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PROPOSED GSP NOMR: CHAPUDI PROJECT BIODIVERSITY REPORT Final Impact Assessment Report

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PROPOSED GSP NOMR: CHAPUDI PROJECT BIODIVERSITY REPORT Final Impact Assessment Report Proposed GSP NOMR Chapudi Project Biodiversity Impact Report PROPOSED GSP NOMR: CHAPUDI PROJECT BIODIVERSITY REPORT Final Impact Assessment Report November 2013 Phaki Phakanini Environmental (November 2013) Proposed GSP NOMR Chapudi Project Biodiversity Impact Report PROPOSED GSP NOMR: CHAPUDI PROJECT BIODIVERSITY REPORT Final Impact Assessment Report Submitted by: Phaki Phakanani Environmental Consultants cc. P. O Box 1198 Fauna Park Polokwane 0787 Tel: +27 15 295 7391 | Fax: +27 86 618 5960 | www.phakanani.co.za Compiled by: Mr Percy Mhinga, Mr Jamie Pote Mr Mark Marshall November 2013 Phaki Phakanini Environmental (November 2013) Proposed GSP NOMR Chapudi Project Phaki Phakanani Environmental Consultants Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................... iii List of Figures and Tables ...................................................................................................................... vii 1 Background and Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Terms of Reference ................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Plan of Study ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.4 Vegetation and Flora Methodology ........................................................................................ 2 1.5 Faunal Methodology and Field Methods ................................................................................ 2 1.6 Limitations............................................................................................................................... 4 1.7 Legislation Framework ............................................................................................................ 5 1.7.1 International guidelines and standards .............................................................................. 6 1.7.2 Licensing Requirements ...................................................................................................... 8 2 Project Description ........................................................................................................................ 15 2.1.1 Mining Operations ............................................................................................................ 15 2.1.2 Coal Processing ................................................................................................................. 15 2.1.3 Infrastructure .................................................................................................................... 16 2.1.4 Mine Residue Management .............................................................................................. 17 2.1.5 Closure Planning and Rehabilitation ................................................................................. 17 3 Regional Setting ............................................................................................................................. 18 3.1 Site Location .......................................................................................................................... 18 3.1.1 Locality .............................................................................................................................. 18 3.1.2 Climate .............................................................................................................................. 18 3.1.3 Topography ....................................................................................................................... 20 3.1.4 Land Use and Land Cover .................................................................................................. 20 3.1.5 Protected Areas and Nature reserves ............................................................................... 22 3.1.6 Scientific and Conservation Projects located in the Region ............................................. 23 3.1.7 Tourism and Hunting ......................................................................................................... 31 4 Vegetation (Regional Planning) ..................................................................................................... 31 4.1 Low and Rebelo (1996) ......................................................................................................... 31 4.2 Vegetation of Southern Africa (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006) ........................................... 32 4.2.1 Musina Mopane Bushveld ................................................................................................ 33 Biodiversity Impact Report (November 2013) iii Proposed GSP NOMR Chapudi Project Phaki Phakanani Environmental Consultants 4.2.2 Limpopo Ridge Bushveld ................................................................................................... 33 4.2.3 Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld .................................................................................... 34 5 Vegetation Communities and Sensitivity Mapping ....................................................................... 35 5.1 The Soutpansberg Mountain Ecosystem .............................................................................. 37 5.2 The Wetland Ecosystem ........................................................................................................ 38 5.3 The River Ecosystems ............................................................................................................ 40 5.4 The Ridges Ecosystem ........................................................................................................... 42 5.5 The Plateaus Ecosystem ........................................................................................................ 43 5.6 Mopane Bushveld ................................................................................................................. 43 5.6.1 Combretum apiculatum-Commiphora Arid Bushveld ...................................................... 47 5.6.2 Acacia tortilis, Zanthocercis zambesiaca Bushveld ........................................................... 47 5.6.3 Terminalia prunoides Bushveld......................................................................................... 48 5.6.4 Terminalia sericea Bushveld ............................................................................................. 48 5.6.5 Mopane Bushveld ............................................................................................................. 48 5.6.6 Acacia tortilis - Cataphractus Veld on limestone .............................................................. 48 5.6.7 Kirkia-Acacia senegal Bushveld ......................................................................................... 49 5.6.8 Degraded Shrubveld.......................................................................................................... 49 5.7 Old Fields, Current Agriculture and Secondary Re-growth (and Degraded areas) ............... 49 Flora ...................................................................................................................................................... 55 5.8 Protected and Endemic Flora ................................................................................................ 55 5.9 Introduced and Exotic/Alien Plants ...................................................................................... 59 6 Fauna ............................................................................................................................................. 59 6.1 Key Findings .......................................................................................................................... 59 6.1.1 Mammals .......................................................................................................................... 59 6.1.2 Avifauna ............................................................................................................................ 66 6.1.3 Reptiles .............................................................................................................................. 71 6.1.4 Amphibians ................................................................................................................... 76 6.1.5 Invertebrates ..................................................................................................................... 77 7 Fauna Sensitivity Areas .................................................................................................................. 87 8 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes .......................................................................................... 88 8.1 National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA, 2011)..................................................................... 88 8.2 Biodiversity Proxy.................................................................................................................. 88 8.3 Ecosystem Services ............................................................................................................... 89 8.3.1 Biodiversity maintenance ................................................................................................. 90 Biodiversity
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