Appendix O2 - Biophysical Report.pdf - Zitholele.co.za

February 2011 112 12619Initial ImpactThe study area is dominated by agricultural land with patches of industry, rural and urbansettlements. The bulk of the existing impacts to soils along the route come in the form ofdisturbance from tillage and plantations. It is well documented that plantations of pine and BlueGum actually modify the soils on which they grow. Furthermore large erosion scars have beenfound along the route, especially in the KZN midlands. Here the erosion is aggrevated byovergrazing by rural livestock.Figure 12-1: Erosion ScarsThe initial impact to soils and land capability is probably a LOW negative impact acting over thelong term, and is presently occurring in the study area. As indicated in the table below the impactrating class is a Moderate Impact.Table 12-1: Soil and Land Capability Initial Impact AssessmentImpact Significance SpatialScaleImpact toSoilsTemporalScaleProbability RatingLOW Study Site Long Term Is occurring Moderate2 2 4 5 2.67ZITHOLELE CONSULTING