preliminary ecological sensitivity scan for the … d1.pdfsprite road-preliminary ecological habitat...

Sprite Road-Preliminary Ecological Habitat Assessment

1

PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY

SCAN FOR THE PROPOSED WAREHOUSE AND

OFFICE DEVELOPMENT SITUATED ON PTN 10

(of 2) OF ERF 6807, PINETOWN,

KWAZULU-NATAL

Compiled for Royal HaskoningDHV by:

Mr. C.L.COOK (MSc. Zool.) Pr.Sci.Nat. 400084/08∗

Specialist Faunal/Ecological Consultant

Cell No. 082 688 9585

[email protected]

___________________________________________________________________

SUBMITTED: 31st AUGUST 2012

∗ DWA accredited to undertake wetland and riparian delineation 2008


2

1. INTRODUCTION

Background

The project involves a proposed office and warehouse development on portion 10 (of

2) of Erf 6807, Pinetown. The site is situated along Sprite Road within the industrial

section of Pinetown, approximately 20 kilometres to the north of Durban. The site is

accessed from the M1. The proposed office and warehouse developments are

situated within an existing transformed platform adjacent to existing offices and

warehouse developments. The project involves the destruction of existing offices,

workshop and warehouses and rebuilding of new offices, work shop and

warehouses. The size of the site is 31605 m2 in extent with the proposed

development footprint of the new warehouse being 1 100m-2 and office development

being 620 m2 as well as open entertainment area of 50m2.

Royal HaskoningDHV as an Independent Environmental Practitioner appointed Mr C.

L. Cook to provide a basic description of the ecology or current habitat integrity of the

proposed site and to provide appropriate management recommendations for the

proposed development.

The assignment is interpreted as follows: Determine the current ecological status

of the office, workshop and warehouse site (henceforth called the Sprite Road site)

and the ecological impacts of the proposed development on the immediate

environment and provide appropriate mitigatory measures for the potential

disturbances on the site and immediately adjacent area. In order to compile the

report the following had to be done:

Initial preparations:

• Obtain all relevant maps including aerial photographs (Google images) of the

proposed site and information on the natural environment around the proposed

Sprite road site (approximately 500m).

• Preliminary site investigation (15th August 2012) to assess the current

environmental status of the proposed site with special emphasis on the remaining

natural habitats within and immediately adjacent to the proposed Sprite road site.

• Identify problematic areas which require immediate attention as well as

management, e.g. stormwater management, erosion, degraded areas,

reclamation areas, alien vegetation.

• Make management recommendations for the current impacts as well as the

proposed development especially pertaining to any remaining natural habitats.


3

1.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL SURVEY/ HABITAT

ASSESSMENT

• To provide a basic description of the vegetation and fauna occurring around

the proposed Sprite road site.

• To provide a description of any threatened plant or animal (mammals, birds,

reptiles and amphibians) occurring or likely to occur around the proposed

Sprite road site and immediate surrounding areas.

• To describe the available habitats on site including areas of important

conservation value or areas most likely to form important habitat for remaining

threatened plant and animal species.

• To determine potential impacts of the proposed office and warehouse

development on the immediate environment as well as the associated

vegetation and fauna.

• To provide management recommendations to mitigate negative and enhance

positive impacts of the proposed office, workshop and warehouse

development.

1.2 SCOPE OF STUDY

• An initial ecological survey or sensitivity scan documenting the dominant

vegetation on the site and recording sightings and/or evidence of present

fauna.

• An assessment of the ecological habitats, evaluating conservation importance

and significance with special emphasis on the current status of threatened

plant and animal species (Red Data Species), within the proposed site and

adjacent areas.

• Literature investigations with which to augment field data were necessary.

• Identification of potential ecological impacts that could occur as a result of the

office and warehouse development and assess the significance of these,

where possible.

• Investigate feasible and practical management recommendations that should

be implemented to reduce or minimize the impacts, should the project be

approved.

• Documentation of the findings of the study in a report.


4

1.3 CONSTRAINTS AND LIMITATIONS OF SHORT DURATION ECOLOGICAL

SURVEYS

• Limitation to a base-line ecological survey for only 4 hours during the

late/winter months (August 2012).

• As the proposed Sprite road site is situated within an industrial environment

the majority of habitats on and surrounding the site have already been

completely transformed.

• The majority of the riparian vegetation along the Umbilo River has been

transformed or severely degraded as well as in-filling of the macro-channel

banks.

• Access to the Umbilo River is restricted due to existing security fences.

• The majority of animal species are extremely seasonal only emerging after

sufficient heavy early summer rainfall (October-November). No

comprehensive faunal surveys have been conducted on the site.

• Limitation of historic data and available databases for the Port Edward area.

• The presence of threatened species on site is assessed mainly on habitat

availability and suitability as well as desk research (literature, personal

records) and previous surveys conducted in similar habitats between 1999-

2011).

2. METHODOLOGY

A survey of the Sprite Road office, workshop and warehouse site and immediate

surrounding areas was carried out by driving around the surrounding areas by car

and closer inspection of the actual office and warehouse sites carried out on foot.

The proposed development footprint is situated within an existing transformed

development platform adjacent to several existing warehouse, workshop, office and

parking bays. The site is situated adjacent to existing primary access roads as well

as industrial activities and the majority of natural vegetation consisting of Kwazulu-

Natal Coastal Belt (CB 3) (Mucina et al. 2006) has already been completely

transformed or heavily degraded through illegal dumping activities as well as

extensive alien vegetation invasion. The site was visited predominantly during

daylight hours (12h00-14h00) on the 15th of August 2012.

It must be stressed that due to time and financial constraints no comprehensive

vegetation or faunal surveys were undertaken during the brief ecological/sensitivity

scan. Data was heavily supplemented by literature investigations; personal records,

historic data and previous surveys conducted in the Pinetown area. A preliminary

assessment of the status, spatial requirements and habitat preferences of all priority

faunal species occurring; or likely to occur, in the proposed 2930DD quarter degree

grid cell (QDGC). For certain species, an estimate of the expected or historical

distribution for the area could be extrapolated from published information and


5

unpublished reports, while habitat and spatial requirements were generally derived

from the literature. For other species, little of this information was readily available

and conservation targets remain speculative. Species assessments will be updated

when additional data (SABAP2, SAFAP and Frogmap, SARCA) becomes available

and where appropriate, proposed conservation targets will be revised.

The vegetation literature search was undertaken utilising The Vegetation of South

Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Mucina & Rutherford 2006) for the vegetation

description as well as National Red List of Threatened Plants of South Africa

(Raimondo et al, 2009). Mammal names are as used by Skinner and Chimimba

(2005), Bird names by Hockey, Dean & Ryan (2006); Reptile names by Branch

(1998) and Amphibian names by Carruthers & Du Preez (2009).

3.1 STUDY AREA

The proposed office and warehouse development is situated within the existing

industrial site on Sprite Road; approximately 2o kilometres to the north of Durban

(see Figure 1 locality map). The site falls within the Kwazulu-Natal Coastal Belt (CB

3) vegetation unit (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). The Kwazulu-Natal Coastal Belt

vegetation unit is distributed along the coastal strip of Kwazulu-Natal from near

Mtunzini in the north, via Durban to Margate and just short of Port Edward in the

south.


6

Figure1. A Garmap and Google image TM of the proposed Sprite Road office and

warehouse development situated within the existing industrial site.

Figure2. The proposed Sprite road office and warehouse site is situated within

completely transformed Kwazulu-Natal Coastal Belt (CB 3) (Mucina et al. 2006).


7

Vegetation and Landscape Features

Highly dissected undulating coastal plains which presumably used to be covered to a

great extent with various types of subtropical coastal forests (Southern Coastal

Forest). Some primary grassland dominated by Red Grass (Themeda triandra) still

occurs in hilly, high-rainfall areas where pressure from natural fire and grazing

regimes prevailed. At present the Kwazulu-Natal Coastal Belt is effected by an

intricate mosaic of very extensive sugar cane fields, banana plantations, timber

plantations and coastal holiday resorts, with interspersed secondary Aristida

grasslands, thickets and pockets of coastal thornveld (Mucina et al. 2006).

Figure3. The proposed office and warehouse development is situated within an

existing industrial site. A: The site is situated within an existing warehouse and

office site and the development platform has been levelled and compacted with

gravel. B: The proposed office site will require the in-cutting of a platform within the

transformed hillslope. The hillslopes are totally transformed and dominated by the

alien invasive Saligna Gum (Eucalyptus saligna*) as well as Sword Fern

(Nephrolepis exalta*). C: The proposed warehouse site is situated adjacent to

existing workshops in a completely transformed environment. D: The proposed

warehouse is situated adjacent to the Umbilo River and riparian zone. The Umbilo

River has been heavily impacted on by surrounding industrial activities including

riparian zone and in-stream habit degradation and transformation as well as

alteration of the natural hydrological regime.


8

The vegetation of the proposed site is completely transformed into the existing site as

well as adjacent alien invaded hillslopes. A few scattered indigenous as well as

exotic trees occur around the site mainly for provision of parking shade.

The Umbilo River is situated on the western boundary of the site. The macro-channel

banks have been in-filled during the previous construction of the site. The riparian

vegetation along the effected stretch of the Umbilo River is becoming extensively

degraded due to heavy infestations of alien invasive plant and tree species. Remnant

patches of Mitzeeri (Bridelia micrantha); Red Beach (Protorhus longifolia), Common

Coral Tree (Erythrina lysistemon), Umdoni or Waterberry (Syzigium cordatum), Red

Currant (Searsia chiridensis), Coast Currant (Searsia nebulosa), Common Wild

Currant (Searsia pyroides), Wild Plum (Harpephylum caffrum), White Stinkwood

(Celtis africana), Broad-pod Robust Thorn (Acacia robusta subsp. robusta) occur

along the riparian zone of the Umbilo River.

Figure4. Dominant indigenous riparian vegetation along the section of the

Umbilo River included: A: Umdoni or Waterberry (Syzigium cordatum); B: Natal

Mahogany (Trichilia emetica); C: Natal Wild Banana (Strelitzia nicolai) D: Mitzeeri

(Bridelia micrantha); E: Common Coral Tree (Eryrthrina lysistemon) and F: Red

Beach (Protorhus longifolia).


9

Figure5: A conglomerate of photographs displaying the dominant alien

invasive vegetation observed on the site. A: Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans*)

Category 1 Weed; B: Brazilian Pepper Tree (Schinus terebinthifolius*) Category 1

Weed; C: Invading Ageratum (Ageratum conyzoides*) Category 1 Weed; D: Sword

Fern (Nephrolepis exalta∗); E: Arrow-head Vine (Sygnonium podophyllum*) Category

1b Weed and F: Indian Shot (Canna indica*) Category 1 Weed.

Alien invasive vegetation recorded around the site especially within the

riparian zone of the Umbilo River included Acacia baileyana* Acacia mearnsii*,

Ageratum conyzoides*, Arundo dona*x, Caesalpinia decapetala*, Campuloclinium

macrocephalum*, Chromolaena odorata*, Eucalyptus saligna*, Ipomoea indica*,

Ipomoea purpurea*, Lantana camar*a, Leucaena leucocephala*, Lingustrum

vulgare*, Nephrolepis exalta, Psidium guajava*, Melia azedarach*, Mimosa pigra*,

Ricinus communis*, Schinus terebinthifloius*, Senna didymobotrya*, Solanum

mauritianum*, Tithonia diversifolia*, Tecoma stans*.

∗ Alien invasive vegetation according to the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act No.43 of 1983).


10

Geology and Soils

Ordovician Natal Group sandstone, Dwyka tillite, Ecca shale and Mapumulo gneiss

dominate the landscapes of the Kwazulu-Natal Coastal Belt. Weathering of the old

dunes has produced the red sand, called the Berea Red Sand in places. The soils

supported by the above-mentioned rocks are shallow over hard sandstones and

deeper over younger, softer rocks. The soils on the site have been heavily

compacted during previous industrial activities. Large amounts of silt and sediments

are transported into the Umbilo River from heavily eroded macro-channel banks as

well as poorly vegetated hillslopes. Large amounts of litter is washed into the river

and riparian zone.

Climate

Summer rainfall area but with some rain during winter. High air humidity and with no

incidence of frost. Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) is 989 mm.

Conservation

Kwazulu-Natal Coastal Belt (CB 3) is an Endangered vegetation unit with only a

small part statutorily conserve in Ngoye, Mbumazi and Vernon Crookes Nature

Reserves. About 50% is transformed for cultivation, urban sprawl and road-building.

Conservation target is 25% conserved (Mucina & Rutherford 2006).

No rare or threatened plants were recorded within the transformed vegetation units of

the office and warehouse sites or are likely to occur within the adjacent transformed

hillslope areas surrounding the site. The Umbilo River and riparian zone must be

considered as a sensitive environment. No further activities are proposed within the

currently fenced-off riparian zone of the Umbilo River. The site offers no conservation

value except for the stretch of riparian vegetation along the Umbilo River. An alien

vegetation removal programme needs to be implemented in order to prevent further

infestations upstream and downstream from the site. No further developments should

be allowed within the riparian zone of the Umbilo River. No 32m buffer zone is

applicable due to the historic transformation of the present industrial site into a

compacted, levelled platform dominated by gravel parking areas, workshops, offices,

and fuel tanks.


11

4. PRELIMINARY FAUNAL SURVEY

The preliminary faunal survey focused mainly on mammals, birds, reptiles and

amphibians of the proposed office park site. The survey focused on the current status

of threatened animal species occurring, or likely to occur within the study area,

describing the available and sensitive habitats, identifying potential impacts resulting

from the development and providing mitigation measures for the identified impacts.

Faunal data was obtained during a two day site visit of the proposed development

site carried out on foot on the 15th of August 2012. All animals (mammals (larger),

birds, reptiles and amphibians) seen or heard; were recorded. Use was also made of

indirect evidence such as nests, feathers and animal tracks (footprints, droppings) to

identify animals. Previous surveys conducted in the Pinetown QDGC (2930DD),

literature investigations; personal records and historic data heavily supplemented the

initial survey.

The literature search was undertaken utilising The Vegetation of South Africa,

Lesotho and Swaziland (Mucina & Rutherford 2006) for the vegetation description.

The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion (Skinner & Chimiba 2005) and The

Red Data Book of the Mammals of South Africa: A Conservation Assessment

(Friedmann and Daly (editors) 2004) for mammals. Roberts-Birds of Southern Africa

VIIth ed. (Hockey, Dean and Ryan (editors) 2005) and The Escom Red Data Book of

Birds of South Africa (Barnes 2000) for avifauna (birds). A Complete Guide to the

Frogs of Southern Africa (du Preez & Carruthers 2009) and the The Atlas and Red

Data Book of the frogs of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Minter et al. 2004)

for amphibians. The Field Guide to the Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa

(Branch 2001) and South African Red Data Book- Reptiles and Amphibians (Branch

1988) for reptiles. The vegetation within and adjacent to the proposed office and

warehouse site has been completely transformed into the industrial centre which

offer limited habitat diversity for remaining faunal species.

Existing Impacts on the fauna on and surrounding the site included:

� The proposed office and warehouse site is situated mainly within existing

industrial and commercial activities which are dominated by completely

transformed vegetation, with limited habitat diversity.

� High levels of transformation due to previous industrial activities on the site.

This has resulted in impoverished habitats with limited faunal diversity.

� Existing industrial and commercial a as well as primary access roads occur

around the proposed site.

� Illegal hunting and poaching activities within the riparian zone of the Umbilo

River.

� Introduction of exotic and alien vegetation especially along the Umbilo River

on the western boundary of the site.


12

4.1 AMPHIBIANS

Amphibians are an important component of South Africa’s exceptional biodiversity

(Siegfried 1989) and are such worthy of both research and conservation effort. This

is made additionally relevant by international concern over globally declining

amphibian populations, a phenomenon currently undergoing intensive investigation

but as yet is poorly understood (Wyman 1990; Wake 1991). Amphibians have

declined dramatically in many areas of the world. These declines seem to have

worsened over the past 25 years and amphibians are now more threatened than

either mammals or birds, though comparisons with other taxa are confounded by a

shortage of reliable data.

Most frogs have a biphasic life cycle, where eggs laid in water develop into tadpoles

and these live in the water until they metamorphose into juvenile fogs living on the

land. This fact, coupled with being covered by a semi-permeable skin makes frogs

particularly vulnerable to pollutants and other environmental stresses. Consequently

frogs are useful environmental bio-monitors (bio-indicators) and may acts as an early

warning system for the quality of the environment.

Breeding in African frogs is strongly dependent on rain, especially in the drier parts of

the country where surface water only remains for a short duration. The majority of

frog species in the Kwazulu-Natal Province can be classified as explosive breeders.

Explosive breeding frogs utilise ephemeral pans or inundated grasslands for their

short duration reproductive cycles.

As the survey was undertaken for less than a day during the winter months (August),

only a small proportion of species are present. Ideally, a herpetological survey should

be undertaken throughout the duration of the wet season (November-Mach). It is only

during this period that accurate frog species lists can be compiled. During this

survey; fieldwork was augmented with species lists compiled from personal records;

data from the South African Frog Atlas Project (SAFAP)(1999-2003) and published

data, and the list provided below is therefore regarded as likely to be fairly

comprehensive.


13

Figure6. Frog species recorded or likely to occur within suitable habitat along

the Umbilo River include :A: Natal Tree Frog (Leptopelis natalensis); B: Painted

Reed Frog (Hyperolius marmoratus marmoratus); C: Common River Frog (Amietia

angolensis) and D: Bublling Kassina (Kassina senegalensis). Photographs are not of

individuals observed during site visit.

No frog species were recorded from the site due to extensive habitat transformation

on and surrounding the site. Low amphibian diversity is expected within the degraded

section of the Umbilo River. The Umbilo River on the western boundary of the site

offers suitable breeding habitat for certain frog species. Increase in deposition of silt

and nutrients into the river results in increased aquatic macrophytes (reeds) which

offer suitable breeding habitat for Painted Reed Frogs (Hyperolius marmoratus

marmoratus). Deterioration in water quality is expected within the Umbilo River due

to adjacent industrial activities.


14

Table1. Frog species recorded on the actual site or are likely to occur on the site.

Actual species lists will most likely contain fewer species due to extensive habitat

destruction and degradation along the Umbilo River and riparian zone.

Common

Name

Scientific

Name

Status/

Distribution

Habitat

Common

River Frog

Amietia

angolensis

Common in

southern Africa.

Permanent and semi-

permanent rivers and pools

and backwaters.

Guttural

Toad

Amitophrynus

(Bufo) gutturalis

Common in

southern Africa

north of Gariep.

Permanent and semi-

permanent ponds and

backwaters.

Natal Tree

Frog

Leptopelis

natalensis

Common in

Kwazulu-Natal

Permanent and Seasonal

ponds situated in coastal

forest, sand forest or coastal

bushveld and occasionally

grassland

Greater

Leaf-

Folding

Frog

Afrixalus

fornasinii

Common along the

coast of Kwazulu-

Natal as far south

as Port Edward

Stagnant water bodies

containing large stands of

saw grass Cyperus

immensus and bulrushes

Typha capensis in Coastal

Bushveld-Grassland

Painted

Reed Frog

Hyperolius

marmoratus

marmoratus

Common along

Kwazulu-Natal

Coast

Reeds and other emergent

vegetation along a wide

variety of waterbodies

including pans and rivers

Water Lily

Frog

Hyperloius

pusillus

Common in the

low-lying coastal

areas (Eastern

Cape and

Kwazulu-Natal) but

further inland in the

southern parts of

Limpopo it is found

at higher altitudes.

Shallow pans, ponds, vleis

and dams with water lilies

(Nymphaea sp.) or at least

some floating vegetation.

Tinker

Reed Frog

Hyperolius

tuberilinguis

Common in the

Eastern parts of

Southern Africa

from Swaziland up

Reed beds on the periphery

of rivers or dense vegetation

surrounding seasonal pans


15

to Port Edward

Bubbling

Kassina

Kassina

senegalensis

Common

throughout

Southern Africa

Grassy margins of seasonally

inundated pans as well as

dams

Snoring

Puddle

Frog

Phrynobatrchus

natalensis

Widely distributed

along the eastern

sections of

Southern Africa

Shallow to fairly deep water

in temporary pans and pools,

vleis, dams and even slow-

flowing streams

Natal Sand

Frog

Tompoterna

natalensis

Common species

in Kwazulu-Natal,

Mpumalanga,

Gauteng.

Streams, rivers or other

places where water flows

slowly but also in lothic or

standing water

Bronze

Caco

Cacosternum

nanum

Common species

in Kwazulu-Natal

Vleis, inundated grassland

and sedge pans, temporary

roadside pools and rock

puddles

Plaintive

Rain Frog

Breviceps

verrucosus

Eastern Parts of

South Africa

Terrestrial breeder with eggs

laid in moist leaf litter.

* recorded during brief survey

Threatened species

Several red listed frog species are known from the Durban-Pinetown (2930DD)

Quarter Degree Grid Cell (QDGC) including Pickersgill’s Reed Frog (Hyperolius

pickersgilli) Critically Endangered, Natal Kloof Frog (Natalobatrachus bonebergi)

Endangered, Spotted Shovel-nose Frog (Hemisus guttatus) Vulnerable and Natal

Leaf-folding Frog (Afrixalus natalensis) Near-Threatened. No suitable habitat occurs

for the above-mentioned species along the degraded section of the Umbilo River.

The Umbilo River and riparian zone form critical habitat for remaining amphibian

species and should be adequately conserved and managed.


16

4.2 REPTILES

Reptile lists require intensive surveys conducted for several years. Reptiles are

extremely secretive and difficult to observe during field surveys. The majority reptile

species are sensitive to severe habitat alteration and fragmentation. Due to the high

levels of habitat destruction and degradation within the study area due to the

surrounding industrial and commercial activities coupled with increased levels of

disturbances are all causal factors in the alteration of reptile species occurring on the

site and surrounding areas. As a result of human presence in the area as well as on

the site; coupled with extensive habitat destruction from industrial activities and high

levels of disturbances, alterations to the original reptilian fauna are expected to have

already occurred. Removal of large tree species during the clearing of stands for

industrial and commercial developments and dead trunks for firewood collection

destroys numerous habitats for many arboreal reptile species. Clearing of rock

material from industrial sites and for building materials destroys vital habitat for

numerous rupicolous reptile species including the Agamids, Cordylids, Geckonids

and Skinks. The majority of snake species hibernate in old tree trunks, termite

mounds or under suitable rocks. No major rocky outcrops or rock piles are found on

the site.

Indiscriminate killing of snake species occur all around human settlements and

especially within transformed habitats such as industrial and commercial sites. The

indiscriminate killing of all snake species results in the alteration of species

composition, with the disappearance of the larger and the more sluggish snake

species. One reptile species namely the Variable Skink (Trachylepis varia) was

observed on the proposed site. Low reptile diversity is expected from the transformed

areas on the site. The remnant patches of riparian vegetation along the Umbilo River

offer suitable habitat for arboreal reptiles such as Spotted Bush Snake and Flap-

necked Chameleons. A probable species list is provided in Table2 below.


17

Table2: Reptile species that occur or are likely to occur in the study area due to

suitable habitat, and may therefore be present. Actual species lists will most likely

contain far fewer species due to high levels of habitat transformation.

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

Cape Skink Trachylepis (Mabuya) capensis

Striped Skink Trachylepis (Mabuya) punctatissima

*Variable Skink Trachylepis (Mabuya) varia

Yellow-throated Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus flavigularis

Flap-Necked Chameleon Chamaeleo dilepis

Nile Monitor Varanus niloticus

Herald or Red-lipped Snake Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia

Green Mamba Dendroaspis angusticeps

Common or Rhombic Night Adder

Causus rhombeatus

Boomslang

Dispholidus typus

Spotted Bush Snake

Philothamnus senivariegatus

Common or Rhombic Egg Eater

Dasypeltis scabra

Dusky-Bellied Water Snake

Lycodonomorphus laevissimus

Brown Water Snake

Lycodonomorphus rufulus

Brown House Snake

Lamprophis fuliginosus

Green Water Snake

Philothamnus hoplogaster

Common Slug-eater

Duberria lutrix

Bibron’s Blind Snake

Typhlops bibronii

Cape and Eastern Thread Snake

Leptotyphlops conjunctus


18

Peters’ Thread Snake

Leptotyphlops scutifrons

* recorded during brief field survey

Threatened Species

No threatened reptile species are likely to occur on the site or the immediate open

areas surrounding the site due to extensive habitat transformation and degradation.

Low reptile diversity is expected on the site as well as along the degraded section of

the Umbilo River. The Umbilo River and riparian zone form critical habitat for

remaining reptile species and should be adequately conserved and managed.

4.3 AVIFAUNA/BIRDS

Twenty eight (28) bird species were recorded during the brief field survey (total 4

hours). Species recorded during the field survey are common, widespread and

typical of a coastal riparian and industrial environment. The majority of bird species

were recorded within the riparian zone of the Umbilo River with numerous frugivorous

species feeding within the Mitzeeri (Bridelia micrantha) and Waterberry (Syzigium

cordatum).

Table 3: Bird species recorded during brief field survey (4hrs).

Roberts’

Number

Common name

Scientific Name

94 Hadedah Ibis Bostrychia hagedash

160 African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro

352 Red-Eyed Dove Stretopelia semitorquata

354 Cape Turtle Dove Streptopelia capicola

355 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis

361 African Green-Pigeon Treron calvus

371 Purple-Crested Turaco Gallirex porphyreolophus

391 Burchell’s Coucal Centropus burchellii

424 Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus

435 Brown-Hooded Kingfisher Halycon albiventris

464 Blackcollared Barbet Lybius torquatus

470 Yellow-Fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus

541 Fork-Tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii

545 Black-Headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus

548 Pied Crow Corvus albus

568 Dark-capped (Black-eyed) Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus

577 Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus


19

600 Red-Capped Robin-Chat Cossypha natalensis

657 Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura

683 Tawny-Flanked Prinia Prinia flavicans

736 Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus

758 *Common Myna Acridothermes tristis

796 Cape White-Eye Zosterops pallidus

801 *House Sparrow Passer domesticus

814 Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus

815 Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius

840 African Firefinch Logonosticta rubicrata

857 Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata

Threatened species

Several threatened bird species have been recorded in the 2945_3050 pentad within

which the study area is situated. Species recorded during the sabap2 project include

African Crowned Eagle, Martial Eagle, Lanner Falcon and Spotted Ground Thrush.

No threatened bird species were recorded during the brief survey. The majority have

been excluded due to no suitable habitat on or surrounding the site. Certain

threatened species such as the African Crowned eagle could possibly utilise the

riparian zone along the Umbilo River for foraging purposes (Vervet Monkeys) but the

high levels of human activity surrounding the site reduces the likelihood. It is highly

unlikely that the site forms critical habitat for any threatened bird species. The Umbilo

River and riparian zone forms the most suitable habitat for birds in the area. No

further developments are proposed along the Umbilo River and riparian zone.

4.4 MAMMALS

No small mammal trapping was conducted. Fieldwork was augmented with previous

surveys in similar habitats as well as published data. The area was initially traversed

on foot to ascertain the presence of available refuges. No suitable refuges such as

burrows, artificially created rock piles, stumps were observed within the proposed

warehouse site. The majority of mammal species likely to occur around the

commercial and industrial areas are urban exploiters such as the House Rat and

House Mouse as well as feral cats. Vervet Monkeys were observed foraging adjacent

to the Umbilo River. Mammal species recorded within the study area as well as those

that may occur within the study area, on the basis of available distribution records

and known habitat requirement, are included in the Table 4 below.


20

Table 4: Mammal species recorded during field survey. Species in bold were

recorded during the brief survey Identification was determined by visual observations

and animal tracks (footprints and droppings). Actual species lists will most likely

contain fewer species due to high levels of habitat destruction surrounding the site.

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

Wahlberg’s Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus wahlbergi

Banana Bat Pipistrellus nanus

African Molerat Cryptomys hottentotus

Natal Multimammate Mouse Mastomys natalensis

*House mouse Mus musculus

*House Rat Rattus rattus

*Feral Cat Felis catus

Common Duiker

Sylvicapra grimmia

Blue Duiker Philantomba monticola

Bushbuck

Tragelaphus scriptus

Vervet Monkey

Cercopithecus aethiops pygerythrus

Slender Mongoose Galarella sanguinea

Water Mongoose

Atilax paludinosus

Cape Clawless Otter

Aonyx capensis


21

Large-spotted Genet

Genetta tigrina

Porcupine

Hystrix africaeaustralis

* introduced species

Threatened species

No sensitive or endangered mammals were recorded within the study area. The

majority of larger mammal species are likely to have been eradicated or have moved

away from the area during the previous agricultural, commercial and industrial

developments. This is mainly a result of increased development pressure and human

disturbances such as hunting and poaching (wire snares), as well as habitat

alteration and degradation by vegetation clearance and frequent fires. Smaller

mammal species are extremely vulnerable to snares and poaching activities as well

as feral cats. It is highly unlikely that the proposed site constitutes significant habitat

for any threatened mammal species. The Umbilo River could potential offer suitable

foraging and dispersal areas for cape Clawless Otters and Marsh Mongoose. The

high levels of human activities along the river as well as primary access roads with

high vehicular traffic which bisect the river reduce the likelihood of significant

populations remaining.

CONCLUSION

At a local Pinetown scale the proposed site comprising of transformed habitats and

hillslope vegetation provides extremely limited suitable habitat for remaining animal

species and no suitable habitat for any threatened faunal species. Due to high levels

of human disturbance on the site and surrounding areas the majority of sensitive or

rare species have disappeared or found suitable habitat away from the site. The

proposed Sprite road site will have an impact of low; short-long term significance

on the remaining fauna (albeit extremely limited) if the majority of large indigenous

tree species are retained within the development. It is imperative that runoff from the

proposed office and warehouse development and adjacent roads and car parks are

adequately managed and the sewerage and waste water do not result in

deterioration of water quality for the adjacent Umbilo River. The section of the Umbilo

River on the western boundary requires the implementation of an alien vegetation

removal programme.


22

5. SENSITIVE HABITAT OBSERVED ON OR

ADJACENT TO THE SITE

5.1 Umbilo River and associated riparian zone

Figure7. Preliminary sensitivity map for the proposed Sprite road site and

immediate adjacent areas. The proposed office site (blue rectangle) is situated

within transformed hillslopes with low sensitivity, the workshop (red square) is

situated within the old workshop site and gravel platform and the warehouse site

(orange rectangle) is situated within the footprint of an existing office site with no

conservation potential. The Umbilo River and riparian zone are considered as

sensitive habitats due to ecological and hydrological functioning (light green).

Adjacent areas consist of transformed hillslopes dominated by secondary grasslands

or alien invasive vegetation (Eycalyptus grandis*- Nephrolepis exalta*).


23

Riparian habitats, also known as riparian areas, include plant communities adjacent

to and affected by surface and subsurface hydrologic features, such as rivers,

streams, lakes, or drainage ways. These areas may be a few metres wide near

streams or more than a kilometre in floodplains. Both perennial and non-perennial

streams support riparian vegetation. Because riparian areas represent the interface

between aquatic and upland ecosystems, the vegetation in the riparian area may

have characteristics of both aquatic and upland habitats. Many of the plants in the

riparian area require plenty of water and are adapted to shallow water table

conditions. Due to water availability and rich alluvial soils, riparian areas are usually

very productive. Tree growth rate is high and the vegetation under the trees is usually

lush and includes a wide variety of shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers.

Why are riparian areas important?

Riparian areas perform a variety of functions that are of value to society, especially

the protection and enhancement of water resources, and provision of habitat for plant

and animal species.

Riparian areas:

• store water and help reduce floods

• stabilize stream banks;

• improve water quality by trapping sediment and nutrients;

• maintain natural water temperature for aquatic species;

• provide shelter and food for birds and other animals;

• provide corridors for movement and migration of different species;

• act as a buffer between aquatic ecosystems and adjacent land uses;

• can be used as recreational sites; and

• provide material for building, medicinal plants, crafts and curios.

Not all riparian areas develop the same way and may not perform these functions to

the same extent. It is important that a riparian area’s capacity to provide the benefits

listed is not reduced. Many of these areas are best managed as natural areas, rather

than being converted to other uses.

The riparian vegetation adjacent to the proposed warehouse site has been

historically impacted on during earth moving as well as levelling of the existing

industrial site. The macro-channel bank has been in-filled. Much of the immediate

catchment of the Umbilo River has been transformed through urbanisation,

commercial and industrial development, and thus the natural hydrological inputs into

the river from the surrounding hillslope areas would have been altered, and any

ecological process links between the wetland and the river would have been lost. The

functions of the river and riparian ecosystems have been severely compromised and

have lost the natural connectivity due to previous construction activities, access


24

roads as well as current illegal dumping activities immediately to the east of the site.

The majority of the adjacent hillslope seepage wetland surrounding the site are

completely transformed and the natural hydrological patterns totally disrupted. Due to

the nature of the transformation, there is little or no chance that these areas will be

able to be returned to a natural state, and would likely remain permanently modified.

The main threats to the Umbilo River functioning on the site relate to the loss of

habitat due to anthropogenic factors. This has entailed that the original hydrological

functioning of the river has been modified, as well as any hydrological linkage that

may have previously existed between the adjacent hillslope on the site and the

Umbilo River would appear to have been severely compromised or totally lost.

Remnant patches of indigenous riparian vegetation occur along the Umbilo River.

Indigenous species recorded included Mitzeeri (Bridelia micrantha); Red Beach

(Protorhus longifolia), Common Coral Tree (Erythrina lysistemon), Umdoni or

Waterberry (Syzigium cordatum), Red Currant (Searsia chiridensis), Coast Currant

(Searsia nebulosa), Common Wild Currant (Searsia pyroides), Wild Plum

(Harpephylum caffrum), White Stinkwood (Celtis africana), Weeping Brides-bush

(Pavetta lanceolata), Broad-pod Robust Thorn (Acacia robusta subsp. robusta),

Coral Tree (Erythrina lysistemon). A few Blood Flowers (Scadoxus multiflorus subsp.

katharinae) were observed in the riparian zone under a clump of Common Wild

Currants (Searsia pyroides). The forb layer is dominated by alien invasive species

such as Lantana camara, Tithonia diversifolia and Chromolena odorata as well as

anthropogenic or pioneer weedy plant species such as Tall Fleabane (Conyza

albida), Flax-Leaf Fleabane (Conyza bonariensis), Common Black jack (Bidens

pilosa), Tall Khaki weed (Tagetes minuta) Mexican Poppy (Argemone ochroleuca) as

well as pioneer grass species such as Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana), Crab finger-

Grass (Digitaria sanguinalis) Weeping Love Grass (Eragrostis curvula), Natal red-

Top (Melinis repens), Common Bufflao Grass (Panicum maximum) and Couch Grass

(Cynodon dactylon).

Alien invasive vegetation recorded within the riparian zone of the Umbilo river

included Acacia baileyana* Acacia mearnsii*, Ageratum conyzoides*, Arundo dona*x,

Caesalpinia decapetala*, Campuloclinium macrocephalum*, Chromolaena odorata*,

Eucalyptus saligna*, Ipomoea indica*, Ipomoea purpurea*, Lantana camar*a,

Leucaena leucocephala*, Lingustrum vulgare*, Nephrolepis exalta, Psidium

guajava*, Melia azedarach*, Mimosa pigra*, Ricinus communis*, Schinus

terebinthifloius*, Senna didymobotrya*, Solanum mauritianum*, Tithonia diversifolia*,

Tecoma stans*.


25

In terms of the way forward for any proposed development on site, it is important that

the Umbilo River and riparian zone on western boundary of the site is recognised as

a sensitive environment and accommodated in the proposed development plans by

means of a public open space system and a detailed stormwater management plan

that strives to maintain (or ideally improve) the present hydrology of the Umbilo River

at pre-development levels, at least in terms of regular return storm events (up to 1:5

year events).

Figure8: Alien invasive vegetation observed within the riparian zone of the

Umbilo River. A: Durban Guava (Psidium X durbabanensis*) Category 1 Weed; B:

Mauritius Thorn (Caesalpinia decpetala*) Category 1 Weed; C: Lantana (Lantana

camara*) Category 1 weed; D: Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia*) Category 1

Weed; E: Yellow-flowered Mexican Poppy (Argemone mexicana*) Category 1 Weed;

F: Castor-Oil Plant (Ricinnus communis*) Category 2 Invader; G: Peanut Butter

Cassia (Senna didymobotrya*) Category 3 Invader; H: Ageratum (Ageratum

conyzoides*) Category 1 Weed; I: Giant Sensitive Tree (Mimosa pigra*) Category 3

Invader; J: Sisal Hemp (Agave sisalana*) Category 2 Invader and K: Giant Reed

(Arundo donax∗) Category 1Weed.

∗ alien invasive vegetation


26

6: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

The proposed office and warehouse development and associated increased

vehicular traffic as well as human presence may impact on the terrestrial fauna in

various ways. The major impacts occurring during the construction phase involve the

loss and fragmentation of habitats, with a consequent loss of biodiversity and

possibly loss of remnant faunal species or of plant/tree species. This may result from

direct land clearance, or occur indirectly via loss or changes in habitats due to

consequent changes in drainage patterns, or secondary impacts associated with

socio-economic factors resulting from changes in surrounding land use. During the

operational life of the office and warehouse development, small accumulative

impacts also occur, including ongoing road mortalities, increased disturbance (noise

and light), chemical contamination from petroleum and rubber products from parking

areas and road, increased litter, changes in the incidence of fire, and the introduction

of alien vegetation. All of these factors may impact the surrounding fauna and

ecological processes in different ways. As the majority of the site and adjacent

habitat surrounding the site comprises completely transformed habitats the potential

impacts to remaining fauna is significantly reduced.

6.1 HABITAT DESTRUCTION AND ASSOCIATED DISTURBANCES TO

REMAINING FAUNAL SPECIES

During the construction phase of the office and warehouse development some

habitat destruction and alteration inevitably takes place. This happens with the

construction of and the clearing, in-filling and cutting of the development platforms.

As the majority of the site occurs within an existing industrial site extremely limited

vegetation clearance will be required during the construction and operational phase

of the project. All large indigenous tree species within the site should be retained

wherever possible. The proposed impact will be low-negligible; short-long term

impact on remaining (albeit) limited faunal species occurring within these

transformed habitats.

MITIGATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The following general recommendations are made to minimise the impacts of

proposed office development construction on the immediate environment and

remaining fauna:

� Close site supervision must be maintained during construction.

� During the CONSTRUCTION phase workers must be limited to areas under

construction within the site and access to the undeveloped areas, especially

the Umbilo River and riparian zone must be strictly regulated (“no-go” areas

during construction as well as operational activities). The site is already

fenced which restricts access to the river.


27

� Provision of adequate toilet facilities must be implemented to prevent the

possible contamination of ground (borehole) and surface water in the area.

Mobile toilets must be provided in order to minimize un-authorised traffic of

construction workers outside of the designated areas.

� All temporary stockpile areas including litter and dumped material and rubble

must be removed on completion of construction. All alien invasive plant

should be removed from the site to prevent further invasion.

� Firearms or any other hunting weapons must be prohibited on site.

� Contract employees must be educated about the value of wild animals and

the importance of their conservation.

� Severe contractual fines must be imposed and immediate dismissal on any

contract employee who is found attempting to snare or otherwise harm

remaining faunal species.

� No large indigenous tree or shrub within close proximity of the office or

warehouse shall be cut or pruned without prior approval.

� The Contractor shall ensure that all remaining indigenous tree species (dead

and alive) and shrubs are retained wherever possible.

� Trees and shrubs to be conserved shall be clearly marked under the

supervision of the consultant. Demarcation shall remain in place for the

duration of works on site. If damaged, demarcation shall be repaired or

replaced immediately. No large indigenous trees were observed within the

office or warehouse sites.

� The Contractor must ensure that no faunal species are disturbed, trapped,

hunted or killed during the construction phase. All animals captured must be

released in appropriate habitat away from the development.

� Important habitat which has been deemed sensitive and must be protected.

This includes the Umbilo River and riparian zone on the western boundary of

the site.

� The Contractor shall ensure that all identified highly sensitive indigenous

riparian vegetation along the Umbilo River is protected during construction by

demarcating “no-go areas” through fencing or other means. All “no go” area

shall be marked on a site lay-out plan. The area is currently fenced off.


28

� Fences should have low impact to surrounding vegetation as well as allow for

the natural migratory movements onto and away from the site. Ideally

palisade fencing with a minimum 15cm wide gap should be erected around

the site. A concrete palisade fence is currently erected but requires some

restoration.

� Unauthorised entry, stockpiling, dumping or storage of equipment or materials

shall not shall be strictly prohibited within the demarcated “no go” areas.

� Fines shall be implemented for transgressions into “no-go” areas.

6.2 CONSTRUCTION PHASE

General

• All construction activities should be strictly limited to the construction area.

Vegetation clearance should be restricted to the area under construction and

not the entire hillslope to prevent further soil erosion and possible siltation of

the Umbilo River.

• Sufficient chemical toilets and waste bins must be provided in all areas where

construction is taking place. These toilets and bins must furthermore be

emptied regularly.

• Sanitation facilities shall be located within 100m from any point of work, but

not within any drainage areas towards the Umbilo River.

• It is recommended that the construction programme preferably commence

during the dry winter months, when the risk of soil and bank erosion is lowest.

All earthworks shall be undertaken in such a manner so as to minimize the

extent of any impacts.

• Construction activities are to be restricted to business hours in order to limit

disturbance of surrounding land owners in terms of inter alia noise.

• All vehicles associated with the construction activities should be in a serviced

condition to prevent oil leaks etc and the possible contamination of the

remnant patch of seepage wetland.

• Reasonable speeds will be maintained at al times in order to prevent

accidents, excessive noise and dust and road fatalities of migrating animals.

• The Contractor shall take all reasonable measures to minimize the generation

of dust as a result of construction activities.

• Removal of vegetation shall be avoided until such time as soil stripping is

required.

• Where possible, soil stockpiles shall be located in sheltered areas where they

are not exposed to the erosive effects of the wind.


29

• All exposed surfaces shall be re-vegetated or stabilized as soon as is

practically possible.

6.3 SOILS

• Soil removed from the site is to be appropriately stored for later use in back-

filling. Sub-soil and topsoil (the top +/- 30-50 cm of the soil) should be stored

separately.

• Soil stockpiles are to be protected from possible erosion, e.g. through

covering of the stockpiles with tarpaulin, and limiting the height and angle of

the stockpile. Soil stockpiles should not exceed 2 m in height.

• Soil stockpiling areas must be sufficiently situated away from the drainage

areas towards the Umbilo River.

• Any erosion channels developed during the construction period or during the

vegetation establishment period should be backfilled and compacted, and the

areas restored to a proper condition. The Contractor should ensure that

cleared areas are effectively stabilised to prevent and control erosion.

6.4 HORTICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Landscape architects, and the developer, have an opportunity to conserve certain

faunal biodiversity present on the site and possibly increase the biodiversity of certain

animal species (birds). Vegetation has been reported to be the single most important

habitat component for all species of animals. Linked to this, is the preservation,

maintenance and creation of tracts of natural and ornamental vegetation in all stages

of ecological succession, interconnected by corridors or green belts for escape,

foraging, breeding and exploratory movements. Landscaping projects around

industrial warehouses are all too frequently characterized by exotic or indigenous

(not to the area) trees, planted at the same time, at the same size and are spaced at

regular centred settings. The resulting pattern and structure is one of limited

vegetation diversity, trees of uniform size, even age stands and little or no under-

story planting. Only a few species of animals (urban exploiters) will occupy these

limited niches, leading to decreased faunal biodiversity.

Mitigation and recommendation

Gardens or landscaped areas around the proposed office park and warehouse

should be planted with indigenous (preferably using endemic or local species from

the area) grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees, which are water wise and require minimal

horticultural practices.


30

A Re-vegetation and Rehabilitation Manual should be prepared for the use of

contractors, landscape architects and groundsmen. Where herbicides are used to

clear vegetation, specimen-specific chemicals should be applied to individual plants

only. General spraying should be prohibited. All alien vegetation along the Umbilo

River should be eradicated over a five-year period. Invasive species recorded in the

immediate area included Ageratum conyzoides, Canna indica, Arundo donax,

Caesalpinia decapetala, Chromolaena odorata, Ipomoea indica, Ipomoea purpurea,

Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephala, Schinus terebithifolius, Tecoma stans,

Eugenia myrtifloia, Psidium guajava, Melia azedarach, Pinus patula, Ricinus

communis, Rubus cuneifolius Senna didymobotrya, Solanum mauritianum, Tithonia

diversifolia. The Contractor shall remove all weeds and alien vegetation during the

construction phase. The use of topsoil for rehabilitation, contaminated with the seed

of alien vegetation, will not be permitted unless a program to germinate the seed and

eradicate the seedlings is implemented.

Where the removal of alien species such as the large Saligna Gums (Eucalyptus

saligna) may leave spoil exposed, alternative indigenous species should be

established before eradication takes place. The attention of property owner must be

drawn to the most recent Declared Weeds List (2001) in the Conservation of

Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 and the associated penalties and prohibitions.

Horticultural activities such as fertilisers, herbicide and pesticide runoff, increase in

alien vegetation and weedy species, dumping of refuge and building material must be

strictly managed and be environmentally sensitive and should meet the following

requirements:

• Limited to building environs and limited areas of proposed office and

warehouse development.

• Limited irrigation by water-wise gardening (use local plants adapted to local

conditions).

• Strict fertiliser, pesticide and herbicide control (limited usage)

• Invertebrate pests on the site should be controlled in the following manner:

• The least environmentally damaging insecticides must be applied.

Pyrethroids and Phenylpyrazoles are preferable to Acetylcholines. Use

insecticides that are specific to the pest (species specific) in question. The

lowest effective dosages must be applied. The suppliers advice should

always be sought. Do not irrigate for 24 hours after applying insecticides in

areas where there is a chance of contaminating water-courses, fungal

pathogens should be used in preference to chemical insecticides.

• Reduction of weed and erosion by minimum tillage gardening practices

(groundcovers and mulching better in all respects).

• No dumping of any materials in undeveloped open areas and neighbouring

properties. Activities in the surrounding open undeveloped areas must be

strictly regulated and managed.


31

6.5 EROSION AND SURFACE RUNOFF

Urban development is characterised by large areas of sealed surfaces such as

roads, houses etc. Impermeable surface cover ranges from 15% to 60% of suburban

areas to almost 100% in central business districts. Infiltration is considerable reduced

with an increase in surface run-off. Run-off is generally discharged to surface water

systems and often contains pollutants. Pollutants range from organic matter,

including sediments, plant materials and sewage, to toxic substances such as heavy

metals, oils and hydrocarbons. Construction activities associated with urban

development can lead to massive short term erosion unless adequate measures are

implemented to control surface run-off. Sheet erosion occurs when run-off surface

water carries away successive thin layers of soil over large patches of bare earth.

This type of erosion is most severe on sloping soils, which are weakly structured with

low infiltration, which promotes rapid run-off. It occurs on the site where vegetation

has been destroyed. Continual erosion in sheet-eroded slopes is a common cause of

gully erosion. Gully erosion results from increased flow along a drainage line,

especially where protective vegetation has been removed and soils are readily

transported. A gully has steep, bare sides and is often narrow and deep. Once

formed, a gully usually spreads upstream through continual slumping of soil at the

gully head. Gully erosion can be associated with salting as the saline sub-soils are

readily eroded.

Mitigation and recommendations

Vegetation plays a critical role in the hydrological cycle by influencing both the

quantity and quality of surface run-off. It influences the quantity of run-off by

intercepting rainfall, promoting infiltration and thus decreasing run-off. Vegetation can

influence water quality in two ways: by binding soils thus protecting the surface layer,

and by intercepting surface run-off thus buffering the adjacent wetland habitats such

as the drainage furrow against suspended and dissolved substances. When the

speed of the run-off is reduced, suspended particles can settle out and dissolve

substances, such as nutrients, can be assimilated by plants. The vegetation has a

filtering effect. Storm-water and runoff from the office and warehouse development

and car parks should be channelled towards an artificially created stormwater

attenuation/retention pond reducing the erosional force and the potential risk of

further disturbance (water quality deterioration) of the Umbilo River. Stormwater

should not be piped directly into the river as it will result in severe bank and bed

erosion below the pipe.


32

6.6 ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING

Artificial lighting will most likely result in a moderate to high negative short, medium

and long- term impact on all nocturnal animal species. Numerous species will be

attracted towards the light sources and this will result in the disruption of natural

cycles, such as the reproductive cycle and foraging behaviour. The lights may

destabilise insect populations, which may alter the prey base, diet and ultimately the

well-being of nocturnal insectivorous fauna. The lights may attract certain nocturnal

species to the area, which would not normally occur there, leading to competition

between sensitive and the more common species.

Mitigation and recommendations

During the construction phase, artificial lighting must be restricted to areas under

construction and not directed towards the drainage furrow in order to minimize the

potential negative effects of the lights on the natural nocturnal activities. Where

lighting is required for safety or security reasons, this should be targeted at the areas

requiring attention. Yellow sodium lights should be prescribed as they do not attract

as many invertebrates (insects) at night and will not disturb the existing wildlife.

Sodium lamps require a third less energy than conventional light bulbs.

6.7 RE-VEGETATION

• Exposed areas within the hillslopes should be rehabilitated with a grass mix

that blends in with the surrounding vegetation. The grass mix should consist

of indigenous grasses adapted to the local environmental conditions.

• The use of the exotic invader Kikuyu Grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) is not

recommended and should be prohibited. The use of an indigenous species

such as Buffalo Turf Grass Stenotaphrum secundatum is recommended; it

occurs naturally in the area as well as being non-invasive and requiring less

water than exotic species.

• The grass mix should consist of a mix of quick covering grasses (pioneer

species), mat-forming grasses (e.g. Digitaria eriantha, Chloris gayana) and

tufted grasses (e.g. Eragrostis curvula) to ensure prompt and adequate

coverage of the exposed soil while long term stability of the grass sward is

also achieved. Re-vegetated areas should be monitored every 3 months for

the first 12 months and twice a year thereafter.

• Re-vegetated areas showing inadequate surface coverage (less than 30%

within 9 months after re-vegetation) should be prepared and re-vegetated

from scratch.

• Damage to re-vegetated areas should be repaired promptly.

• Shaping of remaining and exposed soil profile to blend in with the gradients of

the surrounding landscape.


33

• Exotic weeds and invaders that might establish on the re-vegetated areas

should be controlled to allow the grasses to properly establish.

• Disturbed areas around the office park and parking areas should be re-

vegetated using a specified seed mix and/or appropriate indigenous grasses,

forbs, shrubs or trees.

Rehabilitation methods are detailed in Table 5 below.

Table 5: Recommended rehabilitation measures.

Step

1.1.1 Method 1.1.2 Equipment

1 Remove all construction material from the area

where construction has been completed.

To be undertaken by hand.

2 Topsoil that has been stockpiled during

construction must be applied to the area to

undergo rehabilitation. The depth of the

topsoil layer to be applied depends on the

natural depth of topsoil in the area, and the

amount of topsoil that may have been lost

during construction.

Topsoil must be applied from the

topsoil stockpiled during

construction.

3 The naked ground should be seeded with a

stabilising grass mix, suited to the conditions.

The quantity of seed used will depend on the

slope, with a steeper slope requiring a heavier

application of seed. For slopes:

• >15º: 25-50 kg/ha

• <15º: 15-25 kg/ha

The natural seed bank in the topsoil will

supplement the seed mix applied

The seed mix should consist of

pioneer grass species of the area,

and will also depend on what

species are commercially available

during the season required. A

standard seed mix would consist of

the following species (in decreasing

order of proportion constituting the

seed mix)∗:

• Andropogon chinensis

• Aristida congesta

• Cynodon dactylon

• Cymbopogon plurinodes

• Eragrostis curvula

• Eragrostis gummiflua

• Themeda triandra

• Setaria spp.

• Imperata cylindrica

• Sporobolus fimbriatus

4 The areas which have been seeded must be

regularly watered directly after seeding until

the grass cover becomes established.

A hosepipe must be available on

site.

∗ see attached species list


34

Watering is to be done in a manner that

ensures that no erosion of the topsoil and seed

mix takes place.

5 If the grasses have not established after a

period of two months after seeding, the areas

should be reseeded. If necessary, another

dressing of topsoil should be applied prior to

seeding.

As above.

6 Slope stabilisation measures may be

necessary in places where grass has not been

able to establish and there is an erosion risk.

The measures implemented depend on the

situation, and can be varied as necessary.

Various slope stabilisation

measures are available and vary in

effectiveness according to the

situation including

• Gabions and mattresses

• Logs/bark held in place with

pegs

• Rows of Cynodon dactylon,

Panicum maximum, Imperata

cylindrica, Hyparrhenia

filipendula held in place with

pegs.

7 All alien vegetation is to be appropriately

removed and disposed of. Alien species that

have been encountered in the area included:

Syringa Melia azedarach, Castor-Oil Plant

(Ricinus communis), Lantana (Lantana

camara), Giant Reed (Arundo donax),

Bugweed (Solanum mauritianum), Peanut

Butter Cassia (Senna diymobotrya), Morning

Glory (Ipomoea purpurea), Paraffin Bush

(Chromolaena odorata), Montanoa (Montanoa

hibiscifolia), Indian Shot (Canna indica),

Ageratum conyzoides, Caesalpinia decapetala,

Campuloclinium macrocephalum, Ipomoea

indica, Leucaena leucocephala, Psidium

guajava, Tithonia diversifolia.

Removal will to a large extent be

done by hand. Saws may be

necessary in certain cases and

specific herbicides may be required

(if used, the use of these must be

strictly controlled)


35

Gabions and mattresses have multiple benefits from an environmental

perspective:

� Local rock and soil can be used for backfill, keeping the geology of the

environment natural;

� They are flexible, meaning that they can move and settle to accommodate

natural conditions. In a dynamic system, such as that of a river, it is important

for the structure to be able to deform while still retaining its integrity and

functioning properly; Gabion and mattress baskets allow for free drainage of

water through the system with a porosity of 35%;

� Vegetation such as Aloe arborescens can easily be placed over or within the

structure, encouraging the return of somewhat natural conditions;

� Construction is relatively rapid, meaning that the time the environment is

susceptible to disturbance is limited.

� Roots can penetrate the porous structure and establish themselves in the

parental material below the gabions / mattresses.

� Fish can also find shelter in the porous mattresses which they will use as a

nursery and for breeding.

� Over time, the roots which penetrate the spaces between the rock, will help to

make the structure even stronger and the vegetation will remove the ‘visual

scar’ of the gabions / mattresses.

� To ensure that the gabions / mattresses do not become an alien infested, a

vegetative rehabilitation programme as well as alien vegetation removal

programme must be implemented.


36

7. REFERENCES

ACOCKS, J.P.H. (1988). Veld Types of South Africa. Memoirs of the Botanical

Survey of South Africa, No.57: 1-146. Botanical Research Institute, Pretoria.

BARNES, K.N. (ed.) (2000). The Escom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa,

Lesotho and Swaziland. Birdlife South Africa, Johannesburg.

BOON, R. (2010). Pooley’s Trees of Eastern South Africa: A complete guide. Flora

and Fauna Publications Trust.

BRANCH, W.R. (1988). Field Guide to the Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern

Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.

BROMILOW, C. (2001). Problem Plants of South Africa. Briza Publications,

Pretoria South Africa.

CARRUTHERS, V.C. (2001). Frogs and Frogging in South Africa. Struik Publishers,

Cape Town.

DE GRAAF, G. (1981). The rodents of southern Africa. Butterworth Press, Pretoria.

LOW, A.B. and REBELO, A.G. (1998). Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and

Swaziland. D.E.A.&T., Pretoria.

MINTER, L.R., BURGER, M., HARRISON, J.A., BRAAK, H.H, BISHOP, P.J, AND

KLOEPFER, D. 2004. Atlas and Red Data Book of the frogs of South Africa, Lesotho

and Swaziland. SI/MAB Series 9. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.

MUCINA, L AND RUTHERFORD, M.C. (eds) 2006. The vegetation of South Africa,

Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. SANBI, Pretoria.

PASSMORE, N.I. and CARRUTHERS, V.C. (1995). Frogs of South Africa. A

Complete Guide. Wits University Press, Witwatersrand.

ROBERTS, A. (1951). The mammals of South Africa. Central News Agency, Cape

Town.


37

SIEGFIED, W.R. (1989). Preservation of species in southern African nature

reserves. In: Huntley, B.J. (Ed). Biotic Diversity in Southern Africa, 186-201. Cape

Town: Oxford University Press.

SKINNER, J.D. and SMITHERS, R.H.N. (1990). The Mammals of the Southern

African Subregion. University of Pretoria, Pretoria.

SKINNER, J.D., and CHIMIMBA, C.T. (2005). The Mammals of the Southern African

Subregion 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press.

SKINNER, J.D. and SMITHERS, R.H.N. (1990). The Mammals of the Southern

African Subregion. University of Pretoria, Pretoria.

SMITHERS, R.H.N. (1986). South African Red Data Book-Terrestrial Mammals.

South African National Scientific Programmes Report No.125: 1-214.

WESSA-KZN. (2008). Invasive Alien Plants in Kwazulu-Natal: Management and

Control.


38

8. APPENDIX Table6. Grass species list (ideally grass species endemic to the area should be

used)

Alloteropsis semialata ssp. eckloniana

Alloteropsis semialata ssp. semialata

Andropogon appendiculatus

Andropogon chinensis

Anthephora pubescens

Aristida adscensionis

Aristida canescens ssp. canescens

Aristida congesta ssp. Congesta

Aristida diffusa ssp. Burkei

Aristida scabrivalvis ssp. scabrivalvis

Aristida transvaalensis

Arundinella nepalensis

Avena sp.

Bewsia biflora

Brachiaria brizantha

Brachiaria eruciformis

Brachiaria serrata

Bromus leptoclados

Bromus sp.

Cenchrus ciliaris

Cymbopogon caesius

Cymbopogon pospischilii

Cyperus esculentus

Digitaria debilis

Digitaria diagonalis var. diagonalis

Digitaria eriantha

Digitaria monodactyla

Digitaria sp.

Digitaria ternate

Digitaria tricholaenoides

Diheteropogon amplectens var. amplectens

Ehrharta erecta var. erecta

Elionurus muticus

Enneapogon cenchroides

Enneapogon scoparius

Eragrostis chloromelas

Eragrostis curvula

Eragrostis planiculmis


39

Eragrostis racemosa

Eragrostis sp.

Eustachys paspaloides

Helictotrichon turgidulum (Stapf) Schweick.

Hemarthria altissima

Heteropogon contortus.

Hyparrhenia anamesa

Hyparrhenia cymbaria

Hyparrhenia filipendula var. pilosa

Hyparrhenia hirta

Hyparrhenia quarrei

Hyparrhenia tamba

Imperata cylindrical

Koeleria capensis

Leersia hexandra

Lolium multiflorum

Lolium temulentum

Loudetia simplex

Melinis nerviglumis

Melinis repens ssp. Repens

Monocymbium ceresiiforme

Panicum maximum

Panicum miliaceum

Panicum natalense.

Paspalum dilatatum

Paspalum notatum

Paspalum scrobiculatum

Pennisetum thunbergii

Pennisetum villosum

Perotis sp.

Poa annua

Poa pratensis

Pogonarthria sp.

Potamogeton pusillus

Schizachyrium sanguineum

Setaria lindenbergiana

Setaria megaphylla

Setaria nigrirostris

Setaria sp.

Setaria sphacelata var. sphacelata

Setaria sphacelata var. torta

Sorghum bicolor ssp. arundinaceum


40

Sorghum halepense

Sorghum versicolor

Sporobolus africanus

Sporobolus discosporus

Sporobolus fimbriatus

Sporobolus natalensis

Sporobolus nitens

Sporobolus sp.

Sporobolus stapfianus

Stipagrostis uniplumis var. neesii

Stipagrostis zeyheri ssp. Sericans

Themeda triandra Forssk.

Trachypogon spicatus

Tragus berteronianus

Triraphis andropogonoides

Tristachya rehmannii

Typha capensis

Urelytrum agropyroides

Urochloa mosambicensis

Urochloa panicoides P.Beauv.

Table7. Suggested indigenous trees for rehabilitation and horticultural activities

around the office and warehouse development (species indigenous to the area are

indicated with an ☺. It is strongly recommended that only these are planted as far as

possible)

Botanical Name Common Name

☺Acacia karroo Sweet Thorn

☺Acacia natalitia Pale-bark Sweet Thorn

Acacia caffra Common Hook Thorn

☺Acacia robusta Robust Acacia

☺Acacia tortilis Umbrella Thorn

☺Apodytes dimidiate White Pear

☺Calodendron capense Cape Chestnut

☺Celtis Africana White stinkwood

☺Combretum erythrophylum River Bushwillow

☺Cussonia paniculata Highveld cabbage

☺Diospyros lycoides Blue bush

☺Dombeya rotundifolia Wild pear

Ekenbergia capensis Cape ash

☺Erythrina lysistemon Corral Tree

☺ Ficus natalensis Natal Fig


41

☺Ficus sycomorus Sycamore fig

Grewia occidentalis Cross berry

☺ Gymnosporia buxifolia Common Spikw-Thorn

☺Halleria lucida Tree fuschia

☺Harpephyllum caffrum Wild plum

☺Kiggelaria Africana Wild peach

☺Leucosidea serricea Ouhout

☺Olea europaea subsp. africana Wild olive

Pappea capenis Jacket plum

☺Pittosporum viridiflorum Cheesewood

Podocarpus henkelli Henkell’s yellowwood

Pterocarpus rotundifolius Round leaved kiaat

☺Searsia/Rhus chiridensis Red Currant

Searsia/Rhus prinoides Dogwood

☺Searsia/Rhus leptodictya Mountain karee

☺ Searsia/Rhus lancea Karee

☺ Searsia/Rhus pyroides Common wild currant

Salix mucronata Safsaf willow

Scotia brachypetala Weeping boer-bean

☺Syzigium cordatum Water berry

☺Trichilia emetica Natal mahogany

☺Vepris lanceolata White ironwood

☺Ziziphus mucronata Buffalo thorn


42

Table8. Indigenous shrub species marked with ☺ should be used for re-vegetation

and horticultural activities.

Botanical Name Common Name

☺☺☺☺ Aloe arborescens (gabions)

☺☺☺☺ Aloe greatheadii

Aloe marlothii

Bauhinia species Pride-of de-Kaap

☺ Buddleja salinga False olive

☺ Buddleja salvifolia Sagewood

Burchellia bubaline Wild pomegranate

☺ Carissa macrocarpa Bird num-num

☺ Dietes species Wild iris

☺ Dovyalis caffra Kei apple

☺ Ehretia rigida Puzzle bush

Erica species Heaths

Euryops species Golden daisies

Felicia species Wild daisy

☺ Grewia flava Wild currant

☺ Helichrysum kraussii Everlastings

☺ Leonotis leonorus Wild dagga

Leucospernum species Pincushions

☺ Mackaya bella Forest bell bush

☺ Pavetta lanceolata Forest’s pride bush

☺ Plectranthus species Spur flowers

☺ Plumbago auriculata Cape leadwort

Protea caffra Sugarbush

Psychotria capensis Black birdberry

☺ Rhamnus prinoides Dogwood

☺ Strelitzia nicolai

Strelitzea reginae Crane flower

☺ Tecoma capensis Cape honeysuckle

☺ Thunbergia natalensis Natal bluebell

preliminary ecological sensitivity scan for the … d1.pdfsprite road-preliminary ecological habitat...

Documents