Environmental Assessment
Volume C-4.4
Slurry Pipeline
Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
Ambatovy Project
158
January 2006
Although the marginal loss in primary habitats is anticipated to result in little
change in mean patch size, connectivity and forest edge, the effects of
fragmentation are still somewhat unpredictable (Debinski and Holt 2000;
Fahrig 2003). Thus, there is also a moderate degree of uncertainty in predicting
the influence of large-scale environmental variation and concurrent project
development on the stability and resilience of populations, and the ecosystem.
The cessation of activities associated with the pipeline and concurrent habitat
reclamation is assumed to reverse the negative effects of the project
(i.e., stabilize the ecosystem). The proponents will capitalize on lessons learnt
during natural forest restoration trials undertaken at the mine site during
exploration. Forest reclamation within key sections of the Mantadia-Zahamena
corridor will occur during operations as part of the project’s commitment to the
regional carbon project. However, stochastic events (e.g., fire, extreme drought
or hurricanes) and future human land use practices (e.g., harvesting, plantations,
tavy agriculture) may jeopardize or eliminate the potential benefit of reclamation
areas. The success of reclamation, and therefore the degree of reversibility will
be achieved and identified through trial applications of reclamation and ongoing
involvement in regional conservation efforts will be key to long term success.
Reclamation may generate similar vegetative structure and composition of
primary and degraded forest that are suitable for many flora and fauna species,
but establishing viable wetlands will be difficult. The project’s commitment to
undertaking trials for primary forest regeneration as part of the carbon project,
will add value to biodiversity understanding in the Mantadia-Zahamena corridor.
Monitoring
Biodiversity will be monitored through the programs defined for flora, fauna and
aquatic systems with due consideration for maintaining habitats.
Changes to ecosystem processes and function will focus on abiotic variables such
as water quality and hydrology. Permanent sample plots will be established in
reclamation areas and habitats located on and at various distances from the
pipeline in the corridor zone to monitor habitat characteristics and selected flora
and fauna species.
4.4.5
Conclusions
The change in habitat availability was used to assess the direct impacts from the
project on natural habitats and biodiversity. Following mitigation, analysis
indicated that there should be no residual impacts to the Torotorofotsy Wetlands
complex or azonal habitat, and negligible effects to species inhabiting primary
forest and wetland ecotypes. Residual impacts during construction and operation
