Final ESR - Part 2 - Eskom

More documents

Recommendations

Info

REVISED FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED COMBINED CYCLE GAS TURBINE (CCGT) POWER PLANT IN THE AMERSFOORT AREA, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE Figure 7.1 Habitat type of the study area 7.6.4 Potential Impacts on Biodiversity The following impacts were identified that could potentially affect the biodiversity of the study area adversely: • Potential destruction of threatened species and habitat The loss of threatened/ protected species or habitat that is regarded suitable for these species is a significant impact on the biodiversity of a region. Threatened species, in most cases, do not contribute significantly to the biodiversity of an area in terms of sheer numbers as they generally occur in low numbers, but they are extremely important in terms of the biodiversity of an area and a high conservation value is placed on the presence of such species. Threatened species are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment, having adapted to specific habitat requirements. Habitat changes, mostly a result of human interferences and activities, are one of the greatest reasons for these species having a POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON THE BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 72 11/08/2008
REVISED FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED COMBINED CYCLE GAS TURBINE (CCGT) POWER PLANT IN THE AMERSFOORT AREA, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE threatened status. Significant surface transformation resulting from the proposed activity will lead to changes that will affect these habitats adversely. Effects of this impact are permanent and recovery or mitigation is generally not perceived as possible. It should be noted that the estimated presence of Red Data flora and fauna species for the area is regarded highly likely, particularly in the wetland habitat types. Significant impacts on potential communities of Red Data species are therefore regarded likely to happen. • Potential destruction of sensitive habitat types (outcrops, riparian fringes, non-perennial streams, river, etc.) Sensitive habitat types include ridges, outcrops, riparian habitat and localised floristic variations of significant physiognomic variation and species composition. These areas represent centres of atypical habitat and comprising biological attributes that are not frequently encountered in the greater surrounds. A high conservation value is attributed to the floristic communities of these areas as they contribute significantly to the biodiversity of a region. • Potential destruction of pristine 3 habitat types Large portions of the study area comprise natural grassland habitat that is regarded moderately pristine, representing the Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006). The conservation status is regarded as Vulnerable, with a target of 27%. None is however formally protected. Some 25% of this unit is transformed, predominantly by cultivation (22%). The area is not suited to forestation. Extensive parts of this vegetation type were once cultivated and now lie fallow and have been left to re-vegetate with pioneer grass species. The study area is situated with the African Grasslands/ Ekengela Initiative Transition Zone, rendering all areas of natural grassland sensitive (ENPAT, National Database, Biosphere). The loss of pristine natural regional habitat represents loss of habitat and biodiversity on a regional scale. This impact is regarded permanent. • Potential changes to habitat diversity and biodiversity Transformation of grassland habitat during the construction process will inevitably result in the creation of atypical and artificial habitat types that are not considered representative of the regional vegetation. Due to the severity of transformation, surrounding areas are frequently invaded by shrubs and alien species not generally associated with the area. • Potential impacts on surrounding natural habitat and species Surrounding areas and species present in the direct vicinity of the development could be affected by impacts resulting from construction and operational activities. These impacts could include all of the above impacts, depending on the sensitivity and status of surrounding habitat and species as well as the extent of impact activities. Areas that 3 Pristine habitat in this report implies natural habitat that are considered to be in a climax status, while natural vegetation refers to untransformed vegetation, that might be slightly degraded, but with a high likelihood of recovery to a pristine condition under correct management strategies. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON THE BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 73 11/08/2008
Page 1 and 2: REVISED FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING
Page 15: REVISED FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING
Page 67 and 68:
REVISED FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING
Page 69 and 70:
REVISED FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING
show all

Final ESR - Part 2 - Eskom

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?