Environmental Assessment
Volume B-4.1
Mine
Flora
Ambatovy Project
185
January 2006
extraction activities away from the azonal conservation areas and towards other
areas designated in the region for this purpose.
Hydrologic changes resulting from construction, operation, and closure of the
mine is predicted to result in a negligible environmental consequence to the
Torotorofotsy Wetlands. For other wetlands in the local study area, predicted
changes in vegetation health and species composition will be low resulting in a
low environmental consequence.
Water quality changes to wetlands vegetation (including the Torotorofotsy
Wetlands) are predicted to result in a low environmental consequence. There is
the potential that a number of heavy metals entering the wetlands from mine site
runoff will bio-accumulate within plant tissue, affecting growth, survival, and
reproduction. However, all water quality parameters are below drinking water
guidelines and most parameters are consistent with current baseline conditions,
therefore the parameters are likely at concentrations too low to cause any adverse
affects.
The primary types of mitigation proposed will focus on:
•
Establishment of two on-site azonal conservation areas and one off-site
azonal conservation area.
•
Progressive reclamation using native species.
•
Development and implementation of a co-operative Forest Management
Plan in a surrounding buffer zone.
•
Forest renewal initiatives and development of environmental education
programs.
4.1.6
Key Question FL-2 What Effect Will the Mine Have on
the Loss of Plant Species (Species Extirpation or
Extinction)?
Plant species diversity in tropical environments such as Madagascar is extremely
high (close to 13,000 species [CI 2005]). In addition, 89% of the plant species
are endemic to the country. This diversity and uniqueness is related to the
geological history of the island, differences in soil and bedrock types, elevation,
meteorological patterns and clines, and geographical range across more than 13
degrees of latitude (Gautier and Goodman 2003). Considerable species
heterogeneity in Madagascar even occurs within continuous forested areas at the
same elevation Capuron (1951). It follows that loss of natural habitat is one of
the most important factors affecting species extinction (Fahrig 1997).
