BOTANICAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE UPGRADING OF … · Botanical assessment for the upgrading D281 road ... DETAILS OF SPECIALIST AND REVIEWER ... CV SUMMARY OF SPECIALISTS AND REVIEWER

Botanical assessment for the upgrading D281 road upgrade between Daggakraal and the N11 – 18 January 2016

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BOTANICAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE UPGRADING OF THE

RURAL ACCESS ROAD D281 BETWEEN THE N11 AND

DAGGAKRAAL

Mpumalanga Province

Commissioned by:

NCC Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd

18 January 2016

Compiled by: Trevor O’Donoghue (Cert.Sci.Nat) and Alistair Burt

Reviewed by: Professor LR Brown (Pri.Sci.Nat)


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Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................................iii

LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................................iii

APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................................ iv

DETAILS OF SPECIALIST AND REVIEWER ....................................................................................... vi

CV SUMMARY OF SPECIALISTS AND REVIEWER ....................................................................... vi

CV OF REVIEWER ............................................................................................................................vii

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ................................................................................................. viii

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... 1

SCOPE ................................................................................................................................................ 1

TERMS OF REFERENCE .................................................................................................................. 2

ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS .................................................................................................. 2

LIST OF APPLICABLE LEGISLATION ............................................................................................... 3

Chapter 2: STUDY AREA ....................................................................................................................... 4

Geographical Location ........................................................................................................................ 4

Vegetation and floral description ......................................................................................................... 5

Biome .............................................................................................................................................. 5

Vegetation units .............................................................................................................................. 6

Climate ............................................................................................................................................ 7

Soils and Geology ........................................................................................................................... 8

Conservation targets ....................................................................................................................... 8

Plant species ................................................................................................................................... 8

Chapter 3: STUDY METHODS ............................................................................................................... 9

Chapter 4: RESULTS ............................................................................................................................ 11

Borrow pit and Construction camp one (BPCC1) ............................................................................. 11

Stream crossing 1 (SC 1) .................................................................................................................. 16



Borrow pit and Construction Camp 2 (BPCC 2)................................................................................ 27

D281 road reserve and deviation ...................................................................................................... 32

Borrow pit and construction camp 3 (BPCC3) .................................................................................. 37

Chapter 5: SUMMARY OF PLANT SPECIES ....................................................................................... 42

Protected plants ................................................................................................................................ 42

Alien and invasive plants ................................................................................................................... 43

Chapter 6: RECOMMENDATIONS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ................................................... 46

Pre - construction .......................................................................................................................... 46

During construction ....................................................................................................................... 47

After construction .......................................................................................................................... 48

Chapter 7: CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................... 49

REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................... 50

Appendix A: Species list of plants observed during the survey of D281 and outlying areas ................ 51


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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Geographical location of the study area

Figure 2: The Biomes of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006)

Figure 3: The vegetation units at the study area

Figure 4: An image indicating the location of BPCC 1

Figure 5: An image indicating the location of BPCC 2

Figure 6: A photo indicating the eastern view across BPCC 1.

Figure 7: A photo indicating the western view across BPCC 1 and severe sheet and gully erosion.

Figure 8: Gravel excavated on the eastern section of BPCC1.

Figure 9: A photo indicating the direction of flow and eastern view for SC1

Figure 10: A photo indicating the western view for SC1 with Datura ferox and D. stramonium in the

foreground.

Figure 11: One of the various waste bags dumped in the SC1.

Figure 12: Eucomis autumnalis (Pineapple flower) observed south of SC 1.

Figure 13: Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Star flower) observed south of SC 1.

Figure 14: Eastern view of SC 2.

Figure 15: Western view of SC2

Figure 14: North-western view of SC 3.

Figure 15: Northern view of SC 3 in relation to the D281 road

Figure 16: South-eastern view of BPCC 2 indicating the natural grassland used as grazing by the

community.

Figure 17: Sheet erosion that may lead to gully erosion at BPCC 2

Figure 18: Signs of historical gravel mining noted at BPCC 2

Figure 19: One of many domestic waste disposal sites observed at BPCC 2.

Figure 20: A possible grave site next to the D281 road reserve

Figure 21: A Google Earth image illustrating the different types of old fields contained in the BPCC 3

Figure 22: NW view of the cultivated land dominated by C. bipinnatus and Z. mays

Figure 23: SE view of the old field dominated by S. africanus and E. curvula

Figure 24: Contours with low canopy cover dominated by H. kraussii and P. longissima and S.

sisymbrifolium in the distance.

Figure 25: The South African Red list categories for species (SANBI, 2009)

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Important and protected plants found during the survey

Table 2: Restricted activities for listed invasive species in the NEMBA and CARA

Table 3: Alien and Invasive species identified during the survey of D281


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APPENDICES

Appendix A: Species list of plants observed during the survey of D281 and outlying areas


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This report was compiled by:

Trevor O’Donoghue (B Tech: Nat cons. UNISA) Cert.Nat.Sci 300055/14

Cell: 084 465 4058

[email protected]

AND

Alistair Burt (B Tech: Nat cons. TUT)

Cell: 071 630 2780

[email protected]

This report was reviewed by:

Prof. L.R. Brown (Phd UP), Pr.Sci.Nat 400075/98 2016-02-15

Tel: 011 471 2339

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]




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DETAILS OF SPECIALIST AND REVIEWER

CV SUMMARY OF SPECIALISTS AND REVIEWER

TL O’Donoghue Cert.Sci.Nat Reg. No. 300055/14 (Ecological Science).

Mr Trevor Lourens O’Donoghue has more than 10 years’ experience in the Environmental

Management (EM) and Conservation sector. He is based in Gauteng and has working

experience in the North West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Western Cape

Province. He started his conservation career in the Timbavati Private nature Reserve from

2003 – 2007. He has operated as an Environmental Control Officer on large construction

projects from 2008 - 2012 where his duties included monitoring, auditing and mitigating

impacts caused by construction as well as implementing and monitoring the restoration and

rehabilitation of such projects after construction. From 2013 to current, he has been a senior

environmental advisor on large construction projects in various provinces around South

Africa and assisted and conducted numerous vegetation and wetland surveys. He has

experience in botanical assessments,- research and in wetland delineation. Applicable

qualifications that merit his expertise as a specialist are listed below:

B – Tech: Nature Conservation, UNISA, 2014

National Diploma: Nature Conservation, TUT, 2003

SACNASP Certified Natural Scientist, Level B – Reg No: 300055/14

Environmental Law for Environmental managers, NWU, 2008

Introduction to Waste management and Integrated Waste management planning, NWU, 2009

Introduction to Wetlands and Wetland delineation, UFS, 2015

He is currently registered for an MSc in Nature Conservation at UNISA

AR Burt

Mr Alistair Burt assisted Mr O’Donoghue during this botanical assessment. He shares similar

interests and experience in the Conservation and EM field. Mr Burt’s conservation

experience dates back to 2004 when he completed his experiential training with South

African National Parks – Kruger National Park. Thereafter he was the Trails Ranger at

Nossob Eco Trail in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park where he moved on to the City of Cape

Town as the Conservation Manager of the Witsand-Soetwater Conservation Area in the

Western Cape. In the EM field he has worked as an ECO and Senior Environmental advisor

on numerous linear projects making him a suitable person to assist in the recommendations


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and mitigations during linear assessments. He has extensive experience in dealing with

landowners and interested and affected parties on these projects, which involved conflict

management, access agreements and constant liaison between the client and interested

and affected parties. Mr Burt is an active volunteer with the SANParks Honorary Rangers,

using his extensive EM skills within the conservation sector. He has experienced many

elements of the Eskom Corporate; Renewables; Transmission line and sub-station

construction processes over the past 7 years making him familiar with the EIA regulations of

2008 – 2014.

Applicable qualifications that merit his expertise as a specialist are listed below:

B – Tech: Nature Conservation, TUT, 2006,

National Diploma: Nature Conservation, TUT, 2004

DQS Environmental Management Systems Lead Auditors Course, 2010

Conflict Management Course, 2010

CEM: Environmental Law for Environmental Managers, 2010

CEM: Implementing Environmental Management Systems, 2011

CEM: Environmental Risk Assessment and Management based on ISO 31000, 2013

Green Gain Consulting: Environmental Legal Liability Training, 2013

USB: Project Management Course, 2014

CV OF REVIEWER

Professor LR Brown (PhD) Pri.Sci.Nat Reg. No. 400075/98 (Botanical Science and

Ecological Science)

Leslie Brown is a Professor in Plant Ecology at the University of South Africa. His research

interests include plant phytosociology, veld management, restoration, long-term monitoring,

and plant-animal interactions. He currently heads the Applied Behavioural Ecology and

Ecosystem Research Unit that conducts animal-plant interaction research in collaboration

with various international institutions. He is a registered plant ecologist and botanist (Pri Sci

Nat) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions, a Professional Member

(MGSSA) of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa, while also being a member of eight

professional bodies. He has served on various advisory committees and executive boards and

has presented many short courses in veld management and grass and tree identification. He

has more than 24 years’ experience in vegetation surveys, Impact Assessments, and

research. He has conducted more than 220 vegetation/wetland impact assessments in

South Africa and specialises in the savanna, grassland and Nama-karoo biomes. He has the

following qualifications:


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PhD Terrestrial plant ecology

MSc. Water ecology

BSc Hons (Botany)

BSc (Ed) (Botany, Zoology, Education)

Wetland and Riparian Delineation (DWAF Accredited Course)

Soil Classification and Wetland Delineation Short Course – TERRASOIL Science

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

We, Trevor Lourens O’Donoghue and Alistair Robert Burt, declare that we:

acted as the independent specialists in this application;

regard the information contained in this report as it relates to our specialist input/study to be true and correct, and

do not have and will not have any financial interest in the undertaking of the activity, other than remuneration for work performed in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 and any specific environmental management Act;

have and will not have any vested interest in the proposed activity proceeding;

have disclosed, to the applicant, EAP and competent authority, any material information that have or may have the potential to influence the decision of the competent authority or the objectivity of any report, plan or document required in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 and any specific environmental management Act;

are fully aware of and meet the responsibilities in terms of NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 (specifically in terms of regulation 17 of GN No. R. 543) and any specific environmental management Act, and that failure to comply with these requirements may constitute and result in disqualification;

have provided the competent authority with access to all information at our disposal regarding the application, whether such information is favourable to the applicant or not; and

are aware that a false declaration is an offence in terms of regulation 48 of the NEMA EIA Regulations.

Signature of the specialists

NCC Environmental Services Pty (Ltd)

Name of company

18 January 2016

Date


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Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report includes the identification of the individual plant species as identified in

different vegetation units occurring within or along the D281 road reserve as well as

the pre-identified areas to be used for borrow pits and construction camps.

From this background knowledge:

A plant species inventory could be created and used during construction

Protected plants can be identified and removed with the necessary statutory

permissions

Alien and invasive plants can be destroyed and prevented from re-

establishing

Soil conservation measures can be planned ahead

The planning of physical infrastructure, e.g. roads, construction camps,

laydown areas, buildings, etc. can be made

Storm water and –drainage can be planned

Rehabilitation and re-establishment of vegetation can be planned

SCOPE

NCC Environmental Services have been appointed by the Applicant, The

Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport to ensure

compliance with the regulations contained in Section 24 of the National

Environmental Management Act (NEMA, No 107 of 1998 as amended in 2014) to

conduct a Basic Assessment (BA) for the construction of a tar road on an existing

gravel road and submit the mandatory application for environmental authorisation to

the relevant authority.

In terms of Section 24 of NEMA, an application should be made for

authorisation for the construction and upgrade of the D281 access road. The

application will be submitted to The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture Rural

Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) to consider a decision


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with regards to the following listed activities as per Listing Notice 1 (Government

Notice R 983 Government Gazette 38282 of 4 December 2014).

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Botanical assessment of the existing D281 road and reserve.

A botanical assessment of the deviation of the road from the N11.

A botanical assessment of the two areas identified that will be used for

Construction Camps and Borrow pits

ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

It is assumed that vegetation on the fringes of the roads and in the construction

camp sites and within areas designated for borrow pits will be impacted on or

destroyed during construction and associated activities during the upgrade of the

road. Conclusions reached and recommendations made are based not only on

occurrence of individual species, but more appropriately on habitats and ecosystem

processes. Planning must therefore allow for the maintenance of species, habitats

and ecosystem processes. Recommendations are made based on experience,

observations in the field and from literature.

The survey was undertaken during a once off visit to the site on 18 January

2016 in the wet season. Geophytic, annual, rare and cryptic plant species could

therefore have been missed due to their inconspicuous growth forms and specific

flowering times. Multiple visits to any site during the different seasons of the year

could therefore increase the chances to record a larger portion of the total species

complex associated with the area. Taking the low rainfall into account during the

spring of 2015 it must be noted that this report may not indicate the presence of

certain plant species but this does not mean that they do not occur; therefore all

precaution must still be taken to ensure that all damage to indigenous vegetation is

kept to an absolute minimum.

While all care was taken to ensure the correct identification of plant species and

associated habitats it cannot be guaranteed that every species has been surveyed


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and identified. The survey of the study site is however considered as successful with

a correct identification of the different vegetation units. The findings of this report

should be seen as the baseline data that can be included into the Environmental

Management Program (EMPr).

LIST OF APPLICABLE LEGISLATION

The listed acts below ensure the protection of ecological processes, natural systems

and natural beauty as well as the preservation of biotic diversity in the natural

environment. It also ensures the protection of the environment against disturbance,

deterioration, defacement or destruction as a result of man-made structures,

installations, processes or products or human activities.

NATIONAL ENVIRONEMTAL MANAGEMENT ACT, NO. 107 OF 1998

NATIONAL ENVIRONEMTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT, NO. 10 OF 2004

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: WASTE ACT, NO 59 OF 2008

NATIONAL WATER ACT, NO. 36 OF 1998

NATIONAL HERITAGE RESOURCES ACT, NO. 25 OF 1999

MPUMALANGA NATURE CONSERVATION ACT, NO. 10 OF 1998

CONSERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES ACT, NO.43 OF 1983


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Chapter 2: STUDY AREA

Geographical Location

The study area is situated in the Mpumalanga province 16 km north of the Town of

Volksrust. It is located between the N11 and the settlement of Daggakraal

(27°12'57.99"S; 29°53'5.80"E). The study site surrounds an existing gravel road

(D281 ) and extends for 17 km from West to East. Figure 1.

Latitude (S): Longitude (E):

Starting point of the activity 27

o 12’ 58.45“ 29

o 53‘ 2.61“

Middle point of the activity 27

o 9‘ 33.05“ 29

o 56‘ 28.83“

End point of the activity 27

o 6‘ 22.75“ 29

o 59‘ 19.89“

Figure 1: Geographical location of the study area


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Vegetation and floral description

Biome

The main vegetation type present in the study area forms part of the Grassland

Biome (Figure 2). The grassland biome has been under pressure from agriculture

and mining that has resulted in only 1% of this biome to be protected for

conservation (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006). Large parts of our grasslands occur on

deep fertile soils of high agricultural value. Much of this landscape has already been

converted to crops, timber or intensive animal production. Grasslands originally

covered 61% of Mpumalanga, but 44%of this has been transformed by agriculture

and other development. This substantial and irreversible reduction of the biome is

due mainly to cultivation, especially industrial scale agriculture and timber growing.

These land uses destroy biodiversity but extensive livestock grazing can be

reasonably biodiversity-friendly, provided good management and safe stocking rates

are applied (Ferar & Lotter, 2007).

Mpumalanga’s grasslands are mainly found above 1000m above sea level.

These are cool, dry open landscapes, with rainfall of more than 500mm/yr. Frost, hail

storms and lightning strikes are common. Due to the high altitude these areas

experience cold temperatures especially during winter periods. The cold

temperatures (especially extreme temperatures) as well as the frequent occurrence

of fires favours the herbaceous vegetation and maintain these areas grasslands with

only few woody species present. Grasslands have shallow rooted vegetation with a

growing season limited (Ferar & Lotter, 2007).


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Figure 2: The Biomes of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Mucina &

Rutherford, 2006)

Vegetation units

According to Rutherford and Mucina (2006) two vegetation types are present namely

the Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland (Gm 13) and the Wakkerstroom Montane

Grassland (Gm 14) (Figure 3).

Amersfoort Highveld Grassland is made up of undulating grassland plains

with scattered patches of rocky dolerite outcrops in certain areas. The vegetation is

mainly short grassland largely dominated by Themeda triandra which is often heavily

grazed. It extends from just South of Ermelo down through Amersfoort to the Memel

Area in the south. It mainly occurs in the KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Provinces.

The altitude ranges between 1580 – 1860 m.


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Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland is linked to the southern and northern

Drakensberg escarpments. It’s made up of low mountains and undulating plains.

Vegetation is mainly short montane grasslands on relatively flat areas such as

plateaus. It occurs from the Escarpment just north of Sheepmoor to southeast of

Utrecht, and then from the vicinity of Volksrust in the West to Mandhlangampisi

mountain near Luneburg in the east. Altitude ranges between 1440 – 2200 m.

Figure 3: The vegetation units at the study area

Climate

Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland receives rainfall mainly in the early summer

with a mean annual rainfall of 694 mm. Winters are cold and summers are mild with

incidences of frost being very high. Mean annual temperature is 14oC.


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Rainfall in the Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland is highest in midsummer. It

receives more rainfall than adjacent areas with a mean annual rainfall of 902 mm.

The winters are very cold with mild summers with a similar mean annual temperature

to the Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland of 14oC.

Soils and Geology

Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland mostly has vertic clay soils weathered from

dolerite.

Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland is situated on Voluminous Jurassic

dolerite dykes and sills (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) mudstone, sandstone and shale

of the Madzaringwe and Volksrust Formations (Karoo Supergroup).

Conservation targets

Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland is classified as a vulnerable vegetation type.

The conservation target is 27% but none is formally protected. Some 25% of this unit

is transformed, predominantly by cultivation (22%). The area is not suited to

afforestation. Exotic Acacia species (Silver and Black Wattle) and Salix babylonica

invade drainage lines. Erosion potential varies from very low (57%) to low (40%)

(Mucina & Rutherford, 2006).

Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland is considered to be a least threatened

vegetation type. Conservation target is 27%, but less than 1% is statutorily protected.

There are 10 South African Natural Heritage Sites in this unit, although very little of it

is formally protected. Land use pressures from agriculture are low (5% cultivated)

probably owing to the colder climate and shallower soils. The area is also suited to

afforestation, with more than 1% under Acacia mearnsii and Eucalyptus spp.

plantations. The black wattle is an aggressive invader of riparian areas. Very little

erosion occurs in these areas (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006).

Plant species

A large number of rare and endangered species occur in grasslands. They are

mostly small, very localised and visible for only a few weeks in the year when they

flower (Ferar & Lotter, 2007). A list of all species observed including their families

and conservation status is attached to this report. See Appendix A.


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Chapter 3: STUDY METHODS

A desktop study of the study area was done prior to the actual site visit. We gathered

data of the study area from text books, research papers and previous assessments

of other planned construction projects in the area. The D281 upgrade consists of

different activities and different sensitive areas that vegetation may be impacted

upon and was therefore divided into six different study units and surveyed

accordingly. The D281 study units were as follows:

1. Borrow pit and Construction camp 1 (BPCC1) (Figure 4)


3. Stream Crossing 1 (SC1)



6. Road reserve and Deviation (RD) (Figure 4)


Stratification of the area into physiographic-physiognomic vegetation units was done

using 1:50 000 stereo aerial photographs (Brown et al., 1996) and Google Earth geo-

referenced images. The area was physically walked by the specialists on foot and all

plants were identified on 18 January 2016. BPCC 1 & 2 was walked with a Garmin

E-Trex® handheld GPS with pre-loaded data of the boundaries of the areas. A list of

all plant species present, including trees, shrubs, grasses, forbs, geophytes and

succulents were compiled. All identifiable plant species were listed. Notes were

additionally made of any other features that might have an ecological influence.


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Figure 4: An image indicating the location of BPCC 1 Figure 5: An image indicating the location of BPCC 2


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Chapter 4: RESULTS

Results for each study unit is described and listed below. The results explain the

occurrences of biotic and abiotic factors, vegetation structure, prominent species,

erosion, potential for erosion and a list of observed plant species.

Borrow pit and Construction camp one (BPCC1)

Coordinates: 27°12'55.09"S; 29°53'16.17"E

Soil Shallow heavy clay soils on hard rock and shale. In some areas soils are found on weathered dolerite materials.

Vegetation structure Open grassland with rocky outcrops covered by woody vegetation such as Diospyros lycioides and Leucosidea sericea.

Prominent species Cynodon dactylon, Berkheya zeyheri, Hyparrhenia tamba. The existing road

fringes contained the following geophytes during the survey: Hypoxis

hemerocallidea, Hypoxis iridifolia, Hypoxis rigidula, Gladiolus ecklonii,

Eucomis autumnalis, Erythrina zeyheri.

Severe overgrazing has caused the grass cover to form a lawn type structure that is

dominated by Cynodon dactylon. The proposed site is located on both sides of the

proposed road upgrade and includes the area that the deviation will run through. The

forb Berkheya zeyheri is dominant.

The site was surveyed on the eastern and western side of the road along with the

road reserve occurring on opposite sides of a cattle fence separating the road from

BPCC1. Figure 6 and 7.

On the road fringes where grazing has been absent as a result of the fence, the

grass layer is dominated by Hyparrhenia tamba and H. hirta. Geophytes were

Tree cover 0%

Shrub cover < 1%

Grass cover 50 - 60%

Forb cover 15%

Rockiness 20%

Medium to steep slope


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abundant in this area (See prominent species). Erosion is prominent and if not

controlled will result in further degradation and siltation of the stream below.

Erosion and erosion potential

Sheet and gully erosion is prominent as seen in Figure 7. The slope of the area

increases the potential for further erosion due to water runoff and lack of vegetation

cover. These risks must be taken into account during construction and mitigation and

prevention measures must be put into place to prevent further degradation. Signs of

gravel mining in this area were noted as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 6: A photo indicating the eastern view across BPCC 1.


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Figure 7: Western view across BPCC 1 and severe sheet and gully erosion.

Figure 8: Gravel excavated on the eastern section of BPCC1.


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Plant species documented at BPCC 1

GRASSES

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.

Hyparrhenia hirta (L.) Stapf

Hyparrhenia tamba (Steud.) Stapf

Schizachyrium jeffreysii (Hack.) Stapf

Themeda triandra Forssk.

WOODY SPECIES

Diospyros lycioides Desf.

Leucosidea sericea Eckl. & Zeyh.

Pyracantha angustifolia (Franch.) C.K.Schneid.

FORBS

Acalypha angustata Sond.

Argemone ochroleuca Sweet

Berkheya radula (Harv.) De Wild.

Berkheya zeyheri (Sond. & Harv.) Oliv. & Hiern

Bidens pilosa L.

Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten.

Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist

Crepis hypochoeridea (DC.) Thell.

Datura ferox L.

Datura stramonium L.

Dipcadi marlothii Engl.

Felicia muricata (Thunb.) Nees

Helichrysum aureum (Houtt.) Merr.

Helichrysum cephaloideum DC.

Helichrysum kraussii Sch.Bip.

Hermannia coccocarpa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze

Hermannia depressa N.E.Br.

Hermannia lancifolia Szyszyl.

Hibiscus micranthus L.f.

Hibiscus microcarpus Garcke

Hibiscus trionum L.

Ledebouria ovatifolia (Baker) Jessop

Pennisetum villosum R.Br. ex Fresen.

Pentanisia angustifolia (Hochst.) Hochst.

Plantago longissima Decne.

Plectranthus madagascariensis (Pers.) Benth.

Pseudognaphalium luteo-album (L.) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt

Ricinus communis L.

Senecio coronatus (Thunb.) Harv.


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Sida cordifolia L.

Solanum panduriforme E.Mey.

Tagetes minuta L.

Trichoneura grandiglumis (Nees) Ekman

Verbena bonariensis L.

Verbena tenuisecta Briq.

Xanthium spinosum L.

GEOPHYTES

Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt.

Gladiolus ecklonii Lehm.

Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch. & C.A.Mey.

Hypoxis iridifolia Baker

Hypoxis rigidula Baker

Xysmalobium undulatum (L.) Aiton f.


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Stream crossing 1 (SC 1)

Coordinates: 27°10'39.00"S; 29°55'26.32"E

Soil Deep vertic clay soils

Vegetation structure Open grassland with controlled grazing practises within a fenced in area.

Prominent species Outer fringes: Eragrostis inamoena, Sporobolus africana and Paspalum

dilatatum and Datura ferox and D. stramonium with grasses such a

Cynodon dactylon and Hyparrhenia tamba on the fringes.

Permanent wet zone: Schoenoplectus sp, Cyperus spp and Metha aquatica

(not dominant but present)

South of the SC1 the following geophytes occurs in dense stands: Hypoxis

hemerocallidea, Hypoxis iridifolia , Hypoxis rigidula, Eucomis autumnalis

Signs of grazing is present but the area is not overgrazed. The stream flows from the

western side to the eastern side of the D281 road (Figure 9 & 10).

The road fringe is dominated by Eragrostis inamoena, Sporobolus africana and

Paspalum dilatatum indicating the presence of moisture or at least a high water table

in the soils. The riparian vegetation within the SC1 consists mostly of sedges such

as Cyperus spp and Schoenoplectus spp in water with Cynodon dactylon and

Hyparrhenia tamba lining the edges and fringes of the stream. The embankments

are mostly bare soil. Berkheya radula is the most prominent forb and is also an

indicator of clay content of the soil. Alien and invasive weeds are encroaching on the

indigenous vegetation and forming dense stands consisting mostly of Datura ferox

and Datura stramonium (Figure 10).

A number of pollution factors were noted in the form of waste disposal activities that

seemed to look like the illegal dumping of medical waste in the form of sanitary

goods such as nappies and a large bag indicating the contents of it as waste (Figure

11). Some animal carcases and by-products from the slaughtering of animals were

also noted in the stream.

Tree cover 0%

Shrub cover 0%

Grass cover 50%

Forb cover 15%

Rockiness < 1%

Mild slope


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To the Southern side of the SC1 dense stands of Hypoxis rigidula, H.

hemerocallidea, H. iridifolia and Eucomis autumnalis were observed. These

geophytes are plants that have significant cultural and medicinal value and continued

to occur on various intervals along the road reserve (Figure 12 & 13). The

significance and mitigation measures around these plants will be covered later in this

report.


Erosion in this area was limited to the actual stream migration and meandering. It is

recommended that the water flow measures such as pipes and culverts to be

installed are designed in such a way that it dissipates the force of the water. This will

slow the flow of water and spread it evenly so that it prevents erosion of the

embankments during flooding or heavy rainfall. Narrowing of the water passage may

cause high speed discharge on the opposite side that can lead to erosion and

uneven dissipation of the water flow.

Figure 9: A photo indicating the direction of flow and eastern view for SC1


18

Figure 10: A photo indicating the western view for SC1 with Datura ferox and

D. stramonium in the foreground.

Figure 11: One of the various waste bags dumped in the SC1.


19

Figure 12: Eucomis autumnalis (Pineapple flower) observed south of SC 1.

Figure 13: Hypoxis iridifolia observed south of SC 1.


20

Plant species documented at SC 1

GRASSES


Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees

Eragrostis inamoena K.Schum.


Leersia hexandra Sw.

Panicum schinzii Hack.

Paspalum dilatatum Poir.

Pelargonium luridum (Andrews) Sweet


Setaria sphacelata (Schumach.) Moss

Sporobolus africanus (Poir.) Robyns & Tournay

Tragus berteronianus Schult.

FORBS

Amaranthus hybridus L.



Bidens pilosa L.

Blumea mollis (D.Don) Merr.



Cyperus species

Datura ferox L. x stramonium L. *

Plantago lanceolata L.

Schkuhria pinnata (Lam.) Cabrera

Schoenoplectus species

Sonchus nanus Sond. ex Harv.

Tagetes minuta L.

Tribulus terrestris L.

Triraphis schinzii Hack.


GEOPHYTES

Erythrina zeyheri Harv.



Hypoxis iridifolia Baker Hypoxis rigidula Baker


21


Coordinates: 27° 9'54.06"S; 29°56'7.65"E


Vegetation structure Open Grassland.

Prominent species Outer fringes: Sporobolus africanus, Paspalum dilatatum and Eragrostis

inamoena.

Permanent wet zone: Schoenoplectus sp and Cyperus sp

The SC2 is situated on communal grazing land. It is similar to SC1 and the

vegetation is dominated by Sporobolus africanus, Paspalum dilatatum and

Eragrostis inamoena. The stream bed is wider, more waterlogged and trampling by

cattle is evident. Very few plants occur in the stream bed. Figure 14 & 15.

Figure 14: Eastern view of SC 2.

Tree cover 0%

Shrub cover 0%

Grass cover 70%

Forb cover <10%

Rockiness 0%

Mild slope


22

Figure 15: Western view of SC2


Erosion in this area was limited to the actual stream migration and meandering.

Besides the trampling there is no real evidence of excessive erosion. Plant cover is

fairly intact.


GRASSES

Eragrostis rotifer Rendle







23

FORBS

Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd.



Crabbea acaulis N.E.Br.

Gazania species

Geigeria burkei Harv.

Gnidia gymnostachya (C.A.Mey.) Gilg

Ipomoea transvaalensis A.Meeuse

Mentha aquatica L.

Persicaria lapathifolia (L.) Gray



Scabiosa columbaria L.


Solanum sisymbrifolium Lam.


Verbena brasiliensis Vell.

Vernonia poskeana Vatke & Hildebr.

GEOPHYTES


Pelargonium pseudofumarioides R.Knuth



24


Coordinates: 27° 9'0.47"S; 29°57'25.80"E


Vegetation structure Open grassland with signs of sever grazing and notably disturbed by anthropological activities

Prominent species Outer fringes: Eragrostis plana, Sporobolus africanus, Cynodon dactylon

and lawn forming Themeda triandra

Permanent wet zone: Schoenoplectus sp and Cyperus sp

The SC 3 is the last of three stream crossing described in this report. The vegetation

surrounding the SC 3 is open grassland that is used as communal grazing for cattle.

It has some homesteads build close to the banks of it to the north west of the stream

that may indicate people living there may be dependent on it as a water source for

domestic purposes as well (Figure 14).

The landscape surrounding this stream crossing slopes more than SC 1 and SC 2

and erosion potential in this area is higher. Figure 15. Dominant plant species

include Eragrostis plana, Sporobolus africanus, Cynodon dactylon and lawn forming

Themeda triandra in places. The stream is waterlogged and aquatic vegetation is

limited to Schoenoplectus spp and Cyperus spp. There are signs of dumping, that

mostly consists of building rubble and domestic waste (Figure 16).


Erosion in this area was limited to the actual stream migration and meandering.

Trampling surrounding the stream was low and vegetation intact. The slope of the

road may have erosion implications during construction and all reasonable steps

must be taken to prevent siltation of the stream as it is likely to be used by people

living downstream.

Tree cover 0%

Shrub cover 0%

Grass cover 70%

Forb cover <10%

Rockiness 0%

Mild to medium slope

from North to South


25

Figure 14: North-western view of SC 3.

Figure 15: Northern view of SC 3 in relation to the D281 road


26


GRASSES

Bromus catharticus Vahl








FORBS

Asclepias brevipes (Schltr.) Schltr.

Asclepias fallax (Schltr.) Schltr.

Asclepias gibba (E.Mey.) Schltr.




Cyperus species

Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) Aiton f.

Jamesbrittenia aurantiaca (Burch.) Hilliard







27

Borrow pit and Construction Camp 2 (BPCC 2)

Coordinates: 27° 8'59.79"S; 29°57'39.79"E

Soil Loam to clay soils on the higher elevated regions becoming increasingly clay in the lower lying areas to almost vertic. The soils are shallow in areas with exposed rock closer to the road.

Vegetation structure The BPCC 2 consists of open grassland notably disturbed by anthropological activities.

Prominent species Eragrostis plana, Eragrostis curvula, Berkeya zeyheri, Aristida congesta

subsp congesta, Sporobolus africanus.

Three distinct disturbances were noted in the area namely: Natural grassland (2.23

ha); Old fields mainly in the form of planted pasture (5.3 ha) and Old borrow pits from

previous gravel mining (0.78 ha).

The natural grassland is dominated by the grasses Eragrostis plana, Sporobolus

africanus, Senecio coronatus and the forb Berkheya zeyheri (Figure 16). The old

planted pasture is severely overgrazed and dominated by forbs and pioneer species

and is in an early secondary successional phase. Sparse stands of Eragrostis

curvula does occur probably due to it been cultivated previously for animal feed but

this seems to be succeeded by the less palatable Eragrostis gummiflua.

Sheet erosion is prominent and signs of gully erosion are starting to show where

there once used to be access roads towards the planted pasture (Figure 17).

Historical gravel mining in the area was noted in the south western corner of the

BPCC 2 adjacent to the stream and existing D281 (Figure 18).

These open excavations have over time filled with rainwater and is utilised by cattle.

The establishment of hydrophytes, mostly Cyperus species and Schoenoplectus

species in these excavations indicate that they have been waterlogged/moist for

some time.

Tree cover 0%

Shrub cover 0%

Grass cover 30%

Forb cover 20%

Rockiness < 5%



28

Dumping of construction- and domestic wastes were observed in the survey area

(Figure 19).


Sheet erosion was noted in some localities. The slope of the area increases the

potential for further erosion due to water runoff. These risks must be taken into

account during construction and mitigation and prevention measures must be put

into place to prevent further degradation of the area and the stream to the south of

the survey area.

Figure 16: South-eastern view of BPCC 2 indicating the natural grassland

used as grazing by the community.


29

Figure 17: Sheet erosion that may lead to gully erosion at BPCC 2

Figure 18: Signs of historical gravel mining noted at BPCC 2


30

Figure 19: One of many domestic waste disposal sites observed at BPCC 2.

Plant species documented during the survey at BPCC 2

GRASSES


Eragrostis capensis (Thunb.) Trin.


Eragrostis gummiflua Nees

Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees

Eragrostis plana Nees

Eragrostis racemosa (Thunb.) Steud.

Aristida congesta Roem. & Schult. ssp. congesta



FORBS

Acalypha angustata Sond. Anthericum fasciculatum Baker = Chlorophytum fasciculatum (Baker) Kativu


Berkheya setifera DC.



31

Bidens formosa (Bonato) Sch.Bip. = Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.


Commelina africana L.



Helichrysum caespititium (DC.) Harv.

Helictotrichon leoninum (Steud.) Schweick.



Hermannia erodioides (Burch. ex DC.) Kuntze

Hermannia grandistipula (Buchinger ex Hochst.) K.Schum.

Hibiscus aethiopicus L.



Ledebouria revoluta (L.f.) Jessop

Monopsis decipiens (Sond.) Thulin

Nidorella anomala Steetz

Oxalis depressa Eckl. & Zeyh.




Stoebe vulgaris Levyns

Tephrosia capensis (Jacq.) Pers.

Vernonia oligocephala (DC.) Sch.Bip. ex Walp.


32

D281 road reserve and deviation

Coordinates: 27° 12'58.45"S; 29°53'2.61"E

Soil The soils vary from shallow rocky outcrops to very deep alluvial and vertic black clay.

Vegetation structure The D281 is a gravel road that runs through open grassland and adulating plains and crosses three stream crossings.

Prominent species Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Eucomis autumnalis, Gladiolus ecklonii are

important geophytes located along the road reserve. Alien vegetation is

located mostly along the riparian fringes of the stream crossings with

larger clumps of Eucalyptus sp and Acacia mearnsii close to old

homesteads next to the road

The road reserve forms the outlying vegetated area of the existing D281 gravel road

toward Daggakraal. Over the years the vegetation have established to a very dense

stand of Hyparrhenia tamba and a vast amount of geophytes have also managed to

settle and thrive within the reserve of the road. This establishment of geophytes may

be attributed to increased water runoff that form suitable conditions for these plants

to grow in. Top soil from this reserve, when the road is widened during construction,

can be used during rehabilitation and should be considered. Removal and relocation

of certain of these geophytes must be authorised or permitted. See the chapter 5 for

more details.

At the coordinates S 27o10’9.0”; E029o55’55.1” a pile of stones that looked

like a possible grave site was located (Figure 20). A heritage specialist should be

consulted to observe and asses if this is in fact a grave.

Tree cover 0%

Shrub cover 0%

Grass cover 50%

Forb cover 20%

Rockiness < 5%



33

Figure 20: A possible grave site next to the D281 road reserve


Erosion was covered in individual areas throughout the report; the risk of erosion is

limited to a few areas as discussed in previous sections. The majority of the road

reserve is fairly intact and the risk of erosion is low. However all possible precautions

must still be taken to prevent erosion at all times regardless of the location of the

activities during construction.

Species located in the road reserve of D281

GRASSES


Bromus catharticus Vahl


Digitaria eriantha Steud.



Eragrostis gummiflua Nees Eragrostis inamoena K.Schum.


34





Hyparrhenia filipendula (Hochst.) Stapf var. filipendula






Pennisetum villosum R.Br. ex Fresen. Schizachyrium jeffreysii (Hack.) Stapf






WOODY VEGETATION

Acacia mearnsii De Wild.

Diospyros lycioides Desf.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.

Leucosidea sericea Eckl. & Zeyh.

Pinus pinaster Aiton

Pyracantha angustifolia (Franch.) C.K.Schneid.

Salix babylonica L.

FORBS

Acalypha angustata Sond.

Alternanthera achyrantha R.Br. = Alternanthera pungens Humb., Bonpl. & Kunth


Anthericum fasciculatum Baker = Chlorophytum fasciculatum (Baker) Kativu

Argemone mexicana L.









Bidens formosa (Bonato) Sch.Bip. = Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.

Bidens pilosa L.



Commelina africana L.


35


Crabbea acaulis N.E.Br.


Cyperus species

Datura ferox L.



Eriosema burkei Benth.

Fadogia homblei De Wild.


Gazania species


Gnidia gymnostachya (C.A.Mey.) Gilg


Haplocarpha scaposa Harv.

Harpochloa falx (L.f.) Kuntze

Helichrysum aureonitens Sch.Bip.





Helichrysum nudifolium (L.) Less.










Hibiscus trionum L.

Ipomoea transvaalensis A.Meeuse


Mentha aquatica L.

Monopsis decipiens (Sond.) Thulin Nidorella anomala Steetz

Oenothera rosea L'Hér. ex Aiton

Oxalis deppressa







Ricinus communis L.


36

Scabiosa columbaria L.




Sida cordifolia L.





Tagetes minuta L.






Verbena tenuisecta Briq.

Vernonia oligocephala (DC.) Sch.Bip. ex Walp.

Vernonia poskeana Vatke & Hildebr.

Xanthium species

Xanthium spinosum L.

GEOPHYTES



Gladiolus ecklonii Lehm.










37

Borrow pit and construction camp 3 (BPCC3)

Coordinates: 27° 9'35.19"S; 29°55'53.65"E

Soil The soils vary from sandy to sandy loam

Vegetation structure The area where BPCC3 is located consists of old fields. Forbs such as Cosmos bipinnatus and Taraxacum spp are dominant with bare patches of exposed soils. Grasses mostly consists of Zea mays and Sporobolus africanus with Solanum sisymbrifolium and Datura stramonium on old contour lines. Where grass cover has re – established it is in a late stage of secondary succession and grazed by cattle. Trampled footpaths also exists throughout the BPCC 3

Prominent species Sporobolus africanus, Cosmos bipinnatus, Verbena brasiliensis and Zea

mays and Taraxacum spp.

This area totally consists out of old fields previously used for crop and fodder

production and makes up the entire BPCC 3. It is dominated by forbs. Two main

areas were identified a) One of the areas fenced and isolated off from the rest of the

area has still recently been used for crop production and is in a very early stage of

secondary succession as indicated by the plants Cosmos bipinnatus and Taraxacum

spp (Figure 22). b) Areas not used for crop production is in further stages of

secondary succession with the grass Sporobolus africanus and Eragrostis curvula

dominating the herbaceous layer (Figure 23).


Erosion is evident on old contours where the Ortic-A layer has been lost due to sheet

erosion from trampling and low plant canopy cover. Bare patches and exposed

contours create favourable environments for alien and invasive plant species such

as Solanum sisymbrifolium and Datura stramonium. Forbs such as Helichrysum

kraussii and Plantago longissima are prominent species growing on the exposed

contours (Figure 24). The area has low conservation value.

Tree cover 0%

Shrub cover 0%

Grass cover 30%

Forb cover 40%

Rockiness 0%

Mild slope


38

Figure 21: A Google Earth image illustrating the different types of old fields

contained in the BPCC 3

Figure 22: NW view of the cultivated land dominated by C. bipinnatus and Z.

mays


39

Figure 23: SE view of the old field dominated by S. africanus and E. curvula


40

Figure 24: Contours with low canopy cover dominated by H. kraussii and P.

longissima and S. sisymbrifolium in the distance.

Species located in the BPCC 3

GRASSES







Paspalum urvillei Steud.



Themeda triandra Forssk. Zea mays L.

FORBS


Aristida congesta Roem. & Schult.


41

Asparagus laricinus Burch.


Bidens pilosa L.



Conyza podocephala DC.

Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.

Datura ferox L.




Hermannia transvaalensis Schinz

Hibiscus trionum L.






Senecio inornatus DC.




Tagetes minuta L.

Taraxacum species



42

Chapter 5: SUMMARY OF PLANT SPECIES

Protected plants

To highlight the status of rare and endangered species for the purposes of

conservation, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) initially

established ten categories for the conservation status of species. The South African

National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) adapted these categories to be more useful

for South African species classification. Figure 25.

Figure 25: The South African Red list categories for species (SANBI, 2009)

Statutory protection of plants in this region falls under the Mpumalanga Nature

Conservation Act, No. 10 of 1998 (MNCA). Section 69 (1) (a) list all protected plants

within the province under Schedule 11. No person may pick, remove, damage,

destroy or be in possession of a plant listed under schedule 11 without a permit.


43

Section 70 – 80 of the act deals with possession and handling of protected plants

and conditions of this section must be adhered to.

Only three plant species of concern were identified that could trigger possible

permission to remove or clear. They are listed in Table 1.

Table 1: Important and protected plants found during the survey

Plant species Environmental Significance SANBI 2009

Red List data MNCA act

Schedule 11

Eucomis autumnalis Medicinal Declining Protected

Gladiolus ecklonii Aesthetic and ornamental Least concerned Protected

Hypoxis hemerocallidea Medicinal Declining Not - Protected

Alien and invasive plants

Control and eradication of alien and invasive plants are regulated by:

1. The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act No, 10 OF 2004

(NEMBA);

2. Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, No. 43 of 1983 (CARA); and

3. the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, No. 10 of 1998 (MNCA)

The first two acts deals with alien and invasive plants on a national level. CARA was

replaced by NEMBA in 2014 in terms of declared weeds and alien plants but may

still be applicable and practical to use in most cases. NEMBA lists four categories

(1(a), 1(b), 2 and 3) and CARA lists three categories (1, 2 and 3) as shown in Table

2. In the province of Mpumalanga the MNPCA deals with specific alien and invasive

weeds and plants on a provincial level. It has no specific categories for eradication

but clearly states in Section 80 that the plant species listed under Schedule 13 may

not be transplanted or transported or sold by any person and that he owner or

occupier of the property, where such invasive weeds and plants are found to have

established or growing must take the necessary steps to eradicate or destroy such

plants on the property that he/she is the owner or the occupier.


44

Table 2: Restricted activities for listed invasive species in the NEMBA and CARA

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT NO, 10 OF 2004

RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES AS DEFINED IN THE ACT Category 1 a Category 1 b Category 2 Category 3

a. Importing into the republic, including introducing from the sea any specimen of a listed invasive species

Prohibited Prohibited Permit required Prohibited

b. Having in possession or exercising physical control over any specimen of a listed invasive species

Exempted Exempted Permit required Exempted

c. Growing breeding or in any other way propagating any specimen of a listed invasive species, or causing it to multiply Prohibited Prohibited Permit required Prohibited

d. Conveying, moving or otherwise translocation any specimen of a listed invasive species


e. Selling or otherwise trading in , buying, receiving, giving, donating or accepting as a gift, or in any way acquiring or disposing of any specimen of a listed invasive species


RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES AS DEFINED IN REGULATION 6

f. Spreading or allowing the spread of any listed invasive species


CONSERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES ACT, NO. 43 OF 1983

Category 1 No trade in pants and must be removed and destroyed immediately

Category 2 Invader plants may be grown under controlled conditions in permitted zones. No trade in these plants

Category 3 Invader plants may no longer be propagated or sold. Existing plants do not need to be removed


45

Table 3: Alien and Invasive species identified during the survey of D281

GOVERNING LEGISLATION AND SCHEDULE CRITERIA OF DECLARED WEEDS AND ALIEN INVASIVE PLANTS

Alien invasive identified at D281 Common name NEMBA CARA MNCA Schedule 13

Acacia mearnsii Black wattle Yes, Category 2 Yes, Category 2 Yes

Argemone mexicana Yellow-flowered Mexican poppy Yes, Category 1b Yes, Category 1 No

Argemone ochroleuca White-flowered Mexican poppy Yes, Category 1b Yes, Category 1 No

Bidens pilosa Common blackjack No No Yes

Cirsium vulgare Scottish thistle Yes, Category 1b Yes, Category 1 Yes

Datura ferox Large thorn apple Yes, Category 1b Yes, Category 1 Yes

Datura stramonium Common thorn apple Yes, Category 1b Yes, Category 1 Yes

Eucalyptus camaldulensis River red gum

a. Yes, Category 1b within- (i) riparian areas and grassland, (ii) protected areas declared in terms of the Protected areas act, (iii) within a listed Ecosystem.

Yes, Category 2 Yes

Penisetum vilosum Feathertop Yes, Category 1b Yes, Category 1 No

Pinus pinaster Cluster pine Yes, Category 1 if not in a plantation

Yes, Category 2 Yes

Pyrancantha angustifolia Yellow fire thorn Yes, Category 1b Yes, Category 3 Yes

Ricinus communis Castor-oil plant Yes, Category 2 Yes, Category 2 Yes

Solanum sisymbriifolium Dense-thorned bitter apple Yes, Category 2 Yes, Category 2 No

Tagetes minuta Khaki weed No No No

Verbena bonariensis Wild verbena Yes, Category 1b No No

Verben brasiliensis Brazilian verbena Yes, Category 1b No No

Xanthium sp (All Xanthium species) Cocklebur Yes, Category 1b Yes, Category 1 Yes


46

The survey identified numerous stands of alien and invasive plants listed in the

legislation within the road reserve and adjacent areas. The plants may lead to the

further spreading via seed or vegetative means.

It is the recommendation of this report that all alien and invasive plants

identified during this survey that are listed in Table 3 be eradicated and that care be

taken not to re – establish any alien and invasive plants due to the import of

materials and soils during construction and rehabilitation of the reserve and the

borrow pits.

For more information on alien and invasive plants and the legislation

applicable there to see www.invasives.org.za

Chapter 6: RECOMMENDATIONS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

The recommendations listed below must be included as part of the Construction

Environmental Management programme (EMPr):

Pre - construction

A procedure for proper storm water management must be drafted and

approved to prevent siltation of impacted stream crossings and surrounding

vegetation. During construction the risk of erosion and siltation of the streams

is likely to occur if processes to prevent the occurrences are not implemented

in the case of high intensity rainfall events. The plan should be implemented

before construction starts and during site establishment.

A search and rescue programme must be conducted prior to construction to

locate and remove the following geophytes: Eucomis autumnalis, Gladiolus

ecklonii and Hypoxis hemerocallidea. This must be done by a suitably

qualified person in order to ensure that the plants are relocated to an area

suitable for them to grow. It is important that the timing of removal and

planting is planned with the onset of the growing season. Permission for the

removal and translocation of these plants should be applied for with the

Provincial authority (Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency). Details for

http://www.invasives.org.za/


47

such permit applications and requirements can be obtained at

www.mtpa.co.za.

Top soil conservation is crucial as the import of top soil in the case of

shortages during rehabilitation has the risk to introduce alien and invasive

vegetation form other areas. Imported materials must preferably be from the

same area or vegetation community as the one construction is taking place in

(Specific attention must be drawn to the plant Campuloclinium

macrocephalum, although not noted during the field assessment, this species

is aggressively invasive in Grasslands, and the import of material from an

invested area could pose a threat to the local environment)

Top soil stripped from the road reserve must be stock piled and protected and

re-used for rehabilitation purposes along the road servitude, this will ensure

that no foreign or alien plants are imported.

During construction

A fire mitigation and prevention plan should be drafted before construction to

ensure preparedness toward preventing fires starting from construction or

elsewhere to limit or prevent damage to neighboring grazing that the

community depends on. The fire management plan must specify specifically

how fires will be prevented from frequently breaking out and causing damage

to the surrounding vegetation during construction. Excessive fires could have

a negative effect on vegetation in the area

An Alien Invasive Species Management Procedure to control, eradicate and

prevent alien and invasive plants to establish must be drafted to ensure that

the plants do not establish in impacted areas.

A registered Pest Control Officer’s (PCO) must be used in the application of

herbicides during alien plant eradication processes. This person must ensure

that herbicides are applied correctly and responsibly in terms of excessive

and responsible use. Herbicides applied close to the stream crossings must

be done selectively and minimised to prevent contaminating water bodies that

can cause possible non – selective damage to indigenous vegetation

downstream

http://www.mtpa.co.za/


48

BPCC 1- The Southern slope of the area must protected against erosion and

runoff water that can further erode the area or silt up the lower lying stream

Timber from invasive species that need to be removed to make way for the

road can be offered to the local community.

After construction

Rehabilitation must commence in the construction area as soon as

construction has been completed. The use of a geo textile to stabilize the

exposed top soil surface is advised, especially on areas with mild to steep

slopes. The ultimate objective for rehabilitation should focus on the

stabilisation of soil to prevent unnecessary erosion. This will enable

successful rehabilitation of the vegetation to retain and improve the vegetation

cover, grazing value and species richness to resemble the natural vegetation

occurring in the area.

The timeframes for rehabilitation should be planned to commence from

August-February, to allow the vegetation to establish during the growing

season. Only indigenous plants must be used for rehabilitation purposes, a

suitable a grass mixture can be obtained from the local agricultural

organizations. No exotic species such as Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyu)

may be used for rehabilitation.

The rehabilitation of borrow pits will need some amount of filling materials in

order to decommission these pits. No construction rubble must be used to

infill the borrow pits. It must be noted that most of the borrow pits is currently

used for communal grazing and that it should be reinstated back to communal

grazing

Borrow pit rehabilitation must take the current erosion and gravel mining

operations into account to eradicate or repair these areas to a stable state if

not a better state.

Photos of BPCC1, BPCC2 and BPCC3 must be taken before construction to

compare to the rehabilitation done in order to see that the areas have been

reinstated to a better condition than it was originally in.

Based on the grasses identified in this study the following grass mixture is

recommended (ratios between brackets): Themeda triandra (4); Eragrostis


49

curvula (5), Digitaria eriantha (4), Cynodon dactylon (6), Chloris gayana (4),

Dactyloctenium aegyptium (5). It is recommended that the grass seeds are

sown at a density of between 20-30kg/ha to ensure effective germination of

species.

Chapter 7: CONCLUSION

The vegetation along the road reserve as surveyed ranges from degraded, heavily

grazed and trampled to moderate condition. The effects of the road and the adjacent

land uses has impacted negatively on the condition of the vegetation, however the

vegetation cover is high with a moderate species richness. Based on what is

contained in this report and the present state of the areas surveyed for the D281

road upgrade it is not expected that the construction will have a significant negative

impact on the surrounding environment or the existing road reserve. There were no

plants found that were protected under the NEMBA published list of critically

endangered, endangered, vulnerable, and protected species. Only two species will

require permission from statutory bodies and two are listed as declining under the

SANBI red data lists for plants. The construction may benefit the region in the

following way:

Jobs and skills development for the surrounding communities may be created

Areas that have been degraded as a result of previous activities that were not

monitored or regulated can be re-instated to a better condition that they were

found in

Important taxonomical species of plants that were exposed next to the road

and vulnerable to harvesting or picking will be relocated to more remote and

inaccessible areas that may offer better protection to these plants

Areas that is polluted and contaminated by illegal dumping of waste and

building rubble will be cleaned up

It is assumed that Problem, Alien and Invasive vegetation will be removed and

destroyed during the activity


50

REFERENCES

CARA.(1983). 198 Invasive Alien Plants Categories COOK. C. L. (2012). Specialist ecological assessment for the proposed new 88kv

line from Uitkoms subtation to Kliphoek substation & Kliphoek substation to Panbult substation, Eskom Distribution Division, Northern region; Mpumalanga province. Royal Haskoning DHV

FERRAR, A.A. & LÖTTER, M.C. (2007). Mpumalanga Biodiversity Conservation

Plan Handbook. Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency, Nelspruit. KOOIJ, M.S., BREDEKAMP, G.J., THERON, G.K. (1990). Classification of the

vegetation of the A land type in the north-western Orange Free State. South African Journal of Botany 56: 309-318.

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phytosociology of the northern section of the Borakalalo Nature Reserve. rray. http://www.koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/279.

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http://www.koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/279


51

Appendix A: Species list of plants observed during the survey of D281 and outlying

areas

*Yellow highlighted is non – indigenous plants “Red highlighted plants are either declining or needs a permit application

Family Species name

AGAVACEAE Anthericum fasciculatum Baker = Chlorophytum fasciculatum (Baker) Kativu

ACANTHACEAE Crabbea acaulis N.E.Br.

AMARANTHACEAE

Alternanthera achyrantha R.Br. = Alternanthera pungens Humb., Bonpl. & Kunth

Amaranthus hybridus L.*

APOCYNACEAE




Asclepias glaucophylla (Schltr.) Schltr. = Gomphocarpus glaucophyllus Schltr.



ASTERACEAE



Berkheya rigida (Thunb.) Bolus & Wolley-Dod ex Adamson & T.M.Salter



Bidens formosa (Bonato) Sch.Bip. = Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.*

Bidens pilosa L.*


Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten.*

Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist*

Crepis hypochaeridea (DC.) Thell.*


Gazania species



Helichrysum aureonitens Sch.Bip.






Nidorella anomala Steetz


Schkuhria pinnata (Lam.) Cabrera*




Tagetes minuta L.*


52

Vernonia oligocephala (DC.) Sch.Bip. ex Walp. = Hilliardiella oligocephala (DC.) H.Rob.

Vernonia poskeana Vatke & Hildebr. = Polydora poskeana (Vatke & Hildebr.) H.Rob.sens.lat.

Xanthium species*

Xanthium spinosum L.*

COMMELINACEAE Commelina africana L.

CONVOLVULACEAE Ipomoea transvaalensis A.Meeuse

CYPERACEAE Cyperus species


DIPSACACEAE Scabiosa columbaria L.

EBENACEAE Diospyros lycioides Desf.

EUPHORBIACEAE Acalypha angustata Sond.

Ricinus communis L.*

FABACEAE


Acacia mearnsii De Wild.*

Eriosema burkei Benth.


GERANIACEAE Pelargonium luridum (Andrews) Sweet


HYACINTHACEAE


Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt. (DECLINING) (Obtain Permit to remove)”



HYPOXIDACEAE

Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch. & C.A.Mey. (DECLINING)”



IRIDACEAE Gladiolus ecklonii Lehm. (Obtain Permit to remove) “

LAMIACEAE Plectranthus madagascariensis (Pers.) Benth.

Mentha aquatica L.

LOBELIACEAE Monopsis decipiens (Sond.) Thulin

MALVACEAE









Hibiscus trionum L.

Sida cordifolia L.

MYRTACEAE Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.*

ONAGRACEAE Oenothera rosea L'Hér. ex Aiton*

OXALIDACEAE Oxalis depressa Eckl. & Zeyh.

PAPAVERACEAE Argemone mexicana L.*


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Argemone ochroleuca Sweet*

PINACEAE Pinus pinaster Aiton*

PLANTAGINACEAE Plantago lanceolata L.


POACEAE


Bromus catharticus Vahl*

Bromus species


Digitaria eriantha Steud.









Harpochloa falx (L.f.) Kuntze


Hyparrhenia filipendula (Hochst.) Stapf var. filipendula





Paspalum dilatatum Poir.*

Pennisetum villosum R.Br. ex Fresen.*

Schizachyrium jeffreysii (Hack.) Stapf







POLYGONACEAE Persicaria lapathifolia (L.) Gray*

ROSACEAE Leucosidea sericea Eckl. & Zeyh.

Pyracantha angustifolia (Franch.) C.K.Schneid.*

RUBIACEAE Fadogia homblei De Wild.


SALICACEAE Salix babylonica L.*

SOLANACEAE

Datura ferox L.*



Solanum sisymbrifolium Lam.*

SCROPHULARIACEAE



54

THYMELAEACEAE Gnidia gymnostachya (C.A.Mey.) Gilg

VERBENACEAE

Verbena bonariensis L.*

Verbena brasiliensis Vell.*

Verbena tenuisecta Briq. *

ZYGOPHYLLACEAE Tribulus terrestris L.

BOTANICAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE UPGRADING OF … · Botanical assessment for the upgrading D281 road ... DETAILS OF SPECIALIST AND REVIEWER ... CV SUMMARY OF SPECIALISTS AND REVIEWER

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