Part 2 - Eskom
Part 2 - Eskom
Part 2 - Eskom
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ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED 40MW OPEN CYCLE GAS TURBINE POWER<br />
PLANT IN THE AMERSFOORT AREA, MPUMALANGA<br />
Bohlweki-SSI Environmental<br />
status is regarded as Endangered. Extensive parts of this vegetation type were once<br />
cultivated and now lie fallow and have been left to re-vegetate with pioneer grass<br />
species. These transformed areas are not picked up by satellite for transformation<br />
coverage and the percentage of grasslands still in a natural state may be<br />
underestimated. The loss of pristine natural regional habitat represents loss of<br />
habitat and biodiversity on a regional scale. This impact is regarded permanent.<br />
Sensitive habitat types include ridges, koppies, wetlands, rivers, streams and<br />
localised habitat types of significant physiognomic variation and unique species<br />
composition. These areas represent centres of atypical habitat and contain biological<br />
attributes that are not frequently encountered in the greater surrounds. A high<br />
conservation value is attributed to the floristic communities and faunal assemblages<br />
of these areas as they contribute significantly to the biodiversity of a region.<br />
Furthermore, these habitat types are generally isolated and are frequently linear in<br />
nature, such as rivers and ridges. Any impact that disrupts this continuous linear<br />
nature will risk fragmentation and isolation of existing ecological units, affecting the<br />
migration potential of some fauna species adversely, pollinator species in particular.<br />
8.8.3. Direct Impact - Potential Destruction of Threatened and Protected<br />
Species Habitat<br />
The loss of Red Data or Threatened species or areas that are suitable for these<br />
species is a significant impact on the biodiversity of a region. Threatened species, in<br />
most cases, do not contribute significantly to the biodiversity of an area in terms of<br />
sheer numbers as there are generally few of them, but they are extremely important<br />
in terms of the biodiversity of an area and high ecological value is placed on the<br />
presence of such species in an area. Threatened species are particularly sensitive to<br />
changes in their environment, having adapted to specific habitat requirements.<br />
Habitat changes, mostly a result of human interferences and activities, are one of the<br />
greatest reasons for these species having a threatened status.<br />
The level of transformation on a local and regional scale is not clearly understood at<br />
this stage and areas where similar activities are practiced will be investigated during<br />
the EIA phase of the project in order to assess the levels of changes to particularly<br />
the floristic component and structure. At this stage it will suffice to state that any<br />
level of surface transformation within all habitat types of medium or higher ecological<br />
sensitivity is significant. Habitat types of particular importance include natural<br />
grasslands (Soweto Highveld Grassland), ridges and wetland related habitat types.<br />
Effects of this impact are usually permanent and recovery or mitigation is generally<br />
not perceived as possible.<br />
It should be noted that the estimated presence of Red Data flora and fauna species<br />
for the area is regarded highly likely, particularly in the wetland habitat types.<br />
Impacts on potential communities of Red Data species are therefore regarded likely<br />
to happen.<br />
E02.JNB.000308<br />
ESKOM HOLDINGS LIMITED<br />
01<br />
69<br />
08/10/2009