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

February 2011 59 12619KaNgwane Montane GrasslandThe KaNgwane Montane Grassland is situated in Mpumalanga and Swaziland, and marginally intonorthern KwaZulu-Natal. The unit occurs along the gentle slopes of the Escarpment from thePhongolo Valley in the south, northwards to the Usutu Valley and to the uppermost Lomati Valleynear Carolina, including the western grassland areas of Swaziland.Figure 7-8: Plantations.The vegetation unit largely comprises of undulating hills and plains that occur on the eastern edgeoff the escarpment. This unit is transitional between the Highveld and the escarpment and containselements of both. The vegetation structure comprises of a short closed grassland layer with manyforbs, and a few scattered shrubs on the rocky outcrops.This unit is considered vulnerable with a conservation target of 27%. Only 0.4% is protected withinformally proclaimed nature reserves (Malalotja, Nooitgedacht Dam, and Songimvelo). A number ofprivate conservation areas protect small patches of this unit. It is well suited for afforestation and30% has already been converted to plantations of alien trees. A further 6% is under cultivation.Amersfoort Highveld Clay GrasslandThe Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland occurs in the Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.This vegetation unit extends in a north-south band from just south of Ermelo, down throughAmersfoort to the Memel area in the south. The vegetation unit is comprised of undulatingZITHOLELE CONSULTING