Environmental Assessment
Volume B-4.4
Mine
Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
Ambatovy Project
295
January 2006
Analysis of landscape areas indicated that the fraction of natural habitat expected
to be lost due to the project footprint is 71.4% (985 ha) of azonal forest, 23.1%
(344 ha) of transitional forest, and 87.2% (4.4 ha) of ephemeral pools. Average
patch size of these ecotypes decreased by between 56% and 97% (Table 4.4-6).
The increase in patch connectivity may benefit species inhabiting azonal and
transitional forest, but the decrease in connectivity between ephemeral pools will
likely have a negative influence for species dependent on this ecotype. Based on
the negative changes in habitat area, mean patch size and assessment criteria, the
magnitude of the impact from the project on these natural habitats and associated
biodiversity is predicted to be high during construction and operation
(Table 4.4-7).
Table 4.4-7 Residual Impact Classification for Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
Project
Period
Direction Magnitude Geographic
Extent
Duration Reversibility Frequency Environmental
Consequence
What Impact Will the Ambatovy Project Have on Natural Habitats and Biodiversity?
construction
/ operation
negative
high
local
long-
term
irreversible
medium
high
closure
negative
moderate
local
medium-
term
reversible
medium
moderate
Direct impacts from the project on azonal and transitional ecotypes are predicted
to be local in geographic extent. Impacts from construction and operations are
predicted to be medium in frequency as construction of facilities and mining of
ore deposits will occur in stages. The effects from the project on habitat loss,
patch size, connectivity and biodiversity will extend into the closure period, and
therefore will be long-term (Table 4.4-7).
Excavation of the ore-bodies will remove the ferricrete substrate which supports
the azonal forest, and habitat loss of this ecotype (and associated ephemeral
pools) will be irreversible (Volume B, Section 4.1). Early seral stages of zonal
forest and degraded forest can be expected to establish relatively quickly on
reclamation areas (Volume B, Section 4.1).
During closure, reclamation is anticipated to reverse impacts to a moderate
magnitude. Revegetation will likely provide habitats with similar structure and
composition as transitional and zonal forest, and provide suitable habitat for
some species of endemic flora and fauna. Continuation of public awareness
programs from operation through closure on the ecological benefits of
conducting land use practices away from conservation and reclamation areas
should help reverse impacts including in a regional forest buffer zone. In
