Environmental Assessment
Volume B-4.4
Mine
Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
Ambatovy Project
287
January 2006
Increased spatial separation of habitats can impact the movement, dispersal
(animals and plants), survival, and reproduction of individuals which may change
the probability of persistence of populations (Turner 1996; Fahrig and
Paloheimo 1988; Pulliam 1988; Hanski 1996; Debinski and Holt 2000).
Reclamation during operation and closure is often the first step in re-establishing
a natural ecosystem. During closure, successful reclamation could reverse some
of the effects of the project on natural habitats and biodiversity.
Table 4.4-4 summarizes the evaluation of potential impact pathways for natural
habitats and biodiversity.
Table 4.4-4 Summary of Impact Pathways to Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
Potential Impact Pathways
Natural Habitat and
Biodiversity
Metrics
Habitat
Area
Mean Patch
Size
Number of
Patches
Habitat
Connectivity
Edge
Effects
Reclamation
habitat rarity (area)
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Y
habitat endemism
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Y
species richness
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
species endemism
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
species conservation
status
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Note:
Y = Yes;
N = No
Assessment Methods
Baseline data for habitat rarity and endemism, and species richness, endemism
and conservation status (IUCN and CITES listings) for plants and wildlife were
used to estimate the current biodiversity potential of primary ecotypes within the
LSA (Volume B, Section 4.4.3). Information on species richness, endemism, and
conservation status of fish was also obtained to assess the relative contribution of
aquatic macrofauna to biodiversity in the LSA. There is a strong link among
patterns of biodiversity, population persistence and landscape attributes
(or metrics) such as habitat area, patch size, spatial dispersion of patches,
connectivity and edge (Brown 1995; Debinski and Holt 2000; Fahrig 2003).
Therefore, fragmentation analysis of the LSA under baseline conditions was
completed to quantify the current area, composition and spatial configuration of
habitats (Volume B, Section 4.4.3).
