Environmental Assessment
Volume E-4.1
Tailings Facility
Flora
Ambatovy Project
156
January 2006
surveys showed that the tailings facility LSA is highly disturbed, and contains no
habitat unique to the region. The vulnerable species found within the tailings
facility LSA is also present in other areas of the region and so it is not threatened
with extirpation or extinction as a result of this project. No locally endemic
species were found during the flora field survey. This potential impact is not
assessed further.
The potential effects of the project on the spread or introduction of exotic or
unwanted plant species were considered. However, the LSA is highly disturbed
and contains exotic and unwanted plant species that are prevalent throughout the
region. Eradicating these plants from the local area during the operation phase
and preventing re-establishment during closure is unwarranted.
4.1.5
Key Question FL-1 What Effect Will the Tailings Facility
Have on the Loss or Alteration of Plant Communities?
During the construction and operations phases, flora will be directly disturbed
through the clearing of vegetation.
4.1.5.1 Assessment Methods
Impacts of the project on the loss or alteration of flora is assessed through
changes in the total area of vegetation types. Direct effects relate to site clearing
while indirect effects are related to changes in water and sediment quality and
hydrology.
Information from Surface Water Hydrology (Volume E, Section 3.8) which
includes a discussion on residual impacts as well as predicted changes in runoff
and stream flow volumes, were used to help assess the potential impacts to
vegetation within the tailings facility LSA. No regulatory guidelines are
available for determining vegetation effects based on hydrological changes.
Therefore, a qualitative approach was taken.
Information from Water Quality (Volume E, Section 3.10) which includes a
discussion on residual impacts as well as predicted changes in surface water,
groundwater and sediment quality were used to help assess the potential impacts
to vegetation within the tailings facility LSA. Water quality guidelines are
available for human health concerns (WHO 2004) and aquatic ecosystems
(Department of Water Affairs and Forestry 1996). However, the first edition of
the aquatic guidelines is not focused on riparian and wetlands vegetation effects.
Thus, methods used to assess the effects to wetlands vegetation are largely
qualitative but within the context of these guidelines.
