Biodiversity (1 - SRK Consulting

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.
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