Environmental Assessment
Volume C-4.4
Slurry Pipeline
Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
Ambatovy Project
154
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 pipeline LSA. More details of mitigations are provided in the flora, fauna
and aquatic resources EA sections (Volume C, Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3).
Mitigation includes:
•
avoiding primary native forest vegetation by using existing disturbed
areas for pipeline alignment;
•
revegetation and reclamation of all cleared areas adjacent to or at
watercourse crossings immediately following construction;
•
build temporary road bridges in sensitive parts of key forest corridor,
unless agreed to leave as part of regional planning;
•
along some sections in the key forest corridor (between protected areas),
pipeline construction strategy will be adjusted to permit overgrowth of
trees and shrubs. This mitigation has potential to increase biodiversity
in the Mantadia-Zahamena corridor;
•
adjusting watercourse crossing routes to avoid conflicts with important
or sensitive fish habitat and local resource use;
•
reducing the amount and duration of in-water activities;
