Environmental Assessment
Volume C-4.4
Slurry Pipeline
Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
Ambatovy Project
146
January 2006
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summary of conclusions regarding predicted residual impacts, and
associated mitigation measures and follow-up monitoring activities.
4.4.2
Study Area
The slurry pipeline Local Study Area (LSA) includes the approximately 195 km
slurry pipeline footprint, plus a 1 km buffer on each side of the pipeline, and
extends from the ore body complex in the mine site LSA to the plant site in the
Toamasina LSA (Figure 7.2-2, Section 7, Volume A).
The LSA has been divided into three major land use sub-areas: the western
section, which is within the forest corridor (corridor zone); the central section,
which passes around primary forest fragments through an area defined primarily
by a tavy matrix (tavy zone), and the eastern section, which contains entirely
secondary vegetation and has a higher density of agricultural use (agricultural
zone).
The pipeline initially passes through the Torotorofotsy Ramsar site within the
mine site LSA and further east, through the Mantadia-Zahamena Conservation
Corridor. The proposed right-of-way has been re-routed during analysis of
alternatives to be primarily located on land with existing disturbances
(Volume B, Section 1).
4.4.3
Baseline Summary
The following provides a summary of the results of current biodiversity potential,
and areas of natural habitats and land use practices in the LSA. The summary
focuses on those results that are important for assessing impacts from the project.
As noted above, a complete description of the baseline methods, analysis, and
results is located in Volume J (Appendix 4.1).
4.4.3.1 Ecosystem Diversity
Over 75% of the plant and bird species identified in the slurry pipeline study area
were endemic to Madagascar (Table 4.4-1). With the exception of one
amphibian species, all reptiles and amphibians identified were endemic to the
island, and three species are listed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
Five plant species and eight birds have IUCN status.
Precise sample points within transects were not recorded during vegetation
surveys, therefore, flora species ecosystem metrics could not be determined by
habitat or land use classes (Volume J, Appendix 1.1). Among the current
