SITES

	Greatham, Teesside, UK
	West Site, Billingham, UK
	Grimsby, Humberside, UK
	Calais, France
	Huelva, Spain
	Scarlino, Italy
	Teluk Kalung, Malaysia
	Umbogintwini, South Africa
Habitats on the Umbogintwini Site Birds of the Production Site Conservation Areas at Umbogintwini Industrial Complex Offshore Biodiversity Management
	Lake Charles, USA
	Burnie, Tasmania

Index by Category

Appendices

References

Umbogintwini, South Africa

Recommendations for Future Biodiversity Management

Ecological Surveys
As on all sites the regular recording of flora and fauna is essential for sustainable biodiversity management. At Umbogintwini it is recommended that:

• The detailed recording of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians (quantitatively where ever possible) on the Umbogavango Reserve is continued.
• More detailed recording of the invertebrates (especially butterflies and dragonflies) on the reserve should be carried out.
• There should be detailed surveys of the flora and fauna of Mamba Valley.
• Further baseline wildlife surveys should be carried out on the Tioxide site especially in those areas that are undeveloped.
• Employees should be encouraged to record wildlife seen on the site.
• In addition to the routine monitoring of invertebrates around the site’s wastewater discharge other taxa e.g. birds, see mammals etc. should also be recorded.

Based on the results of the continuing biodiversity surveys it is recommended that strategies are developed for:

• Conserving as much of the wilder parts of the site as possible. Of particular biodiversity interest are the remnant woodlands adjacent to the freshwater tanks and the sports field.
• Developing a biodiversity plan for the site that is compatible with business and nature conservation issues and is compatible with the environmental programmes of other companies on the Umbogintwini complex and the designated nature conservation areas.
• Review existing landscape maintenance schedules with a view to increasing biodiversity.
• Replacing exotic flora with appropriate species indigenous to Natal, especially in the wilder parts of the site (see Section Umbogavango).
• Investigate easily implemented and cost effective conservation projects such as bird nesting boxes, altering grass cutting regimes or modifying formal landscaped areas (see Section Umbogavango).
• Involving employees and if possible local communities with conservation projects on, or around the site e.g. nest box scheme.
• Continue to support the Umbogavango nature reserve and education centre and consider assisting with other community conservation projects.

Landscape Maintenance
On a number of industrial sites around the world it has been found that by modifying existing landscape maintenance schedules, it is sometimes possible to increase biodiversity potential on the site at no extra cost. In some instances there has even been a cost benefit.

Relatively simple procedures such as reducing the frequency of cutting grass in the wilder parts of the site reduces maintenance costs and increases botanical biodiversity with knock-on benefits for insects and birds.

Dead trees and fallen logs are important components of woodland ecosystems. Providing standing dead timber is not unsafe (it rarely is in the wilder parts of a site) then it should be left in place. Similarly fallen logs should also be left to be naturally re-cycled by fungi and invertebrates.

It is accepted that some people regard uncut grass and dead trees as visually unattractive and indicative of poor site housekeeping. Such opinions however, are often changed when the ecological benefits are explained. Information boards on site, leaflets and articles in house journals are invaluable in promoting concept and benefits of a degree of “natural untidiness” in some areas.

Indigenous Flora
Any future tree, shrub or herbaceous planting carried out in the wilder parts of the site should involve only indigenous species. There are a wide variety of plants native to Natal that are attractive in themselves and are also beneficial to wildlife. Of particular value are species such as Natal fig (Ficus natalensis) that provides fruit for a wide range of birds and other animals, forest grape (Rhoicissus tomentosa) which is particularly attractive to Purple-crested Louries low-veld barteria (Barleria rotundifolilia) that is often used as a nesting site by birds and is attractive to butterflies. Dune everlasting (Helichrysum cooperi), which grows in medium length grassy areas, is also a good nectar plant for butterflies. These and many more species are discussed by Nichols (1998) and further information is almost certainly available from local wildlife societies. As a matter of course it is always advisable to discuss any habitat management project with such groups before any work is carried out.
In order to maintain existing wildlife populations the replacement of exotic flora with indigenous species must be a carefully planned process.

Formally Landscaped Areas
It is accepted that in certain parts of the site such as around main office buildings and visitor reception areas more formal garden landscapes are required. Nevertheless a number of very attractive species can be used that will still provide interesting habitat for wildlife.

Often in formal landscaping exotic species and horticultural varieties are chosen at the expense of indigenous plants (Box 5). In South Africa this is particularly unfortunate since the diversity of wild plants is probably greater than anywhere else in the world with over 3000 species known from the east coast areas alone (Nichols 1998). Many plants grown in gardens around the world originate in Southern Africa. It is recommended that local, indigenous species are used whenever possible.

Attractive plants often attract attractive birds. Bright red or orange flowering forbs, shrubs and trees are often favoured by sunbirds and at least six species of these birds have been recorded from the Umbogintwini complex. Indigenous plants such as Erythrina, Kniphofia and the beautiful crane flower (Strelitzia nicolai) are all visited by sunbirds. The crane flower being especially favoured by Grey Sunbirds and Olive Sunbirds, both of which occur on the site. If non-South African species are planted then species such as Jacaranda, Albizia, Canna and Hibiscus all are used by sunbirds and in some cases other birds and insects.