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

February 2011 115 12619Table 12-4: Flora Initial Impact Rating ScaleImpact Significance Spatial Temporal Probability RatingScale ScaleImpact to MODERATE Local Long Term Is occurring HighFlora3 3 4 5 3.3The initial impacts to flora include extensive grazing, cultivation and alien invasive colonisation.The initial impact to flora is definitely MODERATE negative impact acting over the long term, andis presently occurring in the local area. As indicated in the table above the impact rating class is aHigh Impact.Additional ImpactAdditional impacts will be the removal of vegetation within the servitude for the construction of thenew power lines and the associated servitude roads. There is a major concern to the effects onendangered and threatened endangered vegetation types. There is concern about the loss ofvulnerable and threatened vegetation types and the table in Section 8 illustrates the length thateach route alternative will cross over each vegetation types identified. From the table it can beseen that Alternative 1 impacts on the least endangered vegetation but quite a large section ofvulnerable vegetation. Alternative 3 has a similar overall impact but impacts on a larger section ofendangered vegetation while Alternative 2 has the largest impact.Table 12-5: Vegetation Additional-Impact Rating ScaleAlternative 1Impact Significance Spatial Temporal Probability RatingScale ScaleImpact to MODERATE Study Site Long Term It’s going to ModerateVegetationhappen3 2 4 5 3The additional impact to vegetation is MODERATE, occurs in Study site and will be Long Term andIt’s going to happen. A rating of 2.2 gives an impact class of Moderate.Cumulative ImpactThe cumulative impacts take into account the affects that the construction and the initial impactshave on the vegetation. In areas where the vegetation has already been distubed the lines will notincrease the impact rating. In areas that have not yet been disturbed the impact will be increasedto the rating as per the initial assessment i.e. a High impact.ZITHOLELE CONSULTING