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

February 2011 50 126197.2 Vegetation7.2.1 Regional DescriptionThe area under investigation straddles the Savanna and Grassland Biomes. Each biomecomprises several bioregions which in turn has various vegetation types within the bioregion. TheGrassland Biome is represented by Mesic Highveld Grassland, Sub-Escarpment Grasslandbioregions. The Savanna Biome is respresented by the Lowveld and Sub-Escarpment Savannabioregions. Each of these bioregions is described below. These descriptions are adapted fromMucina and Rutherford, 2006.Mesic Highveld GrasslandMesic Highveld Grassland is found mainly in the eastern, high rainfall regions of the Highveld,extending all the way to the northern escarpment. These are considered to be “sour” grasslandsand are dominated by primarily andropogonoid grasses. The different grassland types aredistinguished on the basis of geology, elevation, topography and rainfall. Shrublands are found onoutcrops of rock within the bioregion, where the surface topography creates habitat in which woodyvegetation is favoured above grasses.As mentioned above the power line corridors were visited for a lengthy period of time and thefollowing vegetation types were identified along the route:• Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland• Eastern Highveld Grassland;• Paulpietersburg Moist Grassland; and• KaNgwane Montane Grassland.The vegetation types identified on site are indicated in Figure 7-1 below and described in detailbelow.Sub-Escarpment GrasslandSub-Escarpment Grassland is found on the rolling hills and flat plains of the foothills of theDrakensberg and Northern Escarpment. The physical nature of these areas is determined by therate at which the landscape ascends to the main Escarpment region as well as the degree to whichthe landscape has been geomorphologically shaped. The result is a diversity of landformsincluding rolling hills and flat plains.The following vegetation types from this bioregion were identified along the route:• Northern Zululand Mistbelt Grassland• Ithala Quartzite Sourveld• Northern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland• KwaZulu Natal Highland Thornveld; and• Income Sandy Grassland.ZITHOLELE CONSULTING