Biodiversity (1 - SRK Consulting

8.4 Discussion
Four pertinent matters emerge from the list of mammals compiled during the site visit
and the subsequent desktop study:
5. the species assemblage is typical of a western semi-arid region (particularly species
such as the elephants shrew species, the ground squirrel, the spectacled dormouse,
the various gerbil species, the dassie rat, whistling rats, the black-footed cat, the bateared
fox, the Cape fox, the gemsbok, the springbok etc.);
6. the species richness of 56 is typical of an extensive area such as the property (5000
ha) and of adjoining areas, with a near-natural degree of connectivity;
7. land-use practices and civilization pressures are geared to low-key grazing with a
focus on concomitant floral conservation to benefit year-round grazing, which are
conducive to species richness; and
8. field observations suggested that population levels were low during the site visit.
Population fluctuations are not uncommon, and often have a domino effect (for
instance when prey population densities decrease in numbers, this will have an
adverse effect on carnivore and raptor numbers).
The rest of the species richness is made up from common and robust mammals with
wide distributional ranges such as aardvarks, springhares, four-striped grass mouse,
porcupines, the caracal, the genet, the two mongoose species, the black-backed jackal
etc.
The role of insectivorous bats in an ecosystem is often under-estimated, whereas their
susceptibility to reigning environmental conditions is under-appreciated. Bats are
sensitive to adverse daytime environmental conditions and predation, and suitable
daytime roosting sites are of cardinal importance. Especially the Bobbejaansgat
Mountain has many boulders and rock faces forming many overhangs and deep crevices
suitable for daytime roosts. The dammed water and marshland conditions in the Koa
River Wash to the north-east of the site are likely to support insect populations for
hawking bats.
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