PROJECT: Proposed Encroacher Bush Biomass Power Project in Namibia (EIB Ref. Code: TA2015061 NA ITF): Vertebrate and Vegetation Baseline [email protected] +264 81 1246033 Study, Integration of all Biodiversity PO Box 11997, Klein Windhoek, Namibia Components and Biodiversity Impact Assessment Client SLR Namibia Document history Draft (date submitted) Reviewed by V1-4: NA Internal revisions V5: 15 May 2018 Werner Petrick (SLR) V5: July 2018 NamPower Version 6: submitted on 10 August NamPower & ECC Final 11 November 2019 Document catalogue no. AWR 2017-02.1 Accompanying documents Appendix 1: Woody species of conservation concern Appendix 2: Non-woody species of conservation concern Appendix 3: Other plant species of potential concern, which are not protected, endemic, near-endemic or Red Data species Appendix 4: Amphibian species expected at both sites Appendix 5: Reptile species expected at both sites Appendix 6: Mammal species expected at both sites Appendix 7: The effects of harvesting on community structure of selected savanna sites Appendix 8: Guidelines for complying with regulations governing bush thinning and value addition projects Appendix 9: Potential positive and negative environmental impacts of aftercare Main authors Theo Wassenaar (AWR) Cornelis van der Waal (Agri-Ecological Services) Internal review Theo Wassenaar Assistants Titus Shuuya Elize Nghalipo Oliver Freyer Sub-consultants Coleen Mannheimer, Botanist Axel Rothauge, Agricultural Ecologist Biodiversity provides the framework that supports life; without it we won’t survive. Rational custodianship of nature is therefore a non-negotiable obligation. Project: Proposed Encroacher Bush Biomass Power Project in Namibia (EIB Ref. Code: TA2015061 NA ITF): Vertebrate and Vegetation Baseline Study, Integration of all Biodiversity Components and Biodiversity Impact Assessment Acceptance1 of report by client: Signature..................................................................................................... Signed by On date On behalf of Of address 1 Acceptance means that AWR has fulfilled the Terms of Reference for the project to the client’s satisfaction ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF NAMPOWER BIOMASS ENERGY PLANT Contents and acronyms I. Contents I. CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................... III II. LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................................... V III. LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................................... VII IV. ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS AND SHORTHAND TERMINOLOGY ..................................................... VIII 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 1 2 APPROACH TO STUDY.............................................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Terms of reference........................................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Understanding and clarification of ToR .......................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Summary of impact assessment method ....................................................................................................... 5 3 LIMITATIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS .......................................................................................................... 6 4 DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................................................................. 6 5 LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT ............................................................................................................................ 8 5.1 Applicable laws and policies ........................................................................................................................... 8 5.2 Relevant standards to comply with .............................................................................................................. 10 VI. METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................................................... 12 6.1 Literature and existing data review .............................................................................................................. 12 6.2 Determining sensitivity for the taxa of the current study ............................................................................ 13 6.3 Habitats .......................................................................................................................................................... 15 6.4 Fieldwork ........................................................................................................................................................ 16 7 DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT’S BIOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND GEOGRAPHY .. 17 7.1 Geography ..................................................................................................................................................... 17 7.2 Geomorphology ............................................................................................................................................. 20 7.3 Soils ................................................................................................................................................................ 20 7.4 Climate ........................................................................................................................................................... 20 7.5 Biomes ............................................................................................................................................................ 20 7.6 General diversity and endemism patterns ................................................................................................... 23 7.7 Floristic diversity, endemism and conservation issues ................................................................................ 26 7.8 Vertebrate diversity, endemism and conservation issues ........................................................................... 26 7.9 Floristic habitats (vegetation zones) of the harvesting area ....................................................................... 30 7.10 Sensitivity per taxon ...................................................................................................................................... 37 7.11 Savanna Ecology, with Specific Reference to the Dynamics of Bush Encroachment and Effects of Harvesting ..................................................................................................................................................................... 45 8 INTEGRATED DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................................... 56 8.1 The ecological goal is a significant reduction of woody biomass, not maximum woody yield (bush farming) 56 8.2 Sensitivity and No-Go zones across all taxa ................................................................................................. 60 8.3 Knowledge gaps and the need to fill them ................................................................................................... 66 9 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 73 10 IMPACTS ................................................................................................................................................. 73 11 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ......................................................................................................................... 90 12 IMPACTS SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 90 13 MANAGEMENT OF HARVESTING TO ACHIEVE BOTH RANGELAND PRODUCTIVITY AND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION GOALS ..................................................................................................................................... 92 13.1 Adaptive Management as the most appropriate governance framework ................................................. 92 13.2 Role of Environmental Manager ................................................................................................................... 93 13.3 Decision-making tools ................................................................................................................................... 93 Page | III ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF NAMPOWER BIOMASS ENERGY PLANT Contents and acronyms 14 CARROT, STICK AND EDUCATION: EQUALLY IMPORTANT KEYS TO SUCCESS .................................... 93 14.1 Incentivising through certification ................................................................................................................ 93 14.2 Harvesting permits, Environmental Clearance and site-specific Environmental Management Plans ...... 93 14.3 Aftercare responsibilities ............................................................................................................................... 94 14.4 Sharing information,