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

February 2011 60 12619grassland plains, with small scattered portions of dolerite outcrops in areas. The vegetation iscomprised of a short closed grassland cover, largely dominated by a dense Themeda triandrasward, often severely grazed to form a short lawnThe Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland is considered vulnerable. The conservation target for thisunit is 27% but none is protected. Some 25% of the unit is transformed, predominantly bycultivation (22%). The area is not suited to afforestation. Silver and black wattle (Acacia species),and Salix babylonica invade drainage areas. The erosion potential is however very low.Figure 7-9: Amersfoort Clay Grassland with Blue Cranes in the backgroundNorthern Zululand Misbelt GrasslandThe Northern Zululand Misbelt Grassland is, as the name suggests, located in KwaZulu-Natalspecifically on the crests and slopes of the Ngome Mountain range and the Ngoje Mountainsurrounding Louwsburg as well as some smaller mountainous areas of Langkrans, KwaCeze,KwaNtimbankulu and Nhlazatshe. Located on gentle to steep upper slopes of mountains formed byhard dolerite dykes dominated by relatively forb-rich, tall sour Themeda triandra grasslands.This vegetation unit is seen as vulnerable with a 23% conservation target. Only about 3% isstatutorily conserved in the Ithala Nature Reserve and in the Ntendeka Wilderness Area of theNgome State Forest. Some 22% has been transformed for plantations or cultivated land. ThreatsZITHOLELE CONSULTING