WOLSELY WIND ENERGY FACILITY:
FIELD ASSESSMENT FOR ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY MAPPING
PREPARED FOR ARCUS - GIBB
MAY 2012
Background
Arcus Gibb (Pty) Ltd. have been appointed by SAGIT Energy Ventures to conduct the EIA for the
proposed Wolseley Wind Farm in the Western Cape. Gibb have in turn subcontracted Simon Todd
Consulting to provide specialist ecological input for the above EIA. The scoping study for the above EIA
has already been conducted and included a draft sensitivity map for the site. Due to the presence of
threatened ecosystems as well as critical biodiversity areas in the area, a large proportion of the site was
classified as Very High Sensitivity. Such areas are not suitable for development as the risk of significant
ecological impact is very high. However, the CBA maps and satellite imagery for the site are several
years old and do not adequately represent the situation on the ground. Therefore, Gibb requested a
site visit to ground-truth and refine the ecological sensitivity map for the site to resolve and clarify these
issues. This report details the findings of the site visit and presents a revised ecological sensitivity map
based on the results.
Site Visit
The site visit took place on the 15th of June 2012. During the site visit, all of the provisional turbine
locations were viewed. Those within transformed habitats were not investigated more closely as there
are not likely to be significant ecological impact associated with these turbines. All the turbines within
potentially sensitive locations were investigated more closely. The vegetation in the vicinity of the
Wolseley Wind Energy Facility
turbines was investigated and the dominant species recorded and the sensitivity of the site assessed in
the field based on the species present and the other ecological attributes of the area.
Five turbines were identified in the field as being of potential concern, WT1, WT6, WT9, WT30 ,WT32,
and were investigated more closely.
Assessment
WT1
Wind Turbine 1 is located on a hill near the MTN tower. The vegetation is classified as Breede Shale
Fynbos by Mucina & Rutherford (2006) and as Witzenberg Sandolien Renosterveld Fynbos by Helme
(2007). As this vegetation type has been impacted to a reasonably large degree by agriculture, it should
be considered quite sensitive and development within this vegetation type should proceed with caution.
An additional issue that may be encountered with regards to this turbine as well as Turbine 6, is that
area is within the Romansrivier Conservation Area, which is under a stewardship biodiversity agreement
with CapeNature. The site itself does not appear to be highly sensitive as it is somewhat disturbed and
invaded by Hakea and Pinus and is dominated by disturbance-related species such as Metalasia and
Seriphium. There are however some Proteiod elements present such as Protea repens and
Leucospermum and Leucodendron present. There do not appear to be alternative locations for the wind
turbine in the immediate vicinity.
Turbine 1 is within a conservation area and the presence of the
turbine in this area may violate the terms of the agreement. In
addition, the vegetation should be considered sensitive and
avoided where possible.
2
Field Assessment and Sensitivity Mapping
Wolseley Wind Energy Facility
WT6
Wind Turbine 6 is on the plains near to the substation. The area is classified as Breede Shale Fynbos by
Mucina & Rutherford (2006) and as Romansriver Renosterveld Alluvium Fynbos by Helme (2007). The
Romansriver Renosterveld Alluvium Fynbos is a highly restricted vegetation unit, represented by only
three examples, one of which has been entirely transformed. As less than 200 ha of this vegetation unit
remains, it is strongly recommended that WT6 is relocated outside of this vegetation unit in order to
reduce the likely impact on this vegetation type. There do not appear to be any alternative locations in
the immediate vicinity for this turbine. This area may also fall within the Biodiversity Stewardship
agreement with CapeNature.
Location of WT6, within Romansriver Renosterveld Alluvium Fynbos. This
is a diverse and threatened ecosystem and should be avoided.
3
Field Assessment and Sensitivity Mapping
Wolseley Wind Energy Facility
WT9
Wind Turbine 9, is located on the lower slopes, west of WT6. As this area is also Romansriver
Renosterveld Alluvium Fynbos, the potential for negative impacts are high. The site has however been
disturbed and the potential for significant impact is low, provided that the turbine and lay-down area
can be restricted to previously disturbed areas as much as possible.
The location of WT9 is within a disturbed area and the potential for
impact is consequently low. The footprint should however be restricted
to the disturbed area to avoid impact to adjacent intact vegetation.
WT30 and WT32
Wind Turbine 30 and 32 will be dealt with simultaneously as they occur within a similar environment
and face similar issues. These two turbines are located within the central part of the site within intact
Renosterveld vegetation. This area is classified as Breede Alluvium Fynbos by Mucina and Rutherford
(2006), which is an Endangered vegetation type with a large number of endemics. According to Helme
(2007) this area is Breede Shale Renosterveld, which is a more accurate assessment than Mucina and
Rutherford. According to Helme (2007) this vegetation unit is closely allied to Swartland Shale
Renosterveld, which is Critically Endangered. A large number of rare and endemic species occur within
this vegetation type and impacts to this unit are highly undesirable. Parts of the site were however
quite severely invaded by alien pines and hakea. In principle, the turbines could be relocated to the
disturbed and invaded areas. This would however occur with the recommendation that the alien
infestation in the area would managed as part of the EMP for this area. This could potentially benefit
the area as the aliens could be cleared which would have a long-term positive outcome for biodiversity.
4
Field Assessment and Sensitivity Mapping
Wolseley Wind Energy Facility
The location of Wind Turbine 32, within Breede Shale Renosterveld, dominated by Elytropappus and
Athanasia, with an understory of geophytes and forbs, many of which are likely to be rare and endemic.
Google image of the current location of WT30 and WT32. It is recommended that the turbines be
relocated to within the green encircled areas and that the red-outlined area is avoided.
5
Field Assessment and Sensitivity Mapping
Wolseley Wind Energy Facility
The low hill invaded by pines and hakea near to WT30. The turbine should be
relocated to within the invaded area.
Sensitivity Map
The revised sensitivity map for the site is presented below. A number of areas that were shown as being
intact on either the CBA maps for the area or the satellite imagery, were found to be transformed and
under cultivation during the site visit. The net result is that the extent of Very High and High Sensitivity
areas has been reduced. The only area where the sensitivity was increased, was in the vicinity of WT30
and WT32. This was necessitated by the presence of sensitive Renosterveld ecosystems in this area, as
discussed above. A number of other minor adjustments were also made. The sensitivity map as it
currently stands can be considered reliable and it is not likely that any major adjustments will be made
during the EIA phase.
6
Field Assessment and Sensitivity Mapping
Wolseley Wind Energy Facility
The revised ecological sensitivity map for the Wolsely Wind Farm. Four turbines fall within areas
classified as Very High and High Sensitivity and should be reviewed.
7
Field Assessment and Sensitivity Mapping
Wolseley Wind Energy Facility
Literature Cited
Helme, N. A. 2007. Botanical report: Fine scale vegetation mapping in the Upper Breede River Valley.
Report for CapeNature, as part of the C.A.P.E. programme.
Mucina, L. and Rutherford, M.C. 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Strelitzia 19, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
8
Field Assessment and Sensitivity Mapping