Vlakfontein-Ecological-Report-06-July-2015

ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAND WATER ADDITIONAL 210ML AND FUTURE PLANNED 200ML RESERVOIR ON VLAKFONTEIN FARM 69IR, CRYSTAL PARK, EKURHULENI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY AUGUST 2015 vs TITLE: ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAND WATER ADDITIONAL 210ML AND FUTURE PLANNED 200ML RESERVOIR ON VLAKFONTEIN FARM 69IR, CRYSTAL PARK, EKURHULENI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY COMPILED BY: MZAMO ZUNGU AND LUFUNO NEMAKHAVHANI STATUS OF REPORT: DOCUMENT CONTROL FINAL DRAFT IN000034/2015_SP FIRST ISSUE: SECOND ISSUE: 26 June 2015 06 AUGUST 2015 REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: …………………………………… Nonkanyiso Zungu, Pr.Nat.Sci (MSc, Env Mngt) Wetland Specialist/Ecologist Date: 06 August 2015 Indemnity This report is based on survey and assessment techniques which are limited by time and budgetary constraints relevant to the type and level of investigation undertaken The findings, results, observations, conclusions and recommendations given in this report are based on the author’s best scientific and professional knowledge as well as information available at the time of study Therefore the author reserves the right to modify aspects of the report, including the recommendations, if and when new information may become available from ongoing research or further work in this field, or pertaining to this investigation Although the author exercised due care and diligence in rendering services and preparing documents, she accepts no liability, and the client, by receiving this document, indemnifies the author against all actions, claims, demands, losses, liabilities, costs, damages and expenses arising from or in connection with services rendered, directly or indirectly by the author and by the use of this document EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Rand Water is proposing the construction and maintenance of the Rand Water H43 pipeline with an internal diameter of 1200mm, and its associated structure (valve chambers and cathodic protection) between Graham Street, centurion and Lyttelton within the Gauteng Province The proposed pipeline is located in City of Tshwane and City of Johannesburg in the Gauteng Province The extent of the pipeline is approximately 17,5km situated on Doornkloof JR391 portion 41, 116, 149, 157, 161, 193, 163, 322, 324, 232, Brakfontein JR 39 portion 67, 70, 71, 57, 10 and the Remaining portion of Randjesfontein JR405 farms The proposed development is in line with the City of Tshwane and City of Johannesburg Urban Spatial Development Frameworks Ecological assessments provide information to support a variety of decision making and project planning processes on project feasibility and a final site layout Methods of data collection and analysis included a GIS desktop exercise, a review of aerial imagery, a site visit and sampling exercise, as well as the use of published data The results were then used to rate the sensitivity within the study area, to compile a species list and classify vegetation communities These attributes were then rated on their level of sensitivity, ecological functionality and conservation importance The vegetation type on site was described by Mucina and Rutherford (2006) as the Carletonville Dolomite Grassland and Egoli Granite Grassland From the ecological data collected, a sensitivity map was compiled as a precursor to this report Sections of the site were rated as low, medium or high sensitivity based on the level of disturbance, ecological condition and species composition Results of the study indicate that the species composition of the vegetation of approximate less than 5% of the species suggested by Mucina and Rutherford (2006) However, species diversity was low on the sites close to the in the zones around the portion mainly due to developments and agriculture Most of the area was degraded and these areas were found to be still in need for further rehabilitation i|Page Page ii of 53 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .i INTRODUCTION 1.1 TERMS OF REFERENCE 1.2 LIMITATIONS .8 BACKGROUND INFORMATION 10 2.1 LOCATION 10 2.2 LAND USE AND LAND COVER 10 2.3 GEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE .10 2.4 VEGETATION 11 METHODOLOGY 12 3.1 3.1.1 Belt transect sampling 13 3.1.2 Description of Habitats .13 3.2 ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY RATING 13 3.3 CRITICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ECOLOGICAL SUPPORT AREAS .14 3.4 FIELD SURVEYS 15 FINDINGS OF ASSESSMENT 17 4.1 MUCINA AND RUTHERFORD’S VEGETATION ASSESSMENT .17 4.1.1 Carletonville Dolomite Grassland (Gh15) 17 4.1.2 Egoli Granite Grassland (Gm 10) .18 4.2 DATA COLLECTION, SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS 12 VEGETATION ON SITE 20 CURRENT IMPACTS 25 5.1 LIVESTOCK GRAZING .25 5.2 URBAN SPRAWL 25 RED DATA FLORA SPECIES 28 6.1 FAUNAL ASSESSMENT 29 Page iii of 53 6.2 AVIFAUNA SPECIES 29 6.3 INVERTEBRATES SPECIES 29 6.4 Mammals Species .29 6.5 Protected Plant Species 29 6.6 MEDICINAL PLANT SPECIES 31 6.7 DECLARED WEEDS AND INVADERS .31 ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS 34 CRITICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ECOLOGICAL SUPPORT AREAS 28 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION 30 9.1 Nature of the Impact 30 9.2 Scale 30 9.3 Duration .30 9.4 Intensity 30 9.5 Probability 31 9.6 Determination of Significance – With and Without Mitigation 31 9.7 Confidence 31 10 BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT 33 10.1 BIODIVERSITY NOTEWORTHINESS 33 10.1.1 Carletonville Dolomite Grassland .33 10.1.2 Egoli Granite Grassland .34 11 RECOMMENDATIONS 34 12 CONCLUSION 36 13 GLOSSARY 37 14 REFERENCES 39 APPENDICES 42 LIST OF FIGURES Page iv of 53 Figure 1: Location of the Rand Water H43 pipeline Figure 2: The conservation status of the vegetation associated with the proposed H43 Pipeline 19 Figure 3: List of some of the plant species identified on site 21 Figure 4: Evidence of Livestock grazing 25 Figure 5: Evidence of urban sprawl 27 Figure 6: Sensitivity Map 27 Figure 7: Gauteng ecological conservation plan of the H43 Pipeline .29 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Red Data species that may occur within the study area 30 Table 2: Alien and invasive species observed within the study area 32 Table 3: The study site is located in Units 28 Table 4: The Ecological Support Areas (ESA) 28 Table 5: Impacts on vegetation 32 Table 6: Biodiversity noteworthiness for the Income Carletonville Dolomite Grassland portions of the pipe line 33 Table 7: Biodiversity noteworthiness for the Egoli Granite Grassland portions of the pipe line 34 Page v of 53 INTRODUCTION Rand Water intends to apply for an environmental authorisation through a Basic Assessment process for the proposed construction of the 210ML reservoir and the future planned 200 ML reservoir on Vlakfontein Farm in Crystal Park, Benoni, Gauteng Province The Vlakfontein storage reservoir that is directly being supplied by the Mapleton Pump Station was found to be partially inadequate due to its continuous leakages and projected Annual Average Daily Demand analysis Based on the future projected Annual Average Daily Demand, a 210 ML additional reservoir and 200 ML reservoir is required to be constructed and will suffice until the year 2055 up to a compound growth rate for the sub system of 2% This proposed reservoirs are expected to be commissioned in 2025 and they will be constructed adjacent to the existing 410 ML Vlakfontein reservoir The inlet pipe works will be through the existing 2100mmø S1 pipeline The proposed reservoir will be supplementing the existing reservoir to supply potable water to all areas en route to Bronberg Reservoir, through the existing 2100mmø S3 pipeline The aim of this report is to assess the ecological sensitivities within the study area, and to guide the process in an ecologically sound manner Page vi of 53 Figure 1: Location of the proposed Rand Water 2010ML and future planned 200ML reservoirs 7|Page 1.1 TERMS OF REFERENCE The terms of reference were as follows:   To undertake a vegetation survey on site and provide species lists; To identify possible Red Data floral species and important habitat that may occur within the proposed site;  To provide a desktop faunal survey of the area;  To provide an indication of the relative conservation importance and ecological function of the study area in terms of flora and fauna This will be captured in a sensitivity map;  To assess the impacts of the proposed activity on the ecological integrity of the area; and  To provide recommendation on ecological mitigation measures for the proposed development 1.2 LIMITATIONS The following limitations were associated with the fauna and flora assessment:  Ideally an ecological assessment should be carried out over a longer time frame and should be replicated over several seasons Due to the constraints of time and season, the results were collected and concluded from sample plots laid out in areas of natural vegetation  Information about this study relied heavily on data from representative sections of natural grassland  Flora species composition was used as an indication of disturbance and to identify possible faunal habitat  Published species lists from Mucina & Rutherford (2006) were relied upon for data comparison  The current site visit took place in autumn but the conditions for sampling were still favourable It is not likely that any additional sampling would yield any additional insights 8|Page an opportunity to succeed; h) Given the high volume of rock in these areas we would propose that this rock is utilised at intervals of approximately metres on slopes greater than 12 o, or where its lowest outfall point will coincide with well-established vegetation These rock berms are to be put in place to check storm water velocity, reduce the scour potential of storm water and prevent all the valuable topsoil from being gathered up and displaced at the bottom of the excavation i) The rapid excavation and replacement of the soils should result in the current seed bank within the soils being impacted upon only a very low level; j) The seed bank will thus supplement the proposed re-seeding that must take place, utilising the standard NPA mix; k) Regular watering will be required of the seeded areas, unless hydro-seeding is utilised which will have significantly higher initial input costs, however, the results and coverage will reduce the ongoing input costs; l) The regular control and management of alien invasive species will be required It is our recommendation that every months for a year post construction, the pipe line servitude is revisited and the alien vegetation removed, either through hand-pulling Where this is not possible or appropriate the very carefully monitored application of chemical herbicides 37 | P a g e 10 CONCLUSION Having undertaken a detailed vegetation assessment of the proposed pipe line our assessment is that the proposed activity, if undertaken in accordance with the above mentioned mitigation measures (recommendations) and detailed Environmental Management Programme will have limited significance It is envisaged that the rehabilitation of the working servitude will result in the disturbed area being returned to grassland that will not significantly reduce the grazing value of the area in the short term and in the long term it is envisaged that value of the disturbed area will mirror the surrounding areas Even though no protected plant and animal species were identified on the site, the site warrants a careful approach to development through keeping the lay-out and construction footprints to a minimum In general, the majority of the site is suitable for development but the remaining unsuitable portions should be afforded formal protection Therefore a development with its associated footprint and impacts can only be possible under strict environmental protection guidelines to ensure prevention of further habitat loss for present flora and fauna as it causes irreversible damage to high biodiversity ecosystems within the Carletonville Dolomite Grassland and Egoli Granite Grassland vegetation type in the Savanna biome 38 | P a g e 11 GLOSSARY Alien species: Plant taxa in a given area, whose presence there, is due to the intentional or accidental introduction as a result of human activity Biodiversity: Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms from all sources including inter alia terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems Biome: A major biotic unit consisting of plant and animal communities having similarities in form and environmental conditions, but not including the abiotic portion of the environment Conservation: The management of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations Ecosystem: Organisms together with their abiotic environment, forming an interacting system, inhabiting an identifiable space Ecosystem services: Activities that help to maintain an ecosystem but are not directly part of energy flows and nutrient cycles Examples include pollination, dispersal, population regulation, and provision of clean water and the maintenance of liveable climates (carbon sequestration) Endangered: A taxon is endangered when it is not Critically Endangered but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future Endemic: Occurring in a particular region, and nowhere else Environment: NEMA defines “environment” as “the surroundings within which humans exist and that are made up of the land, water and atmosphere of the earth; micro-organisms, plant and animal life; any interrelationships among and between them and the physical, chemical aesthetic and cultural properties and conditions that influence human health and well-being” Forb: An herbaceous plant other than grasses Habitat: Type of environment in which a plant or animal lives Indigenous: Any species of plant, shrub or tree that occurs naturally in South Africa Invasive species: Naturalised alien plants that have the ability to reproduce, often in large numbers Aggressive invaders can spread and invade large areas Rare species: Species, which have naturally small populations, and species, which have been reduced to small (often unstable) populations by man's activities Threatened species: Species, which have naturally small populations, and species, which have been reduced to small (often unstable) populations by man's activities Red Data: A list of species, fauna and flora that require environmental protection Based on the 39 | P a g e IUCN definitions Soil: A mixture of organic and inorganic substances, the composition and structure of the latter is derived from the parent rock material Soil also contains bacteria, fungi, viruses and microarthropods, nematodes and worms Species diversity: A measure of the number and relative abundance of species (see biodiversity) Species richness: The number of species in an area or habitat 40 | P a g e 12 REFERENCES Acocks, J P H 1988 Veld types of South Africa Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa 57:1-146 Allen, T.F.H and T.B Starr 1982 Hierarchy: perspectives for ecological complexity University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois Barnes K N (2000) The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg Barnes, K N 1998 The I m p o r t a n t B i r d A r e a s o f s o u t h e r n A f r i c a Birdlife S o u t h A f r i c a , Johannesburg Bredenkamp, B & N van Rooyen (1996a) Rocky Highveld Grassland In: Low, A.B & Rebelo, A.G (eds) Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Dept Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria Bredenkamp, G & N van Rooyen (1996b) Moist Cool Highveld Grassland In: Low, A.B & Rebelo, A.G (eds) Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Dept Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria Geographical Overview of Ekurhuleni 26 Ekurhuleni SoER 2003 Butcher, C (2003) Continuity and Change Professional Management Review Online http://www.pmr.co.za/magazines/March2003/csEkurhuleni.htm Causton, D.R 1988 Introduction to vegetation analysis Unwin Hyman London, England Coates Palgrave K & Coates Palgrave M (2002) Trees of Southern Africa Struik Publishers, Cape Town Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 Davies, B & Day, J 1998 Vanishing Waters University of Cape Town Press, Cape Town Department of Environment and Tourism, 2001 Environmental Potential Atlas DEAT, Pretoria Department o f A g r i c u l t u r e , C o n s e r v a t i o n a n d E n v i r o n m e n t ( DACE) ( 1997) State o f t h e Environment in Gauteng: a preliminary report Pretoria Gillison, A.N and K.R.W Brewer 1985 The use of gradient directed transects or gradsects in natural resource survey Journal of Environmental Management 20:103 127 Godron, M and R.T.T Forman 1983 Landscape modification and changing ecological characteristics In: H.A Mooney and M Godron (editors) Disturbance and ecosystems: components of response Springer-Verlag, pp 12 28 New York, USA Golding, J 2002 Southern African Plant Red Data Lists South African Botanical Diversity Network Report no 14 SABONET Pretoria 41 | P a g e Google-Earth (2008) Google Earth Satellite Images Google, California Green, R.H 1980 Multivariate approaches in ecology: the assessment of ecological similarity Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 11:1 14 Henderson l (2001) Alien weeds and invasive plants Plant Protection Research Institute, ARC Hilton-Taylor, C 1996 Red Data List of southern African plants Strelitzia National Botanical Institute, Pretoria Hilton-Taylor, C 2000 The IUCN/SSC Red List Program: Toward the 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Species 33: 21-29 Kuchler, A.W and I.S Zonneveld 1988 Vegetation Mapping (Handbook of vegetation science, v 10) Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht Le Roux, J (2002) The Biodiversity of South Africa 2002: Indicators, trends and human impacts Struik Publishers Cape Town Loafer, D., eds 2004 Atlas and Red Data Book of the Frogs of South Africa, Low, A.E & Rebelo, A.G (eds) 1998 Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Madden, D (1987) Help comes to the endangered Pamamanian Tamarin Journal of Natural Science of California State University Fresno 2: 10-11 Mander, M 1998 The marketing of medicinal plants in South Africa: a case study in KwaZuluNatal FAO of the UN, Rome Minter, L.R., BURGER, M., HARRISON, J.A., BRAACK, H.H., BISHOP, P.J & Mucina, L., & Rutherford, M.C (eds.) 2006 The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland, Strelitzia 19 South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretoria.University Press Muller-Dombois, D & H Ellenberg (1974) Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology New York: John Wiley & Sons Chapters 1, 4-6 Pfab, M.F & Victor, J.E (2002) Threatened plants of Gauteng, South Africa South African Journal of Botany 68:370-375 Pooley E (1998) A Field guide to Wild-Flowers KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region Flora Publications Trust Durban Smithers, R.H.N 1986 South African Red Data Book – Terrestrial Mammals South African National Scientific Programmes Report No 125 Sugihara, G (1982) Ph.D thesis (Princeton Univ., Princeton, NJ) The IUCN species survival Commission: 2007 IUCN Red list of threatened species Van Wyk B E., van Oudtshoorn B & Gericke N (1997) Medicinal Plants of South Africa Briza Publications, Pretoria Wood J., Low A B., Donaldson J S & Rebelo A G (1994) Threats to plant species 42 | P a g e through urbanisation and habitat fragmentation in the Cape Metropolitan Area, South Africa National Botanical Institute, Pretoria 43 | P a g e APPENDICES Appendix 1: Red Data bird species Does suitable habitat Species Cape Vulture Habitat requirements exist on site or within 500m (YES/NO)? (list of texts is not exhaustive and additional habitat information may be available) Mostly mountainous country, or open country with inselbergs and escarpments; less NO commonly in savannah or desert (Maclean 1993) Forages over open grassland, woodland and agricultural areas; usually roosts on cliffs, but will also roost on trees and pylons (in Barnes 2000) Forages over both open country (grassland) and woodland It is reliant on tall cliffs for breeding and it usually roosts on cliffs, but it wanders widely away from these when foraging and will roost in trees and on pylons in open country It occurs and breeds from sea level to 3100m Current distribution is closely associated with subsistence communal grazing areas, characterised by high stock losses and low use of poisons and, to a lesser extent, with protected areas 44 | P a g e Blue Crane Midland and highland grassveld, edge of karoo, cultivated land and edges of vleis NO (Maclean 1993) Nests in both moist situations in vleis which have short grass cover and in dry sites far from water, usually exposed places such as on hillsides; forages in grassland and cultivated and fallow lands; roosts communally in the shallow water of pans and dams (Tarboton et al 1987) Short dry grassland, being more abundant and evenly distributed in the eastern "sour" grasslands, where natural grazing of livestock is the predominant land use Prefers to nest in areas of open grassland (in Barnes 2000) In the fynbos biome it inhabits cereal croplands and cultivated pastures and avoids natural vegetation By contrast, it is found in natural Species Lesser Kestrel vegetation in the Karoo and grassland biomes, but it also feeds in crop fields Does suitable habitat Habitat requirements exist on site or within 500m (YES/NO)? (list of texts is not exhaustive and additional habitat information may be available) Forage preferentially in pristine grassland, but will also hunt in converted grassland such as NO small scale pasture provided the conversion is not as total as in plantation forestry or in areas of consolidated agricultural monoculture They roost communally in tall trees, mainly Eucalyptus, in urban areas (in Barnes 2000) Open grassland and intensively cultivated agricultural areas under maize, sorghum, peanuts, wheat, beans and other crops (Tarboton & Allan 1984) Typical of semi-arid grasslands, avoiding wooded areas, but it may also forage in agricultural fields, predominantly cereal crops Large numbers congregate in the sweet and mixed grasslands of the South African highveld Roosts communally in large trees, frequently eucalyptus, usually in urban areas (Harrison et al 45 | P a g e Grass Owl Almost exclusively in rank grass, typically, although not only, at fairly high altitudes Breeds NO in permanent and seasonal vleis, which it vacates while hunting or post-breeding, although it will breed in any area of long grass and is not necessarily associated with wetlands Foraging apparently confined to tall grasslands and does not extend to short grasslands, wetlands or to croplands nearby (in Barnes 2000) Restricted to wet areas - marshes and vleis where tall, thick grass and /or sedges occur Prefers permanent to seasonal vleis and vacates the latter when they dry up Roosts and breeds in vleis but often hunt elsewhere e.g old lands (Tarboton et al 1987) Rank grass and marshes are preferred habitat, usually in open habitat at fairly high altitudes May occur in sparse Acacia woodland where African Marsh Harrier Wetlands and surrounding grasslands Most highveld wetlands > 100ha support a NO patches of dense grass cover are present (Harrison et al 1997a) breeding pair (Tarboton & Allan 1984) Nests in extensive reed beds often high above water Forage over reeds, lake margins, floodplains and occasionally even woodland Almost entirely absent from areas below 300mm of rainfall (Harrison et al 1997a) Marsh, Species vlei, grassland (usually near water); may hunt over grassland, Does suitable habitat Habitat requirements exist on site or within (list of texts is not exhaustive and additional habitat information may be available) cultivated lands and open savannah (Maclean 1993) Dependant on wetlands, particularly 500m (YES/NO)? permanent wetlands for breeding, roosting and feeding May utilise small wetlands 1-2ha in extent for foraging, but larger wetlands are required for breeding (in Barnes 2000) 46 | P a g e Whitebacked Night Heron Swift- and -slow flowing rivers and streams with heavily wooded margins or overhanging NO vegetation Occasionally utilise small dams with dense overhanging vegetation Forage along the margins of waterways by night and roost within dense vegetation during the day (in Barnes 2000) Quiet tree-lined rivers and streams, mangroves; less commonly in reed beds along rivers and in marshes (Maclean 1993) Present on both large rivers (e.g the Vaal where dissected by islands) and along smaller rivers (e.g Skeerpoort and Crocodile) where suitable cover exists (Tarboton et al 1987); Prefer quiet, heavily wooded, clear, Whitebellied Korhaan Relatively tall perennial vegetation, typically fairly dense grassland in either openetoral.lightly wooded NO slow-moving, rivers, roosting in densely foliaged trees (Harrison 1997a) regions Most abundant in hilly areas at the interface between the grassland and savannah biomes Low abundances at severely grazed and recently burnt sites (in Barnes 2000) Grassland or open savannah in undulating or hilly country prefers longer, thicker grass than Blue Korhaan (Tarboton et al 1987) Tall, fairly dense grassland either in open or lightly Martial Eagle wooded regions (Harrison et al 1997a) Woodland, savannah or grassland with clumps of large trees or power pylons for nest sites NO (Maclean 1993) Tolerates a wide range of vegetation types, being found in open grassland, scrub, Karoo and woodland It relies on large trees (or electricity pylons) to provide nest sites Typically found in flat country and is rarer in mountains and it also avoids extreme deserts, and densely wooded and forested areas (in Barnes 2000) Woodland, savannah, grassland as well as agricultural and forestry areas (Tarboton et al 1987) Open grassland and scrub, and woodland Nests in large trees, but will also utilise Does suitable habitat Species Habitat requirements (list of texts is not exhaustive and additional habitat information may be available) electricity pylons, wind pumps and cliffs in treeless areas Typically found in flat country and exist on site or within 500m (YES/NO)? is rarer in mountainous areas Avoids extreme deserts, and densely wooded and forested areas (Harrison et al 1997a) 47 | P a g e African Finfoot Clear, perennial rivers and streams, lined with reeds, overhanging trees and shrubs NO (avoids both stagnant and fast-flowing waters) Roosts and breeds in dense overhanging vegetation (in Barnes 2000) Frequents larger perennial rivers with overgrown or reed-lined banks (Tarboton et al 1987) Quiet reaches of streams, rivers, pans and lakes, fringed with dense trees and bush drooping into water (Maclean 1993) Occurs in forest and woodland regions Inhabits streams and rivers lined with reeds, overhanging trees and shrubs Avoids both stagnant and fast-flowing water, is typical of perennial rather than ephemeral watercourses, and apparently prefers clear to silted water Occasionally found in Blue Korhaan Open scrub and cultivated lands dams, grassveld, especially karoo the upper reaches (Harrison et al.(Maclean 1997a) 1993) Frequents shortly grazed NO grassland, old lands, fallow fields covered with weeds and pastures Usually in flat or undulating open Highveld grassland (Tarboton et al 1987) Inhabits open, fairly short grassland in the grassland biome and mixture of grassland and Karoo dwarf shrub land in the ecotone between these two biomes i.e the Grassy Karoo Most common in the dry Grassy Karoo, followed by Sweet (also dry) Grasslands, and less common in eastern, moister Mixed, Alpine and Sour Grasslands Can also be found in crop fields and planted Melodious Lark Open climax grassland, especially Rooigras (Themeda triandra), sometimes with rocky NO pastures (Harrison et al 1997a) outcrops, also cultivated fields of Teff (Eragrostis tef) (Maclean 1993) Open grassland or grassland with scattered trees and shrubs: not in savanna or closed woodland Favours dry Species grassland types (Cymbopogon-Themeda, Does suitable habitat Habitat requirements exist on site or within (list of texts is not exhaustive and additional habitat information may be available) 500m (YES/NO)? 48 | P a g e dry Cymbopogon-Themeda and Bankenveld Veld types), usually on sandy or stony soils with a rather low grass basal cover (Tarboton et al 1987) Relatively dry grasslands dominated by Rooigras (Themeda triandra), but sometimes also in planted Eragrostis pastures and fallow fields Habitat usually at 550- 1750 m, with a mean annual rainfall between 400 and 800 mm Generally avoids the hard, wiry grasses of the alpine and sour grasslands Most often recorded in grassy Karoo, and sweet and mixed grasslands (Harrison et al 1997b) Open grassland dominated by Themeda triandra with high grass Lesser Flamingo Shallow pans,and especially saline pans when theybycontain water (Tarboton al 1987) basal cover open grassland dominated Hyperrhenia hirta withetlower grassLarger basal NO brackish or saline inland and coastal waters (Maclean 1993) Requires shallow eutrophic wetlands, saltpans and sheltered coastal lagoons, and may occur on water bodies which are more saline and more alkaline than those used by the Greater Flamingo It breeds on mudflats far out in pans and lakes (Harrison et al 1997a) Secretarybird Semi desert, grassland, savannah, open woodland, farmland, mountain slopes (Maclean NO 1993) Grassland to open woodland at all altitudes Not in forested or densely wooded areas or in hilly, rocky country (Tarboton et al 1987) Open country, mainly savannah, open woodland, grassland and dwarf shrub land Also attracted to man-made habitats such as airfields, grazing paddocks and fallow fields Absent from mountain fynbos, and avoids forest, dense woodland and very rocky, hilly or mountainous areas (Harrison et al 1997a) Black Stork Feeds in and around marshes, dams, rivers and estuaries; breeds in mountainous regions NO (Maclean 1993) Feeds on dams, pans, floodplains, shallows of rivers and sometimes in marshland and flooded grassland (Tarboton et al 1987) Species Feeds in shallow water, but occasionally on dry land, in streams and Does suitable habitat Habitat requirements exist on site or within (list of texts is not exhaustive and additional habitat information may be available) 500m (YES/NO)? 49 | P a g e rivers (including those as large as the Zambezi and Orange rivers), marshes, floodplains, coastal estuaries, and large and small dams; it is typically seen at pools in large rivers Feeds mainly on fish and is therefore uncommon at seasonal pans lacking fish It nests on cliffs; breeding distribution is closely associated with hilly and mountainous regions Lanner Falcon (Harrison etor al open 1997a) Mountains country from semi desert to woodland and agricultural land, also NO some cities (Maclean 1993) Generally a cliff nester and its breeding distribution is closely associated with that of cliffs Able to breed on lower rock faces than Peregrine Falcon and also utilise the disused nests of other species such as crows, both in trees and on power pylons Generally prefers open habitats e.g alpine grasslands and the Kalahari, but exploits a wide range of habitats Also breeds in wooded and forested areas where cliffs occur (Harrison et al 1997a) Diverse - grassland, open savannah, agricultural lands, suburban and urban areas, rural settlements - in both flat and hilly or mountainous country Nests on Halfcollared Kingfisher Fast-flowing perennial streams, rivers andand estuaries, usually with et dense marginal vegetation NO cliffs, quarry walls, in trees and on pylons buildings (Tarboton al 1987) (Maclean 1993) Perennial streams and smaller rivers overhung with trees or marginal vegetation Nests in earth banks (Tarboton et al 1987) Most typically found along fastflowing streams with clear water and well- wooded banks, often near rapids It is most frequent in broken escarpment terrain It requires at least 1km of river territory while breeding It occurs from sea-level to as high as 2000m in southern Africa Usually perches low down on the banks of streams, often on exposed roots Requires riverbanks in which Greater Flamingo Shallow pans, especially saline pans they have water; also occasionally on other to excavate nest tunnels (Harrison et when al 1997a) NO bodies of shallow water such as dams and vleis (Tarboton et al 1987) Large bodies of Species shallow water, inland and coastal; Does suitable habitat Habitat requirements exist on site or within (list of texts is not exhaustive and additional habitat information may be available) 500m (YES/NO)? 50 | P a g e saline and brackish waters preferred (Maclean 1993) Its favoured foraging areas are open shallow eutrophic wetlands Occasionally forages along sandy coasts Usually breeds colonially on mudflats in large pans (Harrison et al 1997a) Yellowbilled Stork Mainly inland waters; rivers, dams, pans, floodplains, marshes; less often estuaries NO (Maclean 1993) Frequents dams, pans, large rivers and seasonal wetlands where there are areas of shallow water free of emergent vegetation (Tarboton et al 1987) Utilises diverse habitats, including dams, large marshes, swamps, estuaries, margins of lakes or rivers, seasonal wetlands where there are areas of vegetation free shallow water, and even Redbilled Oxpecker small poolsand (Harrison et al.(Maclean 1997a) 1993) Deciduous woodland and savanna (Tarboton et NO Savannah bush-veld al 1987) Uses hosts in a variety of woodland, all in rainfall zones of more than 400mm p.a Needs holes in trees for nesting and uses Ilala Palms, reed beds and larger game to roost at night (Harrison et al 1997b) 51 | P a g e