Environmental Assessment
Volume B-4.1
Mine
Flora
Ambatovy Project
193
January 2006
take hold and spread will be dependent upon the effectiveness of the mitigations
proposed. Aggressive control measures will be used to eradicate the species as
soon as they are discovered. Initially, unwanted species may be difficult to
recognize as troublesome since they may be native species. In certain cases, a
species may become prominent in an area, which may be part of a normal
successional pathway. In other cases, a species may simply choke out others,
reducing diversity and limiting succession.
Control measures planned cannot eliminate unwanted species totally, and
therefore, a low negative environmental consequence is predicted (Table 4.1-12).
Table 4.1-12 Residual Impact Classification for Exotic and Unwanted Plant
Species
Component
Direction
Magnitude
Geographic
Extent
Duration
Reversibility Frequency
Environmental
Consequence
exotic or
unwanted
plant species
negative
low
local
medium-
term
reversible
(a)
medium
low
(a)
Depending on species.
Outlined below are several mitigations to help ensure that the spread of exotic or
unwanted plant species is minimized.
Implementation of Invasive Species Control Program
During construction, operation and closure, control measures will be defined and
used to rid exotic and unwanted (weedy) species in disturbed, reclaimed and
conservation areas.
Reclamation
Mine site habitat rehabilitation will incorporate the use of native species during
closure through on-site planting initiatives. Details of the mine site reclamation
program are provided in Volume B, Section 6.
Environmental Education
Environmental education of the local population will be supported by the
proponent and conducted cooperatively with the Malagasy Government to
enhance the support of conservation initiatives. The education program will
include various topics, such as water and soil management, land use planning and
reclamation. One example of a specific topic is herding controls near reclamation
sites to limit the spread of weedy species and to meet target growth objectives of
desired native species on-site.
