BOTANICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT RENSBURG ESTATE 137 PROPERTY AT GROOT-BRAKRIVIER, MOSSEL BAY January 2020 Mark Berry Environmental Consultants Pr Sci Nat (reg. no. 400073/98) Tel: 083 286-9470 Fax: 086 759-1908 E-mail: [email protected] 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………………………..2 2 PROPOSED PROJECT……………………………………………………………………………………..2 3 TERMS OF REFERENCE…………………………………………………………………………………..4 4 METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………………………………………………….5 5 LIMITATIONS TO THE STUDY……………………………………………………….……………………5 6 LOCALITY & BRIEF SITE DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................... 6 7 BIOGEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT ..................................................................................................... 6 8 VEGETATION & FLORA .................................................................................................................. 7 9 CONSERVATION STATUS & BIODIVERSITY NETWORK........................................................... 14 10 IMPACT ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................. 15 11 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................... 17 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................ 18 APPENDICES CV OF SPECIALIST DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 2 1 INTRODUCTION This report investigates the botanical aspects of the Rensburg Estate 137 property in Groot- Brakrivier earmarked for a residential development (see Map 1). It serves as an update for a status quo report undertaken by the author in August 2018, as well as an earlier report by Conservation Management Services (Ken Coetzee) in 2005 in order to conform to the current information base and assessment guidelines. The site comprises a large, nearly vacant area nestled between the N2 and the R102 (see Map 1). The area contains fynbos and thicket vegetation, with parts infested with woody aliens. While bordered by a residential area on the western side and the N2 freeway on the northern side, the site still presents a valuable botanical hot spot and stepping stone in the coastal biodiversity corridor between Mossel Bay and Groot- Brakrivier. Map 1 Satellite photo showing the location of subject area (outlined in red) between Tergniet and Groot-Brakrivier. 2 PROPOSED PROJECT Hey Innovations (Pty) Ltd proposes to subdivide the property into five main land uses as follows (see Map 2): 60 Single Residential Zone 1 erven; 49 General Residential Zone 1; 3 1 Business Zone III erf; 3 Open Space Zone II erven; 1 Transport Zone II (Public street) and 1 Transport Zone III (Private street). The development will be a security complex and as such will be fenced with a permanent security fence approved by the Mossel Bay Municipality. A manned access control structure will be erected at the entrance to the residential development. In addition, a manned emergency exit is planned along Erf 63, which will also serve as an access point during the construction phase. Three alternatives have been considered for the proposed project, namely: ‘No-go’ alternative (Alternative C) implies a continuation of the current situation or the status quo. Alternative A (preferred Alternative) entails the development of the site as described above (see Map 2). Alternative B consists of 62 Single Residential Zone 1 erven, 39 General Residential Zone 1, 1 Business Zone III erf, 3 Open space zone II erven, 1 Transport Zone II (Public street) and 1 Transport Zone III (Private street) (see Map 3). Map 2 Layout plan for preferred Alternative A. 4 Map 3 Layout plan for Alternative B. 3 TERMS OF REFERENCE Specific terms of reference: Identify and describe biodiversity attributes of the site (vegetation types and threatened/vulnerable ecosystems), at species level (Red List species, protected species, presence of alien species) and in terms of significant landscape features; Assess the impacts on biodiversity and the biodiversity network posed by the development and present mitigation measures to soften the impact, and; Review previous botanical work applicable to the area and any relevant biodiversity plans compiled in terms of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004). General terms of reference: The botanical assessment must follow guidelines as set out in the following documents: Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) Guidelines for Involving Biodiversity Specialists in the EIA Process (Brownlie 2005); Ecosystem Guidelines for Environmental Assessment in the Western Cape (Cadman 2016); 5 The requirements of CapeNature for providing comments on agricultural, environmental, mine planning and water-use related applications; and Appendix 6 of the 2014 EIA Regulations. 4 METHODOLOGY A botanical survey of the site was undertaken on 11 and 12 August 2018 by Mark Berry (see CV attached). A qualitative assessment of the type and condition of affected vegetation on site, disturbance and presence of alien species, Species of Conservation Concern and protected tree species was carried out. Nearby vegetation remnants were also briefly investigated. Plant species not identified in the field, were collected or photographed and identified at the Compton Herbarium at Kirstenbosch. Mucina & Rutherford’s vegetation map and the latest floristic taxonomic literature and reference books were used for the purpose of this specialist study. Any plants classified as rare or endangered in the Red List of South African Plants online database are highlighted. The assessment follows Brownlie’s (2005), CapeNature and other relevant guidelines for biodiversity assessments. The following information was recorded during the site visit: 1. The condition of the vegetation. Is the vegetation either disturbed or degraded? A disturbed or degraded area could range from agricultural fields (fallow land), or areas previously disturbed by construction activities, to an area that has been severely eroded or degraded as a result of bad land management or alien infestation. 2. The species diversity. This refers to the numbers of different indigenous plant species occurring on site. Indigenous fauna observed was also noted. 3. Species of Conservation Concern, as well as protected tree species occurring on site. This would include rare, vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered species. Species listed as vulnerable were mapped using Easy GPS v2.5 software on an iPhone. Accuracy is given as ±4 m. 4. Identification of the vegetation type(s) and communities (if discernible) on the site. This would include trying to establish the known range of a vegetation type and whether or not this vegetation type is vulnerable (VU), endangered (EN) or critically endangered (CR). 5. Identify any potential links with adjacent/nearby significant vegetation remnants. 5 LIMITATIONS TO THE STUDY Since fieldwork was carried out during early spring, plants that only flower at other times of the year (e.g. summer to autumn) may have been missed. However, the overall confidence in the 6 completeness and accuracy of the botanical findings at this point in time is considered to be good. A follow-up survey is not considered essential for decision-making. 6 LOCALITY & BRIEF SITE DESCRIPTION The study site is located on a stabilised dune midway between Tergniet and Groot-Brakrivier in the Southern Cape. The dune rises to 47 m above sea level on the northern boundary, with a steep dune face noted in the eastern corner of the site. Coastal development has transformed much of the coastal strip between Mossel Bay and Glentana, with only a few large remnants of coastal vegetation still left. The subject property, which enjoys good connectivity with the beach and Great Brak Estuary, is one of these remnants. Three separate botanical studies confirmed the importance of the Klein Brak, Groot Brak and Reebok remnants (Vlok 1997; Emms 2017 & Berry 2018). Agriculture (dairy farming) and residential developments have transformed the area to the north of the N2, with only the hilly areas and steep slopes remaining untransformed. Major river valleys to the west (Hartenbos and Klein Brakrivier and its tributaries) and east (Groot Brakrivier) of the site have dissected the landscape created an undulating landscape. According to the 3422 AA Mossel Bay 1:50 000 geological map, the site is underlain by non- shelly sand. 7 BIOGEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT Being located on the Southern Cape coastal plain in close proximity to the coast, the site occurs in a typical fynbos-dune thicket environment. This is confirmed by the presence of typical fynbos species, such as Erica discolor, Leucadendron salignum and Thamnochortus insignis, as well as dune thicket species, such as Olea exasperata, Putterlickia pyracantha and Sideroxylon inerme (milkwood). Only one member of the Proteaceae family was recorded, namely Leucadendron salignum. According to the 2012 Vegetation Map of South Africa, the vegetation on site is classified as Canca Limestone Fynbos (see Map 4). The latter unit stretches across the Southern Cape lowlands from Witsand (Cape Infanta) in the west to the Mossel Bay area in the east (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). According to the Vegetation Map, Groot Brak Dune Strandveld encroaches the site from the north. In the more recent 2018 beta Vegetation Map, the vegetation on site has been remapped