Biodiversity (1 - SRK Consulting

Figure 25. The vegetation sensitivity map compiled for the site during this survey. . 70
Figure 26. A map indicating the Black Mountain Land Use Plan (SKEP 2008) with the
Zuurwater area immediately west of the mining area (Image provided by SRK
Consulting) .............................................................................................................. 73
Figure 27. A south-westerly view over the gravelly plain earmarked for the proposed
development. Note the sparse basal cover. ............................................................ 80
Figure 28. The dammed water in the Koa River wash and pan. This water body
appears to be a permanent feature and as such probably support insects which can
be expected to rise during summer sunsets and serve as feeding patches for
hawking bats commuting from roosting sites in the various mountains on the
property. .................................................................................................................. 80
Figure 29. An aardvark burrow in the Kalahari duneveld. ........................................ 81
Figure 30. The Bobbejaansgat Mountain. The many boulder overhangs and deep
crevices are likely to offer suitable daytime roosting sites for bats. .......................... 81
Figure 31. View north down the Koa River drainage where the deepest part passes
under the N14, about where the eastern boundary of Zuurwater meets the road. Note
the good but patchy stands of grasses, few woody plants, and the mountains,
Hoedkop (left) around Aggeneys in the background (right). ..................................... 91
Figure 32. View west from the east boundary of Zuurwater, with Hoedkop on the
centre and Skelemberg on the left horizon, showing the open flats of the Koa wash
with the Springbok powerline on the right side of the proposed northeast end of the
PV arrays. ............................................................................................................... 91
Figure 33. View east from the Zuurwater farmhouse, showing a Karoo Korhaan in the
overgrazed plains on a calcrete substrate with shallow soils and some Rhigozum
trichotomum shrubs, the sort of habitat at the south end of the PV array. ................ 92
Figure 34. View east from a dune crest in the northern dune fields, looking across a
dune street with a lone Acacia karroo to the Springbok power lines coming from the
Eskom substation behind the Aggeneys hills on the left. ......................................... 93
Figure 35. View south west from rocky outcrop at crest of the northern dune field on
Zuurwater, showing the tussocky grass, few trees/bushes and the Koa wash behind,
with the Skelemberg on the left and Hoedkop on the right. ...................................... 93
Figure 36. View north from the southern sandy area with mainly Centropodia grass,
looking north of the eastern half of the Windhoekberg (with the N14 passing at the
extreme left of the picture. ....................................................................................... 94
Figure 37. View west from northeast corner of Zuurwater, showing the pan just inside
the fenceline that forms the downstream end and overflow of water from the mine
dam/vlei just outside the farm. Hoedkop ison the horizon. ....................................... 95
Figure 38. View west down the main Koa River wash where it would flow into the
wide expanese of Pan 1, looking along the fence line that marks the approximate
northern edge of the PV array and also the ecotone between the open plains (left)
and the start (right) of the northern dune fields. Hoedkop is in the background, with
Pan 2 near its base. ................................................................................................ 95
SATO Aggeneys July 2011 9