Environmental Assessment
Volume B-4.4
Mine
Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
Ambatovy Project
290
January 2006
Table 4.4-5 Impact Description Criteria for Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
Direction
Magnitude
Geographic Extent
Duration
Reversibility
Frequency
neutral:
no
change in
biodiversity
indicators
negative:
a
change in
biodiversity
indicators
negligible:
no
measurable effect on
biodiversity indicators
low:
<10% change in
biodiversity indicators
moderate:
10 to 20%
change in biodiversity
indicators
high:
>20% change in
biodiversity indicators
local:
effect
restricted to the LSA
regional:
effect
extends beyond the
LSA
short term:
<3 years
medium
term:
3 to
30 years
long term:
>30 years
reversible or
irreversible
low:
occurs
once
medium:
occurs
intermittently
high:
occurs
continuously
Mitigation
Several mitigations are assumed to reduce the magnitude, geographic extent and
duration of direct impacts from the project on natural habitats and biodiversity in
the mine site study area. More details of these mitigations are provided in the
flora, fauna and aquatic resources EA sections (Volume B, Sections 4.1, 4.2 and
4.3). Mitigation includes:
•
establishing two on-site conservation areas amounting to 306 ha. One
area is located in the Ambatovy site (211 ha), and includes three
ephemeral pools (0.18 ha), non-disturbed azonal forest (52 ha), and
disturbed azonal and transitional forest (159 ha). The other is located in
the Analamay site (95 ha), and includes three ephemeral pools (0.13 ha),
non-disturbed azonal and transitional forest (92 ha), and disturbed
transitional forest (3 ha);
•
constructing some strategic sections of fencing between mine footprint
and conservation areas;
•
avoiding direct (physical disturbance) and minimizing of indirect
(changes in water quantity and quality) effects to the Torotorofotsy
Wetlands complex;
•
conducting public information / awareness sessions regarding the land
use practices near rehabilitation and conservation areas;
•
creating an on-site sanctuary for vulnerable plant species (transplant,
cultivation/propagation, re-introduction);
•
implementing weed control in newly developed areas;
•
moving vulnerable fauna to safe sites such as conservation areas and
off-site azonal habitat;
