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

February 2011 49 126197 TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY7.1 Data CollectionA literature review of the faunal and floral species that could occur in the area was conducted. C-Plan data provided from the Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal provincial departments was used toconduct a desktop study of the area. This data consists of terrestrial components; ratings providean indication as to the importance of the area with respect to biodiversity.The study involved extensive fieldwork, a literature review and a desktop study utilizing GIS. Siteinvestigations were conducted from October to February 2011, from spring to summer. The areawithin the servitude was sampled using transects placed at 500 m intervals. At random pointsalong these transect an area of 20 m x 20 m was surveyed. All species within the 20 m x 20 mquadrant were identified, photographed and their occurrence noted. Sensitive features such asridges or wetlands were sampled by walking randomly through the area concerned and identifyingall species within the area.The floral data below is taken from The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland(Mucina and Rutherford 2006). Also, while on site, the following field guides were used:• Guide to Grasses of Southern Africa (Frits van Oudtshoorn, 1999);• Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa (Braam van Wyk and Piet van Wyk, 1997);• Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of the Highveld (Braam van Wyk and Sasa Malan, 1998);• Problem Plants of South Africa (Clive Bromilow, 2001); and• Medicinal Plants of South Africa (Ben-Erik van Wyk, Bosch van Oudtshoorn and Nigel Gericke,2002)Species lists were obtained from the SIBIS (South African National Biodiversity Institute -Accessed through the SIBIS portal, sibis.sanbi.org, 2011-01-25). In addition the following faunalguides were used on site and while compiling this report:• Die Natuurlewe van Suider-Afrika, ‘n veldgids tot diere en plante van die streek (VincentCarruthers, 1997);• Birds of Southern Africa (Ian Sinclair, 1994);• Smithers’ Mammals of Southern Africa, a field guide (Ed. Peter Apps, 2000);• Sasol Owls and Owling in Southern Africa (Warwick Tarboton & Rudi Erasmus, 1998);• Bats of Southern Africa (Peter John Taylor, 2000);• Ecological Assessment Report Of The Three Alternative Transmission Powerline RouteCorridors For The Proposed 765kv Transmission Power Line From Umfolozi Substation To TheNew Empangeni Sub-Station (Indiflora Environmental Services, 2007); and• Ecological Assessment Specialist Report Of The Three Alternative Powerline AlignmentCorridors For The Proposed 765kv Transmission Line From Majuba Power Station To UmfoloziSub-Station (Indiflora Environmental Services, 2006).ZITHOLELE CONSULTING