Part 2 - Eskom

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