1 METHODOLOGY

Qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis were adopted for the proposed ecological
studies. Standard methods were applied to ensure that data collection and analysis was credible.
Typically, the flora and fauna assessment principles established Nune (2008) was used.
The main instruments that were used in this study included handheld GPS, diameter tape, levels,
steel tapes, as well as floral-fauna atlases. Regarding fauna assessments Standard Sherman traps
were used to capture small mammals and reptiles in the study area. Further, computer software
packages were used during specialized data collection and analyses.

1.1 Flora Assessments

1.1.1 Vegetation Field Investigations

To describe or characterize the vegetation in the region and project area, desk review and field
investigations were conducted by the ESIA team.
Desk review helped to establish detailed information on the nature of vegetation in the area
based on studies done in the past. This ensured that the team did not miss any detail regarding
the area.
Actual site surveys or studies were done in the project area to specifically establish the
characteristics of the vegetation on the proposed project site. These vegetation characteristics
include species’ composition, abundance, relative density, frequency and ultimately the
importance value. Additionally, ecosystems on site were identified. For preliminary
establishment of ecosystems on site, satellite or Google Earth images were used.
To characterize the species composition on site, Transects and quadrant method which is
recommended for surveys of large areas such as the one in question were applied. Transects to
be set on site will be at least 1,000m long with an inter spacing of 25m. Quadrants with different
dimensions were set at 50m intervals along the transects. These quadrants were:
 1m x 1m for ferns, herbs and grasses;
 5m x 5m for seedlings and saplings (or regeneration); and
 20m x 20m for trees and shrubs.
Each species of tree, shrub and lianas greater than or equal to 5 cm diameter within 20 x 20
meters transect were listed and counted. Parameters of each listed tree taken note of were:
  Diameter at Breast Height (DBH);
 Height;
 Crown size;
 Crookedness; and
 Number of dead trees.
Strict data collection protocols were adhered to so as to ensure quality and uniformity in the data
collection process. Transects were laid down from the map of the project area and then in the
field. Handheld GPS was used to locate transects on the ground.
The tree species were identified using the “Know your Tree” book and the “Trees of Southern
Africa” book.

1.1.2 Flora Data Analysis

Abundance, Relative Frequency (RF), Relative Density (RD), and Relative Basal Area (RBA)
were calculated. Excel was used to analyze the data on flora.
The species data was used to determine species importance values (IV) and species richness.
Importance values were calculated as adopted from DWAF (2005). Species important values are
very important in determining the performance of the species in a given area.

For plants with dbh ≥ 5 cm

[ Relative Frequency ( RF)+ Relative Density (RD )+ Relative Basal Arear (RBA )
IV =
3

Number of plots in which species is present

RF= x100
Total Number of plots recorded
Number of stems recorded for species
RD= x 100
Number of stems recorded for all species
Total number of stems recorded for species
Abundance=
Total number of quadrants in which the species occured

Biomass RBA=
Basal area of a species in a community
x100 in the
Total basal arae of all specise in the community
area was estimated
using the formula:
Tree Biomass (t) = 0.0549 x (diameter) 2.5101.
Tree Basal Area (TBA) is the cross-sectional area (over the bark) at breast height (1.3 metres
above the ground) measured in metres squared (m2). TBA can be used to estimate tree volumes
and stand competition. To determine Tree Basal Area simply measure the diameter at breast
height in centimetres (DBHOB) and calculate the basal area (m2) using an equation based on the
formula for the area of a circle (area = p r2 where r = radius and p = 3.142 ) and the formula for
radius (r=diameter/2 = DBH/2).
Therefore:

Where DBH is the Diameter at Breast Height in centimeters

This formula also converts the diameter in centimeters to the basal area in square meters. The
same technique can be used to calculate the cross sectional area of the tree at any point along the
stem.

Tree Basal Area is the cross-sectional area of a tree at breast height.

1.1.3 Calculation of Dominance Indices

Dominance indices are weighted towards the abundance of the commonest species. Dominance
indices for the commonest species were calculated. The dominance indices that were used are the
Species Richness and the Shannon Index calculated as follows:
(a) Species Richness
S
SR=
√N Where: S = Number of species observed in the area
 N = Total number of individuals trees Observed
(b) Shannon Index (Hs)
Hs= -∑pilnpi
Where:
Pi= Proportion of individuals found in the ith species and
ln= Natural logarithm

The Shannon diversity index (H) is another index that is commonly used to characterize species
diversity in a community. Shannon's index accounts for both abundance and evenness of the
species present.
The higher the value of H, the higher the diversity of species in a particular community. The
lower the value of H, the lower the diversity. A value of H = 0 indicates a community that only
has one species..

1.2 Fauna Assessments

1.2.1 Terrestrial Fauna Identification and Assessment

Terrestrial fauna in the Project Area were characterized based on the main habitats occurring in
the area.

Terrestrial fauna habitats in the Project Area include riparian forest, Miombo woodlands and
specialized habitats such as Termitaria (Ansell 1978 or Storrs 1995). Occurring habitat types
were defined based on the findings from the vegetation investigations, as well as the existing
literature.

To further characterize these habitats and the species they are likely to harbor, the Consultant
conducted field investigations. A variety of field investigation techniques were employed,
including ground transects and trap lines. These were set in different sites representing the major
habitat types. Additionally, interviews with local people familiar with the local fauna were done.

Transects were set up in each habitat and rocks and litter turned over in search of terrestrial
macroinvertebrates, amphibians and reptiles. All species encountered were identified based on
morphological features using field guides.
To survey small mammals, standard Sherman traps were strategically placed in areas where
signs of these mammals were observed. The traps which were baited with oats and peanuts were
exposed for 24 hours at each site and checked every morning. All specimens trapped were
identified based on their morphological features and assigned to their habitats of occurrence. The
project area was traversed on foot and road in search of signs and presence of large fauna in the
major habitat types.

1.2.1 Species Diversity

The Shannon index was used to calculate the current status of species diversity within the
proposed dam area. The Shannon index, p is the proportion (n/N) of individuals of one particular
species found (n) divided by the total number of individuals found (N), ln is the natural log, Σ is
the sum of the calculations, and s is the number of species.
Table 6:

Table 1 Shannon Index for the species observed within project site.

Species Abundance pi InPi Pi(lnPi)

Accacia spp 5 0.070422535 -1.152288344 0.081

Albizia spp 2 0.028169014 -1.550228353 0.044
Anisophyllea boehmii 3 0.042253521 -1.374137094 0.058
Brachystegia spiciformis 19 0.267605634 -0.572504748 0.153
Combretum molle 2 0.028169014 -1.550228353 0.044
Isoberlinia angolensis 3 0.042253521 -1.374137094 0.058
Parinari curatellifolia 3 0.042253521 -1.374137094 0.058
Pericopsis angolensis 4 0.056338028 -1.249198357 0.070
Pterocarpus angolensis 4 0.056338028 -1.249198357 0.070
Strychnos spp 1 0.014084507 -1.851258349 0.026
Tithonia diversifolia 2 0.028169014 -1.550228353 0.044
Uapaca spp 11 0.154929577 -0.809865664 0.125
Jubanedia spp 12 0.169014085 -0.772077103 0.130
0.962
Shannon Index H = 0.96

The Shannon Index of 0.96 means that there is a higher diversity of species