VEGETATION SURVEY

of portions 6 & 83 of farm

TWEEFONTEIN 288 JR, CULLINAN

for

CAVALIER GROUP OF COMPANIES

Dr Noel van Rooyen

28 February 2013 CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... i

GENERAL INFORMATION ...... v

REGULATIONS GOVERNING THIS REPORT ...... vi

TERMS OF REFERENCE ...... viii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION...... 1

CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY ...... 2

CHAPTER 3: ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION...... 3

CHAPTER 4: ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION...... 12

CHAPTER 5: VEGETATION ...... 15

CHAPTER 6: CONSERVATION: VEGETATION AND FLORA...... 28

CHAPTER 7: ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF THE SITE...... 41

CHAPTER 8: IMPACTS ...... 48

CHAPTER 9: SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS ...... 52

CHAPTER 10: DISCUSSION, MITIGATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 56

REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY...... 59

APPENDIX A: PLANT SPECIES CHECKLIST ...... 63 APPENDIX B: CHECKLIST OF PLANT SPECIES: Gauteng NC Bill 2012...... 69 APPENDIX C: TABLE 5 DIFFERENTIAL TABLE...... 70 APPENDIX D: CV OF N VAN ROOYEN ...... 75

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Ekotrust cc was commissioned to assess the vegetation and Red Data flora of portions 6 & 83 of the farm Tweefontein 288 JR near Cullinan, at 25° 37’ 30” S; 28° 28’ 54” E (Figures 1 & 2). The area that was surveyed for the vegetation study covered approximately 80 ha. The quarter degree grid reference is 2528CB. The proposed project entails the upgrading and expansion of the abattoir facility on Tweefontein.

The area is flat to undulating with some low hills that occur in the central parts of the site. The area is drained towards the Boekenhoutspruit in the north and the Rooispruit in the south. The altitude ranges from approximately 1344 m in the north to 1390.9 m at the highest point in the central-western part of the site.

The annual rainfall for the immediate area of the site ranges from 573 mm at Rust der Winter to 686 mm at Roodeplaat. The rainy season at Roodeplaat is predominantly from October to April when about 92% of the annual rainfall occurs, with January the wettest month. The driest months are from June to August, when less than 10 mm of rain per month is recorded.

The mean annual temperature for the area is 18.1°C. The extreme maximum and minimum temperatures measured over a period of 25 years were 37.6°C and -6.7°C respectively. Frost may occur from May to September. The geology of the site consists mainly of quartzite, quartzitic sandstone, diabase and recent deposits of soil, sand, gravel and scree. The site falls in Land Type Bb8.

The site falls in the Central Sandy Bushveld (SVcb12) vegetation type, and the Central Bushveld Bioregion of the Savanna Biome. The conservation status of the Central Sandy Bushveld vegetation type is considered as ‘vulnerable’ by Mucina & Rutherford (2006), but is classified as ‘least threatened’ by NEM:BA (2011). Less than 3% is statutorily conserved spread thinly across many nature reserves. About 24% of the area is transformed, including predominantly cultivated areas (19%) and urban and built-up areas (4%).

The following plant communities were differentiated and mapped:

1. Faurea saligna – Diplorrhynchus condylocarpon dense bushveld 2. Burkea africana – Eustachys paspaloides – Loudetia simplex woodland 3. Burkea africana – Loudetia simplex wooded grassland 4. Faurea saligna – Cymbopogon caesius – Loudetia simplex bushveld 5. Mundulea sericea - Tristachya biseriata – Loudetia simplex open bushveld

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6. Burkea africana – Acacia caffra – Dicerocaryum eriocarpum woodland 7. Acacia karroo – Panicum maximum woodland 8. Acacia robusta – Pappea capensis – Gymnosporia polyacantha dense bushveld

A total of 213 indigenous and 29 alien plant species (12% of all species) was recorded on site. Twelve of these exotic species are declared invasive and weedy species (5% of all plant species on site). The number of species per community range from 52 to 126 in the current survey, with a mean of 71 species per community, which is slightly higher than the mean number of species within a community for Gauteng vegetation types.

The February 2013 assessment of the site and its vegetation yielded the following results:

• The site is not located in a protected area according to NEM:PAA. • About 38% of the site is currently transformed by human activities, e.g. abattoir and feedlot facilities. • Boophone disticha and Hypoxis hemerocallidea are the listed GDARD plant species that were recorded on site. Both species are classified as “declining” • The taxa that may be present on site, i.e. Searsia gracillima var. gracillima, Habenaria kraenzliniana and Eulophia coddii were not recorded during the current survey. The preferred habitat for these species will not form part of the proposed development on site. • None of the plant species recorded on site are listed in the NEM:BA (TOPS) lists of critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable species, or in the Schedule B1 & B2 species lists. • All plant species recorded on site are classified as “least concern”, except for Boophone disticha and Hypoxis hemerocallidea that are classified as “declining”. • Aloe greatheadii subsp. davyana (communities 1, 2 4, 5, 6 & 8) and Aloe marlothii (communities 1 & 6) are the succulents on site that are listed in CITES 2012 Appendix II. • No protected tree species were recorded on site. • No endemic species were recorded on site. • Fifty-two species with medicinal properties and 27 species with poisonous properties were recorded on site.

Sensitivity:

No significant sensitive terrestrial habitats such as quartzite ridges occur on site and therefore the general sensitivity of the area is regarded as very low to low.

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Summary of the sensitivity of the plant communities:

Plant communities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Threatened status (x5) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 % Red data species (x4) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 % Gauteng rare species (x4) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Number protected trees (x3) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 % Endemic species (x2) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Conservation value (x4) 12 8 8 12 4 4 4 4 Species richness (x2) 6 4 6 4 4 6 6 6 Connectivity (x2) 4 4 2 4 4 2 4 2 Erosion (x2) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 Resilience (x3) 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 3 Sum: 48 39 39 43 5 35 37 40 V VL Sensitivity rating: L VL VL L L VL L

Impacts:

The significance assessment of impacts on the terrestrial aquatic ecosystems is as follows:

Community Community Community 3 6 8 Certainty (ε) 5 5 5 Intensity (α) 4 4 4 Duration (β) 5 5 5 Scale (δ) 1 1 1 Significance (α+β+δ)*ε: 50 50 50 Significance rating: Moderate Moderate Moderate

Mitigation measures during the construction phase of the proposed expansion of the abattoir and provision of feedlots for cattle:

• Development should be contained within the footprint of the proposed expansion of the abattoir/feedlots and unnecessary disturbance adjacent to the site should be avoided. • Minimise large-scale clearance of natural vegetation and disturbance at the sites. iii Ekotrust CC

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• Use existing and dedicated access roads to limit disturbance of the natural vegetation. • Dust control measures should be implemented during construction. • The areas which have been denuded and disturbed as a result of construction on site, should be re-vegetated as soon as possible. • Prevent soil erosion from the disturbed areas by rehabilitation of the sites. • All plant species recorded on site are considered as ‘least concern’, except for Boophone disticha and Hypoxis hemerocallidea that are classified as “declining”. Only Boophone disticha occurs in the footprint of the proposed development (communities 3 & 6) and because it is a geophyte, the success rate of transplanting such species is relatively high. The individuals should therefore be transplanted to similar habitat adjacent to the proposed sites. This is also applicable to the Aloe species in community 6. • Indigenous trees and shrubs should be retained where possible. • The denuded and disturbed areas on site should be landscaped and re-habilitated as soon as possible with indigenous plants. • Continue with the current control program to combat declared alien invasive plant species. • Implement a monitoring program for the early detection of alien invasive plant species. • No alien invasive plant species should be used in landscaping or gardens on site.

Communities 1 & 4 occur on quartzite and quartzitic sandstone in the central parts of the Tweefontein site. However, no development will occur in these habitats and sufficient buffer zones occur to minimize any impacts that the proposed development will have on the vegetation. Buffer zones should be provided where possible (see GDARD policy). A buffer zone is a collar of land that filters out inappropriate influences from surrounding activities, also known as edge effects, including the effects of invasive plant and animal species, physical damage and soil compaction caused through trampling and harvesting, abiotic habitat alterations and pollution.

Monitoring should be done to verify environmental impact prediction and adequacy of mitigation measures.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Project description: Upgrading and expansion of abattoir facility on portions 6 & 83 of the farm Tweefontein 288 JR, Cullinan region.

Report prepared by:

Ekotrust cc Dr Noel van Rooyen 272 Thatcher’s Fields, Lynnwood 0081 Pretoria Tel/Fax (012) 348 9043 Cell 082 882 0886 E-mail: [email protected]

Affiliation: S. Afr. Council for Natural Scientific Professions: (Pr.Sci.Nat.; Registration no. 401430/83) S. Afr. Institute of Ecologists and Environmental Scientists (SAIE & ES) Grassland Society of southern Africa (GSSA) Wildlife Management Association of southern Africa (SAWMA)

A brief Curriculum Vitae and summary of expertise are attached as Appendix D to this document.

Report prepared for:

Cape Environmental Assessment Practitioners (Pty) Ltd Melissa Mackay Tel. (044) 874 0365 Fax (044) 874 0432 e-mail: [email protected]

On behalf of:

Cavalier Group of Companies (Pty) Ltd

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REGULATIONS GOVERNING THIS REPORT

This report has been prepared in terms of the EIA Regulations under the National Environmental Management Act, (Act No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA)).

Appointment of specialist

Ekotrust cc was commissioned by Cape Environmental Assessment Practitioners to provide specialist consulting services for the vegetation assessment of the Tweefontein site in Gauteng province.

Company profile:

Name of Company: Ekotrust cc (Registration number: CK90/05465/23) Sole Member: Dr Noel van Rooyen Founding date: 1990

Ekotrust cc specializes in habitat evaluation, vegetation classification and mapping, floristic diversity assessments, rare species assessments, alien plant assessments and management, wildlife management, wildlife production and economic assessments, veld condition assessment, bush encroachment, fire management, carrying capacity, wildlife numbers and ratios. More than 300 assignments and reports have been completed over a period of more than 22 years.

Declaration of independence

I, Noel van Rooyen, declare that:

• I am a member of Ekotrust cc: (CK90/05465/23); • I act as an independent specialist consultant in the fields of ecology and botany; • I regard the information contained in the report to be objective, true and correct within the framework of assumptions and limitations; • I undertake to disclose to the applicant and the competent authority all information in my possession that reasonably has or may have the potential of influencing any decision to be taken by the competent authority; and • I do not have any business, financial, personal or other interest in the activity or application other than fair remuneration for work performed in connection with the activity or application.

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Indemnity and conditions relating to this report

The observations, findings, recommendations and conclusions provided in the current report are based on the compiler’s best scientific and professional knowledge and other available information. If new information should become available Ekotrust cc reserves the right to modify aspects of the report. This report (hard copy and/or electronic) must not be amended or extended without the prior written consent of the author. Furthermore, any recommendations, statements or conclusions drawn from or based on this report must make reference to the report. If these recommendations, statements or conclusions form part of a main report relating to the current investigation, this report must be included in its entirety (as an Appendix).

Although Ekotrust cc has exercised due care in preparing this report, it accepts no liability, and by receiving this document, the client indemnifies Ekotrust cc against all actions, claims, demands, losses, liabilities, costs, damages and expenses arising from or in connection with services rendered, and by the use of the information contained in this document.

Scope and purpose of report

The scope and purpose of the report are summarised in the “Terms of Reference” section of this report.

Dr Noel van Rooyen

Date: 28 February 2013

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Assess the vegetation and Red Data flora of portions 6 & 83 of the farm Tweefontein 288 JR, near Cullinan. The area covered by the vegetation survey is approximately 80 ha in size.

• Summarise available literature on the vegetation of the area as well as the climate and physical environment, e.g. geology, land types, soil, topography and drainage; • Stratify the area into relatively homogeneous units, or habitats, based on physiography and vegetation cover, using aerial images and topocadastral maps; • Do a field survey of the stratified units to enable a classification, description and mapping of plant communities (habitats); • Describe the environment in terms of its ecology, including the vegetation type; level of degradation; overview of plant species that could occur on the site as well as those whose presence were confirmed on the site; and possible Red Data species (flora) that may occur on the site and the likelihood of their occurrence on the particular site and surrounds; • A request from GDARD was that the vegetation of the site be assessed and the possible presence of Searsia gracillima and Eulophia coddii be investigated. According to GDARD C-plan, Habenaria kreutzliniana may also occur in the area. • Compile a checklist of alien invaders and recommend management of these plant species; • Assess the sensitivity and possible ecological impacts of the proposed development on the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, plant taxa, assess their significance and propose mitigation measures.

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Ekotrust cc was commissioned by Cape EAPrac to do a vegetation assessment of the Cavalier Abattoir site on the farm Tweefontein 288 JR, near Cullinan in the Gauteng province. The proposed project entails the upgrading and expansion of the abattoir facility on Tweefontein.

Loss of habitat due to urban development, cultivation and mining activities are regarded as the foremost cause of loss of biodiversity in the grasslands and savannas of Gauteng. It is essential that the impact of development on biodiversity, especially in sensitive and irreplaceable habitats, is minimized. Negative impacts can be minimized through careful planning and avoidance of sensitive areas.

Some areas on site have been disturbed in the past, mostly by the building of the abattoir, feedlots, cultivated land and sand harvesting, and the chances of finding rare plant species in these areas are very small. The aim of this vegetation survey was to classify and describe the various vegetation units as well as their sensitivity and status. The occurrence of Red Data plant species was assessed and a sensitivity map compiled. The potential impacts of the abattoir development are discussed and mitigation measures proposed.

Assumptions, limitations or uncertainties

The following assumptions, limitations or uncertainties are listed regarding the botanical assessment of the site:

• This document has been prepared for the particular purpose outlined in the TOR and no responsibility is accepted for the use of this document for any other purpose or in other contexts. • The footprint of the proposed development will cover approximately 20.6 ha. • Rare and threatened plant species are generally uncommon and/or localised and a once-off survey may fail to locate some species. The vegetation survey was done in mid- February 2013. • The assumptions made and constraints that were prevalent did not have any significant negative implications for the study.

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CHAPTER 2

METHODOLOGY

2.1 Approach

The objective of the study was to assess the vegetation and flora of the study area in order to identify any rare plant species and sensitive areas that should be avoided during development.

The study commenced as a desktop study, followed by field-based surveys and verification in February 2013. Hard copy and digital information from spatial databases such as ENPAT, topocadastral, geological and land type maps, and vegetation types (Mucina & Rutherford 2006) were sourced to provide information on topography, geology, land types and broad vegetation types of the study area.

The study site was stratified into relatively homogeneous vegetation/terrain units on Google aerial images based on physiography and vegetation cover. This stratification was used to determine the position and number of sample plots, and was the basis for identifying habitat types and to produce a vegetation map.

The vegetation survey consisted of visiting the mapping units and systematically recording all identifiable woody species, grasses, forbs and alien (exotic) plants within each of the stratified units on site, and estimating their cover-abundance. Physical habitat features, e.g. geology, topography, soil colour and texture, and rock cover, were noted. A checklist of the plant species of the site was compiled. During the site visit, digital photographs of the sample plots and some individual plant species were taken and representative photos of the different plant communities are included in the report.

2.2 Data analyses

A classification of the vegetation data was done with the TURBOVEG and MEGATAB computer programmes (Hennekens & Schaminee 2001), which includes the TWINSPAN divisive clustering technique. A differential table was compiled (Table 5) and the different plant communities were described and mapped (Figure 7). All plant species recorded in the sample plots are listed in Table 5 and in the checklist (see Appendix A). The list of rare plant species of Gauteng is given in Appendix B. An additional plant species checklist of the 2528CB quarter degree grid was obtained from the SIBIS database of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and lists 1498 taxa. This list is not included in this report.

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2.3 Red Data plant species

The site was systematically surveyed for rare, threatened and/or endemic plant species during February 2013. The Red Data status, conservation and protected status of plant species recorded on site were determined from the Red Data lists of southern African plants compiled by Hilton-Taylor (1996a, 1996b, 1997), the Southern African Plant Red Data list of Golding (2002), the Red List of South African Plants (Raimondo et al. 2009), the protected trees according to the National Forests Act (no 84 of 1998)(NFA 2012), the threatened and protected species list (TOPS list) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, (Act 10 of 2004) (NEM:BA), CITES appendices (2012), and the Gauteng Nature Conservation Bill (March 2012).

2.4 Sensitivity assessment

A sensitivity assessment of each plant community was done and a rating awarded (Table 6). A sensitivity map (Figure 16) was drawn based on a number of criteria discussed in Chapter 7.

2.5 Impact assessment

The possible impacts of the proposed abattoir/feedlot expansion on the general ecology and flora of the area are discussed and their significance indicated (Table 7). Mitigation measures are recommended.

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CHAPTER 3

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

3.1 Location

The site is situated on the farm Tweefontein 288 JR, near Cullinan, at 25° 37’ 30” S; 28° 28’ 54” E (Figures 1 & 2). The area covered during the vegetation survey covers approximately 80 ha of which the footprint of the proposed infrastructure abattoir expansion area in the south covers 8.1 ha and the new feedlots in the north cover 12.5 ha. The site falls in the quarter degree grid 2528 CB. The surrounding land uses include cultivation, livestock and wildlife farming. Some parts of the site have been disturbed in the past through human habitation, cultivation, excavations, livestock grazing, abattoir infrastructure and feedlots.

Figure 1. Topocadastral map of the site on the farm Tweefontein near Cullinan.

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3.2 Terrain morphology and drainage

The area is flat to undulating with some low hills that occur in the central parts of the site. The area is drained towards the Boekenhoutspruit in the north and the Rooispruit in the south. The altitude ranges from approximately 1344 m in the north to 1390.9 m at the highest point in the central-western part of the site (Figure 1).

Figure 2. Satellite image of the site on the farm Tweefontein near Cullinan. The red lines indicate the proposed expansion of the abattoir in the south and the feedlots/kraals in the north.

3.3 Climate

3.3.1 Regional climate

The regional climate is described as summer rainfall with very dry winters (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). The annual precipitation may range from 500 mm to 700 mm, with a mean of 596 mm,

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and a mean annual precipitation coefficient of 28%. Frost occurs on a mean of 14 days per year.

3.3.2 Rainfall

The annual rainfall in the immediate vicinity of the site ranges from 573 mm at Rust de Winter to 686 mm at Roodeplaat (Table 1). The rainy season at Roodeplaat is predominantly from October to April when about 92% of the annual rainfall occurs, with January the wettest month (Table 1 and Figure 3). The driest months are from June to August, when less than 10 mm of rain per month is recorded.

The maximum rainfall measured over a 24 hour period at Roodeplaat was 134 mm (in January) and the highest monthly maximum rainfall recorded was 415 mm, also in January (Table 2). The yearly minimum and maximum rainfall were 418 mm and 1069 mm respectively.

Figure 3. Climate diagram of the Roodeplaat-Cullinan region (Weather Bureau 1988).

3.3.3 Temperature

The mean annual temperature for the area is 18.1°C (Table 3). The extreme maximum and minimum temperatures measured over a period of 25 years were 37.6°C and -6.7°C respectively. The mean daily maximum for January is 29.2°C and for June it is 20.1°C. The mean daily minimum

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for January is 16.6°C and for June it is 2.6°C. Frost may occur from May to September. The mean percentage relative air humidity at 08:00 ranges from 58% in September to 77% in April. The humidity at 14:00 ranges from 26% in August to 47% in December, January and February. Cloud cover is the highest during December and January, and the lowest in August (Table 4).

Table 1 Rainfall data in the vicinity of the Tweefontein site (Weather Bureau 1988)

De Wagendrift Enkeldoorn Roodeplaat Rust de Winter

Location 25° 31'; 28° 34' 25° 24'; 28° 43' 25° 35'; 28° 21' 25° 14'; 28° 31' Altitude 1237 m 1292 m 1164 m 1073 m Jan 115 106 132 110 Feb 89 97 85 76 Mar 79 68 64 73 Apr 46 33 59 32 May 17 18 23 21 June 7 5 7 5 July 7 8 4 6 Aug 8 8 4 4 Sept 15 11 18 12 Oct 60 25 65 36 Nov 107 104 117 94 Dec 111 88 108 109 Total 660 580 686 573

Table 2 Mean monthly rainfall, maximum rainfall (mm) in 24 hours, highest monthly maximum and lowest monthly minimum rainfall recorded at Roodeplaat 0513/605 4; 25° 35' S; 28° 21' E; 1164 m altitude (data cover a period of 25 years)(Weather Bureau 1988)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Year *Mean 132 85 64 59 23 7 4 4 18 65 117 108 686 *Max 134 64 83 68 40 37 44 30 31 80 112 70 134 *High 415 185 148 151 187 56 57 31 78 159 203 192 1069 *Low 42 19 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 23 33 418

*Mean = mean monthly rainfall (mm) *Max = maximum rainfall recorded in 24 hours *High = highest monthly and yearly maximum rainfall (mm) *Low = lowest monthly and yearly minimum rainfall (mm)

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Table 3 Temperature data (°C) for Roodeplaat 0513/605 4; 25° 35' S; 28° 21' E; 1164 m altitude (data cover a period of 25 years)(Weather Bureau 1988)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Year Max 29.2 28.8 27.8 25.1 22.6 20.1 20.6 23.3 26.8 28.3 28.0 28.6 25.8 *Max 37.6 35.9 35.6 32.6 29.9 26.5 26.6 30.7 35.7 36.9 36.6 37.2 37.6

Min 16.6 16.4 14.6 10.9 5.9 2.6 2.4 4.3 8.9 12.9 14.7 15.8 10.5 *Min 5.5 9.6 6.7 2.0 -2.9 -6.7 -6.2 -5.9 -2.0 2.1 6.8 3.1 -6.7

Mean 22.9 22.6 21.2 18.1 14.3 11.3 11.5 13.8 17.8 20.6 21.3 22.2 18.1

Max = mean daily maximum temperature for the month *Max = extreme maximum temperature recorded per month Min = mean daily minimum temperature for the month *Min = extreme minimum temperature recorded per month Mean = mean monthly temperature for each month and for the year

Table 4 Cloud cover on an 8-point scale at 14:00 and relative % air humidity at 08:00 and 14:00 at the Cullinan weather station

Month Cloud cover Relative % air (0 - 8 scale) humidity 14:00 08:00 14:00 Jan 4.5 71 47 Feb 4.4 73 47 Mar 4.2 75 46 Apr 3.8 77 44 May 2.2 76 36 June 1.5 73 33 July 1.2 71 29 Aug 1.1 64 26 Sept 1.8 58 27 Oct 3.3 58 33 Nov 4.4 66 43 Dec 4.5 69 47 Year 3.0 69 38

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3.4 Geology

The geology of the site and surrounds is provide in Figure 4.

Figure 4. Geology of the Tweefontein site.

Legend: Yellow = Soil, sand, gravel, scree, ferricrete, silcrete W1s = Quartzite, quartzitic sandstone, grit, shale, conglomerate di = Diabase, granophyre, dolerite, gabbro, norite

The following geological substrates occur in the area:

1. Soil, sand, gravel, scree, ferricrete, silcrete (Recent deposits) 2. Quartzite, quartzitic sandstone, grit, shale and conglomerate of the Swaershoek Stage, Nylstroom Series, Waterberg System (W1s) 3. Diabase, granophyre, dolerite, gabbro and norite (Undifferentiated) (di)

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3.5 Land Types

The site falls in the Bb Land Type (Figure 5). Land types are areas with a uniform climate, terrain form and soil pattern. A terrain unit is any part of the land surface with homogeneous form and slope. Examples of terrain units are crest, scarp, midslope, footslope, valley bottom and floodplain. One (1) represents a crest, 2 = scarp, 3 = midslope, 4 = footslope and 5 = valley bottom. A scarp is usually steeper than 70° (up to 100%).

Land Type Bb indicates a catena which is represented by Hutton, Bainsvlei, Avalon and Longlands forms in the upland landscape. The valley bottom is occupied by one or other gley soil, e.g. Rensburg, Katspruit or Champagne forms. Soils with hard plinthite are particularly common over sandstones. Unit Bb indicates land where the soils are dystrophic and/or mesotrophic and where red soils are not widespread.

Figure 5. Land Types of the Tweefontein site.

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Terrain units 1, 3, 4 and 5 occur in the Bb8 landscape and cover 40%, 30%, 28% and 2% of the landscape respectively. The slopes range from 4 - 8% in terrain unit 1, 8 - 100% in terrain unit 3, 5 - 8% in terrain unit 4, and 0 – 1% in terrain unit 5. Up to 20% of terrain unit 1 and 25% in terrain unit 2 is covered by rocks. The soil texture of Land Type Bb8 varies from medium-textured sand, sandy loam to sandy clayloam soils, with the clay content of the A-horizon ranging from 8 - 20% and up to 30% in the B-horizon.

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CHAPTER 4

ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

4.1 Introduction

The White Paper on the conservation and sustainable use of South Africa’s biodiversity and the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998) specify that due care must be taken to conserve and avoid negative impacts on biodiversity and that the sustainable, equitable and efficient use of biological resources must be promoted. Various Acts provide control over natural resources in terms of their conservation, the use of biological resources and avoidance of negative impacts on biodiversity.

4.2 Natural resources

Terrestrial and other ecosystems and their associated species are widely used for commercial, semi-commercial and subsistence purposes through both formal and informal markets. While some of this use is well managed and/or sustainable, much is thought to be unsustainable. “Use” in this case refers to direct use, such as collecting, harvesting, hunting and fishing for human consumption and production, as well as more indirect use such as ecotourism and wildlife ranching.

4.3 Gauteng Nature Conservation Bill (March 2012)(GNC Bill)

The legislation regarding Protected Plants is presented in Chapter 3 of the GNC Bill of March 2012. The GNC Bill lists nine schedules of which Schedule 5 refers to Protected Plants. A list of protected plants is included in the Bill (see Appendix B). One of the provisions in the Bill is that no person may, without a permit issued in terms of this Bill, pick, be in possession of, sell, purchase, donate, receive as a gift, import into, export, convey, or transport a specimen of a protected plant.

4.4 National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA)

This report has been prepared in terms of the EIA Regulations under the National Environmental Management Act, (Act No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA). A Basic Assessment process was commissioned in accordance with Chapter 5 of NEMA (Government Notices R544 & R545, GG No. 33306 of 18 June 2010). Other sections of NEMA that are applicable to the investigation and evaluation of the environment include Section 24 (5) and Section 28.

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4.5 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEM:BA)

The term biodiversity according to the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) refers to the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity in species, between species and of ecosystems.

Section 53 of NEM:BA lists the following categories indicating the threatened status of ecosystems, i.e.: critically endangered ecosystems, endangered ecosystems, and vulnerable ecosystems. The list of threatened ecosystems was published in 2011 (NEM:BA 2011). Thirty-four percent of South Africa’s 440 terrestrial ecosystems are threatened. Of these, 5% are critically endangered (mostly in fynbos and forest biomes), 13% are endangered (mostly in the grassland and savanna biomes), and 16% are vulnerable (mostly in the fynbos and grassland biomes).

Section 56 of NEM:BA makes provision for the listing of species that are of such high conservation value, national importance or threatened that they need protection, i.e. critically endangered species, endangered species and vulnerable species.

4.6 The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of 2003) (NEM:PAA)

The Act provides for the protection and conservation of ecologically viable areas representative of South Africa’s biological diversity and its natural landscapes and seascapes; for the establishment of a national register of all national, provincial and local protected areas; for the management of those areas in accordance with national norms and standards; for intergovernmental co-operation and public consultation in matters concerning protected areas; and for matters in connection therewith.

4.7 National Forests Act (Act No. 84 of 1998)(NFA)

The NFA makes provision for the declaration of e.g. specially protected areas, forest nature reserves, forest wilderness areas and protected woodlands. A list of Protected Trees is provided in the Act (NFA 2012).

4.8 National Water Act (Act No. 36 of 1998)

Applications for a Water Use License should be done in terms of this Act.

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4.9 National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act no. 59 of 2008) (NEM:WA)

The relevant activities, listed in terms of Government Notice 718 in terms of Article 19 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008) (NEM:WA), are applicable.

4.10 Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act No. 43 of 1983) (CARA)

The objectives of CARA are to provide for the conservation of the natural agricultural resources by the maintenance of the production potential of the land, by combating and prevention of erosion and weakening or destruction of the water resources, and by protecting the vegetation and combating weeds and invader plants. In order to achieve the objectives, certain control measures may be prescribed which shall be complied with by land users and which may relate to: • the cultivation of virgin soil; • the irrigation of land; • the prevention or control of waterlogging or salinisation of land; • the utilisation and protection of vleis, marshes and water courses; • the regulation of the flow pattern of run-off water; • the utilisation and protection of vegetation; and • the restoration or reclamation of eroded land.

Lists of alien invasive plant species are provided with appropriate categories indicating the management of these problem species.

4.11 Convention on Biodiversity (CBD)

South Africa became a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1993, which was ratified in 1995. The CBD requires signatory states to implement objectives of the Convention, which are the conservation of biodiversity; the sustainable use of biological resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. According to Article 14 (a) of the CBD, each Contracting Party, as far as possible and as appropriate, must introduce appropriate procedures, such as environmental impact assessments of its proposed projects that are likely to have significant adverse effects on biological diversity, to avoid or minimize these effects and, where appropriate, to allow for public participation in such procedures.

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CHAPTER 5

VEGETATION

5.1 Introduction

Phytogeographically the site falls in the Sudano-Zambezian Floristic Region of White (1983), and in the Savanna Biome of Rutherford & Westfall (1986). The site falls in the Central Bushveld Bioregion (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). Acocks (1953) described the area as Sourish Mixed Bushveld, whereas Low & Rebelo (1998) classified the area as Mixed Bushveld.

The site falls in the Central Sandy Bushveld (SVcb12) vegetation type (Figure 6, Mucina & Rutherford 2006).

Figure 6. The site occurs in the Central Sandy Bushveld (Mucina & Rutherford 2006).

Central Sandy Bushveld

This vegetation type covers 17 242 km2 of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North-West

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provinces and occurs at an altitude ranging from 850 m to 1450 m above sea level (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). The tree layer is characterised by Acacia burkei, Burkea africana, Combretum apiculatum, Combretum zeyheri, Terminalia sericea and Strychnos pungens. The most prominent shrubs include Grewia spp. and Ochna pulchra, with Dichapetalum cymosum the geoxylic suffrutex.

The forbs are represented by Indigofera filipes, Agathesanthemum bojeri, Barleria macrostegia, Crabbea angustifolia, Indigofera daleoides and Waltheria indica. The most prominent grass species include Brachiaria nigropedata, Eragrostis pallens, Eragrostis rigidior, Hyperthelia dissoluta, Panicum maximum and Perotis patens.

Several alien plants are widely scattered but often at low densities; these include Cereus jamacaru, Eucalyptus species, Lantana camara, Melia azedarach, Opuntia ficus-indica and Sesbania punicea. Erosion is very low to high, especially in some places northeast of Groblersdal.

5.2 Plant communities on site

The following plant communities are differentiated in Table 5 and mapped in Figure 7.

1. Faurea saligna – Diplorrhynchus condylocarpon dense bushveld 2. Burkea africana – Eustachys paspaloides – Loudetia simplex woodland 3. Burkea africana – Loudetia simplex wooded grassland 4. Faurea saligna – Cymbopogon caesius – Loudetia simplex bushveld 5. Mundulea sericea - Tristachya biseriata – Loudetia simplex open bushveld 6. Burkea africana – Acacia caffra – Dicerocaryum eriocarpum woodland 7. Acacia karroo – Panicum maximum woodland 8. Acacia robusta – Pappea capensis – Gymnosporia polyacantha dense bushveld

A full list of plant species of each community is given in Table 5. The ecological sensitivity of each plant community is indicated in Table 6.

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Figure 7. Vegetation map of the Tweefontein site. The total area surveyed is approximately 80 ha.

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Description of communities (see Table 5 & Figure 7):

1. Faurea saligna – Diplorrhynchus condylocarpon dense bushveld

This relatively undisturbed dense bushveld occurs on the hills in the central parts of the site and covers approximately 3.3 ha (4.1% of the site). The sandy loam soils are derived from quartzite and quartzitic sandstone (Table 5, Figures 7 & 8).

The diagnostic species include Diplorrhynchus condylocarpon, Chlorophytum fasciculatum, Ipomoea ommaneyi and Tritonia nelsonii (species group 1, Table 5).

The woody species consist of Faurea saligna, Protea caffra, Acacia caffra, Lannea discolor, Diplorrhynchus condylocarpon, Combretum molle, Englerophytum magalismontanum and Cussonia paniculata. The most prominent shrub species include Vangueria infausta, Ectadiopsis oblongifolia, Ochna pulchra, Searsia zeyheri, and the alien Lantana camara. The dwarf shrubs are represented by Asparagus suaveolens, Xerophyta retinervis, Pollichia campestris, Athrixia elata, and the succulent Aloe greatheadii subsp. davyana.

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The grass layer is moderately developed and the dominant grass species are Diheteropogon amplectens, Schizachyrium sanguineum and Cymbopogon caesius. Less common grasses include Eragrostis curvula, Panicum maximum and Loudetia simplex. The most prominent forbs include Acalypha villicaulis, Helichrysum setosum, Senecio venosus and Monsonia angustifolia, the fern Pellaea calomelanos, the geophytes Tritonia nelsonii and Hypoxis rigidula, and the aliens Bidens bipinnata and Tagetes minuta.

Figure 8. Community 1: Faurea saligna – Diplorrhynchus condylocarpon dense bushveld.

2. Burkea africana – Eustachys paspaloides – Loudetia simplex woodland

This relatively undisturbed woodland occurs on the plains in the southeast of the site and covers approximately 4.3 ha (5.4% of the site). The sandy loam soils are derived from quartzite and quartzitic sandstone (Table 5, Figures 7 & 9).

The diagnostic species include Fadogia homblei, Cleome rubella and Eustachys paspaloides (species group 2, Table 5).

The most prominent tree species include Burkea africana, Faurea saligna, Acacia caffra and Searsia leptodictya. The shrub layer is represented by Vangueria infausta, Ochna pulchra and Ectadiopsis oblongifolia. The most prominent dwarf shrubs are Fadogia homblei, Asparagus suaveolens, Xerophyta retinervis, Lannea edulis, Pollichia campestris and the succulent Aloe 19 Ekotrust CC

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greatheadii subsp. davyana.

The grass layer is well-developed and the dominant grass species are Loudetia simplex and Urelytrum agropyroides. Less common grasses include Eustachys paspaloides, Eragrostiis curvula, Setaria sphacelata, Heteropogon contortus, Tristachya biseriata and Eragrostis racemosa.

The most prominent forbs include Cleome rubella, Sphenostylis angustifolium, Helichrysum aureonitens, Nidorella hottentotica, Chamaecrista mimosoides, the fern Pellaea calomelanos and the aliens Bidens bipinnata, Tagetes minuta and Campyloclinium macrocephalum.

Figure 9. Community 2: Burkea africana – Eustachys paspaloides – Loudetia simplex woodland.

3. Burkea africana – Loudetia simplex wooded grassland

This relatively undisturbed wooded grassland occurs on the footslopes in the central parts of the site and covers approximately 13.5 ha (16.9% of the site). The sandy loam soils are derived from quartzite and quartzitic sandstone (Table 5, Figures 7 & 10).

The diagnostic species include Ximenia caffra, Raphionacme burkei and Merremia tridentata (species group 4, Table 5).

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The tree species consist of Faurea saligna, Strychnos pungens, Protea caffra, Burkea africana and Lannea discolor, The shrub layer is represented by Ochna pulchra, Vangueria infausta, Ectadiopsis oblongifolia, and the alien Lantana camara. The most prominent dwarf shrubs include Pollichia campestris, Lannea edulis, Lantana rugosa, Pygmaeothamnus zeyheri and Xerophyta retinervis.

The grass layer is well-developed and the dominant grass species are Loudetia simplex, Urelytrum agroproides, Eragrostis racemosa and Diheteropogon amplectens. Less common grasses include Melinis nerviglumis, Tristachya biseriata, Brachiaria serrata, Pogonarthria squarrosa and Perotis patens. The most prominent forbs include Oldenlandia herbacea, Triumfetta sonderi, Jamesbrittenia sp., Bulbostylis hispidula, Senecio venosus, and the aliens Tagetes minuta and Campyloclinium macrocephalum.

Figure 10. Community 3: Burkea africana – Loudetia simplex wooded grassland.

4. Faurea saligna – Cymbopogon caesius – Loudetia simplex bushveld

This undisturbed bushveld occurs on the crest of the hill in the western parts of the site and covers approximately 1.6 ha (2% of the site). The sandy loam soils are derived from quartzite and quartzitic sandstone (Table 5, Figures 7 & 11).

The diagnostic species include Crabbea hirsuta, Kalanchoe thyrsiflora and Lopholaena coriifolia (species group 6, Table 5).

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The tree species consist of Faurea saligna, Protea caffra, Acacia caffra, Strychnos pungens, Ozoroa paniculosa, Searsia leptodictya and Combretum molle. The shrub species are represented by Vangueria infausta and Lopholaena coriifolia.

The grass layer is well-developed and the dominant grass species are Cymbopogon caesius and Tristachya biseriata. Less common grasses include Diheteropogon amplectens, Brachiaria serrata, Schizachyrium sanguineum and Eragrostis chloromelas. The most prominent forbs include Crabbea hirsuta, Helichrysum nudifolium, Helichrysum setosum, Pearsonia sessilifolia, Senecio venosus and Bulbostylis hispidula and the alien Campyloclinium macrocephalum.

Figure 11. Community 4: Faurea saligna – Cymbopogon caesius – Loudetia simplex bushveld.

5. Mundulea sericea - Tristachya biseriata – Loudetia simplex open bushveld

This relatively undisturbed open bushveld occurs on the plains in the southwest of the site and covers approximately 1.5 ha (1.8% of the site). This community occurs on recent deposits (soil, sand, scree) (Table 5, Figures 7 & 12).

The diagnostic species include Mundulea sericea, Eriosema burkei, Helichrysum coriaceum and Kyphocarpa angustifolia (species group 7, Table 5).

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The most prominent tree species are Acacia caffra, Searsia leptodictya, Acacia karroo and Combretum molle. The shrub layer is represented by Mundulea sericea, Ehretia rigida, Euclea crispa, Vangueria infausta and Ectadiopsis oblongifolia. The most prominent dwarf shrubs include Elephantorrhiza elephantina and Lantana rugosa.

The grass layer is well-developed and the dominant grass species are Urelytrum agropyroides, Loudetia simplex and Tristachya biseriata. Less common grasses include Diheteropogon amplectens, Bewsia biflora, Eragrostis racemosa and Melinis repens. The most prominent forbs include Helichrysum nudifolium, Indigofera hilaris, Triumfetta sonderi, Eriosema burkei, Helichrysum coriaceum, Senecio venosus and Kyphocarpa angustifolia

Figure 12. Community 5: Mundulea sericea - Tristachya biseriata – Loudetia simplex open bushveld.

6. Burkea africana – Acacia caffra – Dicerocaryum eriocarpum woodland

This relatively undisturbed woodland occurs on the plains in the northern parts of the site and covers approximately 8.5 ha (10.6% of the site). The sandy loam soils are derived from quartzite and quartzitic sandstone (Table 5, Figures 7 & 13). Most of the proposed new feedlot area will fall in this community.

The diagnostic species include Aloe marlothii, Dicerocaryum eriocarpum, Gladiolis elliottii, Cyperus sp. and Indigofera daleoides (species group 10, Table 5).

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The tree species consist of Burkea africana, Acacia caffra, Ozoroa paniculosa, Terminalia sericea and Acacia karroo. The shrub layer is represented by Vangueria infausta, Ochna pulchra and Euclea crispa. Alien shrubs include Datura stramonium and Lantana camara. The most prominent dwarf shrubs include Lannea edulis, Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Parinari capensis, Pollichia campestris, Lantana rugosa, Seriphium plumosum, and the succulent Aloe greatheadii subsp. davyana,

The grass layer is well-developed and the dominant grass species are Loudetia simplex, Diheteropogon amplectens, Hyparrhenia hirta, Setaria sphacelata and Aristida congesta subsp. congesta. Less common grasses include Panicum maximum, Digitaria eriantha, Melinis repens, Eragrostis curvula, Themeda triandra, Eragrostis rigidior, Digitaria tricholaenoides and Eragrostis chloromelas.

The most prominent forbs include the aliens Tagetes minuta, Bidens bipinnata, Campyloclinium macrocephalum, and Cardiospermum halicacabum, as well as the indigenous Helichrysum rugulosum, Commelina africana, Nidorella hottentotica, Pentarrhinum insipidum, Cleome maculata, Tephrosia longipes and the geophyte Boophone disticha.

Figure 13. Community 6: Burkea africana – Acacia caffra – Dicerocaryum eriocarpum woodland.

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7. Acacia karroo – Panicum maximum woodland

This woodland occurs on the plains in the northern parts of the site and covers approximately 11.4 ha (14% of the site). The area is covered by recent deposits (soil and sand) (Table 5, Figures 7 & 14). The diagnostic species include Eleusine coracana, Sporobolus africanus, Artemisia afra and Aristida stipitata (species group 14, Table 5).

The tree layer is represented by the dominant Acacia karroo, as well as Acacia caffra, Ziziphus mucronata, Searsia lancea and Searsia leptodictya. The shrub layer consists of Vangueria infausta, while the dwarf shrubs are represented by Artemisia afra and Pollichia campestris. Alien shrubs include Datura stramonium and Lantana camara.

The grass layer is well-developed and the dominant grass species are Panicum maximum, Eragrostis curvula and Hyparrhenia hirta. Less common grasses include Trichoneura grandiglumis, Eleusine coracana, Sporobolus africanus, Melinis repens, Digitaria eriantha, Aristida stipitata, Aristida congesta subsp. congesta, Pogonarthria squarrosa and Cynodon dactylon. The most prominent forbs include Pentarrhinum insipidum, Schkuhria pinnata and Felicia muricata.

Figure 14. Community 7: Acacia karroo – Panicum maximum woodland.

8. Acacia robusta – Pappea capensis – Gymnosporia polyacantha dense bushveld

This dense bushveld occurs on the plains in the south of the site and covers approximately 5.6 ha

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(7% of the site). The area is covered by recent deposits of soil, sand and gravel (Table 5, Figures 7 & 15). The expansion of the abattoir facilities will fall in this community.

The diagnostic species include Acacia robusta, Pappea capensis, Mystroxylum aethiopicum subsp. burkeana and Gymnosporia polyacantha (species group 19, Table 5).

The tree species consist of Acacia robusta, Pappea capensis, Mystroxylum aethiopicum subsp. burkeana, Ziziphus mucronata, Acacia karroo, Acacia caffra, Searsia leptodictya, Combretum molle, Dovyalis zeyheri and Cussonia paniculata. The shrub layer is represented by Gymnospria buxifolia, Gymnosporia polyacantha, Grewia occidentalis, Vangueria infausta, Pavetta zeyheri, Carissa bispinosa, Ehretia rigida, Euclea crispa and Searsia zeyheri. The most prominent dwarf shrubs include Asparagus africanus and Rhoicissus tridentata and the succulents Sarcostemma viminale and Aloe greatheadii subsp. davyana.

The grass layer is moderately developed and the dominant grass species are Panicum maximum, Setaria sphacelata and Eragrostis curvula. Less common grasses include Themeda triandra, Tragus berteronianus, Eragrostis superba, Digitaria eriantha and Eragrostis chloromelas. The most prominent forbs include Helichrysum rugulosum, Pentarrhinum insipidum, Felicia muricata, the geophytes Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Ornithogalum tenuifolium and the orchid Bonatea speciosa.

Figure 15. Community 8: Acacia robusta – Pappea capensis – Gymnosporia polyacantha dense bushveld.

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Other mapping units include the following:

Man-made slurry dams: 0.6 ha (0.8% of the site) Buildings: 1.3 ha (1.6% of the site) Cultivated fields: 5.5 ha (6.9% of the site) Borrow pits: 8.3 ha (10.4% of the site) Feedlots (sheep): 7.6 ha (9.5% of the site) Disturbed areas: 5.8 ha (7.3% of the site) Kikuju patches: 1.3 ha (1.6% of the site)

Total area surveyed = 80 ha

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CHAPTER 6

CONSERVATION: VEGETATION AND FLORA

6.1 Introduction

Thirty-four percent (34%) of South Africa’s 440 terrestrial ecosystems are threatened. Of these, 5% are critically endangered (mostly in fynbos and forest biomes), 13% are endangered (mostly in the grassland and savanna biomes), and 16% are vulnerable (mostly in the fynbos and grassland biomes).

6.2 Threats

In many areas it is not the direct use of biological resources such as subsistence harvesting (especially of medicinal plants) and illegal collection for commercial trade (particularly of groups such as succulents) that is threatening their sustainability, but rather indirect pressures such as changing of land use, land degradation, clearing of indigenous vegetation, overgrazing, invasion of land by alien species, informal settlements, urban development, industrial and agricultural pollution, mining, impoundments, cultivation, water abstraction and climate change. Loss of habitat is therefore regarded as the foremost cause of loss of biodiversity.

Development (or change in land use) usually contributes to habitat loss and degradation in many biodiversity important areas. Much of the adverse impacts can be minimized through careful planning and avoidance of sensitive areas.

6.3 Ecosystem status

Ecosystem status is based on how much of an ecosystem’s original area remains intact, relative to certain thresholds (Driver et al. 2004).

Central Sandy Bushveld

The conservation status of the Central Sandy Bushveld vegetation type is considered as ‘vulnerable’ by Mucina & Rutherford (2006), but is classified as ‘least threatened’ by NEM:BA (2011). Less than 3% is statutorily conserved within many nature reserves. About 24% of the area is transformed, including about 19% cultivated and 4% urban and built-up areas. Much of the unit in the broad arc south of the Springbokvlakte is heavily populated by rural communities.

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The biogeographically important taxa include the central bushveld endemic grass Mosdenia leptostachys and the herb Oxygonum dregeanum subsp. canescens var. dissectum.

6.4 The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of 2003) (NEM:PAA)

The site under investigation is not located in a nationally protected area according to the system of protected areas in South Africa (sections 9 to 15 of NEM:PAA, 2003).

6.5 Species richness

A total of 242 indigenous and 29 alien species (12% of all species) was recorded on site. Twelve of these exotic species are declared invasive and weedy species (5% of all plant species on site). The number of species per community ranged from 52 to 126 in the current survey, with a mean of 77 species per community, which compares well with the mean for Gauteng, i.e. 71 species per community (Van Rooyen, unpublished reports).

The species richness per plant community is indicated below:

Community 1 - 83 Community 2 - 59 Community 3 - 82 Community 4 - 52 Community 5 - 52 Community 6 - 126 Community 7 - 84 Community 8 - 74 Mean 77

The mean species richness per community for Tweefontein is 77 plant species and is slightly higher than the mean number of species per community found for a number of sites in the region, i.e. 71 plant species per community (Van Rooyen, unpublished reports). The site is therefore regarded as just above average in terms of species richness for Gauteng. The relatively undisturbed natural woodlands (Community 6) are notably richer in species (126 species per community) than the other plant communities on site (mean of 69 species per community).

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6.6 Rare plant species

Red Data Lists can provide a source of information for decision-makers and improve monitoring of the rate of loss of biodiversity and should include an assessment of the cause of a species’ conservation status.

The National Environmental Management, Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) (NEM:BA) requires from the authorities the publication of lists of threatened species and species in need of protection from certain restricted activities. These lists are provided by GDARD for Gauteng province. Species threatened by habitat destruction need to be conserved through mechanisms that conserve the entire ecosystem, where possible.

To determine the status of the flora on site the following sources of information were consulted:

The Red Data lists of southern African plants compiled by Hilton-Taylor (1996a, 1996b, 1997), the Southern African Plant Red Data lists of Golding (2002), the National Forests Act (Act No. 84 of 1998)(NFA 2012), the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, (Act No. 10 of 2004), the Red List of South African plants (Raimondo et al. 2009), CITES (2012) lists and the lists of protected species of the Gauteng Nature Conservation Bill (March 2012).

6.7 Gauteng Red Data plant policy for EIAs

The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) has compiled a policy to assist with the evaluation of development applications that impact on Red Data plant species. Red Data species are threatened with extinction and therefore require protection from threatening factors, the most predominant of which in Gauteng is development.

Essentially, the policy is based on a provincial priority ranking scheme which ranks and groups Red Data plant species into priority groupings including species endemic to Gauteng (A1 priority grouping), species endemic to Gauteng and one other province or southern African country (A2 priority grouping), species endemic to Gauteng and two or more other provinces in South Africa or countries in southern Africa (A3 priority grouping) and species not endemic to southern Africa (B). Plant species classfied as ‘declining’ are not ranked.

Three sets of guideline rules are included in the Gauteng policy – rules for the in situ conservation of Red Data plant species within and outside of urban areas, rules for the protection of suitable habitat within and outside of urban areas and rules for searching neighbouring sites.

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Policy principles

• In compliance with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the White Paper on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biological Diversity, the Gauteng provincial government is obliged to ensure that the Red Data plant species of the province are conserved. • Species endemic to the province of Gauteng must be afforded the maximum protection, as they occur nowhere else in the world. • It is imperative that all populations of Red Data plant species are protected as conservation of only one population essentially ignores genetic diversity. • In situ conservation is preferable to ex situ conservation. • It is imperative that ecological processes maintaining Red Data plant populations are maintained. • It is vital that pollinators active within Red Data plant populations are conserved. • Translocation of a Red Data plant population is an unacceptable conservation measure since the translocated species may have undesirable ecological effects on new habitats, translocation may result in rapid changes in the species itself and translocations are expensive and rarely successful. • Rural parts of the province should be protected from insensitive developments and urban sprawl/encroachment should be discouraged. • Suitable habitat adjacent to known Red Data plant populations has a high probability of being colonized. • A buffer zone extending from the edge of a Red Data plant population is required for protection against edge effects. Buffer zones of at least 200 m from the population edge could be regarded as an adequate minimum compromise for grassland and savanna ecosystems.

Main implications of policy for proposed development

• All known Red Data plant populations must be conserved in situ and protected with buffer zones of at least 200 m within urban areas and depending on species priority grouping between 300 m and 600 m outside urban areas. • In situ protection should involve fencing off developments, providing for connectivity with adjacent natural vegetation, the compilation and implementation of ecological management plans, restrictions on the use of non-indigenous species within development landscaping and the provision of resources for important pollinators. • Searches for species with high provincial priority (A1 species) must take place during recorded flowering seasons. • When searches fail to locate historically recorded high priority Red Data species (all A1 species and narrowly distributed A2, A3 and B species) and concluded that species may

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still occur on site in a dormant/inconspicuous state due to unfavourable environmental conditions, suitable habitat must be protected and managed ecologically as a natural open space.

6.8 Gauteng C-Plan

According to the C-Plan map for the rare plant species of Gauteng (GDARD 2011), the site may be suitable for Searsia gracillima and Habenaria kraenzliniana. However, their presence could not be confirmed during the current survey (Figure 16).

Figure 16. The orange and lightbrown mapping units indicate possible suitable habitat for Searsia gracillima and Habenaria kraenzliniana respectively (Gauteng C-plan, Version 3, 2011).

According to the C-Plan of GDARD (2011), there are not any ridges, natural water bodies or wetlands on site (Figure 17). However, two quartzite ridges occur in the central-western and

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central-eastern parts of the site (see Figures 1, 2 & 7). These ridges are outside the proposed development sites and will not be impacted on by the development.

Figure 17. Map of wetlands and water bodies (purple – not near site), rivers (red) and ridges (orange) in the vicinity of the Tweefontein site (Gauteng C-plan, Version 3, 2011).

6.9 Gauteng Nature Conservation Bill (March 2012)

The Gauteng Nature Conservation Ordinance (Ordinance 12 of 1983) was repealed with the introduction of the GNC Bill of March 2012. A request from GDARD was that the vegetation of the site should be assessed and the possible presence of rare plant species, i.e. Searsia gracillima, Habenaria kraenzliniana and Eulophia coddii be investigated (see Appendix B for a full list of the rare plant species of Gauteng province).

Information regarding the presence of rare plant species on the site, farm (Tweefontein 288 JR) and/or 2528CB quarter degree grid as per the records of GDARD, is summarized below.

6.9.1 Populations of the following Red/Orange List plant taxa are present on the actual study site or in the near vicinity of the study site (a distance and direction to populations in the near vicinity are indicated in brackets).

• None

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6.9.2 The following Red/Orange List plant taxa were recorded on the farm on which the study site is situated or within 5 km of the study site.

• Argyrolobium megarrhizum NT • Searsia gracillima var. gracillima NT

According to GDARD, should suitable habitat be present, it is highly likely that this species occurs on the study site.

6.9.3 The following Red/Orange List plant taxa were recorded in the quarter degree grid in which the study site is situated.

• Adromischus umbraticola subsp. umbraticola • Argyrolobium campicola • Argyrolobium megarrhizum • Boophone disticha • Boweia volubilis subsp. volubilis • Callilepis leptophylla • Ceropegia decidua subsp. pretoriensis • Crinum macowanii • Delosperma gautengense • Drimia sanguinea • Gunnera purpensa • Habenaria bicolor • Habenaria kraenzliniana • Hypoxis hemerocallidea • Ilex mitis var. mitis • Lithops lesliei subsp. lesliei • Searsia gracillima var gracillima • Stenostelma umbelluliferum • Trachyandra erythrorrhiza

Of the above-listed rare plant species, only Boophone disticha and Hypoxis hemerocallidea were recorded on site. They are classified as “declining”. The GPS locations of the identified plants are as follows:

Hypoxis hemerocallidea: 25° 37’ 31.5” S; 28° 28’ 54.1” E 25° 37’ 34.5” S; 28° 28’ 54.5” E

Boophone disticha: 25° 37’ 31.0” S; 28° 29’ 11.1” E 25° 37’ 11.4” S; 28° 28’ 55.8” E

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25° 37’ 19.2” S; 28° 28’ 54.9” E 25° 37’ 42.0” S; 28° 29’ 01.0” E 25° 37’ 12.0” S; 28° 29’ 08.5” E 25° 37’ 07.4” S; 28° 29’ 01.7” E

Although certain habitats on site (grassland and rocky outcrops in sourish mixed bushveld) may be regarded as suitable for Argyrolobium megarrhizum and Searsia gracillima var. gracillima (both species with Neat Threatened conservation status), these species were not recorded during the vegetation survey in February 2013.

Both Eulophia coddii and Habenaria kraenzliniana prefer stony grassy hillsides on soil derived from quartzitic sandstone, but were not recorded on site.

6.10 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEM:BA Threatened and protected species (TOPS) list):

None of the plant species recorded on site are listed in the NEM:BA (TOPS) lists of critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable species, or in the Schedule B1 & B2 species lists.

6.11 Red List of South African Plants (Raimondo et al. 2009, SIBIS: SANBI data bank):

The plant species list of the 2528CB quarter degree grid according to the SIBIS:SABIF Integrating Biodiversity Information data bank, SANBI, include the following rare species:

• Adromischus umbraticola subsp. umbraticola NT • Argyrolobium campicola NT • Argyrolobium megarrhizum NT • Boophone disticha DEC • Boweia volubilis subsp. volubilis VU • Callilepis leptophylla DEC • Ceropegia decidua subsp. pretoriensis VU • Crinum macowanii DEC • Delosperma gautengense VU • Drimia sanguinea NT • Gunnera purpensa DEC • Habenaria bicolor NT • Habenaria kraenzliniana NT • Hypoxis hemerocallidea DEC • Ilex mitis var. mitis DEC • Lithops lesliei subsp. lesliei NT • Searsia gracillima var gracillima NT

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• Stenostelma umbelluliferum NT • Trachyandra erythrorrhiza NT

Hypoxis hemerocallidea (community 8) and Boophone disticha (communities 2 – 7) were recorded on site (Figure 7), both classified as “declining”.

The total species list for the 2528CB quarter degree grid includes 1498 taxa. This list is not included in the report.

6.12 CITES lists (2012), Appendices I, II, & III):

Appendix I of CITES lists species that are threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species except when the purpose of the import is not commercial, for instance for scientific research. Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. Appendix III is a list of species included at the request of a Party that already regulates trade in the species and that needs the cooperation of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation.

Families and genera applicable to the study area are all in the Appendix II category and include:

Aloe greatheadii subsp. davyana Aloe marlothii

6.13 Protected trees (National Forests Act, Act No. 84 of 1998)(NFA 2012):

No protected trees were recorded on site.

6.14 Endemic species

The biogeographically important taxa for the Central Sandy Bushveld (SVcb12) include the endemic grass Mosdenia leptostachys and the herb Oxygonum dregeanum subsp. canescens var. dissectum (Mucina & Rutherford (2006). These species were not recorded on site.

6.15 Medicinal plant species

The following plant species found on the site are used medicinally for different ailments (Van Wyk et al. 1997; Van Wyk & Gericke 2000, Van der Walt 2010)(*alien plants).

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Acacia karroo Achyranthes aspera* Aloe greatheadii subsp. davyana Aloe marlothii Artemisia afra Boophone disticha Ceratotheca triloba Chamaecrista mimosoides Commelina africana Cucumis zeyheri Datura ferox* Datura stramonium* Dombeya rotundifolia Ehretia rigida Elephantorrhiza elephantina Erythrina lysistemon Euclea crispa Felicia muricata Gomphocarpus fruticosus Gymnosporia buxifolia Helichrysum aureonitens Helichrysum coriaceum Hypoxis hemerocallidea Ipomoea crassipes Lannea discolor Lannea edulis Lantana camara* Lantana rugosa Leonotis ocymiifolia Lippia javanica Melia azedarach* Merremia tridentata Momordica balsamina Opuntia ficus-indica* Pellaea calomelanos Protea caffra Pupalia lappacea Rhoicissus tridentata Searsia pyroides Searsia zeyheri Sida cordifolia

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Solanum lichtensteinii Solanum panduriforme Strychnos pungens Tephrosia longipes Terminalia sericea Typha capensis Waltheria indica Xerophyta retinervis Ximenia caffra Ziziphus mucronata

6.16 Poisonous plant species

A number of plant species found on site have poisonous properties, especially for livestock (see Vahrmeijer 1987; Kellerman et al. 1990; Van Wyk et al. 2002)(*alien plants):

Acacia caffra Acacia karroo Amaranthus hybridus* Boophone disticha Chenopodium album* Cucumis zeyheri Datura ferox* Datura stramonium* Dichapetalum cymosum Elephantorrhiza elephantina Erythrina lysistemon Fadogia homblei Gomphocarpus fruticosus Kalanchoe paniculata Kalanchoe rotundifolia Kalanchoe thyrsiflora Lantana camara* Lippia javanica Melia azedarach* Mundulea sericea Opuntia ficus-indica* Pygmaeothamnus zeyheri Sarcostemma viminale Senecio venosus Solanum lichtensteinii

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Solanum panduriforme Tephrosia longipes

6.17 Alien plant species

Invasive alien plant species listed in terms of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act No. 43 of 1983 - Regulation 15, 30 March 2001), and the National Environmental Management Act: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004), should be controlled and eradicated with an emphasis on urgent action in biodiversity priority areas. In addition to habitat loss due to development pressures, transformation of habitats due to the uncontrolled spread of invasive alien species is a serious concern in all biomes and ecosystems.

Twelve of the exotic species on site are declared invasive and weedy species (5% of all plant species on site). The following categories of declared weeds and invader plants are recognized and the species recorded on site:

Category 1 plant species are prohibited and must be destroyed by the land user.

Achyranthes aspera Campuloclinium macrocephalum Cereus jamacaru Datura ferox Datura stramonium Lantana camara Opuntia ficus-indica Opuntia stricta Solanum seaforthianum

Category 2 plant species are plants that serve a commercial purpose, e.g. shelterbelt, building material, animal fodder and medicinal function. Plants may be grown and maintained in demarcated areas provided that permission has been obtained and a permit has been issued. Steps should be taken to prevent the spread of these plant species.

Prosopis cf glandulosa

Category 3 plant species are ornamentally used plants. These plants may no longer be planted, maintained or multiplied. Existing plants may remain, as long as all reasonable steps are taken to prevent the spreading thereof. They are not allowed within 30 m of the 1:50 year flood line of watercourses and wetlands.

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Jacaranda mimosifolia Melia azedarach

Other alien species recorded on site are:

Alternanthera pungens Flaveria bidentis Amaranthus hybridus Gomphrena celosioides Bidens bipinnata Hypochaeris radicata Bidens pilosa Lactuca inermis Cardiospermum halicacabum Richardia brasiliensis Chenopodium album Schkuhria pinnata Chenopodium carinatum Tagetes minuta Conyza albida Verbena bonariensis Crepis hypochoeridea Zinnia peruviana

Alien invaders should be controlled by mechanical and/or chemical means. Mechanical means include ringbarking (girdling), uprooting, chopping, slashing and felling. An axe or chain saw or brush cutter can be used. Stumps or ringbarked stems should be treated immediately with a chemical weedkiller. Follow-up treatment is sometimes needed.

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CHAPTER 7

ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

7.1 Introduction

Sensitivity is the vulnerability of a habitat to any impact, for example a dune, wetland or ridge system would be more vulnerable to development than would a sandy plain. Several features of a development site can be identified and assessed to derive a sensitivity score, e.g.:

• threatened status of the regional vegetation type wherein the proposed site is situated; • percentage of red list plant species per community or site (Raimondo et al. 2009); • number of protected tree species per community or site; • percentage of NCNCA (2009) protected plant species; • percentage of endemic plant species per community or site (endemic to vegetation type, Van Wyk & Smith 2001; Mucina & Rutherford 2006); • conservation value of community (habitat) or site; • species richness per plant community or site (number of plant species); • degree of connectivity and/or fragmentation of the habitat, i.e. high connectivity and low fragmentation infers a low rating; • soil erosion potential; and • resilience (this is a measure of the ability of a particular habitat/plant community to recover after an impact, i.e. high resilience infers low rating).

An overall sensitivity model (Table 6) is developed for each plant community on site. This is achieved by weighting each criterion and calculating the sum for the community, which reflects the sensitivity and sensitivity ranking (see Sensitivity map, Figure 16).

The parameters that were used to allocate the different categories of sensitivity (very low, low, moderate, high and very high) were the following:

1. Threatened status of the ecosystem (depends on the percentage area intact, or degree of transformation) (Driver et al. 2005, Mucina & Rutherford 2006, NEM:BA 2011).

The ecosystems are classified into the following categories:

Low sensitivity: If “Least Threatened”, the vegetation type has most of its habitat intact, i.e. more than 80%; or the vegetation type is adequately statutory or formally conserved in parks and reserves.

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Moderate sensitivity: If “Vulnerable”, the vegetation type has from 60% to 80% of the ecosystem intact; less than 40% has been transformed which could result in some ecosystem functioning being altered, and/or the ecosystem is statutory poorly conserved. For example, the vegetation type is rich in plant species but is not a pristine example of a vegetation type, therefore some transformation or disturbance occurred, such as human structures and degraded veld due to overgrazing and/or bush encroachment.

High sensitivity: If “Endangered”, the vegetation type has from 40% to 60% of the ecosystem intact; or 40% to 60% transformed due to disturbance, cultivation or alien species; or the ecosystem is statutory poorly conserved e.g. less than about 3% conserved.

Very high sensitivity: If “Critically Endangered”, the vegetation type has only 16% to 36% of the ecosystem intact. The richer the ecosystem is in terms of species, the higher the percentage threshold.

Category rating: Low (LT) = 1 Moderate (VU) = 2 High (EN) = 3 Very high (CE) = 4

2. Percentage of red list plant species (listed higher than ‘least concern’, LC)(Raimondo et al. 2009).

The sensitivity scale ranges from low, moderate to high and the rating is determined by the presence of rare flora in a plant community (calculated as percentage of the total plant species in the community).

Category rating: Low (<2%) = 1 Moderate (2 – 5%) = 2 High (>5%) = 3

3. Presence of protected tree species (National Forests Act, Act No. 84 of 1998; NFA 2012)

The presence of protected tree species in a vegetation type is rated as low, moderate or high. This rating depends on the availability of habitat in the community and the protection and management guidelines for these species and guidelines for biodiversity offsets of the Department of Forestry and Fisheries, DAFF).

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Category rating: Low (2 or less) = 1 Moderate (3-4) = 2 High (>4) = 3

4. Presence of the Gauteng protected plant species (Gauteng Nature Conservation Bill 2012):

The presence of protected species in a vegetation type is rated as low, moderate or high depending on the number of protected species in relation to the total plant species in a plant community.

Category rating: Low (<5%) = 1 Moderate (5 – 10%) = 2 High (>10%) = 3

5. Percentage of plant species endemic to the regional vegetation type (Van Wyk & Smith 2001; Mucina & Rutherford 2006).

The presence of endemic species should be considered as low, moderate to high, depending on the availability of habitat in the community.

Category rating: Low (<2%) = 1 Moderate (2-5%) = 2 High (>5%) = 3

6. Conservation value of the terrain type and/or habitat.

The criteria are low, moderate and high. The presence of e.g. quartzitic outcrops, ridges, wetlands and dunes should be considered to have a moderate to high conservation value. However, this should be seen in the context of the presence of representative habitat in the broader region or in conservation areas.

Category rating: Low = 1 Moderate = 2 High = 3

7. Plant community species richness

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The species-richness (or number of species per plant community) will depend on the region, climate, topography, ecosystem and degree of transformation. The assessment consists of determining the number of species per plant community compared to the mean number of species found in relative unspoilt (pristine) vegetation types in the same region. The scale ranges from low, moderate to high.

Category rating: Low (<40) = 1 Moderate (40 – 60) = 2 High (>60) = 3

8. Degree of connectivity and/or fragmentation of the ecosystem

The degree of connectivity with surrounding or adjacent natural areas and/or fragmentation of plant communities, is indicated as low, moderate or high, e.g. high connectivity with surrounding similar habitat, or low fragmentation of habitat is considered as having a low rating.

Category rating (note reverse order): Low = 3 Moderate = 2 High = 1

9. Erosion potential of the soil

The erosion potential of the soil is indicated as low, moderate or high, e.g. coarse sandy soils on plains have a low erosion potential.

Category rating: Low = 1 Moderate = 2 High = 3

10. Resilience is a measure of the ability of a particular habitat/plant community to recover after an impact, i.e. high resilience infers low rating.

Category rating (note reverse order): Low = 3 Moderate = 2 High = 1

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7.2 Weighting of sensitivity criteria:

Threatened status of the vegetation type = x5 Percentage of red list plant species = x4 Percentage of Gauteng rare species = x4 Number of protected tree species = x3 Percentage of endemic species = x2 Conservation value (habitat) = x4 Plant community species richness = x2 Degree of connectivity/fragmentation of habitat = x2 Erosion = x2 Resilience = x3

7.3 Sensitivity rating

≤40 = very low (VL) (rating scale = 1) 40- 49 = low (L) (rating scale = 2) 50 - 64 = moderate (M) (rating scale = 3) 65 - 80 = high (H) (rating scale = 4) >80 = very high (VH) (rating scale = 5)

Explanation of sensitivity ratings:

• Very low (1) sensitivity means that a minimum score is allocated to almost all the sensitivity criteria used. It is usually applicable to habitats that have been transformed, especially by human activities. • Low (2) sensitivity means the sensitivity is not significant enough and should not have an influence on the decision about the project. However, any protected species may not be removed/destroyed without a permit. • Moderate (3) means a sensitivity rating that is real and sufficiently important to require management, e.g. management or protection of the rare/threatened fauna and flora, protection of the specific habitat on the property and/or rehabilitation. • High (4) means a sensitivity rating where the habitat should be excluded from any development. • Very high (5) means a sensitivity rating that should influence the decision whether or not to proceed with the project.

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Table 6 Sensitivity of the plant communities (see Figures 7 & 16)

Plant communities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Threatened status (x5) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 % Red data species (x4) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 % Gauteng rare species (x4) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Number protected trees (x3) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 % Endemic species (x2) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Conservation value (x4) 12 8 8 12 4 4 4 4 Species richness (x2) 6 4 6 4 4 6 6 6 Connectivity (x2) 4 4 2 4 4 2 4 2 Erosion (x2) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 Resilience (x3) 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 Sum: 48 39 39 43 35 35 37 40 Sensitivity rating: L VL VL L VL VL VL L

Overall, the sensitivity rating of the communities on site was very low (VL) to low (L).

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Figure 16. Sensitivity map of the Tweefontein site (Cavalier Abattoir). Numbers indicate plant community numbers, see Figure 7).

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CHAPTER 8

IMPACTS AND MITIGATION

8.1 IMPACTS PHASE 1 SITE: CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Project phase: Construction phase: IMPACT ON NATURAL VEGETATION Direct impacts: • Major loss of indigenous vegetation on the footprint of the development. • Increased dust levels. • Loss of faunal habitat. Indirect impacts: • Loss of biodiversity. • Some disturbance will inevitably occur in the direct surroundings of the site. • As a result of the loss of vegetation seed production and propagation will be reduced. • Increased dust levels during construction might negatively affect the plant growth. Cumulative impacts: Additional infrastructure development, for example, water pipelines, power lines and access roads; the spread of alien invaders due to loss of natural vegetation; and increased water (effluent) runoff leading to erosion will exacerbate the negative impact of the development on the vegetation and will lead to a loss of habitat for indigenous fauna and flora. Residual impacts: Despite mitigation measures, loss of the natural vegetation will occur. The Central Sandy Bushveld vegetation type is considered as “Least Threatened” (NEM:BA 2012) and covers 17 242 km2 of the region. The residual overall impacts on the vegetation units will therefore be moderate. Mitigation: • Development should be contained within the proposed footprint of the development and unnecessary disturbance adjacent to the site should be avoided. • Slurry dams will be enlarged or new ones be built to contain any effluent from the feedlots and prevent overflow into the drainage lines in the north-east and south of the property. • Some protected plant species were recorded on site. The species richness of community 6 is fairly high compared to the other plant communities on site. Some

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measures are therefore necessary for the conservation, e.g. transplanting/relocation of individual species such as Aloe species and Boophone disticha. • Indigenous trees and shrubs should be retained where possible and/or indigenous trees of the area should be planted in suitable areas at the site. • Dust control measures should be implemented during construction. • Alien invasive species should be eradicated on site. • Existing and dedicated roads should be marked and utilised by vehicles.

Project phase: Construction phase: IMPACT ON ALIEN VEGETATION Direct impacts: • Removal of alien invasive plant species – should be encouraged. • As a result of the loss of indigenous vegetation and resulting disturbance, declared alien species might invade the area. Indirect impacts: • Removal of alien species and the rehabilitation of the habitat may favour indigenous plant species. • Disturbance will favour alien species and without folllow-up control, alien species may spread through the area. Cumulative impacts: The establishment of declared weedy and alien invasive plant species on the disturbed site could lead to their spread into the surrounding natural vegetation and onto neighbouring properties. Their presence may also slow down the recovery of the natural vegetation. Residual impacts: Low residual impact if the declared weedy and alien invasive species are controlled. Mitigation: • Development should be restricted to the proposed abattoir and feedlot sites and the disturbance to the surrounding natural or indigenous vegetation be kept to a minimum. • Rehabilitate disturbed areas as soon as possible following construction of the facility. • Establish a monitoring program for the early detection and control of alien invasive plant species. • No alien invasive species should be used in landscaping or gardens on the site.

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8.2 IMPACTS PHASE 1 SITE: OPERATIONAL PHASE

Project phase: Operational phase: IMPACT ON NATURAL VEGETATION Direct impacts: • Increased dust levels on feedlot site. • Loss of faunal habitat.

Indirect impacts: • Loss of biodiversity. • Some disturbance will inevitably occur in the direct surroundings of the site. • As a result of the loss of vegetation seed production and propagation will be reduced. • Increased dust levels during operation of the feedlot might negatively affect the plant growth. Cumulative impacts: The spread of alien invaders due to loss of natural vegetation and possible increased water runoff leading to erosion will exacerbate the negative impact of the development on the vegetation and will lead to a loss of habitat for indigenous fauna and flora.

Residual impacts: The residual impacts on the surrounding vegetation will be moderate if mitigation is successful in restricting disturbance.

Mitigation: • Development should be contained within the proposed footprint of the development and unnecessary disturbance adjacent to the site should be avoided. • Slurry dams will be enlarged or new ones built to contain any effluent from the feedlots and prevent overflow into the drainage lines in the north-east and south of the property. • Transplanted/relocated individuals of Aloe species and Boophone disticha should be monitored. • Indigenous trees and shrubs of the area should be planted in suitable areas at the site. • Dust control measures should be implemented during operation. • Alien invasive species should be eradicated on site. • Existing and dedicated roads should be marked and utilised by vehicles.

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Project phase: Operational phase: IMPACT ON ALIEN VEGETATION Direct impacts: • Monitoring and control of alien invasive plant species should continue. • As a result of the loss of indigenous vegetation and resulting disturbance, declared alien species might invade the area. Indirect impacts: • Removal of alien species and the rehabilitation of the habitat may favour indigenous plant species. • Disturbance will favour alien species and without folllow-up control, alien species may spread through the area. Cumulative impacts: The establishment of declared weedy and alien invasive plant species on the disturbed site could lead to their spread into the surrounding natural vegetation and onto neighbouring properties. Their presence may also slow down the recovery of the natural vegetation. Residual impacts: Low residual impact if the declared weedy and alien invasive species are controlled. Mitigation: • Development should be restricted to the proposed abattoir and feedlot sites and the disturbance to the surrounding natural or indigenous vegetation be kept to a minimum. • Rehabilitate disturbed areas as soon as possible following construction of the facility. • Establish a monitoring program for the early detection and control of alien invasive plant species. • No alien invasive species should be used in landscaping or gardens on the site.

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CHAPTER 9

ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

9.1 Introduction

The feedlot development will occur mainly in community 6 and the abattoir expansion mainly in community 8 and mapping unit 13 (disturbed areas)(Figure 7).

9.2 Significance of impacts

The significance of environmental impacts is assessed by means of the criteria of certainty, severity (intensity and duration), direction (negative, neutral or positive) and scale (extent) (Table 7).

Certainty (ε) describes the probability or likelihood of the impact actually occurring, and is rated as follows:

• Improbable – where the impact is unlikely to occur, either because of design, mitigation or historic experience.

Rating = 1

• Probable - there is a good probability that the impact will occur (<50% chance of occurring).

Rating = 3

• Highly probable - most likely that the impact will occur (50 – 90% chance of occurring).

Rating = 4

• Definite – the impact will occur regardless of any prevention or mitigating measures (>90% chance of occurring).

Rating = 5

Severity is calculated from the ratings given to intensity and duration of the impact. Reversibility should be evaluated along with intensity and is the ability of the impacted environment to return to its pre-impacted state once the cause of the impact has been removed.

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An intensity (α) (magnitude) rating is awarded to each impact as follows:

• Low intensity – the ecosystem pattern, process and functioning are minimally affected and a minor impact may occur.

Rating = 1

• Moderate intensity – valued, important, sensitive or vulnerable systems or communities are negatively affected but ecosystem pattern, process and functions can continue albeit in a slightly modified way.

Rating = 2

• High intensity – environment affected to the extent that the ecosystem pattern, process and functions are altered and may even temporarily or permanently cease. Valued, important, sensitive or vulnerable systems, communities or species are substantially affected.

Rating = 4

The duration rating (β) is awarded as follows:

• Short term – up to 5 years

Rating = 2

• Moderate term - >5 – 15 years

Rating = 3

• Long term – >15 – 30 years: The impact will occur during the operational life of the activity, and recovery may occur with mitigation (restoration and rehabilitation).

Rating = 4

• Permanent – the impact will destroy the ecosystem functioning and mitigation (restoration and rehabilitation) will not contribute in such a way or in such a time span that the impact can be considered transient.

Rating = 5

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Scale rating (δ):

Site specific = 1 Local (surrounding areas) = 3 Regional (provincial) = 5

The significance rating is determined through a synthesis of the characteristics described above where:

S = (α + β + δ)*ε

Table 7 Significance assessment of impacts on the terrestrial ecosystems

Community Community Community 3 6 8 Certainty (ε) 5 5 5 Intensity (α) 4 4 4 Duration (β) 5 5 5 Scale (δ) 1 1 1 Significance (α+β+δ)*ε: 50 50 50 Significance rating: Moderate Moderate Moderate

The significance rating should influence the development project as follows:

• Low significance (significance rating <30)

If the negative impacts have little real effects it should not have an influence on the decision to proceed with the project.

• Moderate significance (significance rating 30 - 60)

Negative impact: it implies that the impact is real and sufficiently important to require mitigation and management measures before the proposed project can be approved.

• High significance (significance rating >60)

Negative impact: this should weigh towards a decision to terminate the proposal, or mitigation should be formulated and performed to reduce significance to at least a moderate significance rating. In these circumstances the environmental resources have mostly been destroyed and the capacity of the environmental resources in the area to respond to change and withstand

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further stress has been or is close to being exceeded. If mitigation cannot be effectively implemented, the proposed activity should be terminated.

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CHAPTER 10

DISCUSSION, MITIGATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

10.1 Vegetation type (ecosystem, regional)

The proposed expansion development sites cover about 20.6 ha and are located within the Central Sandy Bushveld vegetation unit, which covers 17 242 km2 in the region. This vegetation type is classified as ‘least threatened’ by NEM:BA (2011).

10.2 Terrestrial plant communities

Potentially sensitive communities 1 & 4 occur on quartzite and quartzitic sandstone hills in the central parts of the Tweefontein site. However, no development will occur in these habitats and sufficient buffer zones occur to minimize any impacts that the proposed development will have on the vegetation.

10.3 Aquatic plant communities

There are no natural aquatic ecosystems on the proposed development sites. However, some slurry dams occur on site or are planned where effluent will accumulate to prevent any pollution of the drainage systems north and south of the site.

10.4 Protected and endemic flora

Plant species lists generated for the 2528CB quarter degree grid were supplemented with data from other relevant sources including Red Data lists. These lists indicated that various species of conservation significance occurred in this quarter degree grid.

Some protected flora were recorded during the current survey (in February 2013), i.e.

Hypoxis hemerocallidea Boophone disticha Aloe greatheadii subsp. davyana Aloe marlothii

10.5 Alien plant species

Twelve declared invasive plant species were recorded on site. These include nine Category 1

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species, one Category 2 species and two Category 3 species. According to the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act No. 43 of 1983), the Category 1 species must be destroyed. Eighteen other alien plant species were recorded on site. Alien species constitute 12% of the plant species checklist.

10.6 Mitigation

Mitigation measures during the construction phase of the proposed expansion of the abattoir and provision of feedlots for cattle:

• Development should be contained within the footprint of the proposed expansion of the abattoir/feedlots and unnecessary disturbance adjacent to the site should be avoided. • Minimise large-scale clearance of natural vegetation and disturbance at the sites. • Use existing and dedicated access roads to limit disturbance of the natural vegetation. • Dust control measures should be implemented during construction. • The areas which have been denuded and disturbed as a result of construction on site, should be re-vegetated as soon as possible. • Prevent soil erosion from the disturbed areas by rehabilitation of the sites. • All plant species recorded on site are considered as ‘least concern’, except for Boophone disticha and Hypoxis hemerocallidea that are classified as “declining”. Only Boophone disticha occurs in the footprint of the proposed development (communities 3 & 6) and because it is a geophyte, the success rate of transplanting such a species is relatively high. The individuals should therefore be transplanted to similar habitat adjacent to the proposed sites. This is also applicable to the Aloe species in community 6. • Indigenous trees and shrubs should be retained where possible. • The denuded and disturbed areas on site should be landscaped and re-habilitated as soon as possible with indigenous plants. • Continue with the current control program to combat declared alien invasive plant species. • Implement a monitoring program for the early detection of alien invasive plant species. • No alien invasive plant species should be used in landscaping or gardens on site.

Buffer zones should be provided where possible (see GDARD policy). A buffer zone is a collar of land that filters out inappropriate influences from surrounding activities, also known as edge effects, including the effects of invasive plant and animal species, physical damage and soil compaction caused through trampling and harvesting, abiotic habitat alterations and pollution.

Monitoring should be done to verify environmental impact prediction and adequacy of mitigation measures.

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Responsibility: Construction team, Project management and the Environmental Control Officer.

Timeframe: Duration of construction phase.

Monitoring: The construction sites should be clearly demarcated and construction should be restricted to this area. Existing and dedicated roads should be clearly marked and only those roads utilised by vehicles. The Environmental Control Officer should monitor and report to the Environmental Assessment Practitioner as to whether the construction is contained within these boundaries and that the surrounding natural vegetation has not been negatively affected.

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References and bibliography

ACOCKS, J.P.H. 1988. Veld Types of South Africa. 3rd edition. Mem. Bot. surv. sth. Afr. 57: 1 - 146. BOON, R. 2010. Pooley’s Trees of eastern South Africa – a complete guide. Fauna & Flora Publications Trust, Durban. BROMILOW, C. 2010. Probleemplante en Indringeronkruide van Suid-Afrika. Briza Publications, Pretoria. BRUYNS, P.V. 2005. Stapeliads of southern Africa and Madagascar. Volumes 1 & 2. Umdaus Press, Pretoria. CAMPBELL, P.L. 2000. Rehabilitation recommendations after alien plant control. PPRI Handbook No. 11. ARC. COATES-PALGRAVE, K & COATES-PALGRAVE, M. (2003). Trees of southern Africa. 3rd edition. Struik, Cape Town. COETZEE, K. 2005. Caring for rangelands. University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg. COURT, D. 2010. Succulent flora of southern Africa. Third revised edition. Struik Nature. Cape Town. COWAN, G.I. (Ed.) 1995. Wetlands of South Africa. DEAT, Pretoria. CSIR. 2005. Guideline for involving biodiversity specialists in EIA processes. CSIR, Western Cape. DEAT (2007). Strategic Environmental Assessment Guideline. Integrated Environmental Guideline Series 4, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), Pretoria, South Africa. DEA&DP. 2007. Provincial guideline on biodiversity offsets. Revised draft, edition 2. Provincial Government of the Western Cape. Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning. DRIVER, A. et al. 2004. National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004: Priorities for biodiversity conservation. Strelitzia 17. SANBI, Pretoria. DRIVER A., SINK, K.J., NEL, J.N., HOLNESS, S., VAN NIEKERK, L., DANIELS, F., JONAS, Z., MAJIEDT, P.A., HARRIS, L. & MAZE, K. 2012. National Biodiversity Assessment 2011: An assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems. Synthesis Report. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Department of Environmental Affairs, Pretoria. DWAF, 2006. Guide to the National Water Act. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Pretoria. DWAF, undated. A practical field procedure for identification and delineation of wetlands and riparian areas. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Pretoria. ERASMUS, J.F. 1987. Rainfall deciles for Transvaal Region. S.I.R.I., Department of Agriculture and Water supply. Pretoria. GEOLOGICAL SERIES. 1973. 2528CB Silverton. 1: 50 000 scale. Government Printer, Pretoria. GERBER, A., CILLIERS, C.J., VAN GINKEL, C. & GLEN, RENE. 2004. Aquatic plants. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. GERMISHUIZEN, G. & FABIAN, A. 1997. Wild flowers of northern South Africa. Fernwood Press, Cape Town.

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GERMISHUIZEN, G. & MEYER, N.L. (eds). 2003. Plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14. NBI, Pretoria. GERMISHUIZEN, G., MEYER, N.L., STEENKAMP, Y. & KIETH, M. (Eds). (2006). A checklist of South African plants. SABONET Report no 41. Pretoria GIBBS RUSSELL, G.E. et al. 1990. Grasses of southern Africa. Mem. Bot. surv. sth. Afr. 58: 1 – 437. GOLDING, J. (Ed.) 2002. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report no. 14. SANBI. pp. 237. GORDON-GRAY, K.D. (1995). Cyperaceae in Natal. Strelitzia 2. NBI, Pretoria. GROBLER, HERMIEN, J.B. VERMEULEN and VAN ZYL, KATHY. 2000. A guide to the use of herbicides. 17th edition. National Department of Agriculture. Formeset, Pretoria. HENDERSON, L. 2001. Alien weeds and invasive plants. Plant Protection Research Institute Handbook no. 12, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria. HENNEKENS, S.M. & SCHAMINEE, J.H.J. 2001. TURBOVEG, A comprehensive database management system for vegetation data. Journal of Vegetation Science 12: 589-591. HILTON-TAYLOR, C. 1996a. Red Data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4: 1 - 117. HILTON-TAYLOR, C. 1996b. Red Data list of southern African plants. 1. corrections and additions. Bothalia 26: 177 - 182. HILTON-TAYLOR, C. 1997. Red Data list of southern African plants. 2. corrections and additions. Bothalia 27: 195 - 209. KELLERMAN, T.S., COETZER, J.A.W. & NAUDE, T.W. 1988. Plant poisonings and mycotoxicoses of livestock in southern Africa. Oxford University Press, Cape Town. KELLNER, K. 2003. Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded rangeland. Professional workshop. International Rangeland Congress, Durban. KLOPPER, R.R. et al. 2006. Checklist of the flowering plants of Sub-Saharan Africa. An index of accepted names and synonyms. SA Botanical Diversity Network No. 42. SABONET, SANBI, Pretoria. KOTZE, D.C. 2004. Guidelines for managing wetlands in forestry areas. Mondi Wetlands Project. Centre for Environment and Development, University of KwaZulu-Natal. LAND TYPE SERIES. 1978. Maps and Memoir: 2528 PRETORIA. Scale of 1: 250 000. I.C.S.W. Government Printer, Pretoria. LOW, A.B. and REBELO, A.G. 1996. Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria. MANNING, J. 2003. Wildflowers of South Africa. Briza, Pretoria. MUCINA, L. & RUTHERFORD, M.C. 2006. Vegetation of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. SANBI, Pretoria. NWA. 1998. NATIONAL WATER ACT, NO. 36 of 1998. NEM:BA. 2011. National Environmental Management Act: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004) – National list of threatened ecosystems. Notice 1002 of 2011. Government Gazette No. 34809. Government Printer, Pretoria.

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NFA. 1998. National Forests Act (Act No 9 of 1998). NFA. 2012. List of protected trees: Notice of the list of protected tree species under the National Forest Act, 1998 (Act No 84 of 1998). Government Gazette No 35648, Notice 716, 7 September 2012. POOLEY, E. 1997. Trees of Natal. Natal Flora Publications Trust. POOLEY, E. 1998. Wild flowers of KwaZulu-Natal. Natal Flora Publications Trust. RAIMONDO, D. et al. (eds) 2009. Red lists of South African plants 2009. Strelitzia 25. SANBI, Pretoria. RETIEF, E. & HERMAN, P.P.J. 1997. Plants of the northern provinces of South Africa: keys and diagnostic characters. Strelitzia 6: 1–681. NBI, Pretoria. RUTHERFORD, M.C. & WESTFALL, R.H. (1986). Biomes of southern Africa – an objective categorization. Mem. Bot. Surv. S Afr. 63: 1 – 94. RUTHERFORed Data, M.C. & WESTFALL, R.H. 1994. Biomes of southern Africa: an objective categorization. Mem. Bot. Surv. Sth Afr. 63. 2nd edition. NBI, Pretoria. SCHMIDT, E., LOTTER, M. & McCLELAND, W. 2002. Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Jacana, Johannesburg. SKINNER, J.D. & CHIMIMBA, C.T. (2005). The mammals of the southern African subregion. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. SSA, 1980. Stratigraphy of South Africa. Handbook 8. Part 1. Pretoria: Government Printer. TARBOTON, W. & ERASMUS, R. 1998. Owls and owling in southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town. TOPOCADASTRAL MAP. 2628 AA. Chief Directorate: Surveys and Mapping. Mowbray. VAHRMEIJER, J. 1981. Gifplante van suider-Afrika. Tafelberg Uitgewers, Kaapstad. VAN JAARSVELD, E., VAN WYK, B-E & SMITH, G. 2000. Vetplante van Suid-Afrika. Tafelberg Uitgewers, Cape Town. VAN OUDTSHOORN, F. 1999. Guide to grasses of southern Africa. Briza, Pretoria. VAN WYK, A.E. & MALAN, S. 1988. Wild flowers of the Witwatersrand & Pretoria area. Struik, Cape Town. VAN WYK, A.E. & P. VAN WYK. 1997. Field guide to the trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town. VAN WYK, A.E. & SMITH, G.F. 1998. Regions of Floristic Endemism in southern Africa. Umdaus Press, Pretoria. VAN WYK, A.E. & VAN WYK, P. 1997. Trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town. VAN WYK, B-E & SMITH, G. 1996. Guide to the Aloes of South Africa. Briza, Pretoria. VAN WYK, B-E, VAN HEERDEN, F., & VAN OUDTSHOORN, B. 2002. Poisonous plants of South Africa. VAN WYK, B-E, VAN OUDTSHOORN, B. & GERICKE, N. 1997. Medicinal plants of South Africa. Briza, Pretoria. VAN WYK, B-E. & GERICKE, N. 2000. Peoples Plants. Briza, Pretoria. WATT, J.M. & BREYER-BRANDWIJK, M.G. 1962. The medicinal and poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa. 2nd ed. Livingstone, London. WEATHER BUREAU. 1988. Climate of South Africa. WB 40. Government Printer, Pretoria. WEATHER BUREAU. 1998. Climate of South Africa. Government Printer, Pretoria.

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WHITE, F. (1983). The vegetation of Africa. A descriptive memoir to accompany the UNESCO/AETFAT/UNSO vegetation map of Africa. Paris: UNESCO.

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APPENDIX A

Plant species list of the Cavalier Abattoir site near Cullinan, Gauteng

Trees 24 Shrubs 14 Dwarf shrubs 20 Climbers 5 Creepers 5 Forbs 67 Geophytes 12 Grasses 50 Parasites 2 Sedges 5 Succulents 7 Ferns 1 Aliens 30

Total 242

Trees

Acacia caffra Acacia karroo Acacia robusta Burkea africana Combretum molle Cussonia paniculata Diplorhynchus condylocarpum Dombeya rotundifolia Dovyalis zeyheri Englerophytum magalismontanum Erythrina lysistemon Faurea saligna Lannea discolor Mystroxylum aethiopicum subsp. schlechteri Mystroxylum aethiopicum subsp. burkeana Ozoroa paniculosa Pappea capensis Protea caffra Searsia lancea Searsia leptodictya Searsia pyroides Strychnos pungens Terminalia sericea Ziziphus mucronata

Shrubs

Carissa bispinosa

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Ectadiopsis oblongifolium Ehretia rigida Euclea crispa Grewia occidentalis Gymnosporia buxifolia Gymnosporia polyacantha Lopholaena coriifolia Mundulea sericea Ochna pulchra Pavetta zeyheri Searsia zeyheri Vangueria infausta Ximenia caffra

Dwarf shrubs

Artemisia afra Asparagus africanus Asparagus cooperi Asparagus suaveolens Athrixia elata Dichapetalum cymosum Elephantorrhiza elephantina Fadogia homblei Lannea edulis Lantana rugosa Lippia javanica Parinari capensis Pollichia campestris Pygmaeothamnus zeyheri Salacia rehmannii Seriphium plumosum Solanum lichtensteinii Solanum panduriforme Solanum rigescens Xerophyta retinervis

Climbers

Coccinia adoensis Momordica balsamina Rhoicissus tridentata Rhynchosia minima Sphedamnocarpus pruriens

Creepers

Citrullus lanatus Cucumis zeyheri Ipomoea crassipes Ipomoea ommaneyi Rhynchosia monophylla

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Forbs

Acalypha villicaulis Aerva leucura Anthospermum hispidulum Becium obovatum Berkheya seminivea Ceratotheca triloba Chamaecrista mimosoides Chamaesyce inaequilatera Cleome maculata Cleome monophylla Cleome rubella Commelina africana Commelina erecta Conyza podocephala Crabbea hirsuta Cyathula natalensis Dicerocaryum eriocarpum Eriosema burkei Felicia muricata Gisekia africana Gomphocarpus fruticosus Hebenstretia angolensis Helichrysum aureonitens Helichrysum coriaceum Helichrysum nudifolium Helichrysum rugulosum Helichrysum setosum Hermbstaedtia odorata Hibiscus micranthus Hibiscus sp. Indigofera daleoides Indigofera filipes Indigofera hilaris Jamesbritteni albobadi Kohautia cynanchica Kyphocarpa angustifolia Leonotis nepetifolia Lepidium africanum Limeum fenestratum Merremia palmata Merremia tridentata Monsonia angustifolia Nidorella hottentotica Oldenlandia herbacea Pearsonia sessilifolia Pentarrhinum insipidum Phyllanthus maderaspatensis Portulaca kermesina Pupalia lappacea Rotheca hirsuta Ruellia cordata

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Ruellia patula Senecio oxyriifolius Senecio sp. Senecio venosus Sida cordifolia Sida dregei Sida rhombifolia Sphenostylis angustifolium Tephrosia longipes Tephrosia lupinifolia Teucrium trifidum Tribulus terrestris Triumfetta sonderi Vernonia poskeana Wahlenbergia undulata Waltheria indica

Grasses

Aristida congesta subsp. barbicollis Aristida congesta subsp. congesta Aristida meridionalis Aristida stipitata Aristida transvaalensis Bewsia biflora Brachiaria nigropedata Brachiaria serrata Cymbopogon caesius Cymbopogon pospischilii Cynodon dactylon Digitaria diagonalis Digitaria eriantha Digitaria monodactyla Digitaria tricholaenoides Diheteropogon amplectens Eleusine coracana Elionurus muticus Eragrostis chloromelas Eragrostis curvula Eragrostis gummiflua Eragrostis racemosa Eragrostis rigidior Eragrostis superba Eragrostis trichophora Eustachys paspaloides Harpochloa falx Heteropogon contortus Hyparrhenia hirta Loudetia simplex Melinis nerviglumis Melinis repens Panicum maximum Pennisetum clandestinum

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Perotis patens Pogonarthria squarrosa Andropogon chinensis Schizachyrium jeffreysii Schizachyrium sanguineum Setaria sphacelata Setaria verticillata Sorghum bicolor Sporobolus africanus Themeda triandra Tragus berteronianus Tricholaena monachne Trichoneura grandiglumis Tristachya biseriata Urelytrum agropyroides Urochloa mosambicensis

Parasites

Tapinanthus natalitius subsp. zeyheri Thesium transvaalense

Sedges

Bulbostylis hispidula Cyperus esculentus Cyperus obtusiflorus Cyperus sp. Kyllinga alba

Succulents

Aloe greatheadii subsp. davyana Aloe marlothii Crassula capitella Kalanchoe paniculata Kalanchoe rotundifolia Kalanchoe thyrsiflora Sarcostemma viminale

Geophytes

Bonatea speciosa Boophone disticha Chlorophytum fasciculatum Gladiolus elliotii Hypoxis hemerocallidea Hypoxis rigidula Hypoxis sp. Lapeirousia sandersoni Ledebouria revoluta Ornithogalum tenuifolium Raphionacme burkei

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Tritonia nelsonii

Ferns

Pellaea calomelanos

Aliens

Achyranthes aspera Alternanthera pungens Amaranthus hybridus Bidens bipinnata Bidens pilosa Campuloclinium macrocephalum Cardiospermum halicacabum Cereus jamacaru Chenopodium album Chenopodium carinatum Conyza albida Crepis hypochoeridea Datura ferox Datura stramonium Flaveria bidentis Gomphrena celosioides Hypochaeris radicata Jacaranda mimosifolia Lactuca inermis Lantana camara Melia azedarach Opuntia ficus-indica Opuntia cf. stricta Prosopis cf glandulosa Richardia brasiliensis Schkuhria pinnata Solanum seaforthianum Tagetes minuta Verbena bonariensis Zinnia peruviana

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APPENDIX B

Alphabetical list of protected plant species according to the Gauteng Nature Conservation Bill of March 2012

Adromischus umbraticola subsp. umbraticola Alepidea attenuata Argyrolobium campicola Argyrolobium megarrhizum Blepharis uniflora Bowiea volubilis subsp. volubilis Brachycorythis conica subsp. transvaalensis Brachystelma discoideum Ceropegia decidua subsp.pPretoriensis Ceropegia turricula Cheilanthes deltoidea subsp. nov. Gauteng form Cineraria austrotransvaalensis Cineraria longipes Cleome conrathii Cucumis humifructus Delosperma gautengense Delosperma leendertziae Delosperma macellum Delosperma purpureum Dioscorea sylvatica Drimia sanguinea Eulophia coddii Frithia humilis Frithia pulchra Gladiolus pole-evansii Gladiolus robertsoniae Gnaphalium nelsonii Habenaria barbertoni Habenaria bicolor Habenaria kraenzliniana Habenaria mossii Holothrix micrantha Holothrix randii Khadia beswickii Kniphofia typhoides Lepidium mossii Lithops lesliei subsp. lesliei var. rubrobrunnea Lithops lesliei subsp. lesliei Macledium pretoriense Melolobium subspicatum Nerine gracilis Prunus africana Searsia gracillima var. gracillima Stenostelma umbelluliferum Trachyandra erythrorrhiza

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APPENDIX C

Table 5 – Differential table of the vegetation of portions of the farm Tweefontein 288 JR, Cullinan

Plant community numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Sample numbers 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 2

6 7 8 2 3 4 9 4 2 5 1 1 2 3 0 8 9 1 7 5 6 0

Species group 1

Chlorophytum fasciculatum + + + . . . . . + ......

Ipomoea ommaneyi + . + ...... + ......

Tritonia nelsonii + + + ...... Diplorhynchus condylocarpum . + + ......

Species group 2

Cleome rubella . . . + . . + ......

Fadogia homblei . . . . + . + ......

Elionurus muticus . . . + ......

Tricholaena monachne . . . + ......

Digitaria diagonalis . . . . + ......

Salacia rehmannii . . . . + ......

Species group 3

Eustachys paspaloides . a . . 1 + + ......

Asparagus suaveolens + + . + + ......

Acalypha villicaulis + . + . . . + ......

Ipomoea crassipes . . + + ......

Species group 4

Raphionacme burkei ...... + ......

Merremia tridentata ...... + ......

Lapeirousia sandersonii ...... + ......

Schizachyrium jeffreysii ...... + ......

Ximenia caffra ...... + ......

Species group 5

Pygmaeothamnus zeyheri . . + . . . + + ......

Jacaranda mimosifolia + ...... + ......

Senecio oxyriifolius . . . + . . . + ......

Dichapetalum cymosum . . . . + . . + ......

Species group 6

Crabbea hirsuta ...... + ......

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora ...... + ......

Lopholaena coriifolia ...... + ......

Thesium transvaalense ...... + ......

Species group 7

Eriosema burkei ...... + ......

Flaveria bidentis ...... + ......

Helichrysum coriaceum ...... + ......

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Kyphocarpa angustifolia ...... + ......

Species group 8

Helichrysum nudifolium ...... + + ......

Oldenlandia herbacea ...... + + + ......

Solanum lichtensteinii ...... + + ......

Indigofera hilaris ...... + . . + ......

Commelina erecta ...... + . + ...... +

Mundulea sericea ...... + . . 1 ......

Species group 9

Faurea saligna a a a + 1 . 1 1 1 1 . . . + . . . . + . . .

Ectadiopsis oblongifolium + . + + + . + + + . + ......

Strychnos pungens . + 1 . 1 . . + 1 + ......

Xerophyta retinervis + + + + + . . + + + ......

Hypoxis rigidula + + + . . . + . + + + + ......

Protea caffra 1 + 1 . . . . + + 1 ......

Cymbopogon caesius a + ...... 1 + ......

Helichrysum setosum + . + ...... + ......

Rotheca hirsuta + + ...... + + + ......

Bewsia biflora . . + + + . . . . . + ......

Sphenostylis angustifolium . . . + + . . + . + + ......

Species group 10

Cyperus sp...... + + + + ......

Gladiolus elliotii . . . + ...... + + . + ......

Dicerocaryum eriocarpum ...... + + . + ......

Lactuca inermis ...... + + + ......

Eragrostis trichophora ...... + + ......

Indigofera daleoides ...... + . . + ......

Kyllinga alba ...... + . + ......

Aloe marlothii . . + ...... + + ......

Harpochloa falx . . . . . + . . . . + . + ......

Species group 11

Triumfetta sonderi . . . . . + . + + . + . + + + ......

Jamesbrittenia sp...... + + + . . . + ......

Hypoxis sp...... + . . . + ......

Crepis hypochoeridea ...... + . . . + . + ......

Elephantorrhiza elephantina ...... + . + + ......

Species group 12

Urelytrum agropyroides . . . + a a + + + . a 1 + a ......

Helichrysum aureonitens . . . + + + . + . + . + . . + ......

Eragrostis racemosa . . . + + . + + + . + + ......

Pearsonia sessilifolia . . . + . . . . + + . + ......

Aristida transvaalensis . . . + ...... + ......

Wahlenbergia undulata ...... + . . . . . + ......

Parinari capensis ...... + ...... + ......

Hebenstretia angolensis . . . . + ...... + ......

Andropogon chinensis . . . . + ...... + . + + ......

Species group 13

Loudetia simplex . + 3 5 3 1 3 5 4 5 b 4 . 3 ......

Burkea africana . . + + 1 b a 1 b . . 1 + a ......

Ochna pulchra + . + + + + . . + . . + . + ......

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Diheteropogon amplectens + + + + + . . + + + 1 a a b ......

Pellaea calomelanos + + + + + . + + + + + + + + ...... + . Campuloclinium macrocephalum . . + + + + . + + + + + . + + ......

Conyza albida . . + + . . . . + + + + + + ......

Brachiaria serrata + . . + + . . + . + . + . + ......

Tristachya biseriata . . + + + . + + + 1 b + . + ......

Bulbostylis hispidula . . + + + . . + + + . + . + + ......

Senecio venosus + + + . + . . + + + + + ...... + . .

Lannea edulis . + . . + . + + + . . + + + ......

Ozoroa paniculosa . + ...... + + . + . + ......

Melinis nerviglumis + . . . + . . . + + + . + + ......

Lannea discolor . 1 + . . . . 1 + . . + ......

Lantana rugosa . + + . . . . + . + + . . . + ......

Ruellia cordata + . . . + ...... + ......

Momordica balsamina . + ...... + . . . + ......

Monsonia angustifolia + + . + ...... + ......

Species group 14

Eleusine coracana ...... + + . . .

Sporobolus africanus ...... + . . . . + . + . . . .

Artemisia afra ...... + ......

Aerva leucura ...... + . . . . .

Aristida stipitata ...... + . . . .

Alternanthera pungens ...... + . . .

Species group 15

Hyparrhenia hirta . . . + ...... + + . 4 . + b + . . .

Aristida congesta congesta . . . . + ...... + + + + + + + . . . .

Gomphrena celosioides ...... + . . + . + . . . . .

Richardia brasiliensis ...... + . + . . + . . . .

Trichoneura grandiglumis . . . + ...... + + . + . . . .

Senecio sp...... + . + + . . . .

Amaranthus hybridus ...... + ...... + . . .

Chenopodium album ...... + ...... + . . .

Cucumis zeyheri ...... + ...... + . . .

Indigofera filipes ...... + . . + ......

Gisekia africana ...... + . . + . . . . .

Cyperus esculentus ...... + + ......

Tephrosia lupinifolia ...... + . . + . . . .

Verbena bonariensis ...... + + . + . + ......

Species group 16

Hibiscus sp...... + + . . . + . + + . . + . . .

Terminalia sericea ...... + . . . + . . 1 . . + . . . .

Datura stramonium ...... + . . + + . . + . + 1 . . .

Species group 17

Nidorella hottentotica . . . + . . + . . + + + + + + . . + . . . .

Ceratotheca triloba . . . + + . . + . + . + . + . . . + . . . .

Vernonia poskeana . . . + . . + + . + . + + . + . . + . . . .

Waltheria indica . . . . + . . . + . . + + . . . . + . . . .

Cleome maculata ...... + . + . . + + + + . . + . . . .

Boophone disticha ...... + + . + + + . + . . . + . . . .

Bidens pilosa . . . . + ...... + + . . . . . + . . .

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Pogonarthria squarrosa ...... 1 + + + . + + + + 1 + + . . . .

Species group 18

Schizachyrium sanguineum + + + . + . + + + + . + . + + + ......

Pollichia campestris + + . . . + + + + . . + + . . + + + . . . .

Chamaecrista mimosoides . . + + + . + . . . . + . . + + ......

Perotis patens . + . . . . . + + . . + + . + . + . . . . .

Commelina africana . + + . + . . + + + . + + + . . . + . . . .

Heteropogon contortus . . + . + + ...... 1 . . + ......

Species group 19

Gymnosporia polyacantha ...... a 1 1

Acacia robusta ...... a b +

Achyranthes aspera ...... + + +

Grewia occidentalis ...... + + +

Teucrium trifidum ...... + ...... + + +

Pappea capensis . + ...... 1 + + Mystroxylum aethiopicum burkeana ...... + + .

Hypoxis hemerocallidea ...... + + .

Gymnosporia buxifolia ...... + +

Tragus berteronianus ...... + +

Ornithogalum tenuifolium ...... + ...... + . +

Cereus jamacaru ...... + ...... + . +

Asparagus africanus . + ...... + + .

Species group 20 Tapinanthus natalitius zeyheri ...... + + . . + . +

Sarcostemma viminale ...... + 1 + .

Aristida congesta barbicollis ...... + . . . . + .

Portulaca kermesina ...... + . . + .

Urochloa mosambicensis ...... + . + . .

Melia azedarach ...... + ...... + . . +

Pennisetum clandestinum ...... + . + .

Species group 21

Opuntia sp...... + ...... + . . . + + . + . .

Eragrostis superba ...... + . . . . . + . + + .

Schkuhria pinnata . . . . . + ...... + + . + + + . . . +

Felicia muricata ...... + . . + + . . . . +

Ziziphus mucronata ...... + . . + + . . + . +

Searsia lancea ...... + + . . . + . .

Species group 22

Acacia karroo ...... + + . . 1 3 b 1 a + + +

Pentarrhinum insipidum + . . . . + . . . + . + + + + + + + + + + +

Cynodon dactylon ...... + . . . + . . + . + . . + .

Species group 23

Bidens bipinnata + + . + . + + . . + 1 a + + + + + + + + + .

Tagetes minuta 1 + + a + + + 1 + + 1 a b a + + . a + + + +

Vangueria infausta 1 + + + + + + + + + + + + + . + . + + . + +

Acacia caffra b b 1 + . 1 1 . + + 1 + b + . + 1 + . + + b

Lantana camara + 1 + . + + . + 1 + . + 1 + . 1 + + . + + +

Panicum maximum + + + . . . + . 1 . + + 1 + . 4 4 1 + 3 1 a

Setaria sphacelata . + + + a 3 + . + . . a a b . + . . . + a a

Digitaria eriantha . + ...... + . + + + + . + + 1 . a + . 73 Ekotrust CC

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Zinnia peruviana . + . + ...... + + + . + + + 1 . + . +

Melinis repens . + + + + . . + . . + . + + + + + + . + . +

Eragrostis curvula . 1 + + . b 1 . + . + + 1 + + a 1 a . a a a

Searsia leptodictya . + . . + + + . . . + . + . . + + . + a 1 +

Cardiospermum halicacabum + + + . . . + . . + + + + + + . . . . + . +

Themeda triandra . + . + + . . + + . + + + + . . . . . + + +

Combretum molle 1 + 1 . + . + . + + + ...... + + +

Lippia javanica . + . . . . + + + . . + + . . + . . . . + +

Searsia zeyheri + + + . . . . . + + ...... + . +

Eragrostis rigidior . . . . + . + . . . . . + + . . . + . . 1 .

Dombeya rotundifolia 1 a . . 1 . . + . . . . . + . + . . . . . 1

Solanum panduriforme . + . . + + ...... + + . . . . . + . .

Aloe greatheadii davyana + + + + + + + . . + + + 1 + + . . . . a 1 1

Cussonia paniculata + . + . . + . . + + ...... + + .

Eragrostis chloromelas . + . . . 1 . . . + + . b + + . . a . + + .

Ehretia rigida . + . . . + . . . . + . + . . + . . . a a 1

Euclea crispa . + + . . 1 . . . . + . . + . + . . . a a a

Helichrysum rugulosum ...... + . + . . . + + . . . . + + .

Rhynchosia minima . . . + ...... + . . . . + . .

Kalanchoe paniculata . . + ...... + . .

Asparagus cooperi ...... + ...... +

Species group 24

Rhoicissus tridentata + ...... 1 . .

Athrixia elata + ......

Berkheya seminivea + ......

Chenopodium carinatum + ...... Englerophytum magalismontanum + ......

Solanum seaforthianum + ......

Cleome monophylla . + ......

Cymbopogon pospischilii . . + ......

Leonotis nepetifolia . . + ......

Hermbstaedtia odorata . . . . + ......

Rhynchosia monophylla . . . . + ......

Sorghum bicolor ...... + ......

Datura ferox ...... + ......

Crassula capitella ...... + ......

Brachiaria nigropedata ...... + ......

Cyathula natalensis ...... + ......

Digitaria monodactyla ...... + ......

Digitaria tricholaenoides ...... + ......

Hypochaeris radicata ...... + ......

Tephrosia longipes ...... + ......

Coccinia adoensis ...... + ......

Merremia palmata ...... + ......

Becium obovatum ...... + ......

Chamaesyce inaequilatera ...... + ......

Anthospermum hispidulum ...... + ......

Cyperus obtusiflorus ...... + ......

Eragrostis gummiflua ...... + ......

Ledebouria revoluta ...... + ......

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Phyllanthus maderaspatensis ...... + ......

Seriphium plumosum ...... + ......

Ruellia patula . . . . . + ......

Sphedamnocarpus pruriens . . . . . + ......

Lepidium africanum ...... + ......

Sida dregei ...... + ......

Sida rhombifolia ...... + ......

Gomphocarpus fruticosus ...... + . . . . .

Sida cordifolia ...... + . . . . .

Aristida meridionalis ...... + . . . .

Kohautia cynanchica ...... + . . . .

Limeum fenestratum ...... + . . . .

Opuntia stricta ...... + . . . .

Tribulus terrestris ...... + . . . .

Citrullus lanatus ...... + . . .

Prosopis cf glandulosa ...... + . . .

Bonatea speciosa ...... + . .

Carissa bispinosa ...... + . .

Mystroxylum aethiopicum ...... + . .

Setaria verticillata ...... + . .

Dovyalis zeyheri ...... + .

Kalanchoe rotundifolia ...... + .

Pavetta zeyheri ...... + .

Pupalia lappacea ...... + .

Solanum rigescens ...... + .

Conyza podocephala ...... +

Hibiscus micranthus ...... +

Searsia pyroides ...... +

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APPENDIX D

Curriculum vitae: DR NOEL VAN ROOYEN

1. Biographical Information

Surname Van Rooyen

First names Noel

ID number 501225 5034 084

Citizenship South African

Ekotrust CC

272 Thatcher’s Field

Business address Lynnwood 0081

Pretoria

South Africa

Tel & Fax +27 (0)12 348 9043

Cell +27 (0) 82 882 0886 e-mail [email protected]; www.ekotrust.co.za

Current position Professional Ecologist/Botanist/Rangeland scientist

Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat; Reg no. 401430/83), Professional Professional Rangeland Scientist (GSSA) and Professional Ecologist registration (SAIE&ES).

Academic qualifications include BSc (Agric), BSc (Honours), MSc (1978) and DSc degrees (1984) in Plant Ecology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Until 1999 I was Professor in Plant Ecology at the University of Pretoria and at present I am a member of Ekotrust cc.

2. Publications

I am the author/co-author of 121 peer reviewed research publications in national and international scientific journals and was supervisor or co-supervisor of 9 PhD and 33 MSc students. About 300 projects were undertaken by Ekotrust cc over a period of 20 years.

2.1 Books:

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VAN ROOYEN, N. (2001). Flowering plants of the Kalahari dunes. Ekotrust CC, Pretoria. (In collaboration with H. Bezuidenhout & E. de Kock).

2.2 Author / co-author of various chapters in books on the Savanna and Grassland Biomes in:

LOW, B. & REBELO, A.R. (1996). Vegetation types of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria.

KNOBEL, J. (Ed.) (1999, 2006). The Magnificent Natural Heritage of South Africa. (Chapters on the Kalahari and Lowveld).

VAN DER WALT, P.T. 2010. Bosveld. Briza, Pretoria. (Chapter on Sour Bushveld).

2.3 Contributed to chapters on vegetation, habitat evaluation and veld management in the book:

BOTHMA, J. du P. (Ed.) 2010. Game Ranch Management. 5th edition. Van Schaik, Pretoria.

2.4 Co-editor of:

BOTHMA, J. du P. & VAN ROOYEN, N. (eds). 2005. Intensive wildlife production in southern Africa. Van Schaik, Pretoria.

3. Ekotrust CC: Core services

Ekotrust CC specializes in vegetation surveys, classification and mapping, wildlife management, wildlife production and economic assessments, vegetation ecology, veld condition assessment, carrying capacity, floristic diversity assessments, rare species assessments, carbon pool assessments and alien plant management.

4. Examples of projects

Numerous vegetation surveys and vegetation impact assessments for Baseline, Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s) were made both locally and internationally.

Numerous projects have been undertaken in game ranches and conservation areas covering aspects such as vegetation surveys, range condition assessments and wildlife management. Of note is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park; iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ithala Game Reserve, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Mabula Game Reserve, Tswalu Kalahari Desert Reserve, Maremani

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Nature Reserve and Associate Private Nature Reserve (previously Timbavati, Klaserie & Umbabat Private Game Reserves).

Involvement in various research programmes: vegetation of the northern Kruger National Park, Savanna Ecosystem Project at Nylsvley, Limpopo; Kuiseb River Project (Namibia); Grassland Biome Project; Namaqualand and Kruger Park Rivers Ecosystem research programme.

5. Selected references of studies done by Ekotrust CC

VAN ROOYEN, N., THERON, G.K., BREDENKAMP, G.J., VAN ROOYEN, M.W., DEUTSCHLäNDER, M. & STEYN, H.M. 1996. Phytosociology, vegetation dynamics and conservation of the southern Kalahari. Final report: Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, Pretoria. VAN ROOYEN, N. 1999. The vegetation types, veld condition and game of Tswalu Kalahari Desert Reserve. VAN ROOYEN, N. & VAN ROOYEN, M.W. 2000. Environmental audit of Namakwa Sands Mine at Brand-se-Baai, Western Cape. VAN ROOYEN, N. 2000. Vegetation survey and mapping of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Peace Parks Foundation, Stellenbosch. VAN ROOYEN, N, VAN ROOYEN, M.W. & GROBLER, A. 2004. Habitat evaluation and stocking rates for wildlife and livestock - PAN TRUST Ranch, Ghanzi, Botswana. VAN ROOYEN, N. & VAN ROOYEN, M.W. 2004. Vegetation of the Langer Heinrich area, Namib- Naukluft National Park, Namibia. VAN ROOYEN, N. & VAN ROOYEN, M.W. 2008. Vegetation classification and habitat evaluation of the proposed Royal BigSix-Nsubane-Pongola Transfrontier Park, Swaziland. VAN ROOYEN, N. & VAN ROOYEN, M.W. 2008. Vegetation classification, mapping and habitat evaluation of the Ithala Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal. Report to Ezemvelo KwaZulu- Natal Wildlife. VAN ROOYEN, N. & VAN ROOYEN, M.W. 2010. Ecological evaluation of the Usuthu Community Conservation Area. Report to Wildlands, KwaZulu-Natal. VAN ROOYEN, N. 2011. Evaluation of the vegetation and flora of the proposed ESKOM power transmission line from ETNA to GLOCKNER substations (South Gauteng). Report to Holistic Environmental Services, Polokwane. VAN ROOYEN, N. 2012. Vegetation classification, mapping and habitat evaluation of the Thanda Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal. Report to Space for Elephants. VAN ROOYEN, N. 2000 - 2012. Studies of the impact of proposed developments on the biota of various sites in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North-West, Limpopo and Northern Cape.

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