Environmental Assessment
Volume B-4.1
Mine
Flora
Ambatovy Project
176
January 2006
Table 4.1-7 Azonal and Transitional Vegetation Type Conservation Areas (On-
Site)
Baseline
Vegetation
(a)
Conservation
Areas
(b)
Vegetation Type
ha
ha
%
Ambatovy
azonal thicket
72
6
8
azonal forest
436
89
20
azonal disturbed
124
18
15
ephemeral pond
2
<1
9
azonal type transitional forest on Gabbro
181
35
19
transitional forest
468
61
13
Ambatovy subtotal
1,283
209
16
Analamay
azonal thicket
61
0
0
azonal forest
390
81
21
azonal disturbed
297
0
0
ephemeral pond
3
<1
4
azonal type transitional forest on Gabbro
257
0
0
transitional forest
583
15
2
Analamay subtotal
1,591
96
6
Ambatovy and Analamay Combined
azonal thicket
133
6
4
azonal forest
826
170
21
azonal disturbed
421
18
4
ephemeral pond
5
<1
6
azonal type transitional forest on Gabbro
438
35
8
transitional forest
1,051
76
7
Ambatovy and Analamay total
2,874
305
11
(a)
Includes any pre-existing exploration disturbances.
(b)
Includes all areas within the proposed Ambatovy and Analamay conservation areas as shown on
Figure 4.1-1 except 2 ha of zonal forest within the Ambatovy ore body conservation area. Area
values presented include any pre-existing exploration disturbances.
Identification and Protection of an Azonal Off-Site Conservation Area
A potential azonal off-site conservation area has been identified from an aerial
reconnaissance survey carried out north of the mine site (i.e., at Ankera). A
follow-up ground survey was initiated in late September 2005 to:
•
Verify if the site was indeed a representative azonal outcrop similar to
the mine azonal habitat.
