WETLAND DELINEATION REPORT - SRK Consulting

Wetland and Vegetation AssessmentThe surrounding landscape and terrain units have been transformed and modified extensively inorder for agricultural practices, in particular the sugarcane industry. A very large fraction of thesurrounding land surface has been ploughed and reshaped to even out sharp contours and toconstruct roads for farming purposes. In addition, historically many drainage ditches have beenconstructed to drain wet soils and to redirect water in order to create more favourable conditionsfor the commercial cultivation of sugarcane. Existing rivers and drainage lines have historically beendredged to form deeply eroded artificial channels and furrows to speed up water drainage awayfrom wet areas.All ecosystems on the study site have been invaded aggressively by alien plant species. A total offour plant communities were identified and described: Ficus sycamorus–Trichilia emetica riverinewoodland, Helichrysum krausii–Chrysanthemoides monilifera shrubland, Lantana camara–Chromolaena odorata thickets, and Arundo donax–Pluchea dioscoridis reed thickets. Of these plantcommunities, only the Ficus sycamorus–Trichilia emetica riverine woodland community is regardedto have a high vegetation conservation value.None of the red data plant species listed for the region were recorded as occurring naturally withinthe study area during the surveys. The Ficus sycamorus–Trichilia emetica riverine woodlandcommunity contains highly suitable habitat for four Declining plant species, and marginally suitablehabitat for one NT plant species. The Helichrysum krausii–Chrysanthemoides monilifera shrublandplant community contains highly suitable habitat for two Declining plant species and marginallysuitable habitat for one NT plant species. The Arundo donax–Pluchea dioscoridis reed thicketcommunity contains marginally suitable habitat for one declining species, but only if it were in arehabilitated state. It is recommended that the study site be visited during the flowering season forthe plant species of concern, for identification and marking. The relocation of the plants should thenbe undertaken, after obtaining the relevant permits, and in consultation with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.All ecosystems on the study site have been invaded aggressively by alien plant species. An extensiveclearing operation has been undertaken in an attempt to remove and control these species. Many ofthese species are declared invasive alien species and should be controlled by law (Regulation 15 ofthe Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 – Act 43 of 1983). It is recommended that theseeradication programmes be continued and that follow up programmes be undertaken.While the area for the proposed expansion of the filter cake-ash temporary storage facility is locatedwithin a large floodplain wetland system, it is unlikely to result in any significant impact to thewetland, which is already extensively transformed. Historic evidence suggests that only large floodevents, such as Demoina, will alter the area of the alluvial fan where the study site is located.Although the proposed expansion is unlikely to result in any significant additional impacts to analready extensively transformed wetland system the relevant authorities should still be made awareof the proposed development occurring within a wetland. Relevant authorities, such as the DWA,DEA, Ezemvelo, iSimangaliso Wetlands Park Authority, local municipality, etc., should be informed ofthe development in the wetland. All relevant licence applications, i.e. in particular water use licenceapplications should be investigated by the EAP undertaking the BA process.INSTITUTE OF NATURAL RESOURCES 29