Biodiversity (1 - SRK Consulting

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8. RESULTS: MAMMALS Acocks (1988), Mucina and Rutherford (2006), Low & Rebelo (1996), Knobel and Bredenkamp (2006), SANBI & DEAT (2009) discuss the peculiar natural plant associations of the study area in broad terms. Rautenbach (1978 & 1982) found that mammal assemblages can at best be correlated with botanically defined biomes, such as those by Low and Rebelo (1996 & 1998), and latterly by Mucina and Rutherford (2006) as well Knobel and Bredenkamp (2006). Hence, although the former’s work has been superseded by the work of the latter two, the definitions of biomes are similar and both remain valid for mammals and are therefore recognized as a reasonable determinant of mammal distribution. The local occurrences of mammals are, on the other hand, closely dependent on broadly defined habitat types, in particular terrestrial, arboreal (tree-living), rupiculous (rockdwelling) and wetland-associated vegetation cover. It is thus possible to deduce the presence or absence of mammal species by evaluating the habitat types within the context of global distribution ranges. Sight records and information from residents or knowledgeable locals audit such deductions. 8.1 Mammal Habitat Assessment Most of the study site comprises natural habitats, subject to relatively low stocking levels of livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, horses), with the most disturbed areas around water points, farm houses, access tracks and along the old road and water pipeline servitudes north of and more or less parallel to the N14. The local occurrences of mammals are closely dependent on broadly defined habitat types, in particular terrestrial, arboreal (tree-living), rupiculous (rock-dwelling) and wetland-associated vegetation cover. It is thus possible to deduce the presence or absence of mammal species by evaluating the habitat types within the context of global distribution ranges. From a mammal habitat perspective, it was established that two of the four major habitats are very prominent on the study site, namely terrestrial and rupiculous (rock- 78
dwelling) habitat. Very little arboreal and wetland-associated vegetation cover habitat occurs on the study site. Terrestrial habitat forms a large part of the study site and is of great ecological significance. Many mammal species have burrows or live almost permanently in the soil (Figure 29). The grassy plains are the most extensive habitat on site, characterised by the flat topography and red sandy surface, but with a mosaic of patches of grass and/or gravel (Figure 27). Most of these were found near the washes of the Koa River drainage system, but also extending up slopes to the feet of the various mountains and hills scattered across the landscape. The open plains grade into the red sand and dune fields. Very few termitaria or moribund termitaria, which are the preferred habitat for some mammal species, were found. The various rocky mountains (Windhoek, Hoedkop, Skelemberg) form prominent and well-defined habitats that support their own special biodiversity (Figure 30). These mountains and hills are an important habitat for rupiculous mammals. Although not obvious in dry conditions, during periods of exceptional rainfall there are watercourses that flow and pans that fill with water, supporting a range of unusual biodiversity (Figure 28). The Koa River wash with its associated pans are the most obvious. In the northeast corner of the study site a dam constructed by the mines provides permanent open water and relatively dense reeds and bushes, some of which overflow onto study site. Arboreal habitat is almost non-existent on the study site. A few Acacia species and other small trees and bushes occur scattered in the dunes. A few Quiver trees (Aloe dichotoma) occur on some of the mountain slopes. The 500 metres of adjoining zones along the study sites are similar to conditions described. The broader adjacent habitats are extensions of those present on site. 79
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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
Page 27 and 28: Topography and drainage The topogra
Page 29 and 30: Figure 6. Close-up satellite image
Page 31 and 32: 6. METHODS Prior to the field visit
Page 33 and 34: 6.1.3 Sensitivity Only High and Low
Page 35 and 36: • Low probability of occurrence w
Page 37 and 38: The biodiversity significance of an
Page 39 and 40: oth by reference to the comprehensi
Page 41 and 42: 6.4. Herpetofauna 6.4.1. Field Surv
Page 43 and 44: • Armadillo Girdled Lizard (Cordy
Page 45 and 46: 7.2 Description of the plant commun
Page 47 and 48: Figure 12. Stipagrostis namaquensis
Page 49 and 50: is low, 70-110 mm per annum, mostly
Page 51 and 52: Figure 14. Grassland on sandy hummo
Page 53 and 54: This plant community with its speci
Page 55 and 56: 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 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 108 and 109: The remaining four threatened speci
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
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10.6 Conclusions The main conservat
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11. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
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assuming that the water does not ha
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Vegetation Deficient plant -5 Mediu
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Impact Table 2a:: Impact on biodive
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Substrate repair 1 2 2 1 2 15 Very
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maintenance, with designated passin
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M6: Control of plant diversity/stru
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Some Red Data plants and animals oc
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Flora Some areas of infrastructure
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(increasing or decreasing with time
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Table 2: Significance Rating Matrix
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APPENDIX 2: CURRICULII VITAE Abridg
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- >150 papers at national and inter
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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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Biodiversity (1 - SRK Consulting

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