Biodiversity (1 - SRK Consulting

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The remaining four threatened species are expected to be erratic visitors when high rainfall creates productive conditions (plant cover, seeds, insects, small vertebrates). Some are resident species in the general area of the Northern Cape whose ephemeral habitats on the property are also only likely to become suitable after good rains, the Chestnut-banded Plover visiting and possibly feeding and breeding in/around the more saline pans and Sclater's Lark using large grass seeds on the few chalky gravel patches. The Kori Bustard generally prefers higher rainfall areas with more ground cover and productivity, so although they do sometimes visit the area it seems unlikely that they breed there. Finally, the Black Harrier is expected only as an erratic, nonbreeding winter visitor to the area from the western Cape, again most likely when good rains have produced abundant small animals. 9.5. General Conclusions The main conservation objectives for birds on Portion 3 of the farm Zuurwater 62 are to retain untransformed the mountains and their gravel skirts, the deep red sands and dunes, and as much as possible of the Koa River washes and pans, together with whatever of the adjacent grassy plains is not transformed by the proposed solar PV electricity generation facility. The mountains, pans and dunes should be designated sensitive areas and excluded from any development, apart from low densities of livestock grazing. Of 169 bird species recorded and/or expected on Zuurwater, nine are threatened species, of which the resident, near-endemic, habitat-specific and rangerestricted Ludwig's Bustard and Red Lark are both considered Vulnerable by IUCN criteria. The PV array is not considered a direct threat to any bird species, given its limited impact in space (
9.6 Limitations, Assumptions and Gaps in Knowledge The primary data for this assessment came from the distribution and status information collected for southern African birds during the SABAP1 atlas project, and is therefore only as accurate and reliable as the limitations and assumptions described for that exercise (Harrison et al. 1997), augmented with information from the key Roberts VII reference (Hockey et al. 2005). I also had access to suitable databases, information and identification resources, and did not consider that the present assignment warranted a more detailed (and expensive) survey, even though summer migrants were absent. My personal field experience includes work with birds around Pomander and in the then Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, and community surveys across a wide range of southern African habitats. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) attempt to provide an accurate but subjective study of the main environmental factors and possible mitigation measures that might apply to a given development proposal. EIAs are limited in scope, time and budget, even though every care is taken to ensure their accuracy. Even a more factual report, based on field sampling and observation over several years and seasons, to account for fluctuating environmental conditions and migrations, may be insufficient since one is dealing with dynamic natural systems, especially for birds that have such a mobile response to changing conditions. The lack of avian experience with local PV array developments, especially in the habitats around Aggeneys is also relevant. I offer this EIA in good faith, based on the information available to me at the time, but cannot accept responsibility for subsequent changes in knowledge or conditions. 9.7 References Barnes, K.N. (ed.). 2000. The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. BirdLife South Africa. 2011. Checklist of Birds in South Africa 2011. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. Bredenkamp, G.J. & Brown, L.R. 2001. Vegetation – A reliable ecological basis for environmental planning. Urban Greenfile Nov-Dec 2001: 38-39. Convention on Biological Diversity. Signed 1993 and ratified 2 November 1995. 109
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A vegetation and vertebrate fauna d
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Some of the rare or beautiful succu
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6.3.3 Field Survey ................
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12.1 Specific mitigation measures .
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Figure 25. The vegetation sensitivi
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Figure 54. An easterly view from Bo
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Vegetation Althou
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designated sensitive areas and excl
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Holdings (SHE, Pty Ltd). The main c
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2. ASSIGNMENT Eco-Agent Ecological
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3. RATIONALE It is widely recognise
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4. SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUD
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Figure 3. Satellite image showing t
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Topography and drainage The topogra
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Figure 6. Close-up satellite image
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6. METHODS Prior to the field visit
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6.1.3 Sensitivity Only High and Low
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• Low probability of occurrence w
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The biodiversity significance of an
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oth by reference to the comprehensi
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6.4. Herpetofauna 6.4.1. Field Surv
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• Armadillo Girdled Lizard (Cordy
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7.2 Description of the plant commun
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Figure 12. Stipagrostis namaquensis
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is low, 70-110 mm per annum, mostly
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Figure 14. Grassland on sandy hummo
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This plant community with its speci
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Crassula sericea Dicoma capensis Cu
Page 57 and 58: Figure 17. A scree slope 4.2.2 Stee
Page 59 and 60: species also occur on the mountain
Page 61 and 62: Schmidtia kalahariensis d Stipagros
Page 63 and 64: 5.2 Washes The drainage lines withi
Page 65 and 66: in a population going extinct elsew
Page 67 and 68: 7.4 Fine Scale Biodiversity Fine sc
Page 69 and 70: The SKEP (2005) biodiversity map fo
Page 71 and 72: National Herbarium. This is therefo
Page 73 and 74: Figure 26. A map indicating the Bla
Page 75 and 76: 7.10 References Acocks, J.P.H. 1988
Page 78 and 79: 8. RESULTS: MAMMALS Acocks (1988),
Page 80 and 81: Figure 27. A south-westerly view ov
Page 82 and 83: 8.2 Observed and Expected Mammal Sp
Page 84 and 85: √ Otocyon megalotis Bat-eared fox
Page 86 and 87: 8.4 Discussion Four pertinent matte
Page 88 and 89: Knobel, J. & Bredenkamp, G. 2005. T
Page 90 and 91: 9. RESULTS: AVIFAUNA 9.1 General Th
Page 92 and 93: Figure 33. View east from the Zuurw
Page 94 and 95: Figure 36. View north from the sout
Page 96 and 97: Figure 39. View west towards Hoedko
Page 98 and 99: Figure 42. Patch of green vegetatio
Page 100 and 101: Table 1: Rating of recognised on-si
Page 102 and 103: Burchell’s Coucal Centropus burch
Page 104 and 105: Karoo Eremomela Eremomela gregalis
Page 106 and 107: 9.4. Threatened and Red-Listed Bird
Page 110 and 111: Department of Environmental Affairs
Page 112 and 113: 10. RESULTS: HERPETOFAUNA 10.1. Her
Page 114 and 115: Figure 46. A view of red dunes and
Page 116 and 117: Figure 50. Man-made quarry on the w
Page 118 and 119: In the western corner of the study
Page 120 and 121: Very few trees occur on the study s
Page 122 and 123: Table 1: Reptile and Amphibian spec
Page 124 and 125: ? Prosymna bivittata Two-striped Sh
Page 126 and 127: Psammophis notostictus Karoo Whip o
Page 128 and 129: 10.6 Conclusions The main conservat
Page 130 and 131: 11. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Page 132 and 133: assuming that the water does not ha
Page 134 and 135: Vegetation Deficient plant -5 Mediu
Page 136 and 137: Impact Table 2a:: Impact on biodive
Page 138 and 139: Substrate repair 1 2 2 1 2 15 Very
Page 140 and 141: maintenance, with designated passin
Page 142 and 143: M6: Control of plant diversity/stru
Page 144 and 145: Some Red Data plants and animals oc
Page 146 and 147: Flora Some areas of infrastructure
Page 148 and 149: (increasing or decreasing with time
Page 150 and 151: Table 2: Significance Rating Matrix
Page 152 and 153: APPENDIX 2: CURRICULII VITAE Abridg
Page 154 and 155: - >150 papers at national and inter
Page 156 and 157: Visits to Israel, Italy, Germany, U
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Abridged Curriculum Vitae: Ignatius
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Abridged Curriculum Vitae: Alan Cha
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- 15 contributions in or as books
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Abridged Curriculum Vitae: Jacobus
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