CLIMATE, COMMUNITY AND BIODIVERSITY STANDARDS PROJECT DESIGN DOCUMENT FORM FOR AFFORESTATION AND REFORESTATION PROJECT ACTIVITIES (CCB-AR-PDD) Reforestation in grassland areas of Idete, Mufindi District, Iringa Region, Tanzania. Page 1 of 109 CONTENTS I. BASIC DATA II. GENERAL SECTION G1. ORIGINAL CONDITIONS AT PROJECT SITE G2. BASELINE PROJECTIONS G3. PROJECT DESIGN & GOALS G4. MANAGEMENT CAPACITY G5. LAND TENURE G6. LEGAL STATUS G7. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY (OPTIONAL ) G8. KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION III. CLIMATE SECTION CL1. NET POSITIVE CLIMATE IMPACTS CL2. OFFSITE CLIMATE IMPACTS (“L EAKAGE ”) CL3. CLIMATE IMPACT MONITORING CL4. ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLIMATE VARIABILITY (OPTIONAL ) CL5. CARBON BENEFITS WITHHELD FROM REGULATORY MARKETS (OPTIONAL ) IV. COMMUNITY SECTION CM1. NET POSITIVE COMMUNITY IMPACTS CM2. OFFSITE COMMUNITY IMPACTS CM3. COMMUNITY IMPACT MONITORING CM4. CAPACITY BUILDING (OPTIONAL ) CM5. BEST PRACTICES IN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (OPTIONAL ) V. BIODIVERSITY SECTION B1. NET POSITIVE BIODIVERSITY IMPACTS B2. OFFSITE BIODIVERSITY IMPACTS B3. BIODIVERSITY IMPACT MONITORING B4. NATIVE SPECIES USE (OPTIONAL ) B5. WATER AND SOIL RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT (OPTIONAL ) Annex 1: Standard Operating Procedure: Baseline sampling Annex 2: Monitoring Plan Page 2 of 109 I. BASIC DATA Green Resources Limited (GRL) is the leading plantation, carbon offset and renewable energy company in Eastern Africa. Green Resources AS are conducting reforestation activities in a number of locations in Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique, with the purpose of deriving revenue streams from the sale of carbon offsets and timber, whilst simultaneously bringing community and environmental benefits. The Idete Forest Project (IFP) is developed by GRL. This project is also applying for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) validation and verification under the A/R category with approved methodology A/R AM0005 version 04. Document version 05: 18th April 2011. II. GENERAL SECTION G1. Original Conditions at Project Site G.1.1 Describe the location of the project and basic physical parameters: Location The specific area of project activity is located in the southeastern part of Tanzania (Figure G1.1.1). The specific geographical positions (longitude/latitude) have been determined from topographic sheets, satellite images and actual planting area coordinates of the boundaries (polygons) are established using GPS, and stored in GIS. • Project Boundary: The CCBA project area is a parcel of 11,663 ha of land located on the lower elevation of Mufindi Escarpment, between latitudes 8 o52 ′ S - 8o 59 ′ S and longitudes 35 o11 ′ E - 35 o 23 ′ E of altitudes between 1100m and 1535m above sea level. The external boundaries are mainly rivers, valleys and cleared lines/paths. (N.b. The CDM project area is 5,207 ha of land, where Eucalyptus and Pine species will be planted, confined within the 11,663 ha). Page 3 of 109 Figure G.1.1.1: Location of the proposed A/R CDM project activity Hydrology 1 The major rivers that flow in the project area are the Mnyera River and the Idete River flowing in to the east of the project area and draining into the Ruaha River. Riverbanks and valleys are covered with natural vegetation dominated by riverine tree species, e.g. Syzygium cordatum and grasslands that will be left intact by the project for hydrology and biodiversity protection purposes. Floods are not common occurrences in the project area even in valley bottoms, suggesting well drain soil condition. 1 Please refer to the EIA for Mapanda and Idete by ENATA (2008) and Idete Forest Management Plan 2005-2009. Page 4 of 109 Climate 2 The area has a mean annual precipitation of 1050 mm, most of it falling between December and April/May, but with occasionally drizzles and showers extending to June and sometimes July. The prevailing winds blow from East to West. Mean annual temperature is about 12 0C and the coldest months are May to July. The climate of the area is characterised by a long dry season predominantly between July and October and a bi-modal rainfall distribution of short and long rain periods. The short rainy season occurs during November-December while the long rains fall between March and May. The project area is located in a zone of high potential evaporation varying between 800 - 1200 mm/year. Soil and Topography 3 The project site is located in an area characterised by undulating landscapes with slopes over 60%. Soils are mainly derived from granite, and are deeply weathered consisting of a mixture of red and yellow clay loams with dark humic top soil. In most areas, the agricultural productivity rating of the soil is low to medium. The top soil layer has been exposed to excessive annual traditional/accidental fires in most parts, and therefore largely devoid of humus, hence prone to erosion and occasional land or mudslides. G.1.2 Types and condition of vegetation at the project site: The vegetation in the project area is mainly unmanaged grassland and some remnants of scattered native species of miombo trees and shrubs including Parinari culaterifolia, Albizia gummifera, Prunus Africana and Nuxia congesta, Uapaca kirkiana, Brachystegia and Jubernadia species , are mainly found on hillsides and dry gullies. In the lower sections and riverbanks, riverine tree species such as Ficus lutea, Prunus Africana and Syzygium cordatum are dominant. Under the trees and in open areas, the natural undergrowth mainly consists of short and tall grass comprising Hyparrhenia rufa, Diheteropogon ampelactens, Londetia simplex and Cymbopogon excavatus with some areas of scattered bushes, trees and shrubs. This vegetation will be left intact to offer refuge to wildlife, enhance native biodiversity, and protect the areas from erosion by rainwater as well as to protect the rivers and streams from drying up. G.1.3 Current carbon stocks at the project site(s), using methodologies from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Good Practice Guidance (IPCC GPG) or other internationally approved methodologies (e.g. from the CDM Executive Board): Area description and mapping The vegetation of the Idete Forest Project is dominated by grassland with scattered trees and shrubs. According to ecological survey the area is in a steady state. In the more moist areas such as valley bottoms and around streams, the vegetation is comprised of a high concentration of larger shrubs and trees. The area which will be planted as part of the CDM A/R project is scattered grassland with scattered shrubs and isolated trees. The valley bottoms, gullies and areas around streams which contain remnant forest and wetlands will be set aside as conservation areas. The plantable area at Idete Forest Project has been grouped as one stratum, namely, “grassland with scattered shrubs and isolated trees”, due to the 2,3 Please refer to the EIA for Mapanda and Idete by ENATA (2008) and Idete Forest Management Plan 2005-2009. 3 Page 5 of 109 homogenous nature of the area. Areas which do not comply with the CDM definition, or have been designated as conservation areas have been excluded. Baseline Sampling Methodology Pools Sampled: The sampling of shrubs for estimation of biomass was done in September and October 2008 using field survey. Sampling of trees was redone in October, 2009 using high resolution images as earlier field assessment was found inadequate. In accordance with guidance contained in paragraph 35 of EB 42 meeting report, GHG emissions due to removal (loss) of herbaceous vegetation as a component of non- tree biomass are neglected in this methodology. As such herbaceous vegetation was not sampled. Sampling Methodology: Prior to commencement of the baseline work all field staff were provided with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which describe the sampling procedure in a step wise approach 4. Biomass is estimated across the stratum by sampling of circular plots along a line transect. The start point and direction of line transect was chosen randomly by looking at the second hand on the watch and walking 50m in that direction to find the start point. From there line transects were done as much as possible with plots every 200m. However, because of the, steep slopes and gullies this couldn’t be adhered to strictly and plots were laid as close as possible to where they should be, but in a plantable area. Trees with DBH>5cm were sampled in circular plots of 1.5 ha with a radius of 21.85m. Shrubs > 1m height were sampled in plots of 0.04ha with a radius of 11.28m. Shrub diameter at 30cm and height were measured. In addition saplings were counted in a circle of 1m radius from the centre of the plot. A total of 37 plots were sampled in the plantation area. Carbon Calculations Shrub Biomass Equation: No applicable equation to estimate shrub biomass could be found in the literature. As such a regression equation for the project area was developed through destructive sampling. The following methodology was used: Review the type and size of shrubs found on the plantable area of Idete project Initially the type and size of shrubs found in the plantable area were reviewed. The southern part was not reached largely because of poor accessibility, but also because the vegetation in that area is largely a mixed grassland with similar shrub species akin to those found in other parts. Common species identified are listed in Table G1.3.1 below. It was decided that shrubs to be sampled would range in size from 70 to 315 cm height. Selection of sample shrubs The selection of sample shrubs was subjective, covering the full size range of each species identified and from different locations on the project site. Measurement: A total of 42 shrubs were sampled to develop the allometric equation to estimate biomass. Parameters measured include: height, root collar diameter, diameter at 30cm and crown diameter. Stem diameters were measured twice in two different directions and the crown diameter was measured in north/south and east/west directions.