIES Encephalartos inopinus Flora Encephalartos latifrons Aloe albida Encephalartos middelburgensis Encephalartos cycadifolius Encephalartos nubimontanus Encephalartos Eugene-maraisii Encephalartos woodii Encephalartos ngovanus Merwilla plumbea Reptilia Zantedeschia jucunda Loggerhead sea turtle Leatherback sea turtle Mammalia Hawksbill sea turtle Cheetah Samango monkey Mammalia Giant golden mole Riverine rabbit Giant rat Rough-haired golden mole Bontebok Tree hyrax Roan antelope ENDANGERED SPECIES Pangolin Flora Juliana’s golden mole Angraecum africae Suni Encephalartos arenarius Large-eared free-tailed bat Encephalartos cupidus Lion Encephalartos horridus Leopard Encephalartos laevifolius Blue duiker Encephalartos lebomboensis Encephalartos msinganus Jubaeopsis caffra PROTECTED SPECIES Siphonochilus aethiopicus Flora Warburgia salutaris Adenia wilmsii Newtonia hilderbrandi Aloe simii Clivia mirabilis Reptilia Disa macrostachya Green turtle Disa nubigena Giant girdled lizard Disa physodes Olive ridley turtle Disa procera Geometric tortoise Disa sabulosa Encephelartos altensteinii Mammalia Encephelartos caffer

69 Encephelartos dyerianus Encephelartos frederici-guilielmi Encephelartos ghellinckii Encephelartos humilis Encephelartos lanatus Encephelartos lehmannii Encephelartos longifolius Encephelartos natalensis Encephelartos paucidentatus Encephelartos princeps Encephelartos senticosus Encephelartos transvenosus Encephelartos trispinosus Encephelartos umbeluziensis Encephelartos villosus Euphorbia clivicola Euphorbia meloformis Euphorbia obesa Harpagophytum procumbens Harpagophytum zeyherii Hoodia gordonii Hoodia currorii Protea odorata Stangeria eriopus

Amphibia Giant bullfrog African bullfrog

Reptilia Gaboon adder Namaqua dwarf adder Smith’s dwarf chameleon Armadillo girdled lizard Nile crocodile African rock python

Mammalia Cape clawless otter South African hedgehog White rhinoceros Black wildebeest Spotted hyaena Black-footed cat Brown hyaena Serval African elephant Spotted-necked otter Honey badger Sharpe’s grysbok Reedbuck Cape fox

70