Supsa River Crossing Ecological Baseline Survey Vegetation

Transcription

1 Section 5.4a Supsa River Crossing Ecological Baseline Survey Vegetation NOTE: The R. Supsa Export Pipeline has been realigned since preparation of this report. The revised alignment has been surveyed and is described in Section 5.4e.

2 WREP SECTIONAL REPLACEMENT PROJECT BOTANICAL SURVEY RIVER SUPSA CROSSINGS AND ASSOCIATED AREAS This report has been produced By Dzelkva Ltd on Behalf of RSK Environment Limited October, 2015 Tbilisi

3 Table of Contents 1 Introduction Survey Methods Survey Area Baseline Findings Major Habitats HDD Entry Area Supsa River WREP Crossing, Right (North) Bank River Supsa WREP Crossing, Left (South) Bank Tie-in Site Pipe Stringing Area Pipe Stringing Area Tie-in Site River Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing, Left (East) Bank River Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing, Right (West) Bank Tie-in Site Access Roads High Conservation Value Species Appendix A Survey Maps Appendix B Field Datasheets Tables Table 1 Data on Caucasian Wingnut Found in Survey Area Figures Fig. 1 Secondary grass-forb meadow... 2 Fig. 2 Secondary Grassland, River Supsa WREP Crossing, Right (North) Bank... 3 Fig. 3 Alder forest, River Supsa WREP Crossing, Left (South) Bank... 4 Fig. 4 Secondary Grassland with Alder Forest Strip in the Background, Tie-in Site Fig. 5 View of Pipe Strining Area Fig. 6 Caucasian Wingnut Forest with Some Alder... 7 Fig. 7 View of Tie-in Site Fig. 8 View of Secondary Forest Patch with Introduced Species... 9 October, 2015 Page i

4 1 INTRODUCTION This report summarizes the findings of the baseline botanical surveys conducted at the two proposed Supsa river crossings and associated areas between 05/09/2015 and 09/09/2015. The field team was comprised of (1) Nino Memiadze, Botanist, and (2) David Kharazishvili, Field Assistant. 2 SURVEY METHODS The baseline botanical surveys (Phase I habitat survey) were carried out as described in the ESBR Section 5.1 Introduction. The surveys covered HDD Entry Point, river Supsa WREP crossing, Tie-in Sites 1-3, Pipe Stringing Areas 1-2, river Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing and Access Roads. The survey areas and findings are shown on the maps contained in Appendix A. 3 SURVEY AREA The survey area is located in the environs of villages Supsa and Grigoleti, on the first and second terraces of both banks of river Supsa. It is comprised of several isolated sites of different shapes and sizes. Altitudes vary from 7 to 6 m below sea level. The terrain is slightly uneven, flat and traversed by a canal network. Silty bog soils are developed on the right bank of river Supsa while subtropical podzolic-gley soils are found on the left bank. Saturated alluvial soils are found in the river floodplain. 4 BASELINE BOTANICAL SURVEY FINDINGS 4.1 Major Habitats The following major habitats were identified in the survey area: 1. Floodplain forest 2. Riparian scrub (secondary) 3. Wetland 4. Wet grassland (secondary) 5. Grass-forb meadow (secondary) 6. Grassland (secondary) 7. Agricultural fields. A large part of the survey area is occupied by crop (mostly corn) fields. It should be noted that crop fields used to cover larger areas; at present such former crop fields and their margins support wet grassland habitat, which is structurally similar to ruderal vegetation and could be classified as its modified form. Due to human-induced impacts, no regularity was observed in the spatial distribution of habitats and associated vegetation units. Various secondary habitats are developed in areas where alder woodland has been removed. Typical wetland vegetation is only found on very wet soils while wet grassland is associated with less wet substrata. Crop fields and former arable land are located at elevated areas where soil moisture content is less allowing crop cultivation. Secondary riparian scrub occupies areas once covered by the riparian forest; it is also found along the canals and in small patches throughout the survey area. October, 2015 Page 1

5 4.2 HDD Entry Area The majority of this site is occupied by agricultural fields (corn fields). Cultivated areas alternate with ex-arable land, which supports secondary grass-forb meadow. This habitat is dominated by invasive species such as Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius), Canadian horseweed (Conyza canadensis). Relatively wetter areas support secondary wet grassland dominated by invasive species Thunberg s knotweed (Polygonum thunbergii) and Three-lobe beggarticks (Bidens tripartita). The native vegetation unit alder woodland is of fragmentary distribution and represented by heavily disturbed patches. The alder woodland fragments are marked by the presence of invasive species in the ground vegetation (Common ragweed - Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Thunberg s knotweed - Polygonum thunbergii). This site supports mostly secondary vegetation units; no GRL or high conservation value plant species were recorded. Therefore, the site is assigned a low conservation value. It should be noted that a few individuals of invasive woody species such as False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) and Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) are also found on this site. Fig. 1 Secondary grass-forb meadow 4.3 Supsa River WREP Crossing, Right (North) Bank This small site follows the river bank in a narrow strip. It is occupied by crop fields with secondary grassland developed at their edges. The secondary grassland is dominated by October, 2015 Page 2

6 the invasive Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) an escapee from crop fields is also abundant. This site is assigned low conservation value as it supports only secondary vegetation infested by the invasive species; no GRL or high conservation value plant species is associated with this site. Fig. 2 Secondary Grassland, River Supsa WREP Crossing, Right (North) Bank 4.4 River Supsa WREP Crossing, Left (South) Bank This site is also a narrow strip but along the river Supsa left (south) bank. Similar to the right bank, secondary grassland dominated by invasive Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is one of the major vegetation units. This site also supports an Alder floodplain forest with the invasive woody plant False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) found along its edges. The forest ground vegetation is infested by species that are invasive in Georgia such as Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), Japanese Browntop (Microstegium japonicum), Switchgrass (Panicum sp.), and escapee cultivar Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis). This site is assigned low conservation value as it supports only one native vegetation unit severely degraded Alder forest fragment, which is a common vegetation type in West Georgia. No GRL or high conservation value species were found on this site. October, 2015 Page 3

7 Fig. 3 Alder forest, River Supsa WREP Crossing, Left (South) Bank 4.5 Tie-in Site 1 The larger part of this site is occupied by crop (corn) fields. Elsewhere former arable land supports secondary wet grassland represented by two main communities: (1) wet grassland dominated by Common rush (Juncus effusus) and (2) wet grassland co-dominated by invasive Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius), Bush clover (Lespedeza striata) and Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). Less moist areas are occupied by secondary grassland dominated by three invasive species: Bush clover (Lespedeza striata), Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Horseweed (Conyza graminifolius). A secondary Alder floodplain forest fragment, which is severely degraded and modified, is found in a narrow strip along the southern-western border of the site. Invasive species such as Thunberg s knotweed (Polygonum thunbergii), Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Rough cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) prevail in the forest ground vegetation. This site is assigned low conservation value taking into consideration the current level of disturbance and absence of any GRL or high conservation value species. October, 2015 Page 4

8 Fig. 4 Secondary Grassland with Alder Forest Strip in the Background, Tie-in Site Pipe Stringing Area 1 The site is traversed by a number of deep canals with secondary scrub dominated by invasive False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) along their banks. The secondary scrub also supports two more invasive species: Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Switchgrass (Panicum sp.). The larger part of the site is occupied by crop (corn) fields. Ex arable land supports secondary wet grassland, secondary grass-forb meadow and grassland. All grassland and meadow communities are dominated by several invasive species: Bush clover (Lespedeza striata), Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Thunberg s knotweed (Polygonum thunbergii), Canadian horseweed (Conyza canadensis), Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius), Rough cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum). Thunberg s knotweed and Dallisgrass prevail in wet grassland, Bush clover and Wavyleaf basketgrass - in both wet grassland and relatively less moist meadow while other species dominate relatively less moist meadow vegetation. Alder trees are present only as solitary specimens on this site. Pipe Stringing Area 1 is assigned low conservation value. No GRL or high conservation value plants are associated with this site. October, 2015 Page 5

9 Fig. 5 View of Pipe Stringing Area Pipe Stringing Area 2 Almost half of the site is occupied by secondary wet grassland dominated by invasive species - Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum). Solitary individuals of another invasive species, woody plant Honey locust (Gleditsia triacantos) are found in wet grassland. This habitat is severely modified and subject to overgrazing. Another main habitat, which is developed on a relatively large area, is a floodplain forest represented by (1) Caucasian wingnut (Pterocarya pterocarpa) forest with admixture of some Alder and (2) Alder woodland. The Caucasian wingnut forest fragment is comprised of up to 400 large and medium-sized trees; some 300 such specimens are located within Pipe Stringing Area 2. It should be noted that the wingnut stand well-preserved; numerous young seedlings and offshoots were observed indicating good regeneration. October, 2015 Page 6

10 Fig. 6 Caucasian Wingnut Forest with Some Alder Alder woodland is represented by degraded and modified stands of secondary origin. The majority of alder trees have developed from cut individuals; they have several stems and shrubby appearance. The ground vegetation of one alder stand is dominated by invasive Thunberg s knotweed (Alnetum polygonosum thunbergii). A minor Bulrush community (Typhetum) was identified in the extreme southern part of the site. This community is comprised of only 4 vascular plants; none of them are GRL or high conservation value species. Some individuals of Bulrush also occur in canals. This site is assigned high conservation value as it supports up to 300 large and medium sized Caucasian wingnut trees GRL species. 4.8 Tie-in Site 2 This site extends in a narrow strip adjacent to Supsa terminal camp buildings and supports secondary grassland and meadow vegetation, namely: Secondary wet grassland dominated by Common rush. This community is marked by the presence of invasive species - Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius), Bush clover (Lespedeza striata), Three-lobe beggarticks (Bidens tripartita), Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Water mint (Mentha aquatica). This vegetation unit may turn into a wetland in rainy seasons Secondary wet grass-forb meadow dominated by invasive Bush clover (Lespedeza striata) and Golden foxtail (Setaria glauca). October, 2015 Page 7

11 This site has a low conservation value as it supports only common secondary vegetation units infested by invasive plants; no GRL or high conservation value species is associated with this site. Fig. 7 View of Tie-in Site River Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing, Left (East) Bank This small site is a narrow strip along the left (east) bank of r. Supsa, which supports only a secondary riparian (wetland) scrub composed of Blackberry. There are some shrubby individuals of alder developed after tree logging. The ground vegetation is dominated by invasive species such as Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius) and Thunberg s knotweed (Polygonum thunbergii) River Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing, Right (West) Bank This site is located on the opposite bank of river Supsa. Apart from arable land, the site supports the following vegetation units: Secondary wet grassland dominated by Golden foxtail (Setaria glauca). Codominant species include a number of invasive plants: Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius), Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Asiatic dayflower (Commelina communis), Rough cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum), Bush clover (Lespedeza striata). October, 2015 Page 8

12 Secondary riparian scrub formed by an invasive shrub False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa). The ground vegetation contains numerous invasive species: Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius), Asian copperleaf (Acalypha australis), Canadian horseweed (Conyza canadensis), Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). However, this community is marked by the presence of an ancient relic liana Silkvine (Periploca graeca). Secondary forest fragment where alongside surviving alder specimens introduced species such as Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and Bao li oak (Quercus serrata) had been planted to create a windbreak. The shrub layer is mostly composed of Blackberry with some False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa), Greenbrier (Smilax excelsa), Common hazel (Corylus avellana). The ground vegetation contains the same invasive species as described above. This site has a low conservation value despite occurrence of Silkvine a relic species, which however is a common plant in riparian habitats throughout the country. Fig. 8 View of Secondary Forest Patch with Introduced Species 4.11 Tie-in Site 3 A fairly large part of this site is crop fields and abandoned arable land. It also includes very wet and semi-wetland areas supporting the following vegetation units: October, 2015 Page 9

13 Secondary wet grassland where invasive species: Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius), Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), Rough cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) prevail. Secondary riparian (wetland) scrub dominated by invasive shrub False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa). This scrub includes solitary Alder specimens. The ground vegetation is mostly composed of invasive species: Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius), Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), Rough cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium). Floodplain forest represented by the following: o Alder forest comprising degraded and modified stands, which are mostly of secondary origin. The majority of individual alders have developed from cut trees; thus, they have several stems and resemble shrubs in appearance. Tree layer coverage ranges in the order of ; height varies from 5-6m to 10-12m. Alder forest can further be subdivided into 3 community types, which are as follows: (1) Alder forest with Thunberg s knotweed (Alnetum polygonosum thunbergii), (2) Alder forest with Blackberry understorey (Alnetum rubosum) and (3) Alder forest with grasses (Alnetum mixtoherbosum). o Minor stand of Caucasian wingnut occupying approximately 100m 2 (5m x 20m). This stand includes some 25 mature Wingnut trees and the same number of young saplings (height varies from 100cm to 250cm). The Wingnut stand also includes solitary Alder individuals. Caucasian wingnut forest is represented by two communities: (1) Wingnut forest with Blackberry understorey (Pterocaretum rubosum) and (2) Wingnut forest with no ground vegetation (Pterocaretum nudum). The part of the site, which supports Caucasian wingnut (GRL species) stand has a high conservation value. Other parts of the site have a low conservation value and do not support any GRL or high conservation value plant species Access Roads The proposed access road corridor traverses the habitats detailed below: Secondary grassland represented by communities dominated by Common ragweed (Ambrosetum artemisifolia), Bush clover (Lespedesum striatum) and Dallisgrass (Paspaletum dilatatum), which support low number of plant species. Secondary riparian (wetland) scrub dominated by Anatolian Blackberry (Rubus anatolicus). The ground vegetation is composed of invasive species: Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum), Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius), Bush clover (Lespedesa striata), Large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), Rough cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium). Secondary wet grassland dominated by Common rush (Juncus effusus). Other species present are as follows: Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), Bush clover (Lespedesa striata), Water mint (Mentha aquatica), Three-lobe beggarticks (Bidens tripartita), Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Thunberg s knotweed (Polygonum thunbergii); the majority of these species are invasive. October, 2015 Page 10

14 Secondary wet grass-forb meadow dominated by Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum), Bush clover (Lespedesa striata), and Golden foxtail (Setaria glauca). It should be noted that invasive species also prevail in this community. Secondary floodplain forest comprised of degraded and modified Alder stands. The majority of alders have developed from cut trees, have several stems and resemble shrubs in appearance. Tree layer coverage varies from 0.3 to 0.5 while tree height ranges from 5-6m to 10-12m. Alder woodland is represented by the following communities: (1) Alder woodland with Thunberg s knotweed (Alnetum polygonosum thunbergii), (2) Alder woodland with Blackberry understorey (Alnetum rubosum), and (3) Alder woodland with grasses (Alnetum mixtoherbosum) where invasive Thunberg s knotweed (Polygonum thunbergii) prevails in the ground vegetation High Conservation Value Species The survey area (river Supsa crossings and associated areas) supports only one high conservation value species Caucasian wingnut. Stands of this GRL species are found at Pipe Stringing Area 2 and Tie-in Site 3. Data on stands and individuals are given in Table 1 below. Table 1 Data on Caucasian Wingnut Found in Survey Area Site GPS Coordinates m amsl Number of Trees Tree Height, m DBH, cm Note Pipe Stringing Area 2 Tie-in Site up to mature and 10 young individuals on a 100m 2 (5 x 20) Ave. 10 Max Numerous young saplings, many are located outside the site boundaries. No impacts identified at the time of the survey Impossible to walk to each individual due to dense growth of Blackberry and Greenbrier and presence of a canal October, 2015 Page 11

15 APPENDIX A SURVEY MAPS October, 2015 Page 12

16 Map 1. HDD Entry Area October, 2015 Page 13

17 Map 2. Supsa River WREP Crossing, Right (North) Bank and Left (South) Bank October, 2015 Page 14

18 Map 3. Tie-in Site 1 October, 2015 Page 15

19 Map 4. Pipe Stringing Area 1 and Pipe Stringing Area 2 October, 2015 Page 16

20 Map 5. Supsa Export Stringing Area (GRL species detail) October, 2015 Page 17

21 Map 6. Tie-in Site 2 October, 2015 Page 18

22 Map 7. River Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing, Left (East) Bank and Right (West) Bank October, 2015 Page 19

23 Map 8. Tie-in Site 3 October, 2015 Page 20

24 Map 9. Access Roads October, 2015 Page 21

25 APPENDIX B FIELD DATASHEETS October, 2015 Page 22

26 Plot No. 1 Figure ref. A-1 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location River Supsa right bank, along the central road, HDD Entry Point GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -6 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary grass-forb meadow Soil Subtropical podzolic-gley soil Level of modification/existing Disturbed disturbance Structural Features Community type Community dominated by Common ragweed and Wavyleaf basketgrass (Ambrosetum Oplismenus undulatifoliosum) Height of herblayer (cm) Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 5 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Ambrosia artemisiifolia 10 fl.-fr. Oplismenus undulatifolius 9 veg. Daucus carota + fr. Conyza canadensis + fr. Melilotus officinalis + fl. October, 2015 Page 23

27 Figure A-1: View of Plot 1 October, 2015 Page 24

28 Plot No. 2 Figure ref. A-2 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location River Supsa right bank, along the central road, HDD Entry Point GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -4 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet forb meadow Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Disturbed disturbance Structural Features Community type Community dominated by Knoterid and Three-lobe beggarticks (Polygonetum bidensosum) Height of herblayer (cm) 100 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 6 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Polygonum thunbergii 8 veg. Bidens tripartita 7 fl. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 4 fl.-fr. Oplismenus undulatifolius 4 veg. Conyza canadensis 1 fr. Carex sp. + veg. October, 2015 Page 25

29 Figure A-2: View of Plot 2 October, 2015 Page 26

30 Plot No. 3 Figure ref. A-3 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 100 Location River Supsa right bank, along the central road, HDD Entry Point GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -3 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Alder woodland Soil Podzolic Level of modification/existing Disturbed disturbance Structural Features Community type Alder woodland with grasses (Alneto-mixtoherbosum) Coverage of treelayer (%) 70 Average height (m) 5 Max height of trees (m) 8 Average DBH (cm) 8 Max DBH (cm) 12 Coverage of shrublayer (%) - Height of herblayer (cm) 150 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 11 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Alnus barbata 9 Fr. Shrublayer Herblayer Ambrosia artemisiifolia 7 fl.-fr. Bidens tripartita 7 fl. Polygonum thunbergii 5 veg. Oplismenus undulatifolius 5 veg. Artemisia vulgaris 4 veg. Polygonum hydropiper 4 veg. Juncus effusus 1 veg. Lythrum salicaria + fl. Conyza canadensis + fr. Lespedeza striata + fl. October, 2015 Page 27

31 Figure A-3: View of Plot 3 October, 2015 Page 28

32 Plot No. 4 Figure ref. A-4 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location River Supsa right (north) bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 2 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary grassland Soil Level of modification/existing disturbance Silty soil Heavily modified Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Common ragweed (Ambrosetum mixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) 200 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 8 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Ambrosia artemisiifolia 8 fl.-fr. Panicum sp. 6 fl.-fr. Vigna angularis 7 fl. Sambucus ebulus 4 fl. Bidens tripartita 4 fl. Oplismenus undulatifolius 3 veg. Setaria viridis + fl. Physalis alkekengii + veg. October, 2015 Page 29

33 Figure A-4: View of Plot 4 October, 2015 Page 30

34 Plot No. 5 Figure ref. A-5 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location River Supsa left (south) bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 1 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary grassland Soil Level of modification/existing disturbance Silty soil Heavily modified Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Common ragweed (Ambrosetum-mixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) 150 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 7 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Ambrosia artemisiifolia 7 fl.-fr. Panicum sp. 5 fl.-fr. Vigna angularis 4 fl. Setaria glauca 4 fl.-fr. Artemisia vulgaris 1 veg. Xanthium strumarium + fl. Echinochloa crusgalli + fl. October, 2015 Page 31

35 Figure A-5: View of Plot 5 October, 2015 Page 32

36 Plot No. 6 Figure ref. A-6 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 100 Location River Supsa left (south) bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 0 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Floodplain forest Soil Silty soil Level of modification/existing Heavily Disturbed disturbance Structural Features Community type Alder woodland with grasses (Alneto-mixtoherbosum) Coverage of treelayer (%) 70 Average height (m) 7 Max height of trees (m) 10 Average DBH (cm) 12 Max DBH (cm) 16 Coverage of shrublayer (%) 10 Height of herblayer (cm) 280 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 11 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Alnus barbata 8 fr. Shrublayer Amorpha fruticosa 4 fr. Herblayer Helianthus tuberosus 6 veg. Artemisia vulgaris 5 veg. Microstegium japonicum 5 veg. Panicum sp. 4 fl.-fr. Vigna angularis 1 fl. Bidens tripartita + fl. Sambucus ebulus + fl. October, 2015 Page 33

37 Figure A-6: View of Plot 6 October, 2015 Page 34

38 Plot No. 7 Figure ref. A-7 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Tie-in Site 1, River Supsa left bank, between the terminal and river GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 4 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grassland Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenosum-mixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 4 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Oplismenus undulatifolius 9 veg. Lespedeza striata 5 fl. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 3 fl. Polygonum nodosum 1 fl. October, 2015 Page 35

39 Figure A-7: View of Plot 7 October, 2015 Page 36

40 Plot No. 8 Figure ref. A-8 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Tie-in Site 1, River Supsa left bank, between the terminal and river GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 3 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary grassland Soil Alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Bush clover (Lespedesummixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 5 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Lespedeza striata 10 fl. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 6 fl. Conyza canadensis 6 fl.-fr. Artemisia vulgaris 1 veg. Conyza graminifolius + fl. October, 2015 Page 37

41 Figure A-8: View of Plot 8 October, 2015 Page 38

42 Plot No. 9 Figure ref. A-9 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Tie-in Site 1, River Supsa left bank, between the terminal and river GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 2 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grassland Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Wet grassland dominated by Common rush (Juncetummixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) 150 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 6 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Juncus effusus 9 fl.fr. Bidens tripartita 7 fl. Mentha aquatica 7 fl. Lithrum salicaria 5 fl. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 5 fl. Lycopus europaeus 4 fl. October, 2015 Page 39

43 Figure A-9: View of Plot 9 October, 2015 Page 40

44 Plot No. 10 Figure ref. A-10 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 100 Location Tie-in Site 1, River Supsa left bank, between the terminal and river GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 1 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Alder woodland Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Heavily Disturbed disturbance Structural Features Community type Alder woodland with Thunberg s knotweed (Alnetopolygonosum thunbergii) Coverage of treelayer (%) 30 Average height (m) 7 Max height of trees (m) 9 Average DBH (cm) 9 Max DBH (cm) 13 Coverage of shrublayer (%) 10 Height of herblayer (cm) 80 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 7 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Alnus barbata 7 fr. Shrublayer Rosa multiflora 4 fr. Herblayer Polygonum thunbergii 9 veg. Bidens tripartita 5 fl. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 5 fl. Polygonum hydropiper 4 fl. Xanthium strumarium + veg. October, 2015 Page 41

45 Figure A-10: View of Plot 10 October, 2015 Page 42

46 Plot No. 11 Figure ref. A-11 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Pipe Stringing Area 1, river Supsa left bank, adjacent to Supsa terminal GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 1 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grassland Soil Saturated alluvial Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Bush clover (Lespedesummixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) 150 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 10 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Lespedeza striata 10 fl. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 8 fl.fr. Oplismenus undulatifolius 7 veg. Juncus effusus 6 fr. Polygonum thunbergii 6 veg. Bidens tripartita 5 fl. Daucus carota 1 fl.-fr. Vicia antiqua + fl. Conyza canadensis + fl.-fr. Conyza graminifolia + fl. October, 2015 Page 43

47 Figure A-11: View of Plot 11 October, 2015 Page 44

48 Plot No. 12 Figure ref. A-12 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 25 Location Pipe Stringing Area 1, river Supsa left bank, adjacent to Supsa terminal GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 3 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary riparian (wetland) scrub Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Scrub dominated by False indigo (Amorphum Ambrosiosum) Coverage of shrublayer (cm) 100 Height of shrublayer (cm) 400 Height of herblayer (cm) 70 Coverage of herblayer (%) 90 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 5 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Shrublayer Amorpha fruticosa 10 fr. Herblayer Ambrosia artemisiifolia 7 fl.-fr. Oplismenus undulatifolius 7 veg. Panicum sp. 4 veg. Echinochloa crusgalli 1 fr. October, 2015 Page 45

49 Figure A-12: View of Plot 12 October, 2015 Page 46

50 Plot No. 13 Figure ref. A-13 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Pipe Stringing Area 1, river Supsa left bank, adjacent to Supsa terminal GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 4 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary grassland Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Wild carrot (Daucusummixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) 180 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 6 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Daucus carota 9 fl.-fr. Lespedeza striata 8 fl. Oplismenus undulatifolius 7 veg. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 5 fl.-fr. Paspalum dilatatum 1 fl.-fr. Lythrum salicaria + fl. October, 2015 Page 47

51 Figure A-13: View of Plot 13 October, 2015 Page 48

52 Plot No. 14 Figure ref. A-14 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Pipe Stringing Area 1, river Supsa left bank, adjacent to Supsa terminal GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 2 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grass-forb meadow Soil Subtropical podzolic-gley soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Grass-forb community dominated by Golden foxtail and Rough cocklebur (Setarium-xanthiosum) Height of herblayer (cm) 170 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 5 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Setaria glauca 10 fl. Xanthium strumarium 8 fl.-fr. Physalis alkekengi 7 fr. Echinochloa crusgalli 4 fl.-fr. Polygonum hydropiper 1 fl. October, 2015 Page 49

53 Figure A-14: View of Plot 14 October, 2015 Page 50

54 Plot No. 15 Figure ref. A-15 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Pipe Stringing Area 2, river Supsa left bank, adjacent to Supsa terminal GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 4 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grassland Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Dallisgrass (Paspaletum dilatatum) Height of herblayer (cm) 5-25 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 4 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Paspalum dilatatum 10 fr. Hydrocotyle vulgaris 5 veg. Prunella vulgaris 3 veg. Senecio erraticus + fl. October, 2015 Page 51

55 Figure A-15: View of Plot 15 October, 2015 Page 52

56 Plot No. 16 Figure ref. A-16 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 100 Location Pipe Stringing Area 2, River Supsa left bank, between Supsa terminal and the river GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 1-2 Aspect N Inclination 3% Habitat Floodplain forest Soil Subtropical podzolic-gley soil Level of modification/existing - disturbance Structural Features Community type Caucasian wingnut stand with Alder (Pterocaretumalnetum) Coverage of treelayer (%) 80 Average height (m) 10 Max height of trees (m) 18 Average DBH (cm) 15 Max DBH (cm) 23 Coverage of shrublayer (%) 5 Height of herblayer (cm) 0 Coverage of herblayer (%) 0-nudum Coverage of mosslayer (%) 5 Number of higher plant species 2 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Pterocarya pterocarpa 9 veg. Alnus barbata 2 fr. Shrublayer Herblayer October, 2015 Page 53

57 Figure A-16: View of Plot 16 October, 2015 Page 54

58 Plot No. 17 Figure ref. A-17 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 100 Location Pipe Stringing Area 2, River Supsa left bank, between Supsa terminal and the river GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 3 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary floodplain forest Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Alders are developed from cut trees disturbance Structural Features Community type Alder woodland with Thunberg s knotweed (Alnetum polygonosum thunbergii) Coverage of treelayer (%) 100 Average height (m) 3 Max height of trees (m) 5 Average DBH (cm) 8 Max DBH (cm) 10 Coverage of shrublayer (%) 0 Height of herblayer (cm) 80 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 7 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Alnus barbata 9 fr. Shrublayer Herblayer Polygonum thunbergii 9 veg. Bidens tripartita 4 fl. Juncus effusus 3 fl. Polygonum hydropiper 2 fl. Artemisia vulgaris 2 veg. Oplismenus undulatifolius 1 veg. October, 2015 Page 55

59 Figure A-17: View of Plot 17 October, 2015 Page 56

60 Plot No. 20 Figure ref. A-20 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Tie-in Site 2, River Supsa left bank, adjacent to Supsa terminal and camp GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 5 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grass-forb meadow Soil Saturated silty soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Grass-forb community dominated by Bush clover (Lespedesum mixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 8 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Lespedeza striata 9 fl. Setaria glauca 7 fr. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 7 fl.-fr. Oplismenus undulatifolius 7 veg. Daucus carota 1 fl. Trifolium pratense 1 fl. Digitaria sanguinalis 1 fl. October, 2015 Page 57

61 Figure A-18: View of Plot 20 October, 2015 Page 58

62 Plot No. 21 Figure ref. A-21 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Tie-in Site 2, River Supsa left bank, adjacent to Supsa terminal camp GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 5 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grassland Soil Saturated silty soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Common rush (Juncetum mixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 6 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Juncus effusus 8 fr. Oplismenus undulatifolius 7 veg. Mentha aquatica 6 fl. Lespedeza striata 6 fl. Bidens tripartita 4 fl. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 1 fl. October, 2015 Page 59

63 Figure A-19: View of Plot 21 October, 2015 Page 60

64 Plot No. 22 Figure ref. A-22 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Tie-in Site 2, River Supsa left bank, adjacent to Supsa terminal camp GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 6 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grassland Soil Subtropical podzolic-gley soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Common ragweed and Wavyleaf basketgrass (Ambrosetum Oplismenus undilatifoliosum) Height of herblayer (cm) Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 4 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Ambrosia artemisiifolia 9 fl. Oplismenus undulatifolius 7 veg. Conyza graminifolia 4 fl. Polygonum nodosum + veg. October, 2015 Page 61

65 Figure A-20: View of Plot 22 October, 2015 Page 62

66 Plot No. 23 Figure ref. A-23 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Tie-in Site 2, River Supsa left bank, adjacent to Supsa terminal camp GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 4 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grassland Soil Subtropical podzolic-gley soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Wet grassland dominated by Dallisgrass (Paspaletum mixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) 5-15 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 3 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Paspalum dilatatum 10 fr. Mentha aquatica 3 fl. Senecio erraticus 1 fl. October, 2015 Page 63

67 Figure A-21: View of Plot 23 October, 2015 Page 64

68 Plot No. 24 Figure ref. A-24 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 25 Location River Supsa export pipeline crossing, left (east) bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -2 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary riparian (wetland) scrub Soil Silty soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Blackberry scrub (Rubosum) Coverage of shrublayer (cm) 100 Height of shrublayer (cm) 350 Height of herblayer (cm) 40 Coverage of herblayer (%) 30 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 5 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Alnus barbata + fr. Shrublayer Rubus sp. 10 fr. Herblayer Oplismenus undulatifolius 7 veg. Polygonum thunbergii 5 veg. Polygonum hydropiper 5 fl. October, 2015 Page 65

69 Figure A-22: View of Plot 24 October, 2015 Page 66

70 Plot No. 25 Figure ref. A-25 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location River Supsa export pipeline crossing, right (west) bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -5 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grassland Soil Level of modification/existing disturbance Saturated alluvial soil Heavily modified Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Golden foxtail (Setaretum mixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 12 Species Cover-abundance by Domin scale Phenological Phase Herblayer Setaria glauca 8 fr. Oplismenus undulatifolius 7 veg. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 4 fl. Commelina communis 4 fl. Polygonum hydropiper 4 fl. Polygonum thunbergii 4 veg. Bidens tripartita 3 fl. Echinochloa crusgalli 3 fr. Galinsoga parviflora 2 fl. Xanthium strumarium 1 veg. Conyza graminifolia 1 fl. October, 2015 Page 67

71 Figure A-23: View of Plot 25 October, 2015 Page 68

72 Plot No. 26 Figure ref. A-26 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 25 Location River Supsa export pipeline crossing, right (west) bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -2 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Scondary riparian (wetland) scrub Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type False indigo dominated scrub (Amorphum mixtoherbosum) Coverage of shrublayer (cm) 100 Height of shrublayer (cm) 320 Height of herblayer (cm) Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 10 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Shrublayer Amorpha fruticosa 10 ver. Herblayer Setaria glauca 7 fr. Oplismenus undulatifolius 7 veg. Artemisia vulgaris 5 veg. Acalypha australis 5 fl. Polygonum hydropiper 5 veg. Conyza canadensis 4 fr. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 4 fl.-fr. Periploca graeca 1 veg. Xanthium strumarium 1 veg. October, 2015 Page 69

73 Figure A-24: View of Plot 26 October, 2015 Page 70

74 Plot No. 27 Figure ref. A-27 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 100 Location River Supsa export pipeline crossing, right (west) bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -2 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary forest Soil Silty soil Level of modification/existing Many species have been planted; degraded disturbance Structural Features Community type Secondary plantation woodland with Blackberry Coverage of treelayer (%) 50 Average height (m) 14 Max height of trees (m) 18 Average DBH (cm) 10 Max DBH (cm) 20 Coverage of shrublayer (%) 100 Height of herblayer (cm) 60 Coverage of herblayer (%) 30 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 17 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Alnus barbata 7 fr. Cryptomeria japonica 7 fr. Quercus serrata 2 fr. Shrublayer Rubus sp. 10 fr. Amorpha fruticosa 2 veg. Smilax excelsa 1 veg. Corylus avellana + veg. Herblayer Oplismenus undulatifolius 7 veg. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 7 fl. Lespedeza striata 7 fl. Artemisia vulgaris 4 veg. Bidens tripartita 4 fl. Lithrum salicaria 1 fl. Verbena officinalis 1 fl. Acalypha australis 1 fl. Paspalum dilatatum + fr. Daucus carota + fr. October, 2015 Page 71

75 Figure A-25: View of Plot 27 October, 2015 Page 72

76 Plot No. 28 Figure ref. A-28 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Tie-in Site 3, river Supsa right bank, adjacent to the central road GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -7 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grassland Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Wavyleaf basketgrass and Common ragweed (Oplismenetum Ambrosiosum) Height of herblayer (cm) Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 5 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Oplismenus undulatifolius 10 veg. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 7 fl.-fr. Digitaria sanguinalis 4 fl. Xanthium strumarium 1 veg. Conyza graminifolia + fl. October, 2015 Page 73

77 Figure A-26: View of Plot 28 October, 2015 Page 74

78 Plot No. 29 Figure ref. A-29 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 25 Location Tie-in Site 3, river Supsa right bank, adjacent to the central road GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -6 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary riparian (wetland) scrub Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type False indigo dominated scrub (Amorphum mixtoherbosum) Coverage of shrublayer (cm) 100 Height of shrublayer (cm) 250 Height of herblayer (cm) 80 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 8 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Alnus barbata 1 veg. Shrublayer Amorpha fruticosa 10 veg. Herblayer Oplismenus undulatifolius 5 veg. Polygonum thunbergii 5 veg. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 2 fl.-fr. Bidens tripartita 2 fl. Digitaria sanguinalis 2 fl. Xanthium strumarium 1 fr. October, 2015 Page 75

79 Figure A-27: View of Plot 29 October, 2015 Page 76

80 Plot No. 30 Figure ref. A-30 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 100 Location Tie-in Site 3, river Supsa right bank, adjacent to the central road GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -4 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Floodplain forest Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Alder forest with Thunberg s knotweed (Alnetum Polygonosum thunbergii) Coverage of treelayer (%) 90 Average height (m) 12 Max height of trees (m) 15 Average DBH (cm) 15 Max DBH (cm) 20 Coverage of shrublayer (%) 0 Height of herblayer (cm) 30 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 4 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Alnus barbata 10 fr. Shrublayer Herblayer Polygonum thunbergii 10 veg. Bidens tripartita 1 fl. Phytolacca americana + fl. October, 2015 Page 77

81 Figure A-28: View of Plot 30 October, 2015 Page 78

82 Plot No. 31 Figure ref. A-31 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 100 Location Tie-in Site 3, river Supsa right bank, adjacent to the central road GPS Co-ordinates E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -3 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Floodplain forest Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Caucasin wingnut stand with Blackberry understorey (Pterocaryetum Rubosus) Coverage of treelayer (%) 80 Average height (m) 10 Max height of trees (m) 15 Average DBH (cm) 8 Max DBH (cm) 14 Coverage of shrublayer (%) 60 Height of herblayer (cm) 25 Coverage of herblayer (%) 20 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 6 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Pterocarya pterocarpa 10 veg. Alnus barbata 1 fr. Shrublayer Rubus sp. 7 veg. Smilax excelsa 6 veg. Herblayer Polygonum thunbergii 7 veg. Equisetum majus 1 veg. October, 2015 Page 79

83 Figure A-29: View of Plot 31 October, 2015 Page 80

84 Plot No. 32 Figure ref. A-32 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 100 Location Access Roads GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -4 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary floodplain forest Soil Saturated alluvial soil Level of modification/existing Modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Alder forest with Blackberry understorey (Alnetum Rubosus) Coverage of treelayer (%) 100 Average height (m) 12 Max height of trees (m) 15 Average DBH (cm) 13 Max DBH (cm) 16 Coverage of shrublayer (%) 100 Height of herblayer (cm) 200 Coverage of herblayer (%) 50 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 6 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Alnus barbata 9 fr. Shrublayer Rubus sp. 9 fl.-fr. Herblayer Polygonum thunbergii 5 veg. Verbena brasiliensis 5 fl. Hydrocotyle vulgaris 4 veg. Perilla nankinensis + veg. October, 2015 Page 81

85 Figure A-30: View of Plot 32 October, 2015 Page 82

86 Plot No. P33 Figure ref. A-33 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Access Roads GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -2 Aspect S-W Inclination 2 Habitat Secondary grassland Soil Subtropical podzolic-gley soil Level of modification/existing Heavily modified disturbance Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Dallisgrass (Paspaletum mixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 8 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Paspalum dilatatum 10 fr. Lespedeza striata 4 fl. Hydrocotyle vulgaris 4 veg. Prunella vulgaris 2 fl. Cichorium intibus 2 fl. Conyza cannadensis + fr. Plantago major + fr. Oplismenus undulatifolius + veg. October, 2015 Page 83

87 Figure A-31: View of Plot 33 October, 2015 Page 84

88 Plot No. 34 Figure ref. A-34 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 25 Location Access Roads GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -1 Aspect SW Inclination 2 Habitat Secondary riparian (wetland) scrub Soil Level of modification/existing disturbance Subtropical podzolic-gley Heavily modified Structural Features Community type Riparian scrub dominated by Anatolian Blackberry (Rubosum mixtoherbosum) Coverage of shrublayer (cm) 100 Height of shrublayer (cm) 130 Height of herblayer (cm) 50 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 6 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Shrublayer Rubus anatolicus 10 fl.-fr. Herblayer Paspalum dilatatum 9 fr. Hydrocotyle vulgaris 6 veg. Lespedeza striata 6 veg. Prunella vulgaris 6 fl. Oplismenus undulatifolius 4 veg. October, 2015 Page 85

89 Figure A-32: View of Plot 34 October, 2015 Page 86

90 Plot No. 35 Figure ref. A-35 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Access Roads GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 0 Aspect 0 Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grass-forb meadow Soil Level of modification/existing disturbance Community type Height of herblayer (cm) 90 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 7 Species Subtropical podzolic-gley soil Heavily modified Structural Features Paspaletum Juncetum effusus Cover-abundance by Domin scale Herblayer Paspalum dilatatum 10 fr. Juncus effusus 7 veg. Polygonum hydropiper 6 fl. Hydrocotyle vulgaris 5 veg. Senecio erraticus + fl. Phenological Phase Setaria glauca + fr. Rumex obtusifolus + fr. October, 2015 Page 87

91 Figure A-33: View of Plot 35 October, 2015 Page 88

92 Plot No. 36 Figure ref. A-36 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Access Roads GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 4 Aspect 0 Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grassland Soil Level of modification/existing disturbance Subtropical podzolic-gley soil Heavily modified Structural Features Community type Grassland dominated by Bermuda grass and Common rush (Cynodonum Juncetus effusus) Height of herblayer (cm) 60 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 9 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Cynodon dactylon 10 fr. Juncus effusus 7 veg. Paspalum dilatatum 7 veg. Hydrocotyle vulgaris 6 veg. Oplismenus undulatifolius 5 veg. Mentha aquatica 5 fl.-fr. Polygonum hydropiper 4 fl. Lespedeza striata 4 fl. Senecio erraticus + fl. October, 2015 Page 89

93 Figure A-34: View of Plot 36 October, 2015 Page 90

94 Plot No. 37 Figure ref. A-37 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location Access Roads GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 1 Aspect 0 Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet grassland Soil Level of modification/existing disturbance Subtropical podzolic-gley soil Heavily modified Structural Features Community type Wet grassland dominated by Golden foxtail and Dallisgrass (Setaretum Paspalosum dilatatum) Height of herblayer (cm) 80 Coverage of herblayer (%) 100 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 5 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Setaria glauca 10 fl.-fr. Paspalum dilatatum 9 fl.-fr. Opolismenus undulatifolius 5 veg. Ambrosia artemisiifolia 1 fl. October, 2015 Page 91

95 Figure A-35: View of Plot 37 October, 2015 Page 92

96 Section 5.6b Supsa River Crossing Ecological Baseline Report Fauna NOTE: The R. Supsa Export Pipeline has been realigned since preparation of this report. The revised alignment has been surveyed and is described in Section 5.4f.

97 WREP SECTIONAL REPLACEMENT PROJECT ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY RIVER SUPSA CROSSINGS AND ASSOCIATED AREAS This report has been produced By Dzelkva Ltd on Behalf of RSK Environment Limited October, 2015 Tbilisi

98 Zoological Survey Table of Contents 1 Introduction Survey Methods Survey Area Baseline Zoological Survey Findings Literature Review HDD Entry Area WREP Supsa River Crossing, Right (North) Bank WREP River Supsa Crossing, Left (South) Bank Tie-in Site Pipe Stringing Area Pipe Stringing Area Tie-in Site River Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing, Left (East) Bank River Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing, Right (West) Bank Tie-in Site Access Roads Conclusions Appendix A Survey Map Tables Table 1: Amphibians, which may occur in Survey Area... 2 Table 2: Reptiles, which may occur in Survey Area... 2 Table 3: Birds, which may occur in Survey Area... 2 Table 4: Mammals, which may occur in Survey Area... 5 Table 5: Animals recorded at HDD Entry Area, 07/09/ Table 6: Animals recorded at Supsa River Crossing, Right Bank, 07/09/ Table 7: Animals recorded at proposed WREP River Supsa Crossing, Left Bank, 06/09/ Table 8: Animals recorded at Tie-in Site 1, 06/09/ Table 9: Animals recorded at proposed Pipe Stringing Area 1, 06/09/ Table 10: Animals recorded at proposed Pipe Stringing Area 2, 06/09/ Table 11: Animals recorded at proposed Tie-in Site 2, 06/09/ Table 12: Animals recorded at proposed Export Pipeline Crossing, River Supsa Left Bank, 06/09/ Table 13: Animals recorded at proposed Export Pipeline Crossing, River Supsa Right Bank, 05/09/ Table 14: Animals recorded at proposed Tie-in Site 3, 07/09/ Table 15: Animals recorded along Access Road Section Traversing Swampy Alder Forest Fragment, 06/09/ Table 16: Animals Recorded at Proposed, 05-07/09/ Figures Figure 1: General View of HDD Entry Area... 6 Figure 2: Corn Fields on Right Bank, Proposed WREP Supsa River Crossing... 7 Figure 3: Proposed WREP Supsa River Crossing, Left Bank... 8 Figure 4: Coypu Footprints, Proposed WREP Supsa River Crossing, Left Bank, 06/09/15. 9 Figure 5: Tie-in Site Figure 6: Pipe Stringing Area October, 2015 Page i

99 Zoological Survey Figure 7: Pipe Stringing Area Figure 8: Tie-in Site Figure 9: European Bee-eaters in Flight, 06/09/ Figure 10: Export Pipeline Crossing, River Supsa Left Bank Figure 11: Export Pipeline Crossing, River Supsa Right Bank Figure 12: Tie-in Site Figure 13: Access Road Section Traversing Swampy Alder Forest Patch October, 2015 Page ii

100 Zoological Survey 1 INTRODUCTION This report summarizes the findings of the baseline zoological surveys conducted at the two proposed Supsa river crossings and associated areas between 05/09/2015 and 07/09/2015. The field team was comprised of (1) Ioseb Natradze, Zoologist and (2) Gia Edisherashvili, Ornithologist. 2 SURVEY METHODS The baseline zoological surveys (Phase I habitat survey) were carried out as described in the ESBR Section 5.1 Introduction. The surveys covered HDD Entry Point, river Supsa WREP crossing, Tie-in Sites 1-3, Pipe Stringing Areas 1-2, river Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing and Access Roads. The survey areas and findings are shown on maps contained in Appendix A. 3 SURVEY AREA The survey area is located in the environs of villages Supsa and Grigoleti, on the first and second terraces of both banks of the river Supsa. It is comprised of several isolated sites of different shapes and sizes. Altitudes vary from 7 to 6 m below sea level. The terrain is slightly uneven, flat and traversed by a canal network. Silty bog soils are developed on the right bank of the river Supsa while subtropical podzolicgley soils are found on the left bank. Saturated alluvial soils are found in the river floodplain. The majority of the survey area is heavily modified. A large part is located adjacent to or in the vicinity of Supsa terminal; another part is occupied by crop fields. Only a small area was found to support floodplain forest. 4 BASELINE ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY FINDINGS 4.1 Literature Review According to published literature, the following animals may occur in the proposed HDD Entry Point, river Supsa crossing, Tie-in Sites 1-3, Pipe Stringing Areas 1-2, river Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing and Access Roads and adjacent areas in different seasons: Amphibians 7 species; all included under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (BERN) (refer to Table 1) Reptiles 7 species; 6 included under BERN (refer to Table 2) Birds 157 species; only five do not have any protection status. 11 species (Rednecked Grebe, Black Stork, Ruddy Shelduck, White-tailed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Imperial Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Red-footed Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, Barn Owl) are included in the Georgian Red List (GRL); the rest are listed under BERN, AEWA (Agreement on the Conservation of African- Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds) and / or the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) (Refer to Table 3) October, 2015 Page 1

101 Zoological Survey Mammals 33 species; 10 species do not have any protection status. One species (Otter) is included in the GRL; others - in the BERN and / or CMS (refer to Table 4). Table 1: Amphibians, which may occur in Survey Area Scientific Name English Common Name Status 1 Bufo viridis European Green toad BERN 2 Bufo verrucosissimus Caucasian toad BERN 3 Triturus karelinii Southern crested newt BERN 4 Lissotriton vulgaris Smooth newt BERN 5 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh frog BERN 6 Hyla arborea European tree frog BERN 7 Rana macrocnemis Long-legged wood frog BERN Table 2: Reptiles, which may occur in Survey Area Scientific Name English Common Name Status 1 Lacerta agilis Sand lizard BERN 2 Anguis fragilis Slow Worm BERN 3 Natrix natrix Ring Snake BERN 4 Natrix tesselata Dice Snake BERN 5 Natrix megalocephala Long-headed water snake BERN 6 Emys orbicularis European pond turtle BERN 7 Elaphe longissima Aesculapian snake BERN Table 3: Birds, which may occur in Survey Area Scientific Name English Common Name Status 1 Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe BERN, AEWA 2 Podiceps grisegena Red-necked Grebe GRL, CMS. BERN, AEWA 3 Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe AEWA, BERN 4 Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant AEWA, BERN 5 Ardea cinerea Grey Heron AEWA, BERN 6 Ardea purpurea Purple Heron CMS, BERN, AEWA 7 Casmerodius albus (=Egretta Great (White) Egret CMS, BERN, AEWA alba=ardea alba) 8 Egretta garzetta Little Egret BERN, AEWA 9 Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret BERN, AEWA 10 Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron BERN, AEWA 11 Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night-heron BERN, AEWA 12 Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern CMS, BERN, AEWA 13 Botaurus stellaris Great Bittern CMS, BERN, AEWA 14 Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis CMS, BERN, AEWA 15 Ciconia ciconia White Stork CMS, BERN, AEWA 16 Ciconia nigra Black Stork GRL, CMS, BERN, AEWA 17 Tadorna ferruginea Ruddy Shelduck GRL, CMS, BERN, AEWA 18 Anas platyrhynchos Mallard CMS, BERN, AEWA 19 Anas strepera Gadwall CMS, BERN, AEWA 20 Anas crecca Eurasian Teal CMS, BERN, AEWA 21 Anas querquedula Garganey CMS, AEWA, BERN 22 Mergus merganser Common Merganser CMS, BERN, AEWA 23 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle GRL, CMS, BERN 24 Milvus migrans Black Kite CMS, BERN 25 Circaetus gallicus Short-toed Snake-eagle CMS, BERN 26 Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk CMS, BERN October, 2015 Page 2

102 Zoological Survey Scientific Name English Common Name Status 27 Accipiter nisus Eurasian Sparrowhawk CMS, BERN 28 Accipiter gentilis Northern Goshawk CMS, BERN 29 Buteo buteo Common Buzzard CMS, BERN 30 Buteo rufinus Long-legged Buzzard GRL, CMS, BERN 31 Pernis apivorus European Honey-buzzard CMS, BERN 32 Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle CMS, BERN 33 Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle GRL, CMS, BERN 34 Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle GRL, CMS, BERN 35 Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle CMS, BERN 36 Aquila nipalensis Steppe Eagle CMS, BERN 37 Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture GRL, CMS, BERN 38 Circus aeroginosus Western Marsh-harrier BERN 39 Circus cyaneus Northern Harrier CMS, BERN 40 Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier CMS, BERN 41 Circus pygargus Montagu's Harrier CMS, BERN 42 Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon CMS, BERN 43 Falco subbuteo Eurasian Hobby CMS, BERN 44 Falco columbarius Merlin CMS, BERN 45 Falco vespertinus Red-footed Falcon GRL, CMS, BERN 46 Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel GRL, CMS, BERN 47 Falco tinnunculus Common Kestrel CMS, BERN 48 Coturnix coturnix Common Quail CMS, BERN 49 Rallus aquaticus Water Rail AEWA, BERN 50 Porzana porzana Spotted Crake CMS, BERN, AEWA 51 Crex crex Corncrake CMS, BERN, AEWA 52 Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen AEWA, BERN 53 Fulica atra Common Coot CMS, BERN, AEWA 54 Charadrius dubius Little Ringed Plover CMS, BERN, AEWA 55 Tringa totanus Common Redshank CMS, BERN, AEWA 56 Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper CMS, BERN, AEWA 57 Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper CMS, BERN, AEWA 58 Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper CMS, BERN, AEWA 59 Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper AEWA, BERN 60 Philomachus pugnax Ruff CMS, AEWA, BERN 61 Scolopax rusticola Eurasian Woodcock AEWA, BERN 62 Gallinago media Great Snipe CMS, BERN, AEWA 63 Gallinago gallinago Common Snipe CMS, BERN, AEWA 64 Lymnocryptes minimus Jack Snipe CMS, BERN, AEWA 65 Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole CMS, BERN, AEWA 66 Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull BERN, AEWA 67 Sterna hirundo Common Tern CMS, BERN, AEWA 68 Columba oenas Stock Pigeon BERN 69 Columba palumbus Common Wood-pigeon 70 Streptopelia turtur European Turtle-dove BERN, CMS 71 Cuculus canorus Common Cuckoo BERN 72 Asio flammeus Short-eared Owl CMS, BERN 73 Otus scops Common Scops Owl CMS, BERN 74 Tyto alba Barn Owl GRL, BERN 75 Caprimulgus europaeus Eurasian Nightjar BERN 76 Apus apus Common Swift BENRE 77 Merops apiaster European Bee-eater CMS, BERN 78 Coracias garrulus European Roller CMS, BERN 79 Alcedo atthis Common Kingfisher BERN 80 Upupa epops Eurasian Hoopoe BERN 81 Picus viridis European Green BERN Woodpecker 82 Dendrocopos major Great Spotted Woodpecker BERN October, 2015 Page 3

103 Zoological Survey Scientific Name English Common Name Status 83 Jynx torquilla Eurasian Wryneck BERN 84 Lullula arborea Wood Lark BERN 85 Alauda arvensis Eurasian Skylark BERN 86 Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow BERN 87 Riparia riparia Sand Martin BERN 88 Delichon urbica Northern House-martin BERN 89 Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit BERN 90 Anthus pratensis Meadow Pipit BERN 91 Anthus cervinus Red-throated Pipit BERN 92 Anthus spinoletta Water Pipit BERN 93 Anthus campestris Tawny Pipit BERN 94 Motacilla alba White Wagtail BERN 95 Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail BERN 96 Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike BERN 97 Locustella naevia Common Grasshopperwarbler BERN 98 Acrocephalus scirpaceus Reed Warbler BERN 99 Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler BERN 100 Acrocephalus arundinaceus Great Reed-warbler BERN 101 Acrocephalus melanopogon Moustached Warbler BERN 102 Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Sedge Warbler BERN 103 Cettia cetti Cetti's Warbler BERN 104 Hippolais icterina Icterine Warbler BERN 105 Hippolais pallida Olivaceous Warbler BERN 106 Hippolais caligata Booted Warbler BERN 107 Sylvia communis Common Whitethroat BERN 108 Sylvia curruca Lesser Whitethroat BERN 109 Sylvia borin Garden Warbler BERN 110 Sylvia nisoria Barred Warbler BERN 111 Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap BERN 112 Sylvia hortensis Orphean Warbler BERN 113 Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler BERN 114 Phylloscopus collybita Common Chiffchaff BERN 115 Phylloscopus sibilatrix Wood Warbler BERN 116 Phylloscopus trochiloides Greenish Warbler BERN 117 Regulus regulus Goldcrest BERN 118 Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher BERN 119 Ficedula hypoleuca European Pied Flycatcher BERN 120 Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher BERN 121 Ficedula parva Red-breasted Flycatcher BERN 122 Ficedula semitorquata Semicollared Flycatcher BERN 123 Saxicola torquata Common Stonechat BERN 124 Saxicola rubetra Whinchat BERN 125 Phoenicurus phoenicurus Common Redstart BERN 126 Erithacus rubecula European Robin BERN 127 Luscinia megarhynchos Common Nightingale BERN 128 Turdus merula Eurasian Blackbird BERN 129 Turdus pilaris Fieldfare BERN 130 Turdus iliacus Redwing BERN 131 Turdus philomelos Song Thrush BERN 132 Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush BERN 133 Aegithalos caudatus Long-tailed Tit BERN 134 Remiz pendulinus Eurasian Penduline-tit BERN 135 Parus ater Coal Tit BERN 136 Parus major Great Tit BERN 137 Parus caeruleus Blue Tit BERN 138 Troglodytes troglodytes Winter Wren BERN October, 2015 Page 4

104 Zoological Survey Scientific Name English Common Name Status 139 Miliaria calandra Corn Bunting BERN 140 Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer BERN 141 Emberiza melanocephala Black-headed Bunting BERN 142 Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting BERN 143 Emberiza schoeniclus Reed Bunting BERN 144 Fringilla montifringilla Brambling BERN 145 Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch BERN 146 Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch BERN 147 Carduelis chloris European Greenfinch BERN 148 Carpodacus erythrinus Common Rosefinch BERN 149 Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow BERN 150 Passer domesticus House Sparrow 151 Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling 152 Sturnus roseus Rosy Starling BERN 153 Garrulus glandarius Eurasian jay 154 Oriolus oriolus Eurasian Golden-oriole BERN 155 Corvus corax Common Raven BERN 156 Corvus frugilegus Rook 157 Corvus cornix Carrion (Hooded) Crow Table 4: Mammals, which may occur in Survey Area Scientific Name English Common Name Status 1. Erinaceus concolor Southern White-Breasted Hedgehog 2. Talpa caucasica Caucasian Mole BERN 3. Neomys teres Caucasian Water Shrew BERN 4. Crocidura gueldenstaedtii Caucasian White-Toothed Shrew BERN 5. Crocidura leucodon Caucasian White-Toothed Shrew BERN 6. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Greater Horseshoe Bat BERN, CMS 7. Rinolophus hipposideros Lesser Horseshoe Bat BERN, CMS 8. Myotis mystacinus Whiskered Bat BERN, CMS 9. Myotis nattereri Natterer's Bat BERN, CMS 10. Myotis daubentonii Daubenton's Bat BERN, CMS 11. Myotis blithyi Lesser Mouse-eared Bat BERN, CMS 12. Nyctalus noctula Common Noctule BERN, CMS 13. Nyctalus leisleri Lesser Noctule Bat BERN, CMS 14. Nyctalus lasiopterus Common Pipistrelle BERN, CMS 15. Pipistrellus pipistrellus Greater Noctule Bat BERN, CMS 16. Pipistrellus nathusii Nathusius's Pipistrelle BERN, CMS 17. Plecotus auritus Brown Big-eared Bat BERN, CMS 18. Eptesicus serotinus Serotine Bat BERN, CMS 19. Lepus europeus European Hare 20. Myocastor coypus Coypu 21. Terricola majori Bush Vole 22. Arvicola terrestris European Water Vole 23. Sylvaemus uralensis Lesser Wood-Mouse 24. Sylvaemus fulvipectus Caucasian Wood Mouse 25. Mus musculus House Mouse 26. Rattus rattus Black Rat 27. Rattus norvegicus Common Rat 28. Vulpes vuples Red Fox BERN 29. Canis aureus Jackal BERN 30. Lutra lutra Otter GRL 31. Meles meles Badger BERN 32. Mustela nivalis Weasel BERN 33. Felis silvestris Wildcat BERN October, 2015 Page 5

105 Zoological Survey 4.2 HDD Entry Area A route walk was undertaken between Reference Points 1 01 (GPS coordinates / ) and 02 (GPS coordinates / ). The site supports corn fields, secondary meadow and a minor Alder stand. Animal footprints and other evidence of species presence could not be detected due to dense herbaceous vegetation. Only 3 bird species were recorded by the walkover survey (Table 5). Table 5: Animals recorded at HDD Entry Area, 07/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Number 1 Circus aeroginosus Western Marsh-harrier 1 2 Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike 2 3 Miliaria calandra Corn Bunting 1 Figure 1: General View of HDD Entry Area 4.3 WREP Supsa River Crossing, Right (North) Bank A route was carried out across entire length of the proposed WREP Supsa river crossing on the right bank between Reference Points 03 (GPS coordinates 1 Reference Points are shown on the map in Appendix A. October, 2015 Page 6

106 Zoological Survey / ) and 04 (GPS coordinates / ). Majority of the site is occupied by corn fields. Only birds were recorded (Table 6). Figure 2: Corn Fields on Right Bank, Proposed WREP Supsa River Crossing Table 6: Animals recorded at Supsa River Crossing, Right Bank, 07/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Number 1 Circus aeroginosus Western Marsh-harrier 3 2 Alcedo atthis Common Kingfisher 3 3 Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull WREP River Supsa Crossing, Left (South) Bank The proposed WREP crossing on the left bank of river Supsa was surveyed across entire length by completing a routewalk between Reference Points 05 (GPS coordinates / ) and 06 (GPS coordinates / ). The bank supports Alder floodplain forest, Blackberry scrub and corn fields. Animals recorded are detailed in Table 7. October, 2015 Page 7

107 Zoological Survey Table 7: Animals recorded at proposed WREP River Supsa Crossing, Left Bank, 06/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Amphibians 1 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog 7 Birds 2 Garrulus glandarius Eurasian Jay 1 3 Motacilla alba White Wagtail 4 4 Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Individuals recorded in flight 5 Riparia riparia Sand Martin Individuals recorded in flight 6 Parus major Great Tit 4 Mammals 7 Myocastor coypus Coypu Footprint 8 Vulpes vulpes Red Fox Footprint 9 Canis aureus Golden Jackal Footprint Figure 3: Proposed WREP Supsa River Crossing, Left Bank October, 2015 Page 8

108 Zoological Survey Figure 4: Coypu Footprints, Proposed WREP Supsa River Crossing, Left Bank, 06/09/ Tie-in Site 1 This site was surveyed by completing a route walk from Reference Point 07 (GPS coordinates / ) to Reference Point 08 (GPS coordinates / ). The survey area is occupied by grassland, Alder patches and crop fields. Animal footprints could not be detected due to dense tall herbaceous vegetation. Animals recorded are summarized in Table 8 below. Table 8: Animals recorded at Tie-in Site 1, 06/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Number 1 Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Riparia riparia Sand Martin Circus aeroginosus Western Marsh-harrier 1 October, 2015 Page 9

109 Zoological Survey Figure 5: Tie-in Site Pipe Stringing Area 1 The proposed Pipe Stringing Area 1 was surveyed by a route walk between Reference Points 09 (GPS coordinates / ) and 10 (GPS coordinates / ). The surveyed site supports corn fields and tall grassland. It is traversed by two relatively large canals. The animals recorded are summarized in Table 9 below. Table 9: Animals recorded at proposed Pipe Stringing Area 1, 06/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Birds 1 Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow Sylvia nisoria Barred Warbler 1 3 Milvus migrans Black Kite Circus aeroginosus Western Marsh-harrier 1 5 Buteo buteo Buzzurd 3 6 Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike 1 Mammals 7 Vulpes vulpes Red Fox Footprint October, 2015 Page 10

110 Zoological Survey Figure 6: Pipe Stringing Area Pipe Stringing Area 2 The proposed Pipe Stringing Area 2 was surveyed by completing two route walks. The first route was surveyed between Reference Points 11 (GPS coordinates / ) and 13 (GPS coordinates / ). The site supports secondary grassland with Alder patches developed along its eastern and western boundaries. Animals recorded are detailed in Table 10 below. Table 10: Animals recorded at proposed Pipe Stringing Area 2, 06/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Amphibians 1 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog 3 Birds 2 Garrulus glandarius Eurasian Jay 2 3 Luscinia megarhynchos Common Nightingale 2 4 Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher 3 5 Corvus cornix Hooded Crow 4 Mammals 6 Canis aureus Golden Jackal Footprint The second route was surveyed between Reference Points 13 (GPS coordinates / ) and 14 (GPS coordinates / ) across October, 2015 Page 11

111 Zoological Survey secondary grassland adjacent to Supsa terminal. No animals and / or evidence of presence were recorded. Figure 7: Pipe Stringing Area Tie-in Site 2 The proposed Tie-in Site 2 was surveyed by completing a route walk between Reference Points 16 (GPS coordinates / ) and 17 (GPS coordinates / ). The site is allocated adjacent to Supsa terminal camp and is subject to grazing. Animal footprints could not be identified due to dense grass. Birds were the only animals recorded during the route walk (Table 11). Table 11: Animals recorded at proposed Tie-in Site 2, 06/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Number 1 Ardea cinerea Grey Heron 1 2 Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow 7 3 Sylvia nisoria Barred Warbler 1 4 Circus aeroginosus Western Marsh-harrier 5 5 Merops apiaster European Bee-eater Flock 100+ October, 2015 Page 12

112 Zoological Survey Figure 8: Tie-in Site 2 Figure 9: European Bee-eaters in Flight, 06/09/15 October, 2015 Page 13

113 Zoological Survey 4.10 River Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing, Left (East) Bank The proposed export pipeline crossing on the left bank of river Supsa was surveyed by a route walk from the southern-westernmost border point (Reference Point 18, GPS coordinates / ) to the northern-easternmost border point (Reference Point 19, GPS coordinates / ). The site supports the riparian scrub composed of Blackberry and Alder. There is an evidence of logging and grazing in the scrub. Animals recorded are summarized in Table 12. Table 12: Animals recorded at proposed Export Pipeline Crossing, River Supsa Left Bank, 06/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Birds 1 Garrulus glandarius Eurasian jay 2 2 Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike 2 3 Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher 1 4 Phoenicurus phoenicurus Common Redstart 2 5 Motacilla alba White Wagtail 5 Mammals 6 Myocastor coypus Coypu Footprint 7 Meles meles Badger Footprint 8 Canis aureus Golden Jackal Footprint Figure 10: Export Pipeline Crossing, River Supsa Left Bank October, 2015 Page 14

114 Zoological Survey 4.11 River Supsa Export Pipeline Crossing, Right (West) Bank The proposed export pipeline crossing on the right bank of river Supsa was surveyed by a route walk from the northern-easternmost border point (Reference Point 20, GPS coordinates / ) to the southern-westernmost border point (Reference Point 21, GPS coordinates / ). The site supports crop fields, riparian scrub and degraded alder forest. Animals recorded are detailed in Table 13. Table 13: Animals recorded at proposed Export Pipeline Crossing, River Supsa Right Bank, 05/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Amphibians 1 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog 7 Birds 2 Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow 4 3 Luscinia megarhynchos Common Nightingale 2 4 Upupa epops Eurasian Hoopoe 2 5 Motacilla alba White Wagtail 6 6 Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail 3 7 Picus viridis European green woopecker 1 8 Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow 7 9 Delichon urbica Northern House-martin 3 10 Parus major Great Tit Flock of Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch 3 12 Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe 1 13 Alcedo atthis Common Kingfisher 2 Mammals 14 Canis aureus Golden Jackal Footprint October, 2015 Page 15

115 Zoological Survey Figure 11: Export Pipeline Crossing, River Supsa Right Bank 4.12 Tie-in Site 3 The proposed Tie-in Site 3 was surveyed by a route walk from the northern border (Reference Points 22 - GPS coordinates / and 23 - GPS coordinates / ) to the southernmost border point (Reference Point 24, GPS coordinates / ). A large part of the site is occupied by an Alder forest with the rest supporting mostly grassland. Animal footprints could not be detected due to dense grass. Animals recorded are given in Table 14. Table 14: Animals recorded at proposed Tie-in Site 3, 07/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Amphibians 1 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog 4 Birds 2 Garrulus glandarius Eurasian Jay 1 3 Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow 6 4 Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher 1 5 Sylvia sp. Warbler 1 October, 2015 Page 16

116 Zoological Survey Figure 12: Tie-in Site Access Roads The access road corridor was surveyed by completing three route walks as detailed below: 1. Corridor section between Reference Points 25 (GPS coordinates / ) and 26 (GPS coordinates / ), which is located north of Supsa terminal, in its immediate vicinity. It largely supports heavily modified areas such as a ground track, old road in a swampy alder forest and grassland. Animals recorded during this route walk are listed in Table Corridor section from Reference Point 27 (GPS coordinates / ) to Reference Point 26 (GPS coordinates / ) coincides with the existing track between the oil tanks and Supsa terminal camp. No animals or evidence of their presence were recorded. 3. Corridor section between Reference Points 13 (GPS coordinates / ) and 28 (GPS coordinates / ) follows an asphalt and concrete road between Supsa terminal and the central road. No animals or evidence of their presence were recorded. October, 2015 Page 17

117 Zoological Survey Figure 13: Access Road Section Traversing Swampy Alder Forest Patch Table 15: Animals recorded along Access Road Section Traversing Swampy Alder Forest Fragment, 06/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Birds 1 Alcedo atthis Common Kingfisher 1 Mammals 2 Meles meles Badger Footprint 5 CONCLUSIONS In total, 31 animal species were recorded during the zoological surveys at proposed river Supsa crossings and associated areas (Table 16); one amphibian, 26 birds and 4 mammals. None of the recorded species is included in the GRL; three species have no protection status (two birds: Hooded Crow and Eurasian Jay and one mammal Coypu). 28 species are included under AEWA, BERN and / or CMS. In conclusion it can be stated that all surveyed areas are under high human-induced disturbance. It should be noted that no evidence of presence of Common Otter (Lutra lutra) GRL species was detected in 2015 (otter footprints were repeatedly October, 2015 Page 18

118 Zoological Survey recorded at the proposed export pipeline crossing on river Supsa right bank in 2011 and 2012). It is recommended to take into consideration animal breeding period (February late May) in the construction schedule by minimizing construction-related disturbance and intrusive works as far as practically achievable in this period. Table 16: Animals Recorded at Proposed, 05-07/09/15 Scientific Name English Common Name Status Amphibians 1. Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog BERN Birds 2. Alcedo atthis Common Kingfisher BERN 3. Ardea cinerea Grey Heron AEWA, BERN 4. Buteo buteo Buzzard CMS, BERN 5. Circus aeroginosus Western Marsh-harrier BERN 6. Corvus cornix Hooded Crow 7. Delichon urbica Northern House-martin BERN 8. Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch BERN 9. Garrulus glandarius Eurasian jay 10. Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow BERN 11. Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike BERN 12. Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull BERN, AEWA 13. Luscinia megarhynchos Common Nightingale BERN 14. Merops apiaster European Bee-eater CMS, BERN 15. Miliaria calandra Corn Bunting BERN 16. Milvus migrans Black Kite CMS, BERN 17. Motacilla alba White Wagtail BERN 18. Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher BERN 19. Parus major Great Tit BERN 20. Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow BERN 21. Phoenicurus phoenicurus Common Redstart BERN 22. Picus viridis European Green Woodpecker BERN 23. Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe BERN, AEWA 24. Riparia riparia Sand Martin BERN 25. Sylvia nisoria Barred Warbler BERN 26. Sylvia sp. Warbler BERN 27. Upupa epops Eurasian Hoopoe BERN Mammals 28. Canis aureus Jackal BERN 29. Meles meles Badger BERN 30. Myocastor coypus Coypu 31. Vulpes vulpes Red Fox BERN October, 2015 Page 19

119 Zoological Survey APPENDIX A SURVEY MAP October, 2015 Page 20

120 Zoological Survey October, 2015 Page 21

121 Section 5.4c Supsa River Crossing Macroinvertebrate Study

122 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report, Supsa Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS Macroinvertebrate Sampling Methodology Laboratory Sample Processing Benthic Macroinvertebrate and CPOM Samples Benthic Macroinvertebrate identification Laboratory Quality Assurance Data Analysis RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Discussion of Significance of Supsa River Crossing Macroinvertebrates Overview of Supsa Estuary Fish Species CONCLUSIONS... 7 October, 2011 updated December 2012 Page i

123 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report, Supsa 1 INTRODUCTION The Supsa river was assessed for macro-invertebrate, fish communities and habitat near to the proposed WREP-SR crossing point. The field surveys were conducted during 3-10 September of 2011 by a team comprised of Dzvelka staff: Tamaz Katsobashvili, Senior Ichthyologist and Revaz Kurchishvili, Ichthyologist. 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS The objective of the study was to provide an assessment of macrobenthic and fish communities in the Supsa river near the WREP pipeline crossing point. Macroinvertebrates were sampled, whereas the fish communities study was limited to the retrieval and analysis of the results of historical and recent investigations (i.e. no sampling was undertaken for the fish studies). Aquatic macroinvertebrates play important functional roles in lotic ecosystems and are good indicators of surface water quality. Aquatic macroinvertebrates represent a fundamental link in the food web between organic matter resources (e.g. leaf litter, periphyton, detritus) and fish. Within specific biogeographical regions, aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages respond in predictable ways to changes in surface water conditions. Because many aquatic macroinvertebrates have limited migration patterns or a sessile mode of life, they are particularly well suited for assessing site-specific effects. 2.1 Macroinvertebrate Sampling Methodology At the study site, the stream reach length was determined by identifying the lower end of the study unit and estimating an upstream distance of 20 times the stream width. The lower end of a study unit was randomly located at the point of access to the stream and always below the first upstream riffle encountered. This reach length ensures that characteristic riffle/pool sequences are represented and potentially sampled. The last component of the site visit was habitat characterisation. Thus, stream disturbance was minimised before the biological information was collected. The location of each macroinvertebrate sample site within the reach was determined through careful identification of two riffle areas and two depositional zones. O-frame kicknets (500 micrometer net mesh) were used to collect three composite samples from each riffle and three composite samples from each slack-water zone (run or pool, where present). Ten percent of the replicate riffle samples were stored in separate containers. A leaf litter sample (also known as CPOM=coarse particulate organic matter) was also collected from the stream reach. Leaf litter was gathered from a minimum of two depositional locations and included decayed and newly deposited material. All samples were collected from the stream-bank not deeper than m. The samples were collected from the following sampling points in the vicinity of the Supsa crossing point: 15 m upstream of crossing point - Station 1 82 m upstream of crossing point - Station 2 40 m downstream - Station 3 75 m downstream - Station 4. The composite macroinvertebrate field samples were preserved in 85% ethanol. Storage containers were heavy duty Ziploc freezer bags. A double bag system was used when storing samples in freezer bags. Sample labels were placed in the dry space between the inner and outer freezer bags. October, 2011 updated December 2012 Page 1

124 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report, Supsa 2.2 Laboratory Sample Processing Benthic Macroinvertebrate and CPOM Samples The depositional and riffle samples were sub-sampled using a 300 organism count. Macroinvertebrates were removed from a minimum of two randomly chosen squares in a subsampling grid containing 30 squares. The dimension of each square was 6 cm x 6 cm and the tray had an overall dimension of 30 cm x 36 cm. The sample material from a field container was spread evenly on the base of the grid tray. The assumption of sub-sampling was that the procedure is random and unbiased. All organisms were removed from randomly chosen squares until a minimum of 300 macroinvertebrates were picked and the process continued to include all remaining organisms in the selected squares. Larger macroinvertebrates were removed from the sample square prior to use of a magnification device such as a dissecting scope or a hand-held magnifier. Depositional and riffle samples remained in separate containers following the sub-sampling procedure. In cases where the four riffle sample replicates from a site were in separate field containers, separate laboratory storage containers were used for organisms sub-sampled. All sub-sampled macroinvertebrates were placed in 70% ethanol that was prepared from a stock solution of 95% non-denatured ethanol. Leaf material or the "CPOM" (coarse particulate organic matter) sample was cursorily examined for predominant organisms. Presence/absence information obtained from the CPOM sample may be used to indicate the quality of detritus accumulated within the site reach. In cases where CPOM was found in depositional samples, the CPOM sample was not sorted and further analysed Benthic Macroinvertebrate identification All major Orders of freshwater macroinvertebrates were identified to at least the generic level and to species level where existing taxonomic keys are available. Each taxon had an associated source key used for the identification so that future revision of macroinvertebrate taxonomy will be easily incorporated into the database. Taxa groups normally identified to coarser taxonomic levels include: Chironomidae, Simuliidae, Lumbriculidae, Naididae, select families of Coleoptera, Planariidae, and Hydracarina (suborder) Laboratory Quality Assurance The precision of the sub-sampling process was evaluated by re-sorting a sub-sample of the original samples. Ten percent of the benthic macroinvertebrate samples were re-sorted by a second investigator. Half of these re-sorted samples were from depositional areas and the remaining half were those collected from riffle habitats. Discrepancies between sorting results indicated the need for: 1) more thorough distribution of sample materials in the sub-sampling tray, 2) special attention given to easily missed taxa when sorting (i.e. use of a magnifier). There was no re-evaluation of the CPOM sample sorting for each of the sites. The CPOM samples were used only as a qualitative descriptor Data Analysis Biological Metrics Macroinvertebrates Several methods for describing macroinvertebrate assemblages can be used to define stream biological condition. The attributes or metrics provide detailed information regarding the trophic status and structural aspects of the community. Each of the metrics is used as a component of a diagnostic tool that defines ecosystem condition. A host of indices and metrics have been proposed, as shown below. October, 2011 updated December 2012 Page 2

125 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report, Supsa Table 1 Metric Species/Family Level Scoring Criteria Criteria are for species-level identification of most insects, rhyacophilids to subgroup, and chironomids to family. Square brackets indicate the value next to the bracket is included in the range; rounded parentheses indicate the value is not included. The Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) was calculated pursuant to EPA standards and as described by J. Karr (1986, 1993). ABUNDANCE & RICHNESS INDICES Species Richness (total number of species in the sample) Benthic Index of Biological Integrity (B-IBI) EPT Index (presence of sensitive taxa (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) Ephemerellidae & Heptageniidae Richness (higher number of species generally indicate greater habitat complexity) = Caddis & Stonefly Shredder Richness (shredder taxa tend to disappear as stream habitat complexity and retention capacity decline) % Contribution of Dominant Taxon (greater dominance by a single taxon usually indicates a stressed community) COMMUNITY STRUCTURE (HABITAT QUALITY-BASED) % Predators (indicators of stressed conditions in montane regions) % Shredders (indicate good stream retention capabilities of organic matter and the quality of the allochthonous input) % Scrapers (indicate the presence and quality of primary productivity) % Collector-gatherers (indicative of stressed stream conditions that have experienced greater accumulations of fine particulates) % Collector-filterers (greater numbers indicate the presence of increased quantities of fine suspended particulates) October, 2011 updated December 2012 Page 3

126 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report, Supsa COMMUNITY STRUCTURE (POLLUTION TOLERANCE) % Intolerant Mayfly & Caddisfly & Stonefly (representation is high where stream integrity remains good) % Glossosomatidae (representation of these taxa is poor where sediment impacts and nutrient enrichment occur) % Hydropsychidae (greater representation is indicative of a general decline in water and habitat quality). 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1 Discussion of Significance of Supsa River Crossing Macroinvertebrates Supsa estuary macrobenthic communities mainly consist of: bristle worms, mollusks and arthropods. In total, 19 species were collected (see Table 2) with abundance and biomass of 4220 ind/m 2 and mg/m 2, respectively. Molluscs dominate in biodiversity and account for 77% comprising scuds and bivalves each with 7 species. From scuds, minute sea snail (Odostomia pallida) was most abundant with 680 ind/m 2 and 5200 mg/m 2. From bivalves, saltwater clam (Chamelea gallina) was most abundant ind/m 2, 1980 mg/m 2. Arthrpopods represented by crustaceans (Ampelisca diadema, Balanus improvisus, Cumella pygmaea euxinica and Chaetogammarus ischnus beningi) comprise 21% of sampled invertebrates with domination by B. improvisus (40 ind/m 2, 250 mg/m 2 ). From annelid worms, wandering (or errant) bristle worms were most abundant represented by one species called White Catworm (Nephthys cirrosa) with 30 ind/m 2 abundance and 2040 mg/m 2 biomass. Table 2 provides species composition, abundance and biomass of Supsa estuary near pipeline crossing. This data has been further analysed in terms of feeding patterns (see Figure 1). Table 2 Supsa Estuary Macroinvertebrate Communities Species Abundance per m 2 Biomass (mg/m 2 ) Polychaeta 1 White Catworm (Nephthys cirrosa Ehlers) Mollusca Gastropoda 2 Scaphander (Cyclope donovani (Risso ) Mud Snail (C. neritea (Linne)) Cylichnina variabilis (Milachevitch ) Ebala pointelii (Folin,) Minute Sea Clam (Odostomia pallida (Mont.) O. acuta (Mont) Parthenina terebellum Bivalvia 9 Abra nitida Arca tetragona Poli Chamelea gallina (Linne) Cunearca cornea Reeva Wedge Shell (Donacilla cornea Poli) Lentidium mediterraneum (Costa) Lucinella divaricata (Linne) October, 2011 updated December 2012 Page 4

127 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report, Supsa Species Abundance per m 2 Biomass (mg/m 2 ) Arthropoda Cirripedia 16 Balanus improvisus Darwin Crustacea 17 Ampelisca diadema A.Costa Cumella pygmaea euxinica Bacescu Chaetogammarusischnus beningi Martynov 20 4 Total Sampled Figure 1 Supsa macroinvertebrate community structure (feeding pattern) 3.2 Overview of Supsa Estuary Fish Species From the Black Sea fisheries perspective, the most important demersal fish species are whiting (Merlangius merlangus), picked dogfish (Squalus acanthias), turbot (Psetta maxima), striped, red mullets (Mullus barbatus, M. surmuletus), and four species of family Mugilidae, including so-iuy mullet (Mugil soiuy). Pelagic fish in general and their small-sized plankton-eating types in particular are the most abundant species in the Black Sea ichthyocenosis. The total catch main target species European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) constituted 31-75% of the total Marine Living Resources (MLR) over the last 15 years. European sprat (Sprattus sprattus), Mediterranean horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus), Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) and bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) are the other most important pelagic fish in terms of fishing value. The latter three species are large-sized predators which migrate into the Black Sea from the Marmara and Aegean Seas for feeding and spawning in spring and return their native places for wintering in late autumn. The catch of around 350, ,000 tons suggests a partial recovery of major pelagic species after the fishery collapse of Sprat is a self sustaining species, one of the most abundant and commercially important pelagic fish species in the Black Sea, and it serves an important food source for larger fish (Ivanov and Beverton, 1985; Daskalov et al., 1996; Daskalov, 2002). It is distributed over the whole of the Black Sea, but its maximum abundance is observed in the northwestern region and shelf waters (Ivanov and Beverton, 1985; Fashchuk et al., 1995). In spring, schools migrate to coastal waters October, 2011 updated December 2012 Page 5

128 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report, Supsa for feeding. In the summer, sprat stay under the seasonal thermocline forming dense aggregations near the bottom during the day and in the upper mixed layer during the night (Ivanov and Beverton, 1985). Two different anchovy populations exist in the Black Sea: the Black Sea and the Azov Sea anchovies (Ivanov and Beverton, 1985). The latter reproduces and feeds in the Azov Sea and hibernates along the northern Caucasian and Crimean coasts. The stock of the former species is of bigger ecological and commercial importance and the information given below concerns only this stock. Anchovy plays a crucial role in the Black Sea pelagic food web as a prey of many predators such as bonito, blue fish, horse mackerel, dolphins, and others. It is also an important consumer of zooplankton, especially when the stock is large; thus they act as a predator of zooplankton and competitor of other planktivores (Daskalov et al., 2007). Anchovy is subject to both artisanal (with coastal trapnets and beach seines) and commercial (purse-seines) fisheries on their wintering grounds. The total anchovy standing stock biomass (SSB) in the Black Sea until 1993 has been assessed using the catch-at-age data described in the vitual population analysis (VPA) method (Prodanov et al., 1997). More recent changes (after 1993) was estimated using a linear regression between logarithmically transformed SSB and catch per unit effort (CPUE) data of the Turkish purse seine fleet and using the fishing mortality estimation as the ratio of landings and SSB (Daskalov et al., 2007). The Black sea horse mackerel is a subspecies of the Mediterranean horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus. It is a migratory species distributed all over the sea (Ivanov and Beverton, 1985; Fashchuk et al., 1995). In the spring, it migrates to the north for reproduction and feeding. In the summer, it is distributed preferably in the shelf waters above the seasonal thermocline. In the autumn, it migrates towards the wintering grounds along the Anatolian and Caucasian coasts (Ivanov and Beverton, 1985). It matures at an age of 1-2 years during the summer, which is also the main feeding and growth season. It spawns in the upper layers, both in the open part of the sea and near the coast (Arkhipov, 1993; Fashchuk et al., 1995). Eggs and larvae are often found in areas with high productivity (Daskalov, 1999; 2003). In the Black Sea, whiting is one of the most abundant species among the demersal fishes. It does not undertake distant migrations and spawns mainly in the cold season within the whole sea. Whiting produces pelagic juveniles, which inhabit the upper 10m water layer for a year. The adult whiting is a cold-living species at temperatures of 6-10 o younger than 6 years old dominate the population, and older year classes are found rarely in catches. Dense concentrations are formed by 1-3 year old fish at depths of up to 150 m, most often at the depth range m (O zdamar et al, 1996; Shlyakhov and Charova, 2003). Turbot occurs all over the shelf of the Black Sea. It is a large-sized fish with long life cycle; it reaches length of 85 cm, weights of 12 kg and ages of more than 17 years old in the Black Sea (Svetovidov, 1964). Turbot fecundity is very high, up to 12.8 million of eggs per year. Larvae and fries in the first two months inhabit in the pelagic zone, feeding on zooplankton. Like many demersal fish species, the serious problem for estimating the status of turbot population and justifying efficient measures for its fisheries regulation is the considerable difference between the recorded statistics and the real catches. Two physiologically similar species Mullus barbatus and Mullus surmuletus belong to the family Mullidae. The species M. barbatus is also called as red mullet or striped mullet. The M. barbatus is also named as striped mullet. For the conveniences sake we have used, hereinafter, this name to both species of the family Mullidae. Among 6 species of mullets from family Mugilidae inhabiting the Black Sea, three aboriginal species Liza aurata (Risso), Mugil cephalus L., Liza saliens (Risso) and one acclimatised species Mugil so-iuy Basilevsky (Liza haematocheilus (Temminch et Schlegel) are of commercial value. Mullets are distributed all over the coastal waters and in the estuaries adjacent to the sea. October, 2011 updated December 2012 Page 6

129 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report, Supsa In all the Black Sea countries, protection measures for fish stocks have been adopted which include whiting. On the basis of the assessments of national experts in fisheries, the main transboundary threats for whiting are listed as follows: Lack of regional cooperative management of fisheries: For the group of non-migratory fishes with shared stocks where whiting belongs, management of shared stocks can be successful only with well developed regional cooperation. It requires a unique methodological approach in all the aspects of stock assessment (methodology, collection, processing and analysis of common data set, etc.), agreed measures of fisheries regulation (terms and grounds of banning, permitted fishing gears, mesh size for nets, fishable length of fish, allowable by-catches for juveniles, etc.), agreed system of satellite monitoring for commercial fishing vessels and many other aspects. Illegal fishing and use of destructive harvest techniques: Illegal fishing has never been and will not be a real threat for the whiting population. But the use of destructive harvest techniques by trawls due to high by-catch capture rate of the year 0+ small-sized populations is a real threat. In addition to its direct threat on the reduction of whiting recruitment, it may indirectly cause wrong total allowable catch (TAC) assessments and thus false decision-making. Eutrophication and pollution: The alterations of trophic flow structure due to eutrophicationinduced effects in the ecosystem may be critical for whiting populations because zooplankton, small pelagic fish and benthos organisms (crustaceans and Polychaetae) are among the most important in their diet. In turn, whiting is an important prey species for large predators, dolphins and fish-consuming birds. Whiting juveniles and bottom-dwelling whiting at ages less than 2 years old distributed mainly in shallow depths are the most vulnerable for eutrophication effects. Picked dogfish inhabits the whole of the Black Sea shelf at water temperatures of 6-15 o migrate in the form of large schools for feeding on anchovy and horse mackerel and overwintering. It is not a target species of fisheries, and is mostly caught as a by-catch in trawl and purse seine operations (mainly during their wintering period). The main threats for the Black Sea picked dogfish resource with transboundary significance are the same as for whiting. In addition, one more potential threat can be added to that list. Pollution from land based sources (rivers) and direct discharges (inshore area): As a longliving predator as compared with other fishes in the Black Sea, picked dogfish has the ability to accumulate toxic pollutants such as heavy metals (mercury, arsenic, lead, copper, cadmium and zinc) and organochlorine compounds (e.g. polychloride biphenyls, etc.) and their metabolites. 4 CONCLUSIONS Total taxa richness averaged 19 species in the Supsa. The species collected during Supsa survey were dominated by those with moderate to high tolerance values, typical of organisms capable of living under stressful conditions including either habitat disruption or pollution. The major disturbances are mostly due to shifting habitat conditions. Fluctuating salinity as a result of tidal influence, the continuous rise and fall of the water level in the Estuary and the scouring and deposition that occurs as a result of seasonal storms which combine to make this a very difficult habitat to survive in. Freshwater macroinvertebrate assessment criteria used for analysis elsewhere on the project (e.g. Liakhvi in 2011 and historically the Algeti and Mtkvari) are not considered relevant for the Supsa river mouth, as it is dominated by brackish and salt water tolerant species usually found in nearshore marine waters. There are numerous attempts worldwide to elaborate specific indices for the assessment of these habitats. Figure 1 shows that Supsa macroinvertebrate communities are dominated by three groups: filterer collectors, predators and and gatherer collectors. The presence of both groups of collector October, 2011 updated December 2012 Page 7

130 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report, Supsa species indicates that there is an ongoing accumulation of fine and suspended particulates in the river water, which coincides well with historical water sample analysis records throughout recent years. In fact, excessive siltation is noted to be a significant issue for the lower reaches of Supsa river down to the estuary, which mainly stems from streambank erosion. Increased numbers of more salinity and turbidity tolerant gastropod molluscs show that the saline:fresh water ratio rises in the river mouth. Fairly high numbers of scaphander and mud snails may indicate sulphide rich mud build up in the mudflats, which can be linked to ever-increasing hydrogen sulphide levels in the sea water. Decreased numbers of crustaceans may partially be accounted for by seasonal variations, but the sampled species ecology indicates their lower tolerance to changing environmental conditions. On the other hand, low counts of some bivalves may be indicative of excessive stormwater discharges. Correlation of the 2011 results with analyses of previous years shows the different response of macroinvertebrate structure to fluctuating nutrient-rich rural run-off, which in general indicates a steady decline in water quality over the last ten years (this is corroborated by increased numbers of Chamelea and Cunearca nutrient-intolerant bivalves and arthropod barnacles). In general, the overall species abundance is lower compared to historical results, which will ultimately be translated in a lower availability of food for fish and predator wading bird species, which again may partly be ascribed to seasonal variations. Historically, the main factors leading to fish stock collapses and great losses in fisheries were eutrophication-induced changes in the food web, overfishing and the invasion of the comb-jelly M. leidyi. In recent years ( ), the major threat for the fish resources appear to be illegal fishing and use of destructive harvest techniques as well as a lack of regional cooperative management of fisheries and eutrophication. At present, no recovery of the spawning and nursery habitat for sturgeons has taken place in rivers and lagoons. The recovery of the crustaceans and polychaetes in the Supsa estuary comparable to the pristine state therefore suggests an improvement in hypoxia conditions during the recent years. However, the increase of mollusc abundance is probably caused by ample organic load to the bottom that causes episodes of oxygen deficiency resulting in a reduction of other oxygen sensitive species. October, 2011 updated December 2012 Page 8

131 Section 5.4d Liakhvi River Crossing Macroinvertebrates Study 2015 Note: This crossing was replaced in 2013/14, but the results are included in the ESBR as the river may be used as a source of hydrotest water

132 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report Liakhvi Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS Macroinvertebrate Sampling Methodology Laboratory Sample Processing Benthic Macroinvertebrate and CPOM Samples Benthic Macroinvertebrate Identification Laboratory Quality Assurance Data Analysis RESULTS AND DISCUSSION CONCLUSIONS... 7 Tables Table 1 Metric Species/Family Level Scoring Criteria... 3 Table 2 Liakhvi River Assessment Spreadsheet... 4 Table 3 Genus Level 10-metric B-IBI... 6 Figure Figure 1 Community Structure, r. Liakhvi... 7 October 2011, updated August 2016 Page i

133 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report Liakhvi 1 INTRODUCTION The Liakhvi river was assessed for macro-invertebrate communities near to the pipeline crossing point. The field surveys were conducted during 3-10 September of 2011 by a team comprised of Dzelkva staff: Tamaz Katsobashvili, Senior Ichthyologist and Revaz Kurchishvili, Ichthyologist. 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS The objectives of the study was to provide an assessment of macrobenthic communities in the Liakhvi river near the pipeline crossing point. Aquatic macroinvertebrates play important functional roles in lotic ecosystems and are good indicators of surface water quality. Aquatic macroinvertebrates represent a fundamental link in the food web between organic matter resources (e.g. leaf litter, periphyton, detritus) and fish. Within specific biogeographical regions, aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages respond in predictable ways to changes in surface water conditions. Because many aquatic macroinvertebrates have limited migration patterns or a sessile mode of life, they are particularly well suited for assessing sitespecific effects. 2.1 Macroinvertebrate Sampling Methodology At the study site, stream reach length was determined by identifying the lower end of the study unit and estimating an upstream distance of 30 times the stream width. The lower end of a study unit was randomly located at the point of access to the stream and always below the first upstream riffle encountered. This reach length ensures that characteristic riffle/pool sequences are represented and potentially sampled. The last component of a site visit was habitat characterisation. Thus, stream disturbance was minimised before the biological information was collected. The locations of each macroinvertebrate sample site within the reach was determined through careful identification of two riffle areas and two depositional zones. O-frame kicknets (500 micrometer net mesh) were used to collect three composite samples from each riffle and three composite samples from each slack-water zone (run or pool, where present). Ten percent of the replicate riffle samples were stored in separate containers. A leaf litter sample (also known as CPOM=coarse particulate organic matter) was also collected from the stream reach. Leaf litter was gathered from a minimum of two depositional locations and included decayed and newly deposited material. All samples were collected from stream-bank not deeper than m. The samples were collected from the following sampling points: 12 m upstream of crossing point - Station m upstream of crossing point - Station 2 20 m downstream - Station 3 85 m downstream - Station 4. The composite macroinvertebrate field samples were preserved in 85% ethanol. Storage containers were heavy duty Ziploc freezer bags. A double bag system was used when storing samples in freezer bags. Sample labels were placed in the dry space between the inner- and outer freezer bags. October 2011, updated August 2016 Page 1

134 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report Liakhvi 2.2 Laboratory Sample Processing Benthic Macroinvertebrate and CPOM Samples The depositional and riffle samples were sub-sampled using a 300 organism count. Macroinvertebrates were removed from a minimum of two randomly chosen squares in a subsampling grid containing 30 squares. The dimension of each square was 6 cm x 6 cm and the tray had an overall dimension of 30 cm x 36 cm. The sample material from a field container was spread evenly on the base of the grid tray. The assumption of sub-sampling was that the procedure is random and unbiased. All organisms were removed from randomly chosen squares until a minimum of 300 macroinvertebrates were picked and the process continued to include all remaining organisms in the selected squares. Larger macroinvertebrates were removed from the sample square prior to use of a magnification device such as a dissecting scope or a hand-held magnifier. Depositional and riffle samples remained in separate containers following the sub-sampling procedure. In cases where the four riffle sample replicates from a site were in separate field containers, separate laboratory storage containers were used for organisms sub-sampled. All subsampled macroinvertebrates were placed in 70% ethanol that was prepared from a stock solution of 95% non-denatured ethanol. Leaf material or the "CPOM" (coarse particulate organic matter) sample was cursorily examined for predominant organisms. Presence/absence information obtained from the CPOM sample may be used to indicate the quality of detritus accumulated within the site reach. In cases where CPOM was found in depositional samples, the CPOM sample was not sorted and further analyzed Benthic Macroinvertebrate Identification All major Orders of freshwater macroinvertebrates were identified to at least the generic level and to species level where existing taxonomic keys are available. Each taxon had an associated source key used for the identification so that future revision of macroinvertebrate taxonomy will be easily incorporated into the database. Taxa groups normally identified to coarser taxonomic levels include: Chironomidae, Simuliidae, Lumbriculidae, Naididae, select families of Coleoptera, Planariidae, and Hydracarina (suborder) Laboratory Quality Assurance The precision of the sub-sampling process was evaluated by re-sorting a sub-sample of the original samples. Ten percent of the benthic macroinvertebrate samples were re-sorted by a second investigator. Half of these re-sorted samples were from depositional areas and the remaining half were those collected from riffle habitat. Discrepancies between sorting results indicated the need for: 1) more thorough distribution of sample materials in the sub-sampling tray, 2) special attention given to easily missed taxa when sorting (i.e., use of a magnifier). There was no re-evaluation of the CPOM sample sorting for each of the sites. The CPOM samples were used only as a qualitative descriptor Data Analysis Biological Metrics Macroivertebrates Several methods for describing macroinvertebrate assemblages can be used to define stream biological condition. The attributes or metrics provide detailed information regarding the trophic status and structural aspects of the community. Each of the metrics is used as a component of a October 2011, updated August 2016 Page 2

135 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report Liakhvi diagnostic tool that defines ecosystem condition. A host of indexes and metrics have been proposed, as shown below. Table 1 Metric Species/Family Level Scoring Criteria Criteria are for species-level identification of most insects, rhyacophilids to subgroup, and chironomids to family. Square brackets indicate the value next to the bracket is included in the range; rounded parentheses indicate the value is not included. The Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) was calculated pursuant to EPA standards and as described by J. Karr (1986, 1993). ABUNDANCE & RICHNESS INDICES Species Richness (total number of species in the sample) Benthic Index of Biological Integrity (B-IBI) EPT Index (presence of sensitive taxa (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) Ephemerellidae & Heptageniidae Richness (higher number of species generally indicate greater habitat complexity) = Caddis & Stonefly Shredder Richness (shredder taxa tend to disappear as stream habitat complexity and retention capacity decline) % Contribution of Dominant Taxon (greater dominance by a single taxon usually indicates a stressed community) COMMUNITY STRUCTURE (HABITAT QUALITY-BASED) % Predators (indicators of stressed conditions in montane regions) % Shredders (indicate good stream retention capabilities of organic matter and the quality of the allochthonous input) % Scrapers (indicate the presence and quality of primary productivity) October 2011, updated August 2016 Page 3

136 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report Liakhvi % Collector-gatherers (indicative of stressed stream conditions that have experienced greater accumulations of fine particulates) % Collector-filterers (greater numbers indicate the presence of increased quantities of fine suspended particulates) COMMUNITY STRUCTURE (POLLUTION TOLERANCE) % Intolerant Mayfly & Caddisfly & Stonefly (representation is high where stream integrity remains good) % Glossosomatidae (representation of these taxa is poor where sediment impacts and nutrient enrichment occur) % Hydropsychidae (greater representation is indicative of a general decline in water and habitat quality). 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Results of macroionvertebrate analysis for the Liakhvi River Crossing are given below. This river crossing is located within the common spawning / nursery habitat of the Mtkvari barbell (Barbus lacerta Cyri). Table 2 Liakhvi River Assessment Spreadsheet Pollution Tolerance CATEGORY 1 (pollution intolerant) Number Counted Number of Taxa Common Name Mayfly Families Occurrence per sample Caddisfly Larva Ephemerellidae 0 (EPT) 19 2 Dobsonfly Heptageniidae 1 (hellgrammite) 0 0 Gilled Snail Total Mayfly Nymph (EPT) 6 2 Riffle Beetle Stonefly Nymph (EPT) Caddisfly Larvae Families Occurrence per sample 12 1 Water Penny Glossosomatidae 1 Subtotal Subtotal Hydropsychidae 2 CATEGORY Alderfly Larve Total Aquatic Beetle (somewhat Aquatic Sowbug tolerant of 2 1 Clam, Mussel pollution) 34 3 Cranefly Larva 0 1 Crayfish 41 2 Damselfly Larva 31 3 Dragonfly Larva 71 1 Fishfly Larva 48 3 Scuds 3 1 Mussel shrimp 1 1 Watersnipe Larva Subtotal Subtotal October 2011, updated August 2016 Page 4

137 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report Liakhvi Pollution Tolerance CATEGORY 3 (pollution tolerant) Number Counted Number of Taxa Common Name 97 4 Aquatic Worm 34 2 Blackfly Larva 16 1 Leech Midge Larva (chironomid) 7 2 Pouch and Pond Snails 32 2 Planarian 31 2 True Bug Adult 13 2 Common Fly 79 2 Water Mite Subtotal Subtotal TOTAL TOTAL Abundance: 1301 Mayfly Families Occurrence per sample B) Predominant Taxon: Chironomid C) Water Quality Assessments: Pollution Tolerant Index Pollution Tolerance Index: Good Acceptable Marginal Poor > <11 EPT Index EPT Index: Good Acceptable Marginal Poor > EPT to Total Ratio EPT to Total Ratio: Good Acceptable Marginal Poor D) Diversity Assessments: Total Number of Taxa: Predominant Taxon Ratio Predominant Taxon Ratio: Good Acceptable Marginal Poor October 2011, updated August 2016 Page 5

138 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report Liakhvi E) Site Assessment Rating: Site Site Assessment Rating Assessment Rating Good Acceptable Marginal Poor 7, ,5 2, ,5 Index or Ratio Rating Pollution Tolerance 4 Index EPT Index 4 EPT to Total Ratio 1 Predominant 4 Taxon Ratio Total 13 Average 3.25 Rating Marginal Table 3 Genus Level 10-metric B-IBI Metric Value Scoring Category Characteristics Total number of taxa 62 5 Number of mayfly taxa 3 0 Taxa Richness and Composition Number of stonefly taxa 4 3 Number of caddisfly taxa 4 3 Number of long-lived taxa 8 5 Number of intolerant taxa 16 5 Pollution Tolerance Tolerant individuals (%) Predator individuals (%) Feeding Ecology Number of clinger taxa 18 5 Population Attributes Dominance (3 taxa) % TOTAL B-IBI SCORE 37 Rating Fair October 2011, updated August 2016 Page 6

139 Baseline Ecosystem Survey WREP Sectional Replacement Macroinvertebrate survey report Liakhvi Figure 1 Community Structure, r. Liakhvi 4 CONCLUSIONS Total taxa richness averaged 62 species in the Liakhvi. The Liakhvi EPT taxa richness (Ephemeroptera+Plecoptera+Trichoptera) averaged between taxa, which is more than that observed historically and can be explained by seasonal variations. However, the high percentage of tolerant species (71%) indicates that the Liakhvi, in its mid-reaches, receives certain stressful loads in terms of increased sedimentation or run-off. Invertebrate communities in Liakhvi can be characterised as follows: Moderate-to-high total taxa richness (62 taxa) Moderate EPT richness Dominance of tolerant taxa and increased number of predator species. October 2011, updated August 2016 Page 7

140 Section 5.4e Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Ecological Baseline Report Flora and Vegetation

141 WREP SECTIONAL REPLACEMENT PROJECT BOTANICAL SURVEY REALIGNED SUPSA HDD AREAS This report has been produced By Dzelkva Ltd on Behalf of RSK Environment Limited May, 2016 Tbilisi

142 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Table of Contents 1 Introduction Survey Methods Survey Area Baseline Findings Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area River Supsa Export Crossing, Left Bank River Supsa Export Crossing, Right Bank Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in End Area High conservation value species... 6 Appendix A Survey Maps... 7 Appendix B Field Datasheets Tables Table 1: Data on Caucasian Wingnut Found in Survey Area... 6 Figures Figure 1: Agricultural fields, Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area... 2 Figure 2: Rush dominated wet meadow, Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area... 3 Figure 3: Alder woodland with Rush dominated wet meadows and Blackberry thickets, Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area... 4 Figure 4: Population of GRL species Caucasian Wingnut, River Supsa Export Crossing, Left Bank... 5 May, 2016 Page i

143 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas 1 INTRODUCTION This report summarizes the findings of the baseline botanical surveys conducted at the realigned Supsa Export HDD Areas between 23/04/2016 and 24/04/2016. The ecological survey field team comprised (1) David Kharazishvili, Botanist (2) Levan Kalatozishvili, Field Assistant, (3) Ioseb Natradze, Zoologist and (4) Gia Edisherashvili, Ornithologist. Findings of zoological survey at these locations are described in a separate report. 2 SURVEY METHODS The baseline botanical surveys (Phase I habitat survey) were carried out as described in the Field Survey Plan for Environmental, Ecology and Traffic Surveys, August / September, 2015 (80595/03/03/05/01). The surveys covered the following realigned areas: Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in End Area River Supsa banks at the Supsa Export Crossing. The survey areas and findings are shown on maps contained in Appendix A. 3 SURVEY AREA The survey area is located in the environs of villages Supsa and Grigoleti, on the first and second terraces of both banks of the river Supsa. It is comprised of several interconnected sites of different shapes and sizes. Altitudes vary from 7 to 6 m below sea level. The terrain is slightly uneven, flat and traversed by canals. Silty bog soils are developed on the right bank of the river Supsa while subtropical podzolic-gley soils are found on the left bank. Saturated alluvial soils are found in the river floodplain. The majority of the survey area is heavily modified. A large part is located adjacent to or in the vicinity of Supsa terminal; another part is occupied by crop fields, rush dominated meadows and Alder forest fragments with Blackberry where some minor swampy sections are developed. 4 BASELINE BOTANICAL SURVEY FINDINGS 4.1 Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area The proposed Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area was surveyed on 23th April. The majority of the site supports agricultural fields (corn fields). Arable land used to occupy a larger area in the past; at present fallow fields and edges of agricultural plots support wet meadow vegetation, which is heavily modified and composed of common and invasive species. The entire site is marked by severe human-induced disturbance and therefore, supports secondary habitats. The wetter sites are dominated by wetland vegetation while the less moist areas support wet meadows. It should be mentioned that agricultural fields and fallow land are developed on elevated sites where the soils are less moist and suitable for agricultural crop cultivation. Fragments of secondary riparian scrub are developed on areas once occupied by riparian woodland and along the irrigation canals. This site does not support any legally protected or high conservation value plants and is of low conservation value. May, 2016 Page 1

144 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure 1: Agricultural fields, Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area 4.3 Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area The proposed export HDD crossing tie-in start area was surveyed on 23 rd April. This site is located near Supsa terminal; it is severely transformed and intensively grazed. The site is largely occupied by Rush dominated wet meadow communities combined with isolated fragments of heavily transformed and disturbed Alder groves. Wet meadows are speciespoor vegetation unit composed of common and invasive species with coverage reaching almost 100%. This community is heavily grazed in early spring. Fragments of alder dominated communities are characterized by dominance of undersized alders with speciespoor ground vegetation. Both communities are of secondary origin and very widespread in the Black Sea coastal area. This site does not support any legally protected or high conservation value plants and is of low conservation value. May, 2016 Page 2

145 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure 2: Rush dominated wet meadow, Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area 4.4 Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area The proposed Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area was surveyed on 23 rd and 24 th April. The section of the proposed RoW located on the left bank of river Supsa supports Alder woodland combined with Rush dominated wet meadows and Blackberry thickets. Alder forest forms an extensive habitat; it is almost purely dominated by Alder varying 3-7 m in height. Scarce shrub layer in this habitat is represented by Blackberry; the ground vegetation is species-poor and composed of common species including weeds and ruderals. Blackberry thickets are of secondary origin and found locally along the RoW. Rush dominated communities are found on wet soils; the dominant Rush is associated by few weeds and common species. These habitats are under severe human-induced pressure such as tree felling, grazing and trampling. The section of the proposed RoW located on the right bank of river Supsa supports Alder dominated fragments alternating with agricultural fields. No legally protected or high conservation value species are associated with the proposed RoW Area. All habitats are of secondary origin and extremely widespread in Colchis lowland; therefore, they are assigned low conservation value. May, 2016 Page 3

146 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure 3: Alder woodland with Rush dominated wet meadows and Blackberry thickets, Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area 4.5 River Supsa Export Crossing, Left Bank This site was surveyed on 23 rd April. It supports secondary riparian woodland, secondary forb meadow and Rush dominated wet meadow. The riparian woodland is represented by degraded and transformed Alder stands, which are largely coppiced. Height of tree layer varies between 5 and 12m; coverage of canopy layer varies within 30-50%. The understory is represented by Blackberry (Rubus anatolicus) thickets. The ground vegetation is largely dominated by invasive species typical to degraded habitats. This habitat supports a small population of GRL species Caucasian Wingnut (Pterocarya pterocarpa) comprising 6 wellestablished and 10 young individuals (refer to Table 1 below). The regeneration rate of the GRL species is satisfactory. Secondary forb meadow is dominated by Clover species (Trifolium spp.) which are associated by common and invasive species. Rush dominated wet meadow is composed of weeds, ruderal species and invasives. May, 2016 Page 4

147 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure 4: Population of GRL species Caucasian Wingnut, River Supsa Export Crossing, Left Bank The part of the site, which supports Caucasian wingnut (GRL species) population, has a high conservation value. Other parts of the site have low conservation value and do not support any GRL or high conservation value plant species. 4.6 River Supsa Export Crossing, Right Bank The site was surveyed on 24 th April. The surveyed site supports secondary riparian woodland, secondary wet forb meadow and secondary forb meadow. The riparian woodland is represented by Alder dominated communities; canopy layer is almost purely dominated by Alders with average height of 3m. No shrub layer was recorded in Alder woodland. The ground vegetation is composed of common species and invasives. Secondary wet grassforb meadow is marked by abundant growth of Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) accompanied by common species, weeds and ruderals. Secondary forb meadow is dominated by invasive species Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). The leading species is associated by common species and weeds. May, 2016 Page 5

148 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas No legally protected or high conservation value species were recorded in this site. All habitats are of secondary origin and very common in Black sea coastal area; therefore, the site is assigned a low conservation value. 4.7 Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in End Area The proposed Tie-in End Area was surveyed 24 th April. The site supports very disturbed Alder woodland; the canopy layer is purely dominated by Alder trees with understorey composed of Blackberry (Rubus sp.). The ground vegetation is marked by abundant growth of Elderberry (Sambucus ebulus) accompanied by common species and invasives. The site also supports agricultural fields. The site is of low conservation value as it does not support any legally protected or high conservation value species and/or sensitive habitats. 4.8 High conservation value species The survey area supports only one high conservation value species Caucasian wingnut. A small population of this GRL species is associated with riparian woodland at River Supsa Export Crossing, Left Bank. Data on recorded individuals of Caucasian WIngnut is given in Table 1 below. Table 1: Data on Caucasian Wingnut Found in Survey Area Site GPS Coordinates m amsl Number of Trees Tree Height, m DBH, cm Note River Supsa Export Crossing, Left Bank ,3-1,5 2-6 May, 2016 Page 6

149 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas APPENDIX A SURVEY MAPS May, 2016 Page 7

150 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas May, 2016 Page 8

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156 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas APPENDIX B FIELD DATASHEETS May, 2016 Page 14

157 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Plot No. 1 Figure ref. B-1 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location River Supsa Export Crossing, Left Bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -3 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Rush dominated wet meadow Soil Level of modification/existing disturbance Community type Height of herblayer (cm) Coverage of herblayer (%) 80 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 7 Species Subtropical podzolic-gley soils Disturbed Structural Features Juncetum Cover-abundance by Domin scale Herblayer Juncus effuses 7 veg.-fl. Cyperus esculentus 5 veg. Paspalum dilatatum 3 veg. Cardamine hirsute 1 fl. Polygonum thunbergii + veg. P.hydropiper + veg. Alisma plantago-aquatica + veg. Phenological Phase May, 2016 Page 15

158 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure B-1: View of Plot 1 May, 2016 Page 16

159 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Plot No. 2 Figure ref. B-2 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 100 Location River Supsa Export Crossing, Left Bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) 3 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Alder woodland Soil Podzolic Level of modification/existing Disturbed disturbance Structural Features Community type Alder woodland with grasses (Alnetomixtoherbosum) Coverage of treelayer (%) 40 Average height (m) 5 Max height of trees (m) 8 Average DBH (cm) 8 Max DBH (cm) 12 Coverage of shrublayer (%) 5 Height of herblayer (cm) 30 Coverage of herblayer (%) 85 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 20 Number of higher plant species 14 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Alnus barbata 6 fl. Pterocarya pterocarpa 3 veg. Quercus serrate 3 veg. Shrublayer Rubus anatolicus 5 veg. Herblayer Polygonum thunbergii 7 fl. P.hydropiper 5 fl. Rumex obtusifolius 5 fl. Urtica dioica 5 veg. Potentilla sp. 5 fl. Glechoma hederifolia 5 fl. Dryopteris affinis 3 veg. Hedera colchica 3 veg. Microstegium japonicum 3 veg. Phytollaca Americana 1 veg. May, 2016 Page 17

160 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure B-2: View of Plot 2 May, 2016 Page 18

161 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Plot No. 3 Figure ref. B-3 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location River Supsa Export Crossing, Left Bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -4 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary forb meadow Soil Level of modification/existing disturbance Community type Height of herblayer (cm) 5-7 Coverage of herblayer (%) 90 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 5 Number of higher plant species 5 Species Gley soils Heavily modified Structural Features Clover dominated community (Trifolietum) Cover-abundance by Domin scale Herblayer Trifolium repens 8 fl. Trifolium campestre 8 fl. Trifolium pretense 4 fl. Lespedesa striata 3 fl. Holosteum umbelatum 3 fl. Sorghum halepense 1 veg. Phenological Phase May, 2016 Page 19

162 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure B-3: View of Plot 3 May, 2016 Page 20

163 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Plot No. 4 Figure ref. B-4 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location River Supsa Export Crossing, Right Bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N/ E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -3 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary wet forb meadow Soil Level of modification/existing disturbance Community type Height of herblayer (cm) 70 Coverage of herblayer (%) 80 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 5 Number of higher plant species 7 Species Gley soils Heavily modified Structural Features Yellow Iris dominated community (Irisetum) Cover-abundance by Domin scale Herblayer Iris pseudoacorus 7 veg. Polygonum thunbergii 5 veg. Hydrocotile vulgaris 3 veg. Alisma plantago aquatica 3 veg. Ranunculus bulbosus 1 fl. Myosotis caespitosa + fl. Juncus effusus + veg. Phenological Phase May, 2016 Page 21

164 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure B-4: View of Plot 4 May, 2016 Page 22

165 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Plot No. 5 Figure ref. B-5 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 4 Location River Supsa Export Crossing, Right Bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -3 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Secondary forb meadow Soil Level of modification/existing disturbance Alluvial soils Heavily modified Structural Features Community type Common Ragweed dominated community with forbs (Abmrosietum-mixtoherbosum) Height of herblayer (cm) 20 Coverage of herblayer (%) 95 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 6 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Herblayer Ambrosia artemisifolia 7 veg. Artemisia vulgaris 6 veg. Holosteum umbellatum 4 veg. Cynodon dactylon 4 veg. Equisetum majus 4 veg. Vicia sp. 4 veg. May, 2016 Page 23

166 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure B-5: View of Plot 5 May, 2016 Page 24

167 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Plot No. 6 Figure ref. B-6 Map ref. - Date of field data collection Plot Characteristics and General Conditions Plot size (m 2 ) 100 Location River Supsa Export Crossing, Right Bank GPS Co-ordinates E , N E , N E , N E , N Altitude (m AMSL) -2 Aspect - Inclination 0 Habitat Alder woodland Soil Saturated alluvial soils Level of modification/existing Heavily Disturbed disturbance Structural Features Community type Alder woodland with grasses (Alnetomixtoherbosum) Coverage of treelayer (%) 25 Average height (m) 3 Max height of trees (m) 5 Average DBH (cm) 10 Max DBH (cm) 13 Coverage of shrublayer (%) - Height of herblayer (cm) 70 Coverage of herblayer (%) 60 Coverage of mosslayer (%) 0 Number of higher plant species 13 Species Cover-abundance by Phenological Phase Domin scale Treelayer Alnus barbata 5 veg. Salix triandra 1 fl. Robinia pseudoacacia 1 veg. Shrublayer Herblayer Microstegium japonicum 8 veg. Polygonum thunbergii 5 veg. P. hydropyper 5 veg. P.perfoliatum 1 veg. Ambrosia artemosifolia 4 veg. Artemisia vulgaris 4 veg. Rumex obtusifolius 4 veg. Juncus effusus 4 veg. Iris pseudoacorus 1 veg. Erigeron graminifolius 1 veg. May, 2016 Page 25

168 Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure B-6: View of Plot 6 May, 2016 Page 26

169 Section 5.4f Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Ecological Baseline Report Fauna

170 WREP SECTIONAL REPLACEMENT PROJECT ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY REALIGNED SUPSA HDD AREAS This report has been produced By Dzelkva Ltd on Behalf of RSK Environment Limited May, 2016 Tbilisi

171 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Table of Contents 1 Introduction Survey Methods Survey Area Baseline Zoological Survey Findings Literature Review Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area River Supsa Export Crossing, Left Bank River Supsa Export Crossing, Right Bank Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in End Area Conclusions Appendix A Survey Map Tables Table 1: Amphibians, which may occur in Survey Areas... 2 Table 2: Reptiles, which may occur in Survey Areas... 2 Table 3: Birds, which may occur in Survey Areas... 2 Table 4: Mammals, which may occur in Survey Areas... 5 Table 5: Animals recorded at Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area, 23/04/ Table 6: Animals recorded at Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area, 23/04/ Table 7: Animals recorded at proposed Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area, Left Table 8: Bank, 23/04/ Animals recorded at proposed Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area, Right Bank, 24/04/ Table 9: Animals recorded at River Supsa Export Crossing Left Bank, 23/04/ Table 10: Animals recorded at proposed River Supsa Export Crossing, Right Bank, 24/04/ Table 11: Animals recorded at proposed Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in End Area, 24/04/ Table 12: Animals Recorded at Realigned Supsa Supsa Export HDD Areas, 23-24/04/16 14 Figures Figure 1: Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area... 7 Figure 2: European Pond Turtle, Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area... 7 Figure 3: Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area... 8 Figure 4: Mole Dugouts, Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW, Left Bank... 9 Figure 5: Alder Stand along Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW, Right Bank Figure 6: Cultivated Land Plot in Alder Stand along Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW, Right Bank Figure 7: River Supsa Export Crossing, Right Bank Figure 8: Logging Evidence in Alder Forest, Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in End Area13 May, 2016 Page i

172 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas 1 INTRODUCTION This report summarizes the findings of the baseline zoological surveys conducted at the realigned Supsa Export HDD Areas between 23/04/2016 and 24/04/2016. The ecological survey field team was comprised of (1) David Kharazishvili, Botanist (2) Levan Kalatozishvili, Field Assistant, (3) Ioseb Natradze, Zoologist and (4) Gia Edisherashvili, Ornithologist. Findings of botanical survey at these locations are described in a separate report. 2 SURVEY METHODS The baseline zoological surveys were carried out as described in the Field Survey Plan for Environmental, Ecology and Traffic Surveys, August / September, 2015 (80595/03/03/05/01). The surveys covered the following realigned areas: Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in End Area River Supsa banks at the Supsa Export Crossing. The survey areas and findings are shown on maps contained in Appendix A. 3 SURVEY AREA The survey area is located in the environs of villages Supsa and Grigoleti, on the first and second terraces of both banks of the river Supsa. It is comprised of several interconnected sites of different shapes and sizes. Altitudes vary from 7 to 6 m below sea level. The terrain is slightly uneven, flat and traversed by canals. Silty bog soils are developed on the right bank of the river Supsa while subtropical podzolic-gley soils are found on the left bank. Saturated alluvial soils are found in the river floodplain. The majority of the survey area is heavily modified. A large part is located adjacent to or in the vicinity of Supsa terminal; another part is occupied by crop fields, rush dominated meadows and Alder forest fragments with Blackberry where some minor wet meadow sections are developed. 4 BASELINE ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY FINDINGS 4.1 Literature Review According to published literature, the following animals may occur in the realigned Supsa export HDD Areas and adjacent sites in different seasons: Amphibians 7 species; all included under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (BERN) (refer to Table 1) Reptiles 7 species; 6 included under BERN (refer to Table 2) Birds 157 species; only five do not have any protection status. 11 species (Rednecked Grebe, Black Stork, Ruddy Shelduck, White-tailed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Imperial Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Red-footed Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, Barn Owl) are included in the Georgian Red List (GRL); the rest are listed under BERN, AEWA (Agreement on the Conservation of African- May, 2016 Page 1

173 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds) and / or the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) (Refer to Table 3) Mammals 34 species; 10 species do not have any protection status. One species (Otter) is included in the GRL; others - in the BERN and / or CMS (refer to Table 4). Table 1: Amphibians, which may occur in Survey Areas Scientific Name English Common Name Status 1 Bufo viridis European Green Toad BERN 2 Bufo verrucosissimus Caucasian Toad BERN 3 Triturus karelinii Southern Crested Newt BERN 4 Lissotriton vulgaris Smooth Newt BERN 5 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog BERN 6 Hyla arborea European Tree Frog BERN 7 Rana macrocnemis Long-legged Wood Frog BERN Table 2: Reptiles, which may occur in Survey Areas Scientific Name English Common Name Status 1 Lacerta agilis Sand Lizard BERN 2 Anguis fragilis Slow Worm BERN 3 Natrix natrix Ring Snake BERN 4 Natrix tesselata Dice Snake BERN 5 Natrix megalocephala Long-headed Water BERN Snake 6 Emys orbicularis European Pond Turtle BERN 7 Elaphe longissima Aesculapian Snake BERN Table 3: Birds, which may occur in Survey Areas Scientific Name English Common Name Status 1 Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe BERN, AEWA 2 Podiceps grisegena Red-necked Grebe GRL, CMS. BERN, AEWA 3 Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe AEWA, BERN 4 Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant AEWA, BERN 5 Ardea cinerea Grey Heron AEWA, BERN 6 Ardea purpurea Purple Heron CMS, BERN, AEWA 7 Casmerodius albus (=Egretta Great (White) Egret CMS, BERN, AEWA alba=ardea alba) 8 Egretta garzetta Little Egret BERN, AEWA 9 Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret BERN, AEWA 10 Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron BERN, AEWA 11 Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night-heron BERN, AEWA 12 Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern CMS, BERN, AEWA 13 Botaurus stellaris Great Bittern CMS, BERN, AEWA 14 Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis CMS, BERN, AEWA 15 Ciconia ciconia White Stork CMS, BERN, AEWA 16 Ciconia nigra Black Stork GRL, CMS, BERN, AEWA 17 Tadorna ferruginea Ruddy Shelduck GRL, CMS, BERN, AEWA 18 Anas platyrhynchos Mallard CMS, BERN, AEWA 19 Anas strepera Gadwall CMS, BERN, AEWA 20 Anas crecca Eurasian Teal CMS, BERN, AEWA 21 Anas querquedula Garganey CMS, AEWA, BERN 22 Mergus merganser Common Merganser CMS, BERN, AEWA 23 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle GRL, CMS, BERN May, 2016 Page 2

174 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Scientific Name English Common Name Status 24 Milvus migrans Black Kite CMS, BERN 25 Circaetus gallicus Short-toed Snake-eagle CMS, BERN 26 Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk CMS, BERN 27 Accipiter nisus Eurasian Sparrowhawk CMS, BERN 28 Accipiter gentilis Northern Goshawk CMS, BERN 29 Buteo buteo Common Buzzard CMS, BERN 30 Buteo rufinus Long-legged Buzzard GRL, CMS, BERN 31 Pernis apivorus European Honey-buzzard CMS, BERN 32 Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle CMS, BERN 33 Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle GRL, CMS, BERN 34 Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle GRL, CMS, BERN 35 Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle CMS, BERN 36 Aquila nipalensis Steppe Eagle CMS, BERN 37 Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture GRL, CMS, BERN 38 Circus aeroginosus Western Marsh-harrier BERN 39 Circus cyaneus Northern Harrier CMS, BERN 40 Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier CMS, BERN 41 Circus pygargus Montagu's Harrier CMS, BERN 42 Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon CMS, BERN 43 Falco subbuteo Eurasian Hobby CMS, BERN 44 Falco columbarius Merlin CMS, BERN 45 Falco vespertinus Red-footed Falcon GRL, CMS, BERN 46 Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel GRL, CMS, BERN 47 Falco tinnunculus Common Kestrel CMS, BERN 48 Coturnix coturnix Common Quail CMS, BERN 49 Rallus aquaticus Water Rail AEWA, BERN 50 Porzana porzana Spotted Crake CMS, BERN, AEWA 51 Crex crex Corncrake CMS, BERN, AEWA 52 Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen AEWA, BERN 53 Fulica atra Common Coot CMS, BERN, AEWA 54 Charadrius dubius Little Ringed Plover CMS, BERN, AEWA 55 Tringa totanus Common Redshank CMS, BERN, AEWA 56 Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper CMS, BERN, AEWA 57 Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper CMS, BERN, AEWA 58 Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper CMS, BERN, AEWA 59 Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper AEWA, BERN 60 Philomachus pugnax Ruff CMS, AEWA, BERN 61 Scolopax rusticola Eurasian Woodcock AEWA, BERN 62 Gallinago media Great Snipe CMS, BERN, AEWA 63 Gallinago gallinago Common Snipe CMS, BERN, AEWA 64 Lymnocryptes minimus Jack Snipe CMS, BERN, AEWA 65 Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole CMS, BERN, AEWA 66 Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull BERN, AEWA 67 Sterna hirundo Common Tern CMS, BERN, AEWA 68 Columba oenas Stock Pigeon BERN 69 Columba palumbus Common Wood-pigeon 70 Streptopelia turtur European Turtle-dove BERN, CMS 71 Cuculus canorus Common Cuckoo BERN 72 Asio flammeus Short-eared Owl CMS, BERN 73 Otus scops Common Scops Owl CMS, BERN 74 Tyto alba Barn Owl GRL, BERN 75 Caprimulgus europaeus Eurasian Nightjar BERN 76 Apus apus Common Swift BENRE 77 Merops apiaster European Bee-eater CMS, BERN 78 Coracias garrulus European Roller CMS, BERN 79 Alcedo atthis Common Kingfisher BERN 80 Upupa epops Eurasian Hoopoe BERN May, 2016 Page 3

175 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Scientific Name English Common Name Status 81 Picus viridis European Green BERN Woodpecker 82 Dendrocopos major Great Spotted Woodpecker BERN 83 Jynx torquilla Eurasian Wryneck BERN 84 Lullula arborea Wood Lark BERN 85 Alauda arvensis Eurasian Skylark BERN 86 Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow BERN 87 Riparia riparia Sand Martin BERN 88 Delichon urbica Northern House-martin BERN 89 Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit BERN 90 Anthus pratensis Meadow Pipit BERN 91 Anthus cervinus Red-throated Pipit BERN 92 Anthus spinoletta Water Pipit BERN 93 Anthus campestris Tawny Pipit BERN 94 Motacilla alba White Wagtail BERN 95 Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail BERN 96 Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike BERN 97 Locustella naevia Common Grasshopperwarbler BERN 98 Acrocephalus scirpaceus Reed Warbler BERN 99 Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler BERN 100 Acrocephalus arundinaceus Great Reed-warbler BERN 101 Acrocephalus melanopogon Moustached Warbler BERN 102 Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Sedge Warbler BERN 103 Cettia cetti Cetti's Warbler BERN 104 Hippolais icterina Icterine Warbler BERN 105 Hippolais pallida Olivaceous Warbler BERN 106 Hippolais caligata Booted Warbler BERN 107 Sylvia communis Common Whitethroat BERN 108 Sylvia curruca Lesser Whitethroat BERN 109 Sylvia borin Garden Warbler BERN 110 Sylvia nisoria Barred Warbler BERN 111 Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap BERN 112 Sylvia hortensis Orphean Warbler BERN 113 Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler BERN 114 Phylloscopus collybita Common Chiffchaff BERN 115 Phylloscopus sibilatrix Wood Warbler BERN 116 Phylloscopus trochiloides Greenish Warbler BERN 117 Regulus regulus Goldcrest BERN 118 Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher BERN 119 Ficedula hypoleuca European Pied Flycatcher BERN 120 Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher BERN 121 Ficedula parva Red-breasted Flycatcher BERN 122 Ficedula semitorquata Semicollared Flycatcher BERN 123 Saxicola torquata Common Stonechat BERN 124 Saxicola rubetra Whinchat BERN 125 Phoenicurus phoenicurus Common Redstart BERN 126 Erithacus rubecula European Robin BERN 127 Luscinia megarhynchos Common Nightingale BERN 128 Turdus merula Eurasian Blackbird BERN 129 Turdus pilaris Fieldfare BERN 130 Turdus iliacus Redwing BERN 131 Turdus philomelos Song Thrush BERN 132 Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush BERN 133 Aegithalos caudatus Long-tailed Tit BERN 134 Remiz pendulinus Eurasian Penduline-tit BERN 135 Parus ater Coal Tit BERN May, 2016 Page 4

176 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Scientific Name English Common Name Status 136 Parus major Great Tit BERN 137 Parus caeruleus Blue Tit BERN 138 Troglodytes troglodytes Winter Wren BERN 139 Miliaria calandra Corn Bunting BERN 140 Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer BERN 141 Emberiza melanocephala Black-headed Bunting BERN 142 Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting BERN 143 Emberiza schoeniclus Reed Bunting BERN 144 Fringilla montifringilla Brambling BERN 145 Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch BERN 146 Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch BERN 147 Carduelis chloris European Greenfinch BERN 148 Carpodacus erythrinus Common Rosefinch BERN 149 Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow BERN 150 Passer domesticus House Sparrow 151 Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling 152 Sturnus roseus Rosy Starling BERN 153 Garrulus glandarius Eurasian Jay 154 Oriolus oriolus Eurasian Golden-oriole BERN 155 Corvus corax Common Raven BERN 156 Corvus frugilegus Rook 157 Corvus cornix Carrion (Hooded) Crow Table 4: Mammals, which may occur in Survey Areas Scientific Name English Common Name Status 1. Erinaceus concolor Southern White-Breasted Hedgehog 2. Talpa caucasica Caucasian Mole BERN 3. Talpa levantis Levant Mole BERN 4. Neomys teres Caucasian Water Shrew BERN 5. Crocidura gueldenstaedtii Caucasian White-Toothed Shrew BERN 6. Crocidura leucodon Caucasian White-Toothed Shrew BERN 7. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Greater Horseshoe Bat BERN, CMS 8. Rinolophus hipposideros Lesser Horseshoe Bat BERN, CMS 9. Myotis mystacinus Whiskered Bat BERN, CMS 10. Myotis nattereri Natterer's Bat BERN, CMS 11. Myotis daubentonii Daubenton's Bat BERN, CMS 12. Myotis blithyi Lesser Mouse-eared Bat BERN, CMS 13. Nyctalus noctula Common Noctule BERN, CMS 14. Nyctalus leisleri Lesser Noctule Bat BERN, CMS 15. Nyctalus lasiopterus Common Pipistrelle BERN, CMS 16. Pipistrellus pipistrellus Greater Noctule Bat BERN, CMS 17. Pipistrellus nathusii Nathusius's Pipistrelle BERN, CMS 18. Plecotus auritus Brown Big-eared Bat BERN, CMS 19. Eptesicus serotinus Serotine Bat BERN, CMS 20. Lepus europeus European Hare 21. Myocastor coypus Coypu 22. Terricola majori Bush Vole 23. Arvicola terrestris European Water Vole 24. Sylvaemus uralensis Lesser Wood-Mouse 25. Sylvaemus fulvipectus Caucasian Wood Mouse 26. Mus musculus House Mouse 27. Rattus rattus Black Rat 28. Rattus norvegicus Common Rat 29. Vulpes vuples Red Fox BERN 30. Canis aureus Jackal BERN 31. Lutra lutra Otter GRL May, 2016 Page 5

177 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Scientific Name English Common Name Status 32. Meles meles Badger BERN 33. Mustela nivalis Weasel BERN 34. Felis silvestris Wildcat BERN 4.2 Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area A route walk was undertaken between Reference Points 1 S08 (GPS coordinates: / ) and S10 (GPS coordinates: / ) along the proposed Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area on 23th April. The site is heavily modified. Part of the site represents Rush dominated meadow traversed by a ground (unsurfaced) road and irrigation canal. Part of the site located between Reference Points S09 (GPS coordinates: / ) and S10 is cultivated land. Animals recorded during the survey are listed in Table 5. Table 5: Animals recorded at Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area, 23/04/16 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Amphibians 1 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog Dozens Reptiles 2 Emys orbicularis European Pond Turtle 2 Birds 3 Corvus corax Common Raven 1 4 Corvus cornix Carrion (Hooded) Crow 1 5 Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch 3 6 Merops apiaster European Bee-eater Several flocks Mammals 7 Talpa sp. Mole Dugout 1 Reference Points are shown on the map in Appendix A. May, 2016 Page 6

178 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure 1: Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area Figure 2: European Pond Turtle, Supsa Export HDD Crossing Stringing Area May, 2016 Page 7

179 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas 4.3 Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area The proposed export HDD crossing tie-in start area was surveyed by a route walk from Reference Point S06 (GPS coordinates: / ) to Reference Point S07 (GPS coordinates: / ) on 23 rd April. This site is located adjacent to Supsa terminal; it is severely modified and used as a pasture. The site supports Rush dominated meadow with minor Alder stands. Animals recorded during the route walk are provided in Table 6. Table 6: Animals recorded at Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area, 23/04/16 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Amphibians 1 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog Dozens Birds 2 Corvus corax Common Raven 1 3 Corvus cornix Carrion (Hooded) Crow 1 4 Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch 3 5 Merops apiaster European Bee-eater Several flocks Mammals 6 Talpa sp. Mole Dugout Figure 3: Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in Start Area May, 2016 Page 8

180 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas 4.4 Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area The proposed Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area was surveyed by completing two routewalks along the following: 1. The section of the proposed RoW located on the left bank of river Supsa between Reference Points S04 (GPS coordinates: / ) and S05 (GPS coordinates: / ) on 23 rd April. The proposed corridor is occupied by alternating Alder stands and Rush dominated wet meadows with Blackberry subject to heavy anthropogenic stress. Animals recorded are detailed in Table 7. Table 7: Animals recorded at proposed Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area, Left Bank, 23/04/16 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Amphibians 1 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog Dozens Birds 2 Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch 2 3 Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap 3 4 Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch 2 5 Merops apiaster European Bee-eater Flocks Mammals 6 Talpa sp. Mole Dugouts Figure 4: Mole Dugouts, Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW, Left Bank May, 2016 Page 9

181 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas 2. The section of the proposed RoW located on the right bank of river Supsa between Reference Points S13 (GPS coordinates: / ) and S17 (GPS coordinates: / ) on 24 th April. The proposed corridor supports Alder stands traversed by cultivated land plots at two locations: S15 (GPS coordinates: / ): approximate width of the land plot 15m S16 (GPS coordinates: / ): approximate width of the land plot 8-10m. Animals recorded during this routewalk are listed in Table 8. It is recommended to retain a mature Poplar recorded at Reference Point S14 (GPS coordinates: / ) if possible as it provides shelter to numerous small animals. Table 8: Animals recorded at proposed Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area, Right Bank, 24/04/16 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Amphibians 1 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog Dozens Birds 2 Saxicola torquata Common Stonechat 1 3 Turdus merula Eurasian Blackbird 1 4 Garrulus glandarius Eurasian Jay 1 5 Corvus cornix Carrion (Hooded) Crow 4 Mammals 6 Talpa sp. Mole Dugouts Figure 5: Alder Stand along Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW, Right Bank May, 2016 Page 10

182 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas Figure 6: Cultivated Land Plot in Alder Stand along Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW, Right Bank 4.5 River Supsa Export Crossing, Left Bank This site was surveyed by a route walk from Reference Point S02 (GPS coordinates: / ) to Reference Point S03 (GPS coordinates: / ) via Reference Point S01 (GPS coordinates: / ) on 23 rd April. The survey area supports heavily transformed riparian scrub. Animals recorded are summarized in Table 9 below. Table 9: Animals recorded at River Supsa Export Crossing Left Bank, 23/04/16 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Amphibians 1 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog Dozens Birds 2 Ardea cinerea Grey Heron 1 3 Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow 8 4 Accipiter nisus Eurasian Sparrowhawk 2 5 Corvus cornix Carrion (Hooded) Crow 5 6 Buteo buteo Buzzard 1 Mammals 7 Myocastor coypus Coypu Footprints 8 Canis aureus Jackal Footprints May, 2016 Page 11

183 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas 4.6 River Supsa Export Crossing, Right Bank The site was surveyed by a route walk between Reference Points S11 (GPS coordinates: / ) and S12 (GPS coordinates: / ) on 24 th April. The surveyed site supports severely disturbed wet meadow dominated by Rush and Alder stands. The animals recorded are summarized in Table 10 below. Table 10: Animals recorded at proposed River Supsa Export Crossing, Right Bank, 24/04/16 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Amphibians 1 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog Dozens Birds 2 Accipiter nisus Eurasian Sparrowhawk 1 Mammals 3 Talpa sp. Mole Dugouts Figure 7: River Supsa Export Crossing, Right Bank 4.7 Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in End Area The proposed Tie-in End Area was surveyed by a routewalk between Reference Points S18 (GPS coordinates: / ), S21 (GPS coordinates: / ) and S22 (GPS coordinates: / ) on 24 th April. The site supports heavily May, 2016 Page 12

184 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas modified Alder forest with the understorey composed of Blackberry and Elderberry. There is an evidence of logging in the forest. The site includes cultivated land plots at the following locations: S19 (GPS coordinates: / ) approximately m wide plot S20 (GPS coordinates: / ) - approximately 6-8 m wide plot. A fairly large irrigation / drainage canal follows the eastern border of this site. Animals recorded during the route walk are detailed in Table 11 below. Table 11: Animals recorded at proposed Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in End Area, 24/04/16 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Amphibians 1 Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog Dozens Birds 2 Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap 1 3 Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch 2 4 Turdus merula Eurasian Blackbird 1 5 Parus major Great Tit 2 6 Phylloscopus sp Warbler 1 7 Corvus cornix Carrion (Hooded) Crow 5 8 Accipiter nisus Eurasian Sparrowhawk 3 Mammals 9 Talpa sp. Mole Dugouts Figure 8: Logging Evidence in Alder Forest, Supsa Export HDD Crossing Tie-in End Area May, 2016 Page 13

185 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas 5 CONCLUSIONS In total, 23 animal species were recorded during the zoological surveys at the proposed realigned HDD areas (Table 12): one amphibian, one reptile, 18 birds (including one bird that could not be identified to the species level) and 3 mammals. None of the recorded species is included in the GRL; two species have no protection status (Eurasian Jay and Coypu). Twenty species are included under AEWA, BERN and / or CMS. It should be noted that low bird migration activity was observed during the zoological surveys in 23-24/04/16. It was mostly represented by migrating small flocks of Black Kite (Milvus migrans), European Beeeater (Merops apiaster) and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica). In conclusion it can be stated that all surveyed areas are severely modified and subject to high human-induced disturbance. It should be noted that no evidence of presence of Common Otter (Lutra lutra) GRL species was detected in the course of September, 2015 and April, 2016 surveys (otter footprints were repeatedly recorded at the proposed export pipeline crossing on river Supsa right bank in 2011 and 2012). It is recommended to take into consideration animal breeding period (February late May) in the construction schedule by minimizing construction-related disturbance and intrusive works as far as practically achievable in this period. It is also recommended to retain the mature poplar tree at GPS coordinates / on the right bank of r. Supsa along Supsa Export HDD Crossing RoW Area if possible as it provides shelter to numerous small animals. Table 12: Animals Recorded at Realigned Supsa Supsa Export HDD Areas, 23-24/04/16 Scientific Name English Common Name Number Status Amphibians 1. Pelophylax ridibundus Marsh Frog Numerous BERN Reptiles 2. Emys orbicularis European Pond Turtle 2 BERN Birds 3. Accipiter nisus Eurasian Sparrowhawk 6 CMS, BERN 4. Ardea cinerea Grey Heron 1 AEWA, BERN 5. Buteo buteo Buzzard 1 CMS, BERN 6. Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch 5 BERN 7. Circus aeroginosus Western Marsh-harrier 1 BERN 8. Corvus corax Common Raven 1 BERN 9. Corvus cornix Carrion (Hooded) Crow 15 BERN 10. Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch 4 BERN 11. Garrulus glandarius Eurasian Jay Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow 8 BERN 13. Merops apiaster European Bee-eater Flocks CMS, BERN 14. Milvus migrans Black Kite Dozens CMS, BERN (migrating) 15. Parus major Great Tit 2 BERN 16. Phylloscopus sp. Warbler Saxicola torquata Common Stonechat 1 BERN 18. Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap 4 BERN 19. Turdus merula Eurasian Blackbird 2 BERN 20. Upupa epops Eurasian Hoopoe 1 BERN Mammals 21. Canis aureus Jackal Footprints BERN 22. Myocastor coypus Coypu Footprints 23. Talpa sp. Mole Dugouts BERN May, 2016 Page 14

186 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas APPENDIX A SURVEY MAP May, 2016 Page 15

187 Zoological Survey Realigned Supsa HDD Areas May, 2016 Page 16