P166 Route and Alternatives

Conservation-Important Fauna and Flora Walk-through Survey Report

March 2015

Prepared for: Paul da Cruz Associate Royal HaskoningDHV PO Box 867, Gallo Manor 2052

Prepared by: ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 Author: Duncan McKenzie

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 5 2 TERMS OF REFERENCE ...... 6 3 APPROACH AND METHODS ...... 6 4 STUDY AREA ...... 8 5 METHODS ...... 11 5.1 Assumptions, Limitations and Knowledge Gaps ...... 12 5.1.1 Seasonality ...... 12 5.1.2 Overlooked Species ...... 12 5.1.3 Access ...... 12 6 RESULTS ...... 13 6.1 Flora ...... 13 6.1.1 Msholozi Route ...... 19 6.1.2 Phumlani Alternative Route ...... 20 6.1.3 White River Route ...... 21 6.1.4 White River Alternative Route ...... 22 6.2 Fauna ...... 28 7 CONCLUSION ...... 33 8 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 35 9 REFERENCES ...... 36 10 APPENDICES ...... 38 10.1 Appendix 1: Co-ordinates and number of each plant species of conservation-importance recorded along the four routes surveyed ...... 38 10.2 Appendix 2. Photographs of conservation-important fauna and flora confirmed along the routes ...... 52

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P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

List of Tables

Table 1 : Start and end points and length of each of the four portions surveyed ...... 8 Table 2: Potentially occurring conservation-important plant species within the study area ...... 14 Table 3: Summary of plant species located during fieldwork ...... 17 Table 4: Summary of plant species located during fieldwork in the Msholozi Route ...... 20 Table 5: Summary of plant species located during fieldwork in the Phumlani Alternative Route ...... 21 Table 6: Summary of plant species located during fieldwork in the White River Route ...... 22 Table 7: Summary of plant species located during fieldwork in the White River Alternative Route ..... 22 Table 8: Potentially occurring conservation-important fauna species within the proposed P166 routes ...... 29 Table 9: Confirmed conservation-important fauna species recorded within the proposed P166 routes ...... 32

List of Figures

Figure 1: Map of the study area showing the localities of the four survey routes ...... 10 Figure 2: Map showing the localities of all conservation-important flora and fauna along the Msholozi Route ...... 23 Figure 3: Map showing the localities of all conservation-important flora and fauna along the Phumlani Alternative Route ...... 24 Figure 4: Map showing the localities of all conservation-important flora and fauna along the White River Route ...... 25 Figure 5: Map showing the localities of Aloe simii and Aloe kniphofioides plants as well as the recommended 200m no development buffer proposed for those two species ...... 26 Figure 6: Map showing the localities of all conservation-important flora and fauna along the White River Alternative Route ...... 27

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Abbreviations AOO Area of Occupancy

CBA Critical Biodiversity Area

DEAT Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

Mamsl Metres Above Mean Sea Level

MBSP Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan

MNCA Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act (No. 10 of 1998)

MTPA Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency

NEMBA ToPS National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act Threatened or Protected Species (No. 10 of 2004)

NFA National Forests Act (No. 30 of 1998)

PRECIS National Herbarium Pretoria Computerised Information System

SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute

Terminology Biodiversity The structural, functional and compositional attributes of an area, ranging from genes to landscapes.

Degraded An ecosystem that is in a poor ecological state, usually through impacts such as invasion by alien plants, severe overgrazing, poor burning regimes, etc. These systems still contain a moderate proportion of indigenous flora.

Geophyte Plants that produce their growth points from organs stored below the ground, an adaption to survive frost, drought and / or fire.

Transformed Transformed ecosystems are no longer natural and contain little or no indigenous flora. Examples include agricultural lands, plantations, urban areas, etc.

Acknowledgements Linda McKenzie of Digital Earth GIS Consulting compiled all the maps in this report.

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Declaration of Independence We declare that we have been appointed as independent consulting ecologists with no affiliation with or vested financial interests in the proponent, other than for work performed under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010. We have no conflicting interests in the undertaking of this activity and have no interests in secondary developments resulting from the authorisation of this project. Remuneration for our services by the proponent is not linked to approval by any decision-making authority responsible for authorising this development.

W.L.McCleland 24 February 2015

D.R. McKenzie 24 February 2015

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1 INTRODUCTION ECOREX Consulting Ecologists was appointed by Paul da Cruz of Royal HaskoningDHV to conduct a walk-through survey on four routes for the proposed P166 by-pass road between Rocky Drift and White River, Mpumalanga Province. The survey was performed on recommendation from the MTPA as there are known populations and records of conservation-important plants and animals on or adjacent to the proposed routes.

The study team was as follows: Duncan McKenzie – Field Ecologist. He has been involved in biodiversity assessments for ECOREX for seven years and countries of work experience include Lesotho, Swaziland, Mali, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Duncan has previously worked as a Regional Coordinator for the Mondi Wetlands Project and lectures on many aspects of conservation in Nelspruit and the Kruger National Park. He is currently the Regional Co-ordinator for the South African Bird Atlas Project, sits on the KZN Bird Rarities Committee and is a co-author on the Wildflowers of the Kruger National Park project.

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2 TERMS OF REFERENCE The aim of the detailed ecological study is to provide input into the EIA-phase ecological assessment for the P166 project as undertaken by Clayton Cook. The ecological assessment will comprise a more detailed assessment of threatened species and species of conservation importance in a part of the study area identified as needing to be subject to a more detailed assessment as requested by the Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency (MTPA).

3 APPROACH AND METHODS The project was undertaken in three phases as outlined below. Desktop o Compile lists of potentially occurring conservation-important flora and fauna, including Red Data and protected species.

Fieldwork: o Undertake a walk-through of all the sections of the proposed P166 road servitude, Phumlani 2 Alternative, and White River Alternative in the White River / Msholozi part of the study area, using the shapefiles / KMZ files provided by Royal HaskoningDHV; o The walk-through needs to be undertaken in the summer growing season and preferably in January / February when one of the focus species to be identified (Aloe simii) is flowering; o The walk-through assessment must focus on locating all conservation-important plant and animal species, including Red Data species, species protected under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act (MNCA, Act 10 of 1998) or the National Forest Act (NFA, Act 30 of 1998), and species listed under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act Threatened or Protected Species (NEMBA ToPS, Act 10 of 2004).

Reporting: o A report outlining the findings of the assessment will be compiled. The report will include tables with numbers and localities of all species located, as well as strip maps highlighting Red Data plants / animals. No detailed descriptions of vegetation communities or faunal assemblages will be included and no sensitivity mapping will be undertaken;

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o Although no impact assessment is to be provided, the report will provide input as to the preferred alignments from an ecological perspective, as informed by the findings of the study; o The report will include recommendations regarding appropriate mitigation measures, where applicable.

The project deliverable is a report outlining the findings of the walk-through ecological assessment.

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4 STUDY AREA The four portions that were surveyed, as described in the Introduction, consisted of two sections of the proposed P166 and two proposed alternatives, two of which are situated west of the R40 Nelspruit-White River road at Rocky Drift (Phumlani Alternative and Msholozi Routes) and two of which are situated through and immediately north of White River (White River and White River Alternative Routes), Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province (Figure 1). Details of the four routes surveyed are presented in Table 1 below.

Table 1 : Start and end points and length of each of the four portions surveyed

Routes Length (m)

Msholozi 1687

Phumlani Alternative 2306

White River 4180

White River Alternative 6412

The Msholozi and Phumlani Alternative Routes commence on the northern side of the D1903 gravel road approximately 2.5 km west of Rocky Drift towards Heidelberg. These routes then run northwards parallel to each other, alternating between crossing stretches of natural vegetation and former Eucalyptus plantations that are now reverting to grass and woodlands. Both routes terminate at the Phumlani settlement. The White River Route commences on the R537 White River - Sabie road approximately 1 km up from the intersection of the R40 and runs in a north-easterly direction skirting the residential area of White River. This route follows a wetland and traverses the White River Nature Reserve, crosses the White River and then terminates just short of the R40 White River - Hazyview road approximately 1 km north of town. The White River Alternative Route starts approximately 1.6 km from the R40 intersection on the R537 White River - Sabie road, then northwards turning north-east through plantations and old lands between White River and Uplands School, terminating approximately 3 km north of White River on the R40. The vegetation type across all four routes is classified as Legogote Sour Bushveld 1. This vegetation type is considered Poorly Protected and is classified as Vulnerable in the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan (MBSP) 2 as well as in the National List of Threatened Ecosystems 3. Some of the stretches along the routes cannot be considered representative of this vegetation type due to the disturbance levels from former and current Eucalyptus plantations, old agricultural lands, dumping, frequent heavy burning and alien plant infestation, but some stretches are representative and appear to be in good ecological condition.

1 Mucina & Rutherford, 2006 2 Lötter et al., 2014 3 DEAT, 2011

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Altitude across the four portions varies from c. 770 mamsl near the start of the Msholozi Route to c. 980 mamsl near the start of the White River Alternative Route. The Phumlani and Msholozi Routes are classified as either Heavy or Moderately Modified or Other Natural Areas by the MBSP. The White River Alternative Route covers mostly Heavy or Moderately Modified Areas, although some portions cross narrow sections of Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA): Irreplaceable. Approximately half of the White River Route is classified as either Heavy or Moderately Modified or Other Natural Areas, the other half being classified as CBA: Irreplaceable 4. The study area is not situated in any floristic centres of endemism according to Van Wyk & Smith (2001).

4 Lötter et al., 2014

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Figure 1: Map of the study area showing the localities of the four survey routes

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5 METHODS Desktop Conservation-important plant species listed for the quarter-degree grids 2530 BD and 2531 AC in the Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency's (MTPA) threatened species database, as well as PRECIS data from the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), were used to produce a list of the most likely occurring species, which were searched for during fieldwork. Conservation-important plants include those listed as species of conservation concern by Raimondo et al. (2009) or protected species as listed under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act (MNCA) (No. 10 of 1998), National Forests Act (NFA) (No. 30 of 1998) or the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act Threatened or Protected Species (NEMBA ToPS) (No. 10 of 2004). Lists of conservation-important mammals, birds, frogs and reptiles potentially occurring within the proposed road alignments were prepared using data from the MTPA’s threatened species database, Friedmann & Daly (2004), Van Cakenberghe et al. (2006), Harrison et al. (1997), Barnes (2000), Minter et al. (2004) and Bates et al. (2014). The above data were captured mostly at a quarter-degree spatial resolution, but were refined by excluding species unlikely to occur within the study area, due to unsuitable habitat characteristics (e.g. altitude and land-use). Bat species thought to only forage over the study area (i.e. mostly cave- roosting species) were not included in the assessment due to the lack of suitable caves along the routes. Potential occurrence of fauna along the various routes within the study area was predicted based on knowledge of known habitat requirements, and in some cases this predicted occurrence was confirmed during fieldwork. Point data from the MTPA threatened species database was refined to only include species recorded within a 100m radius of the routes. This data was then incorporated into the data collected during fieldwork.

Fieldwork Fieldwork was performed over three days during late January / early February 2015 to coincide with the flowering period of the plant species with the highest threat status known to occur on the route, namely the Critically Endangered Aloe simii. The entire length of each route was walked, scanning and locating plants and animals using meandering transects across the width of the servitude routes provided by Royal HaskoningDHV. The width of the servitude varied from c. 60 m to c. 300m. Co-ordinates of all conservation-important plants and animals located were recorded with a Garmin GPSMap 62s, and each plant species was photographed and total numbers of individual counted within a c. 20m radius. Faunal records were gathered using visual cues such as sightings, tracks and scats, as well as auditory recognition for birds.

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5.1 Assumptions, Limitations and Knowledge Gaps

5.1.1 Seasonality The assessment was based on a single field survey in the middle of the growing season, and only species of plants visible and / or flowering in mid-summer were detected. It is possible that plants which flower at other times of the year are underrepresented. Many sections of the route were also dominated by the tall yellow thatch grass (Hyperthelia dissoluta) and this limited visibility in these areas. Some plants may have been overlooked due to the 2m and taller vegetation.

5.1.2 Overlooked Species Certain plant species, particularly geophytes, will only flower in seasons when conditions are optimal and may thus remain undetected, even over a survey that encompasses several seasons. Other plant species may be overlooked because of very small size and / or extreme rarity.

5.1.3 Access Access to the very western-most portion of the White River route was denied to the research team despite a personal request to the landowner. Approximately 800m of the route was therefore not surveyed. This section comprises mostly mown grassland, timber plantations and recently cleared alien tree infested areas and the likelihood of finding significant conservation-important flora and fauna species in that section is low.

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6 RESULTS

6.1 Flora Approximately 70 species of conservation-important plant species potentially occur within the study area (Table 2). Many of these species have a low or moderate likelihood of occurring along the proposed routes primarily due to unsuitable habitat or altitude and degraded habitat. Twenty seven species of plants from this list were confirmed during fieldwork across the four routes surveyed which included 8660 individual plants counted in 466 points (Table 3). The species name, co-ordinate and total numbers of each plant recorded along the four routes is presented in Appendix 1. Of the 27 species recorded, one species has been assessed as Critically Endangered (Aloe simii) and one species Vulnerable (Aloe kniphofioides) (Raimondo et al., 2009). A further three species were listed as Declining (Crinum macowanii, Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata and Gunnera perpensa). The remaining species are protected under either the MNCA or NFA or both (Table 3).

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Table 2: Potentially occurring conservation-important plant species within the study area

Flowering Species Family Habitat Likelihood Reason

time

RedData Protected

Agapanthus inapertus AGAPANTHACEAE MNCA Wetland edge, rocky outcrops Dec-Mar Confirmed

Boophane disticha AMARYLLIDACEAE Declining MNCA Wide habitat tolerance Jul-Oct Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Clivia caulescens AMARYLLIDACEAE NT MNCA Forest Oct-Nov Low Unsuitable habitat and altitude

Crinum macowanii AMARYLLIDACEAE Declining MNCA Grassland Oct-Dec Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Cyrtanthus eucallis AMARYLLIDACEAE VU MNCA Grassland Jul-Mar Low Unsuitable habitat and altitude

Cyrtanthus spp. AMARYLLIDACEAE MNCA Grassland, wetland Jul-Nov Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Scadoxus spp. AMARYLLIDACEAE MNCA Thickets, rocky outcrops Aug-Nov Confirmed

Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra ANACARDIACEAE NFA Savannah Aug-Dec Confirmed

Brachystelma ssp. APOCYNACEAE MNCA Grassland, rocky outcrops Jul - Jun Confirmed

Ceropegia spp. APOCYNACEAE MNCA Thicket, forest edge Nov-Mar Confirmed

Huernia ssp. APOCYNACEAE MNCA Rocky and sandy soils Aug - May Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Orbea spp. APOCYNACEAE MNCA Rocky and sandy soils Aug - May Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Pachypodium saundersiae APOCYNACEAE MNCA Rocky outcrops Feb-May Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Stapelia ssp. APOCYNACEAE MNCA Savannah, rocky outcrops Jul - Jun Confirmed

Ilex mitis var. mitis AQUIFOLIACEAE Declining Forest Sep-Dec Low Unsuitable habitat

Aloe cooperi subsp. cooperi ASPHODELACEAE Declining MNCA Grassland and open woodland Nov-Feb Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Mountain grassland; open, rocky Aloe kniphofioides ASPHODELACEAE VU MNCA Sep-Nov Confirmed woodland NEMBA, Aloe simii ASPHODELACEAE CR Edges of wetlands; grassland Jan-Mar Confirmed MNCA

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Aloe ssp. ASPHODELACEAE MNCA Grassland, rocky outcrops Jul-Jun Confirmed

Wetland, grassland, rocky Kniphofia ssp. ASPHODELACEAE MNCA Sep-Mar Low Unsuitable habitat and altitude outcrops NFA, Curtisia dentata CORNACEAE NT Forest Oct-Mar Low Unsuitable habitat MNCA

Alsophila dregei CYATHEACEAE MNCA Wetland N/A Confirmed

Dioscorya sylvatica DIOSCOREACEAE VU MNCA Forest Oct-Jan Low Unsuitable habitat

NFA, Pterocarpus angolensis FABACEAE Open woodland, sour bushveld Sep-Nov Confirmed MNCA Gunnera perpensa GUNNERACEAE Declining Wetland Sep-Feb Confirmed

Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata HYACINTHACEAE Declining MNCA Grassland, wetland Aug-Nov Confirmed

Open grassland, wetlands, rocky Merwilla plumbea HYACINTHACEAE NT MNCA Sep-Nov Moderate Presence of suitable habitat ridges

Hypoxis hemerocallidea HYPOXIDACEAE Declining Grassland and mixed woodland Sep - Mar Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Gladiolus ssp. IRIDACEAE MNCA Grassland Jul-Jun Confirmed

Forest, outcrops in rocky Rapanea melanophloeos MYRSINACEAE Declining Jun-Dec Low Unsuitable habitat grassland Ansellia africana ORCHIDACEAE Declining MNCA Riverine forest, tall woodland May-Aug Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Brachycorythis spp. ORCHIDACEAE MNCA Grassland Sep - Feb Confirmed

Disa extinctoria ORCHIDACEAE NT MNCA Damp grassland, swamps Dec-Jan Low Unsuitable habitat and altitude

Disa ssp. ORCHIDACEAE MNCA Grassland Jul-Jun Low Unsuitable habitat and altitude

Eulophia ssp. ORCHIDACEAE MNCA Grassland Jul-Jun Confirmed

Habenaria ssp. ORCHIDACEAE MNCA Grassland Jul-Jun Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Only known from one locality in Platycoryne mediocris ORCHIDACEAE EN MNCA Wooded grassland Dec-Jan Low South Africa

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Satyrium ssp. ORCHIDACEAE MNCA Grassland Jul-Jun Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Adenia gummifera var. gummifera PASSIFLORACEAE Declining MNCA Thicket, scrub forest Oct-Apr Low Unsuitable habitat

Pittosporum viridiflorum PITTOSPORACEAE NFA Thicket, forest, dense woodland Nov-Dec Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

Faurea rochetiana PROTACEAE MNCA Open woodland, sour bushveld Jun-Jan Confirmed

Riverbanks, open woodland, rocky Berchemia zeyheri RHAMNACEAE MNCA Oct-Nov Moderate Presence of suitable habitat outcrops Breonadia salicina RUBIACEAE NFA Riverbeds, streambanks Nov-Dec Moderate Presence of suitable habitat

NEMBA, Encephalartos humilis ZAMIACEAE VU Rocky grassland N/A Low Unsuitable habitat and altitude MNCA

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Table 3: Summary of plant species located during fieldwork

No. of Total no. of Species Conservation Status encounters specimens

Agapanthus inapertus 12 90 Protected: MNCA

Aloe barbertoniae 77 341 Protected: MNCA

Aloe boylei 6 22 Protected: MNCA

Aloe kniphofioides 1 5 Vulnerable, Protected MNCA

Aloe petricola 62 700 Protected: MNCA

Critically Endangered, Protected NEMBA, Aloe simii 15 115 MNCA

Aloe spicata 2 3 Protected: MNCA

Alsophila dregei 2 2 Protected: MNCA

Brachycorythis pubescens 1 1 Protected: MNCA

Brachystelma gracile 1 3 Protected: MNCA

Ceropegia carnosa 1 1 Protected: MNCA

Crinum macowanii 4 15 Declining, Protected: MNCA

Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata 2 21 Declining, Protected: MNCA

Eulophia angolensis 59 4573 Protected: MNCA

Eulophia petersii 9 38 Protected: MNCA

Eulophia streptopetala 4 101 Protected: MNCA

Eulophia zeyheri 1 1 Protected: MNCA

Faurea rochetiana 4 15 Protected: MNCA

Gladiolus dalenii 37 457 Protected: MNCA

Gladiolus densiflorus 135 2055 Protected: MNCA

Gladiolus papilio 3 22 Protected: MNCA

Gunnera perpensa 4 4 Declining

Habaneria epipactidea 1 1 Protected: MNCA

Pterocarpus angolensis 9 15 Protected: NFA, MNCA

Scadoxus puniceus 3 11 Protected: MNCA

Sclerocary birrea subsp. caffra 9 35 Protected: NFA

Stapelia leendertziae 2 13 Protected: MNCA

27 466 8660

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These five species of conservation-concern recorded during fieldwork are described in more detail below:

Aloe simii This Critically Endangered (Raimondo et al., 2009) species favours moist grassland and wetland edge and currently occupies an Area Of Occupancy (AOO) of only 10km2 between Sabie and White River. It is only known from five fragmented localities having lost most of its habitat to afforestation and wetland degradation, urbanisation and rural development1. A significant total of 115 plants were counted along the White River Route in 15 separate encounters, including at least two previously unknown colonies. It is possible that this sub- population contains 20% of the known population of Aloe simii (pers. obs.). These figures exclude the small population that was artificially established some years ago c. 70 m to the north of the proposed route, immediately east of Danie Joubert Street bridge. Aloe simii was not recorded along any of the other routes.

Aloe kniphofioides Aloe kniphofioides is a grassland species found only between northern Eastern Cape and south-eastern Mpumalanga. It has undergone a population reduction of an estimated 30% due to afforestation, alien plant infestation, mining and other forms of habitat destruction and is currently assessed as Vulnerable2. A small colony of about 10 plants grows c. 90 m north of the proposed White River alignment in the centre of the route, within the White River Nature Reserve.

Crinum macowanii This large, long-lived bulbous plant is common and widespread in eastern South Africa but populations are declining due to over-exploitation for the medicinal plant trade3. Two plants were located on the Phumlani Alternative Route and 13 plants were confirmed on the Msholozi Route. This plant is classified as Declining (Raimondo et al., 2009).

Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata This bulb is also in high demand for the medicinal plant trade and has undergone a reduction in population size across its range. It ranks among the most traded plants in muthi markets in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng and approximately 428 000 bulbs are sold annually4. Two small populations were located during fieldwork; 20 plants in one colony on the Msholozi

1 Lötter et al., 2006 2 Lötter et al., 2006 3 Williams et al., 2008 4 Williams et al., 2008

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Route and a single plant on the Phumlani Alternative Route. This plant is classified as Declining (Raimondo et al., 2009).

Gunnera perpensa In South Africa, this common and widespread aquatic herb is absent only from the dry interior, always growing in colonies sometimes covering large areas. It is listed as Declining due to ongoing harvesting for the medicinal plant trade where large numbers are traded annually1. Four colonies were located in wetland areas on the White River Route.

The specific results for each of the four routes are presented below:

6.1.1 Msholozi Route A total of 2094 plants of 16 species were located within the Msholozi Route during fieldwork (Table 4, Figure 2). The bulb Gladiolus densiflorus (protected under the MNCA) accounted for 1327 of these. High numbers of the succulents Aloe petricola (447) and Aloe barbertoniae (171, both protected under the MNCA) were also counted. Two Near- Threatened species were confirmed; 13 individuals of Crinum macowanii and one of Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata, both listed as Declining. Three trees protected under the NFA or MNCA were also counted: Faurea rochetiana, Pterocarpus angolensis and Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra. Smaller numbers of the remaining species, all protected under the MNCA, were found throughout. This is the only route where the herbs Brachystelma gracile and Habenaria epipactidea were observed.

1 Williams et al., 2008

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Table 4: Summary of plant species located during fieldwork in the Msholozi Route

No. of Total no. of Species Conservation Status Encounters Specimens

Agapanthus inapertus (clumps) 1 5 Protected: MNCA

Aloe barbertoniae 43 171 Protected: MNCA

Aloe petricola 41 447 Protected: MNCA

Aloe spicata 2 3 Protected: MNCA

Brachystelma gracile 1 3 Protected: MNCA

Crinum macowanii 3 13 Declining, Protected: MNCA

Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata 1 1 Declining, Protected: MNCA

Eulophia angolensis 5 45 Protected: MNCA

Eulophia petersii 3 20 Protected: MNCA

Eulophia streptopetala 3 6 Protected: MNCA

Faurea rochetiana 4 15 Protected: MNCA

Gladiolus densiflorus 76 1327 Protected: MNCA

Gladiolus papilio 1 10 Protected: MNCA

Habaneria epipactidea 1 1 Protected: MNCA

Pterocarpus angolensis 9 15 Protected: NFA, MNCA

Sclerocary birrea subsp. caffra 7 12 Protected: MNCA

TOTAL 205 2094

6.1.2 Phumlani Alternative Route This route produced a total of 1350 conservation-important plants consisting of 14 species (Table 5, Figure 3), with high numbers of the provincially protected Gladiolus densiflorus (728), Aloe petricola (253) and Aloe barbertoniae (170). A number of species were unique to this route, including the herbs Brachycorythis pubescens, Ceropegia carnosa and Scadoxus puniceus and the succulent Stapelia leendertziae (all protected under the MNCA). Two plant species of conservation-concern were confirmed; two specimens of Crinum macowanii and 20 of Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata, both listed as Declining.

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Table 5: Summary of plant species located during fieldwork in the Phumlani Alternative Route

No. of Total no. of Species Conservation Status Encounters Specimens

Agapanthus inapertus (clumps) 6 10 Protected: MNCA

Aloe barbertoniae 34 170 Protected: MNCA

Aloe boylei 4 11 Protected: MNCA

Aloe petricola 21 253 Protected: MNCA

Brachycorythis pubescens 1 1 Protected: MNCA

Ceropegia carnosa 1 1 Protected: MNCA

Crinum macowanii 1 2 Declining, Protected: MNCA

Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata 1 20 Declining, Protected: MNCA

Eulophia petersii 6 18 Protected: MNCA

Eulophia streptopetala 10 89 Protected: MNCA

Gladiolus densiflorus 59 728 Protected: MNCA

Scadoxus puniceus 3 11 Protected: MNCA

Sclerocary birrea subsp. caffra 2 23 Protected: NFA

Stapelia leendertziae (colonies) 2 13 Protected: MNCA

TOTAL 151 1350

6.1.3 White River Route The White River Route produced 5028 individual plants of conservation-concern of 11 species (Table 6, Figure 4). The orchid Eulophia angolensis accounted for 4528 of these and is clearly abundant along the route. Other significant numbers included 277 Gladiolus dalenii plants and 75 clumps of Agapanthus inapertus (both protected under the MNCA). Three Red List species were confirmed along this route, the most significant of which is the succulent Aloe simii which is classified as Critically Endangered and is protected under NEMBA and the MNCA. A total of 115 plants were counted in four distinct colonies, two of which were new localities. According to the Red List of South African Plants, a buffer of 200m is recommended around a “taxon of conservation concern”. This is to “mitigate deleterious edge effects. In addition, the open space system must be sufficient to conserve pollinators”1. This buffer effectively excludes the entire central section of the proposed route (Figure 5). It is possible that 20% of the global population of Aloe simii is found growing along this Route (pers. obs.). According to the MTPA (M. Lötter pers. comm.) and SANBI (Raimondo et al. 2009) the appropriate conservation measures for Aloe simii are in situ conservation where plants are allowed to remain on site and untouched.

1 Raimondo et al., 2009

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Aloe kniphofioides was recorded adjacent to the route in the White River Nature Reserve where c. 10 plants are known from recent MTPA and other records. This plant is listed as Vulnerable under the current national assessment and is protected under the MNCA. The final Red List species recorded is Gunnera perpensa (Declining). This species grows in large colonies are four were located along the wetland.

Table 6: Summary of plant species located during fieldwork in the White River Route

No.of Total no. of Species Conservation Status Encounters Specimens

Agapanthus inapertus (clumps) 5 75 Protected: MNCA

Aloe boylei 2 11 Protected: MNCA

Aloe kniphofioides 1 10 Vulnerable, Protected: MNCA

Aloe simii 13 115 Critically Endangered, Protected NEMBA, MNCA

Alsophila dregei 2 1 Protected: MNCA

Eulophia angolensis 54 4528 Protected: MNCA

Eulophia streptopetala 1 5 Protected: MNCA

Gladiolus dalenii 17 277 Protected: MNCA

Gladiolus papilio 2 12 Protected: MNCA

Gunnera perpensa (colonies) 4 4 Declining

Eulophia zeyheri 1 Protected: MNCA

TOTAL 102 5038

6.1.4 White River Alternative Route This route produced by far the lowest plant totals of all the routes which is not surprising as it covered mostly transformed habitat. Only 181 individual plants of conservation-concern were recorded of two species: Gladiolus dalenii had 180 of these and Eulophia streptopetala represented by just a single specimen (Table 7, Figure 6). Both species are protected under the MNCA.

Table 7: Summary of plant species located during fieldwork in the White River Alternative Route

No.of Total no. of Conservation Species Encounters Specimens Status

Eulophia streptopetala 1 1 Protected: MNCA

Gladiolus dalenii 20 180 Protected: MNCA

TOTAL 21 181

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Figure 2: Map showing the localities of all conservation-important flora and fauna along the Msholozi Route

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Figure 3: Map showing the localities of all conservation-important flora and fauna along the Phumlani Alternative Route

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Figure 4: Map showing the localities of all conservation-important flora and fauna along the White River Route

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Figure 5: Map showing the localities of Aloe simii and Aloe kniphofioides plants as well as the recommended 200m no development buffer proposed for those two species

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Figure 6: Map showing the localities of all conservation-important flora and fauna along the White River Alternative Route

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6.2 Fauna Thirty-three species of conservation-important terrestrial vertebrate fauna potentially occur along the routes, three of which were confirmed (small carnivore has a restricted distribution in South Africa, limited to the extreme eastern sour bushveld of KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It is listed as Near-Threatened due to small AOO in South Africa. Tracks of a single individual were observed in natural vegetation near the southern section of the Phumlani Alternative Route) (Table 8). Unlike flora, fauna are mobile and additional surveys, including nocturnal visits and camera trapping, would result in the confirmation of additional species. The close proximity of the Phumlani settlement as well as the town of White River to the routes has resulted in a significant decline in larger mammals and birds in the general area. Three fauna species of conservation-important were located on the four routes (Table 9, Appendix 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6) and all three appear on the national Red Data list and are presented in more detail below:

Wilhelm’s Flat Lizard (Platysaurus intermedius wilhelmi) This range-restricted subspecies of the Common Flat Lizard is not nationally assessed as being of conservation concern but the genetics of this group are currently under review and it is likely that this species will be elevated to species level 1. It is currently assessed as provincially Vulnerable. Small colonies of this species were located in both the Msholozi and Phumlani Alternative Routes in their preferred granite sheetrock habitat.

Broad-tailed Warbler (Schoenicola brevirostris) The Broad-tailed Warbler is widespread in the Afrotropics but occupies a reasonably small AOO (66 200km2) and its habitat (tall, moist grassland) is under threat from burning, overgrazing, livestock trampling and agriculture2. Several birds of this Near-Threatened classified species were confirmed along the White River Route.

Side-striped Jackal (Canis adustus) This small carnivore has a restricted distribution in South Africa, limited to the extreme eastern sour bushveld of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It is listed as Near- Threatened due to the small AOO in South Africa3. Tracks of a single individual were observed in natural vegetation near the southern section of the Phumlani Alternative Route.

1 Whiting, M. J. in Bates, et al., 2014 2 Barnes, 2000 3 Friedmann & Daly, 2004

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Table 8: Potentially occurring conservation-important fauna species within the proposed P166 routes

Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Likelihood Reason

Red Data Red

Protected

Mammals

Cape Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis NEMBA Rivers, streams, estuaries Moderate Suitable habitat present

Broad-leaved woodland, Side-striped Jackal Canus adustus NT Confirmed sandy Bushveld areas

Red Duiker Cephalophus natalensis MNCA Forest, thicket Low Unsuitable habitat

Reddish-grey Musk Shrew Crocidura cyanea DD Wide variety of habitats Moderate Suitable habitat present

Greater Musk Shrew Crocidura flavescens DD Wide variety of habitats Moderate Suitable habitat present

Tiny Musk Shrew Crocidura fuscomurina DD Wide variety of habitats Moderate Suitable habitat present

Lesser Red Musk Shrew Crocidura hirta DD Wide variety of habitats Moderate Suitable habitat present

Peters’ Musk Shrew Crocidura silacea DD Wide variety of habitats Moderate Suitable habitat present

Gambian Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus gambianus DD Forest, woodland Moderate Suitable habitat present

Woodland Thicket Rat Grammomys dolichurus DD Woodland, thicket Moderate Suitable habitat present

Single-striped Grass-Mouse Lemniscomys rosalia DD Woodland with tall grass Moderate Suitable habitat present

Serval Leptailurus serval NT NEMBA Grassland, wetlands Moderate Suitable habitat present

Disturbance, although suitable Honey Badger Mellivora capensis NT NEMBA Wide variety of habitats Low habitat is present

Forest Shrew Myosorex varius DD Wide variety of habitats Moderate Some suitable habitat present

Suitable habitat present but Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus MNCA Rocky woodland Moderate high disturbance levels

Aardvark Orycteropus afer MNCA Grassland, savannah Low Disturbance

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Greater Galago Otolemur crassicaudatus MNCA Thicket, closed woodland Moderate Some suitable habitat present

African Weasel Poecilogale albinucha DD Wide variety of habitats Moderate Some suitable habitat present

Meller’s Mongoose Rhynchogale melleri DD Savannah, grassland Low Rare species, disturbance

Least Dwarf Shrew Suncus infinitesimus DD Wide variety of habitats Moderate Some suitable habitat present

Greater Dwarf Shrew Suncus lixus DD Wide variety of habitats Moderate Some suitable habitat present

Lesser Dwarf Shrew Suncus varilla DD Wide variety of habitats Moderate Some suitable habitat present

Bushveld Gerbil Tatera leucogaster DD Woodland, thicket Moderate Some suitable habitat present

Subtotal 23 18 7

Birds

Limited suitable habitat Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata NT Riverine forest Low present

Ayres' Hawk-Eagle Aquila ayresii NT Closed primary woodland Moderate Some suitable habitat present

Limited suitable habitat Black Stork Ciconia nigra NT NEMBA Rivers, cliffs Low present

Damp grassland, wetland Rare species, unsuitable Corn Crake Crex crex VU Low edges habitat

Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus NT Wide variety of habitats Moderate Suitable habitat present

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus NT NEMBA Wide variety of habitats Moderate Suitable habitat present

Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster NT Open woodland Moderate Suitable habitat present

Large waterbodies, roosts in Limited suitable habitat Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus NT Low large trees present

Limited suitable habitat African Finfoot Podica senegalensis VU Riverine forest, rivers Low present

Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus VU NEMBA Woodland, savannah Low Woodland patches too narrow

Grassy edges of woodland, Broad-tailed Warbler Schoenicola brevirostris NT Confirmed wetlands

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Limited suitable habitat African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus NT Forest, closed woodland Low present

Disturbance, unsuitable African Grass Owl Tyto capensis VU NEMBA Grass-dominated wetlands Low habitat

Subtotal 6 6 2

Reptiles and Frogs

VU Barberton Girdled Lizard Cordylus warreni barbertonensis Rocky outcrops in woodland Moderate Suitable habitat present (MPU)

EN Haacke's Flat Gecko Pachydactylus haackei Rocky outcrops in woodland Low Rare species (MPU)

VU Wilhelm's Flat Lizard Platysaurus (intermedius) wilhelmi Sheetrock in woodland Confirmed (MPU)

Southern African Python Python natalensis NEMBA Wide variety of habitats Moderate Suitable habitat present

Subtotal 4 3 1

TOTAL 33 27 10

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Table 9: Confirmed conservation-important fauna species recorded within the proposed P166 routes

Species Route

Platysaurus (intermedius) wilhelmi Phumlani Alternative Route

Canis adustus Phumlani Alternative Route

Platysaurus (intermedius) wilhelmi Msholozi Route

Schoenicola brevirostris White River Route

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7 CONCLUSION The vegetation type across all four proposed routes is Legogote Sour Bushveld. This vegetation type is considered Poorly Protected and is classified as Vulnerable in the MBSP as well as in the National List of Threatened Ecosystems. Only portions of the routes can be considered being representative of this vegetation type, mainly due to cultivation and alien plant infestation. The conclusions for each of the four proposed routes are summarised below:

White River Route Due to the presence of a significant number of Aloe simii (Critically Endangered) and Aloe kniphofioides (Vulnerable), the White River Route has the highest number of and most significant biodiversity conflicts. This route contained 115 individual Aloe simii plants, in addition to a small colony of c. 10 Aloe kniphofioides adjacent to the proposed route. Aloe simii is also protected nationally under NEMBA ToPS. The White River Route also yielded 5038 individual protected plants. Approximately half of the White River Route is classified as CBA: Irreplaceable in the MBSP. The construction of a road through an Irreplaceable Critical Biodiversity Area would also conflict significantly with the land-use guidelines given in Lotter et al. (2014) for CBAs. The selection of this route would also conflict with the 200m buffer proposed by Raimondo et al. (2009) for species of conservation concern. Approximately 1600 m of this proposed route will cross this buffer zone. According to the MTPA (M. Lötter pers. comm.) the appropriate conservation measures for Aloe simii are in situ conservation where plants are allowed to remain on site and untouched. The Near-threatened Broad-tailed Warbler was also recorded at a few localities along this route.

White River Alternative Route The White River Alternative Route, with no species of conservation concern confirmed, has the least biodiversity conflicts in the vicinity of White River and is considered the preferred route from a biodiversity conservation perspective. Only two species of protected plants numbering 181 plants in total were found along this route, namely Gladiolus dalenii and Eulophia streptopetala, and neither qualifies for the provision of a protective conservation buffer. Permits would have to be obtained from the MTPA to destroy or translocate any protected plants along this Route. The White River Alternative Route covers mostly Heavy or Moderately Modified Areas although some portions cross narrow sections of CBA: Irreplaceable. These stretches were surveyed and no Threatened species were located.

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Msholozi Route This proposed route west of Rocky Drift produced four localities where the provincially Vulnerable Wilhelm’s Flat Lizard was found as well as two Declining plant species: Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata and Crinum macowanii. High numbers (2094) of protected plant species were also recorded along this route. The Msholozi Route is classified as having either Heavy or Moderately Modified or Other Natural Areas in the MBSP.

Phumlani Alternative Route Two plant species listed as Declining were confirmed along the Phumlani Alternative Route: Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata and Crinum macowanii. One Near-threatened mammal species (Side-striped Jackal) and one provincially Vulnerable reptile (Wilhelm’s Flat Lizard) were also confirmed. Although many protected plants species were recorded along this route (1350), the total numbers are significantly lower than that found along the Msholozi Route, and the Phumlani Alternative Route is therefore recommended to be developed, with some mitigation although the same measures could be applied to both routes. These measures include plant relocation, permit application to destroy plants and alien plant control. The Phumlani Alternative Route is also classified as having either Heavy or Moderately Modified or Other Natural Areas in the MBSP.

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8 RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations can be made for the proposed P166 route and alternatives:

Recommendations for Routes that are selected  According to the Red List of South African Plants, a buffer of 200m is recommended around a “taxon of conservation concern”, in this case to Aloe simii and A. kniphofioides, both confirmed to occur on or adjacent to the White River Route. This is to “mitigate deleterious edge effects. This would apply specifically to. In addition, the open space system must be sufficient to conserve pollinators”. This buffer effectively excludes the entire central section of the proposed route.  Plant relocations can be made to either to adjacent habitat or to the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens. For provincially protected plants, a permit from the MTPA is required to do this. It is strongly advised that this be done in conjunction with a botanist / horticulturalist to ensure a higher success rate.  Regular inspections should be performed on the translocated plants in order to gauge the success of the exercise. This information should be relayed to the MTPA.  According to the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, all declared alien plant species have to be removed from natural habitats. The selected routes must therefore undergo regular inspections and treatment alien plants, especially Lantana camara and Eucalyptus spp.  It is important that access to adjacent untransformed vegetation is denied to construction workers during the construction phase to prevent harvesting for the medicinal plant trade. This applies to any of the routes chosen.  The destruction of the remaining protected plants that cannot be moved, including tree species protected under the NFA, will require permits from the relevant authorities.  All proposed roads to contain adequate stormwater drainage and erosion control measures.

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9 REFERENCES Barnes, K.N. 2000. The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. DEAT. 2011. National List of Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems in South Africa. National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004). Government Gazette. Friedmann, Y. & Daly, B. (editors). 2004. 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. Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V. & Brown, C.J. 1997. The Atlas of Southern African Birds. Vols.1-2. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. Lötter, M., Burrows, J.E., Craib, C., von Staden, L. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Aloe kniphofioides Baker. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2014.1. Accessed on 2015/02/20. Lötter, M., Burrows, J.E., Krynauw, S. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Aloe simii Pole-Evans. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2014.1. Accessed on 2015/02/20. Lötter, M.C., Cadman, M.J. and Lechmere-Oertel, R.G. 2014. Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan. Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency, Nelspruit. Minter, L.R., Burger, M., Harrison, J.A., Braack, H.H., Bishop, P.J. & Kloepfer, D.2004. Atlas and Red Data Book of the Frogs of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. SI/MAB Series No.9. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Mucina, L. and Rutherford, M.C. (eds) 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Raimondo, D., Von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. & Manyama, P.A. (eds) 2009. Red List of South African Plants 2009. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. SANBI & DEAT. 2011. National List of Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa. Skinner, J.D. & Chimimba, C.T. 2005. The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion. Cambridge University Press. Cape Town. Van Cakenberghe, V., Kearney, T.C. and Seamark, E.C.J. 2006. African Chiroptera Report. African Chiroptera Project, Pretoria. Van Wyk, A. E. & Smith, G. F. 2001. Regions of floristic endemism in southern Africa: A review with emphasis on succulents. Umdaus Press, Pretoria. Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M., Ngwenya, A.M. & Brueton, V.J. 2008. Crinum macowanii Baker. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2014.1. Accessed on 2015/02/20.

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Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2008. Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2014.1. Accessed on 2015/02/20. Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M., Ngwenya, A.M. & Dold, A.P. 2008. Gunnera perpensa L. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2014.1. Accessed on 2015/02/20

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10 APPENDICES

10.1 Appendix 1: Co-ordinates and number of each plant species of conservation-importance recorded along the four routes surveyed

Elevation Species No. Conservation Importance (m)

Phumlani Alternative Route Gladiolus densiflorus 2 849 MNCA Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra 1 843 NFA Aloe petricola 2 843 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 843 MNCA Aloe petricola 12 848 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 11 848 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 848 MNCA Stapelia leendertziae 8 848 MNCA Aloe petricola 33 848 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 7 848 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 35 848 MNCA Stapelia leendertziae 5 851 MNCA Aloe petricola 8 851 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 39 851 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 18 851 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 18 850 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 14 850 MNCA Aloe petricola 17 850 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 853 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 8 854 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 6 854 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 3 856 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 9 855 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 10 855 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 16 858 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 22 858 MNCA Scadoxus puniceus 5 858 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 858 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 2 855 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 5 855 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 5 855 MNCA

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Agapanthus inapertus 2 854 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 4 854 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 20 854 MNCA Scadoxus puniceus 4 854 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 4 850 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 9 850 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 3 850 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 2 849 MNCA Aloe petricola 6 851 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 1 859 MNCA Aloe petricola 15 859 MNCA Sclerocary birrea subsp. caffra 22 861 NFA Aloe barbertoniae 5 861 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 11 863 MNCA Ceropegia carnosa 1 863 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 6 864 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 11 860 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 7 855 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 7 854 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 5 856 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 5 857 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 21 855 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 852 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 852 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 20 852 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 1 848 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 6 842 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 842 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 7 846 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 5 843 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 19 857 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 857 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 824 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 1 823 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 18 826 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 7 820 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 19 819 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 6 820 MNCA

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Aloe barbertoniae 4 820 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 14 823 MNCA Aloe petricola 20 823 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 7 823 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 3 823 MNCA Eulophia petersii 1 823 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 9 826 MNCA Aloe petricola 2 826 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 4 826 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 4 827 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 827 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 3 827 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 826 MNCA Aloe boylei 1 817 MNCA Aloe boylei 2 813 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 7 813 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 50 810 MNCA Aloe petricola 2 810 MNCA Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata 20 810 Declining, MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 35 808 MNCA Aloe petricola 7 808 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 808 MNCA Eulophia petersii 4 808 MNCA Aloe petricola 6 808 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 25 808 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 16 807 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 8 812 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 80 815 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 1 815 MNCA Scadoxus puniceus 5 815 MNCA Eulophia petersii 8 815 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 7 812 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 26 812 MNCA Aloe petricola 23 807 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 4 800 MNCA Aloe boylei 7 800 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 20 801 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 11 800 MNCA

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Gladiolus densiflorus 14 796 MNCA Aloe boylei 1 800 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 5 795 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 10 795 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 20 793 MNCA Aloe petricola 9 787 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 1 788 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 2 784 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 784 MNCA Aloe petricola 35 787 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 7 787 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 1 787 MNCA Aloe petricola 5 784 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 2 784 MNCA Aloe petricola 7 784 MNCA Aloe petricola 8 785 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 5 785 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 10 785 MNCA Eulophia petersii 2 788 MNCA Eulophia petersii 3 786 MNCA Aloe petricola 6 783 MNCA Crinum macowanii 2 781 Declining, MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 5 781 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 5 783 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 7 783 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 10 783 MNCA Aloe petricola 9 781 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 5 787 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 787 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 15 783 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 5 783 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 5 784 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 3 784 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 7 785 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 783 MNCA Brachycorythis pubescens 1 780 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 5 778 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 6 776 MNCA

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P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Aloe barbertoniae 3 777 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 777 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 777 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 781 MNCA Aloe petricola 21 783 MNCA

Msholozi Route Gladiolus densiflorus 12 780 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 783 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 4 782 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 4 780 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 1 780 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 10 778 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 10 781 MNCA Aloe petricola 8 782 MNCA Aloe petricola 18 785 MNCA Aloe petricola 40 787 MNCA Aloe petricola 2 788 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 788 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 786 MNCA Aloe petricola 9 786 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 7 788 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 9 788 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 785 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 7 786 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 20 785 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 12 785 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 22 785 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 4 785 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 12 785 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 11 783 MNCA Aloe petricola 7 783 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 3 783 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 21 787 MNCA Aloe petricola 38 787 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 3 787 MNCA Aloe petricola 20 789 MNCA Eulophia petersii 2 789 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 15 788 MNCA

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P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Gladiolus densiflorus 5 787 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 13 812 MNCA Sclerocary birrea subsp. caffra 2 812 NFA Aloe barbertoniae 4 815 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 8 815 MNCA Habaneria epipactidea 1 815 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 25 815 MNCA Aloe petricola 8 815 MNCA Aloe petricola 9 814 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 814 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 16 816 MNCA Aloe petricola 17 816 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 12 816 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 8 818 MNCA Pterocarpus angolensis 1 819 NFA Gladiolus densiflorus 10 819 MNCA Pterocarpus angolensis 1 822 NFA Aloe barbertoniae 1 822 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 12 822 MNCA Aloe petricola 2 822 MNCA Eulophia petersii 3 822 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 17 822 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 70 820 MNCA Eulophia petersii 15 820 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 820 MNCA Sclerocary birrea subsp. caffra 3 820 NFA Pterocarpus angolensis 2 822 NFA Faurea rochetiana 2 822 NFA Gladiolus densiflorus 5 822 MNCA Faurea rochetiana 7 825 NFA Pterocarpus angolensis 1 825 NFA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 825 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 21 825 MNCA Pterocarpus angolensis 1 825 NFA Faurea rochetiana 5 825 NFA Faurea rochetiana 1 830 NFA Pterocarpus angolensis 1 830 NFA Gladiolus densiflorus 12 830 MNCA

43 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Pterocarpus angolensis 1 830 NFA Gladiolus densiflorus 28 830 MNCA Aloe spicata 1 830 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 38 830 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 830 MNCA Aloe petricola 1 826 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 33 826 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 31 823 MNCA Pterocarpus angolensis 5 823 NFA Aloe petricola 10 823 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 823 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 21 825 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 10 821 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 4 820 MNCA Aloe spicata 2 820 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 4 820 MNCA Aloe petricola 23 820 MNCA Pterocarpus angolensis 2 820 NFA Sclerocary birrea subsp. caffra 1 820 NFA Gladiolus densiflorus 11 820 MNCA Aloe petricola 2 820 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 33 824 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 27 829 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 4 829 MNCA Aloe petricola 6 829 MNCA Aloe petricola 1 835 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 5 835 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 22 835 MNCA Aloe petricola 6 836 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 5 836 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 11 836 MNCA Sclerocary birrea subsp. caffra 3 835 NFA Gladiolus densiflorus 7 835 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 15 833 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 3 833 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 85 827 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 5 827 MNCA Aloe petricola 7 827 MNCA

44 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Aloe petricola 7 824 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 13 824 MNCA Sclerocary birrea subsp. caffra 1 825 NFA Gladiolus densiflorus 27 825 MNCA Aloe petricola 9 825 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 3 825 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 40 822 MNCA Aloe petricola 3 822 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 822 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 817 MNCA Aloe petricola 12 817 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 56 820 MNCA Aloe petricola 11 820 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 5 820 MNCA Sclerocary birrea subsp. caffra 1 820 NFA Aloe barbertoniae 6 817 MNCA Aloe petricola 5 817 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 19 817 MNCA Aloe petricola 12 817 MNCA Brachystelma gracile 3 817 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 15 817 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 75 816 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 816 MNCA Aloe petricola 13 816 MNCA Aloe petricola 6 812 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 1 812 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 2 813 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 3 813 MNCA Aloe petricola 3 813 MNCA Crinum macowanii 1 813 Declining, MNCA Aloe petricola 21 814 MNCA Aloe petricola 11 815 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 1 815 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 3 816 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 2 816 MNCA Aloe petricola 7 816 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 8 816 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 8 816 MNCA

45 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Eulophia angolensis 8 817 MNCA Gladiolus papilio 10 817 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 27 818 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 78 818 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 818 MNCA Aloe petricola 1 818 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 7 823 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 10 821 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 15 820 MNCA Aloe petricola 15 820 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 6 820 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 8 821 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 25 821 MNCA Crinum macowanii 3 821 Declining, MNCA Aloe petricola 9 821 MNCA Crinum macowanii 9 821 Declining, MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 9 825 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 3 824 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 30 824 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 20 812 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 813 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 1 812 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 3 812 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 1 810 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 4 811 MNCA Aloe petricola 7 811 MNCA Aloe petricola 11 809 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 22 809 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 809 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 26 810 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 19 807 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 2 807 MNCA Aloe petricola 13 807 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 806 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 10 807 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 1 807 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 3 806 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 806 MNCA

46 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Gladiolus densiflorus 3 805 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 5 804 MNCA Sclerocary birrea subsp. caffra 1 804 NFA Gladiolus densiflorus 2 804 MNCA Aloe petricola 25 804 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 804 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 14 802 MNCA Aloe petricola 12 800 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 5 800 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 7 800 MNCA Eucomis autumnalis subsp. clavata 1 800 Declining, MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 2 798 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 8 796 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 8 796 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 4 795 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 2 795 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 1 794 MNCA Aloe barbertoniae 1 793 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 1 790 MNCA Gladiolus densiflorus 8 786 MNCA

White River Alternative Route Gladiolus dalenii 6 944 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 6 942 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 1 940 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 1 943 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 25 912 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 33 910 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 24 905 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 3 901 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 29 902 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 10 901 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 4 900 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 3 885 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 7 883 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 4 883 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 1 882 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 6 882 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 4 881 MNCA

47 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Gladiolus dalenii 3 881 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 4 885 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 5 887 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 2 888 MNCA

White River Route Eulophia angolensis 192 876 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 120 878 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 500 872 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 100 873 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 300 868 MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 7 868 NEMBA, MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 12 865 NEMBA, MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 25 865 MNCA Aloe boylei 3 865 MNCA Eulophia streptopetala 5 865 MNCA Alsophila dregei 1 865 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 100 866 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 100 862 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 50 861 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 40 859 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 30 871 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 23 867 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 100 861 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 23 863 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 64 879 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 4 881 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 50 885 MNCA Gunnera perpensa 1 882 Declining Gladiolus dalenii 13 883 MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 1 897 NEMBA, MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 7 899 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 21 893 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 7 893 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 14 894 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 1 892 MNCA

48 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 22 897 NEMBA, MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 3 897 MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 21 897 NEMBA, MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 6 897 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 8 895 MNCA Gladiolus papilio 5 895 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 15 896 MNCA Gunnera perpensa 1 896 Declining Alsophila dregei 1 895 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 10 897 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 1 903 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 2 904 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 12 904 MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 50 905 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 10 907 MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 2 905 NEMBA, MNCA Eulophia angolensis 6 907 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 15 910 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 4 910 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 20 912 MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 2 914 NEMBA, MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 2 914 NEMBA, MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 1 914 MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 29 916 NEMBA, MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 5 916 MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 11 916 NEMBA, MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 1 919 NEMBA, MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 1 912 NEMBA, MNCA Aloe simii Critically Endangered, 4 912 NEMBA, MNCA Agapanthus inapertus 10 908 MNCA

49 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Eulophia angolensis 7 905 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 25 929 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 60 928 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 21 928 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 42 925 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 300 926 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 60 924 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 150 925 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 250 922 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 100 922 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 150 922 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 250 921 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 56 912 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 60 913 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 8 917 MNCA Gunnera perpensa 1 922 Declining Eulophia angolensis 20 921 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 2 924 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 9 919 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 30 910 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 44 924 MNCA Gunnera perpensa 1 910 Declining Eulophia angolensis 60 922 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 44 921 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 30 928 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 22 929 MNCA Gladiolus dalenii 2 927 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 160 924 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 86 930 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 6 929 MNCA Gladiolus papilio 7 932 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 27 935 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 40 932 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 4 938 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 23 940 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 500 944 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 150 941 MNCA Eulophia angolensis 10 940 MNCA

50 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Eulophia angolensis 10 942 MNCA Aloe boylei 8 941 MNCA Eulophia zeyheri Historical Point record MNCA Aloe kniphofioides Historical Point record Vulnerable, MNCA Aloe simii Historical Critically Endangered, Point record NEMBA, MNCA Aloe simii Historical Critically Endangered, Point record NEMBA, MNCA

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P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

10.2 Appendix 2. Photographs of conservation-important fauna and flora confirmed along the routes

Gladiolus densiflorus Aloe barbertoniae

Stapelia leendertziae Aloe boylei

Eucomis autumnalis subp. clavata Agapanthus inapertus

52 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Eulophia angolensis Gladiolus papilio

Aloe petricola Ceropegia carnosa

Eulophia streptopetala Eulophia petersii

53 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Crinum macowanii Habenaria epipactidea

Scodoxus multiflorus Brachystelma gracile

Aloe spicata Gunnera perpensa

54 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Pterocarpus angolensis Faurea rochetiana

Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra Aloe simii

Alsophila dregei Gladiolus dalenii

55 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]

P166 Walk-through survey (ECOREX) Feb 2015

Broad-tailed Warbler Wilhelm’s Flat Lizard

56 ECOREX Consulting Ecologists CC PO Box 57 White River 1240 (013) 750-1893 (083) 231-5632 [email protected]