Section 5.5a. East Georgia High Conservation Value Plants. May/June PDF Free Download

Section 5.5a East Georgia High Conservation Value Plants May/June 2016

WREP SECTIONAL REPLACEMENT PROJECT HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE PLANT IDENTIFICATION SURVEY RP-001A, RR-001, AR55, AR55A, AR63, AR63A, AR64.5, AR64.5A, AR66, AR66A, AR69A, BVS28 MAY-JUNE, 2016 This report has been produced By Dzelkva Ltd on Behalf of Georgian Pipeline Company June, 2016 Tbilisi

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Table of Contents 1 Introduction... 1 2 Survey Methods... 1 3 Survey Area... 1 4 Findings... 1 4.1 Verification of Presence of HCV Plants Recorded in 2007-2011... 1 4.2 Proposed Replacement Section RP-001a... 2 4.3 Proposed RR-001... 3 4.4 Proposed Access Road AR55... 7 4.5 Proposed Access Roads AR55a, 64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a&BVS28... 8 4.6 Proposed Access Road AR63... 8 4.6 Proposed Access Road AR63a... 9 4.7 Proposed Access Road AR64.5... 9 5 Recommendations... 10 Appendix A Survey Maps... 13 Tables Table 1: HCV plants along proposed RP-001a... 2 Table 2: Woody HCV plants along proposed RR-001... 4 Table 3: Herbaceous HCV plants along proposed RR-001... 5 Table 4: Woody HCV plants along proposed AR55... 8 Table 5: HCV plants along proposed AR63... 9 Table 6: HCV plants along proposed AR63a... 9 Table 7: HCV plants along proposed AR64.5... 10 June 2016 Page 1

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 1 INTRODUCTION This report summarizes the findings of the field surveys focused on identification of high conservation value (HCV) plant species conducted along the proposed WREP SR replacement sections RP-001a & RR-001 and access roads AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 between 18th - 28th May, 2016 and 2nd June 9 th June, 2016. The field team was comprised of (1) Manana Khutsishvili, Botanist, and (2) Field Assistants: Levan Kalatozishvili (18/05-28/05/2016) and Konstantin Kereselidze (02/06-09/06/2016). 2 SURVEY METHODS The HCV plant identification survey involved botanists walking along the corridors of the replacement sections RP-001a & RR-001 and access roads AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 to spot individuals and populations of flowering and geophyte plant species of high conservation value including species listed in the Georgian Red List (GRL) and appendices of the CITES. In addition, the locations of the HCV plant populations recorded during the 2007-2011 botanical surveys were verified with regard to the current alignment of the proposed pipeline sections and access roads. If HCV plants were detected, data on abiotic and biotic environment were recorded such as target species, GPS coordinates, altitude, aspect, inclination, soil, habitat, area of occupancy, number of individuals, phenological phase, population state and existing threats. The surveys covered 40m wide corridors centered on the proposed WREP SR replacement sections and 20m wide corridors centered on the access roads. Nomenclature of the plants is given according to the Vascular Plants of Georgia: A Nomenclature Checklist by R. Gagnidze (2005) excluding family Orchidaceae representatives, which follows Version 1.1. of The Plant List (http://www.theplantlist.org/). The survey areas and findings are shown on maps contained in Appendix A. 3 SURVEY AREA The survey area includes corridors of the proposed re-route and replacement sections and access roads traversing the foothills of south-west facing macroslopes of the Saguramo ridge. The corridors pass through various habitats including secondary grassland, hemixerophytic shrubbery of Shibliak type and xeromesophilous scrub, deciduous and plantation woodlands. The majority of the habitats are of secondary origin and highly modified. 4 HCV PLANT IDENTIFICATION SURVEY FINDINGS 4.1 Verification of Presence of HCV Plants Recorded in 2007-2011 A number of locations supporting HCV plants were recorded by the Phase I habitat surveys carried out at different stages of WREP SR project development in 2007-2012. Three sites are located close to the current alignment of WREP SR, namely - proposed replacement section RP-001a. According to Phase I botanical survey findings conducted in June, 2007, the following HCV plants were found near and / or within the 100m wide corridor of the original RP-001 route: Large population (up to 60 specimens) of Iris (Iris carthaliniae) - endemic of Caucasus (GPS coordinates: 8494377 / 4627889) June 2016 Page 1

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Several (5) specimens of Fragrant orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea) species listed under the CITES (GPS coordinates: 8493099 / 4628699). Representatives of Wild pear (Pyrus sp.) including two GRL species - Pyrus ketzkhovelii and Pyrus demetrii (GPS coordinates: 8491301 / 4629209, close to AM 55). The three locations recorded by the past surveyes were visited on 18/05/2016. No individuals of Fragrant orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea), Demeter s pear (Pyrus demetrii) or Ketzkhoveli s pear (Pyrus ketzkhovelii) were found in the 40m wide corridor of the current RP-001a route. A large population of Caucasian endemic species Iris carthaliniae was present at the coordinates recorded by the 2007 Phase I surveys; however, this site is over 200m east of the proposed AR 52 and more than 700m east of the RP-001 start point. It should be noted that this population has expanded considerably and now includes over 400 individuals (cf. 60 individuals in 2007). 4.2 Proposed Replacement Section RP-001a The 40m wide corridor of the proposed RP-001a was surveyed on 18-19/05. Only two specimens of GRL tree species - Demeter s pear (Pyrus demetrii) were recorded; both occur within the corridor. More details on these specimens are given in Table 1 below. Table 1: HCV plants along proposed RP-001a Ref. 1 GPS Coordinates Plant Species Easting Northing Conservation Status Number of Individuals Height m DBH cm Condition Within Corridor? 1 8492552 4629020 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 3 7 Good Yes 2 8491217 4629373 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 2 4 Good Yes 1 Reference numbers given in the tables are also shown on the maps in Appendix A. June 2016 Page 2

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Figure 1: Demeter s pear (Ref. 1) 4.3 Proposed RR-001 The 40m wide corridor of the proposed RR-001 was surveyed on 18/05, 24-25/05, 27/05 and 02/06-09/06/2016. In total, 74 populations of seven (7) HCV plant species were identified. Only one GRL species - Demeter s pear (Pyrus demetrii) was recorded; it is present at 14 locations. The other six species are included in the CITES and are represented by 60 populations; all six June 2016 Page 3

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 species belong to the botanical family Orchidaceae. The recorded HCV plant populations are summarized below: 1. Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal orchid in total, 38 populations were recorded with only one (Ref. No. 67 represented by 2 specimens) located outside the 40m wide corridor, namely 2m north of the corridor border (Map 9). Two populations are very large: Ref. No. 31 represented by >100 individuals (Map 10) and Ref. No. 89, which includes 200+ specimens (Map 15); Population No. 85 is represented by 70+ individuals (Map 15). All three populations are located along or close to the corridor centerline. Four populations are represented by more than 20 and fewer than 33 individuals (Ref. NN 42, 52, 65 and 88); all are located within the corridor (Maps 11-13, 15). Other populations comprise fewer than 10 plants. 2. Anacamptis morio=orchis Morio Green-winged orchid 11 populations of this species were recorded (NN 15-19, 21, 26, 29, 71, 78). Two large populations supporting over 100 individuals each (NN 26 and 29) are located close and along the corridor centerline (Maps 6-7). Populations NN15, 17 and 78 are represented by one individual each; NN 16, 19 and 28 by 3 plants each, N71 6 plants and N18 7 plants. Only one population (No. 28) is outside the corridor, viz.: 15m west of the corridor border (Map 5), others are located in the corridor (Maps 6-7, 10). 3. Epipactis leptochila Narrow-lipped helleborine this species is represented only by one specimen (Ref. No. 53) recorded within the corridor (Map 13). 4. Gymnadenia conopsea Fragrant orchid only one population of this species represented by 2 specimens (Ref. No. 73) was recorded in the corridor (Map 7). 5. Limodorum abortivum Violet limodore five populations were recorded (Ref. NN 23, 77, 79, 80, 83). One population (Ref. No. 23) comprising only one plant is almost on the southern border of the corridor (Map 7). Other populations (Population 77 includes 1 plant, 79 5 plants, 80 and 83 2 plants each) are located within the corridor (Map 7). 6. Ophrys fuciflora=ophrys oestrifera Late spider orchid this species is represented by four populations (NN 24, 25, 27, 40); Population 24 comprising only one plant is located some 10m south of the corridor border (Map 6). Other three populations are within the corridor though Populations 27 (represented by 5 plants) and 40 (3 plants) are found just inside the southern border (Maps 6-7,11). 7. Pyrus demetrii Demeter s pear this GRL-listed tree was recorded at 14 locations (Ref. NN 14, 36, 47, 49, 50, 51, 55, 57-59, 62, 63, 86, 87). Populations 47 and 63 include 4 specimens, Populations 55, 59 and 86 2 specimens. Other populations are represented by only one individual. Population 47 is located some 120m north of the northern border of the corridor (Map 12), Populations 51 and 63 are within the corridor though very close to the southern border (Map 13). Data on Demeter s pear are provided in Table 2 while information on populations of the CITES-listed species is detailed in Table 3. Table 2: Woody HCV plants along proposed RR-001 Ref. GPS Coordinates Plant Species Easting Northing Conservation Status Number of Individuals Height m DBH cm Condition Within Corridor? 14 8482624 4633789 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 1 4 Poor Yes 36 8481722 4634049 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 2 4 Good Yes June 2016 Page 4

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Ref. GPS Coordinates Plant Species Easting Northing Conservation Status Number of Individuals Height m DBH cm Condition Within Corridor? 47 8481354 4634124 Pyrus demetrii GRL 4 2 3 Good No 49 8480892 4634007 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 2 4 Good Yes 50 8480837 4634020 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 3 25 Good Yes 51 8480799 4634020 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 3 30 Good Yes 55 8480629 4634012 Pyrus demetrii GRL 2 2 13 Good Yes 57 8480202 4634050 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 2 5 Good Yes 58 8481186 4633941 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 2 6 Good Yes 59 8480995 4633897 Pyrus demetrii GRL 2 2 1.5 9 8 Good Yes 62 8480012 4634080 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 2.3 12 Good Yes 63 8480512 4633995 86 8479953 4634815 Pyrus demetrii GRL 4 0.5 2 2 1.8 Pyrus demetrii GRL 2 2 1.85 2 8 7 4 Good Yes 7 6 Good Yes 87 8479914 4634613 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 3 12 Good Yes Table 3: Herbaceous HCV plants along proposed RR-001 Ref. GPS Coordinates Plant Species Easting Northing Conservation Status Area of Occupancy m 2 Total Number of Individuals in Identified Population Condition Within Corridor? 20 8482869 4633420 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 3 Good (fl.) Yes 22 8480875 4633396 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 4 Good (fl.fr.) Yes 30 8482546 4633922 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 15 15 Expanding (fl.) Yes 31 8482484 4634069 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 100> Expanding (fl.) Yes 35 8481681 4634050 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 70 14 Good (fl.) Yes 37 8481749 4634042 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 38 8481767 4634050 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 10 5 Good (fl.) Yes 39 8481847 4634034 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 20 13 Good (fl.) Yes June 2016 Page 5

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Ref. GPS Coordinates Plant Species Easting Northing Conservation Status Area of Occupancy m 2 Total Number of Individuals in Identified Population Condition Within Corridor? 41 8481862 4634056 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 60 3 Good (fl.) Yes 42 8481578 4634055 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 24 Good (fl.) Yes 43 8481552 4634067 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 44 8481492 4634069 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 45 8481506 4634067 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 46 8481330 4633946 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 3 4 Good (fl.) Yes 47 8481354 4634124 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 10 4 Good No 48 8480885 4634007 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 52 8480795 4634055 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 50 25 Good (fl.) Yes 54 8480646 4634027 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 50 9 Good (fl.) Yes 56 8480208 4634050 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 2 Good (fl.) Yes 60 8480995 4633897 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 Good (fl.) Yes 61 8481109 4633914 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 2 Good (fl.) Yes 64 8481081 4633874 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 3 2 Good (fl.) Yes 65 8481048 4633877 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 25 32 Good (fl.) Yes 66 8480431 4634022 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 Good (fl.) Yes 67 8483008 4633376 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 10 2 Good (fl.) No 68 8483035 4633373 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 10 14 Good (fl.) Yes 69 8483004 4633355 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 Good (fl.) Yes 70 8483117 4633352 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 Good (fr.) Yes 72 8483096 4633362 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 5 5 Good (fl.) Yes 74 8483083 4633358 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 Good (fl.) Yes 75 8483473 4633364 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 15 6 Good (fl.) Yes 76 8482995 4633348 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 2 Good (fl.) Yes 81 8483424 4633384 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 10 6 Good (fl.) Yes 82 8483543 4633354 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 10 12 Good (fl.) Yes 84 8482988 4633331 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 3 Good (fl.) Yes 85 8479953 4634815 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 100 70+ Good (fl.) Yes 88 8479930 4634801 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 10 23 Good (fl.) Yes 89 8480028 4634931 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 200 200+ Good (fl.) Yes June 2016 Page 6

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Ref. GPS Coordinates Plant Species Easting Northing Conservation Status Area of Occupancy m 2 Total Number of Individuals in Identified Population Condition Within Corridor? 15 8482623 4633779 Anacamptis morio CITES 1 1 Good (fl.fr.) Yes 16 8482628 4633776 Anacamptis morio CITES 1 3 Good (fl.fr.) Yes 17 8482640 4633761 Anacamptis morio CITES 1 1 Good (fl.fr.) Yes 18 8482640 4633752 Anacamptis morio CITES 12 7 Expanding (fl.fr.) Yes 19 8482671 4633725 Anacamptis morio CITES 1 3 Good (fl.fr.) Yes 21 8482640 4633761 Anacamptis morio CITES 1 2 Good (fl.fr.) Yes 26 8484796 4633184 Anacamptis morio CITES >100 Expanding (fl.fr.) Yes 28 8485357 4633171 Anacamptis morio CITES 6 3 Good (fl.fr.) No 29 8484473 4633197 Anacamptis morio CITES >100 Expanding (fl.fr.) Yes 71 8484391 4633201 Anacamptis morio CITES 3 6 Good (fr.) Yes 78 8484297 4633218 Anacamptis morio CITES 1 Good (fr.) Yes 53 8480707 4634058 Epipactis leptochila CITES 1 Good (fl.) Yes 73 8484106 4633237 Gymnadenia conopsea CITES 5 2 Good (fr.) Yes 23 8484500 4633179 Limodorum abortivum CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) No 77 8484298 4633217 Limodorum abortivum CITES 1 Good (fr.) Yes 79 8484373 4633205 Limodorum abortivum CITES 3 5 Good (fl.fr.) Yes 80 8484243 4633239 Limodorum abortivum CITES 1 2 Good (fr.) Yes 83 8484095 4633251 Limodorum abortivum CITES 1 2 Good (fr.) Yes 24 8484600 4633163 Ophrys fuciflora CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) No 25 8484598 4633186 Ophrys fuciflora CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 27 8484819 4633172 Ophrys fuciflora CITES 15 5 Expanding (fl.) Yes 40 8481832 46340203 Ophrys fuciflora CITES 1 3 Good (fl.) Yes 4.4 Proposed Access Road AR55 The 20m wide corridor of the proposed access road AR55 was surveyed on 19/05/2016. Only one specimen of GRL tree Demeter s pear (Pyrus demetrii) was recorded in the surveyed corridor (Table 4). June 2016 Page 7

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Table 4: Woody HCV plants along proposed AR55 Ref. GPS Coordinates Plant Species Easting Northing Conservation Status Number of Individuals Height m DBH cm Condition Within Corridor? 3 8491387 4628968 Pyrus demetrii GRL 1 1.85 6 Good Yes Figure 2: Demeter s pear (Ref. 3) 4.5 Proposed Access Roads AR55a, 64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a&BVS28 The 20m wide corridors of the proposed access roads AR55a, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a and BVS28 were surveyed on 19/05, 22/05, and 2-9/06/2016. No HCV plants were detected in the road corridors. 4.6 Proposed Access Road AR63 The 20m wide corridor of the proposed access road AR63 was surveyed in 19/05-23/05/2016. Only one specimen of Pyramidal orchid was recorded in the surveyed corridor (Table 5) June 2016 Page 8

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Table 5: HCV plants along proposed AR63 Ref. GPS Coordinates Plant Species Easting Northing Conservation Status Area of Occupancy m 2 Total Number of Individuals in Condition Within Corridor? 4 8486887 4631356 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 4.6 Proposed Access Road AR63a The 20m wide corridor of the proposed access road AR63a was surveyed on 22/05; 26-28/05/2016. In total, four populations of Pyramidal orchid were found in the surveyed corridor (Table 6) Table 6: HCV plants along proposed AR63a Ref. GPS Coordinates Plant Species Easting Northing Conservation Status Area of Occupancy m 2 Total Number of Individuals in Identified Population Condition Within Corridor? 5 8486747 4633345 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 6 9 Good (fl.) Yes 32 8486930 4633326 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 33 8486925 4633276 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 12 7 Expanding (fl.) Yes 34 9486919 4633264 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 4 2 Good (fl.) Yes 4.7 Proposed Access Road AR64.5 The 20m wide corridor of the proposed access road AR64.5 was surveyed in 23/05-24/05/2016. In total, eight (8) populations of Pyramidal orchid were found in the surveyed corridor (Table 7) June 2016 Page 9

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Table 7: HCV plants along proposed AR64.5 Ref. GPS Coordinates Plant Species Easting Northing Conservation Status Area of Occupancy m 2 Total Number of Individuals in Identified Population Condition Within Corridor? 6 8484956 4633510 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 7 8484973 4633517 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 8 8484992 4633528 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fr.) Yes 9 8484995 4633539 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 10 8485031 4633526 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 1 Good (fl.) Yes 11 8485324 4633389 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 20 22 Expanding (fl.) Yes 12 8485329 4633395 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 1 4 Good (fl.) Yes 13 8485330 4633371 Anacamptis pyramidalis CITES 4 9 Expanding (fl.) Yes 5 RECOMMENDATIONS In total, 22 specimens of the GRL species Demeter s pear were recorded during the HCV plant identification surveys; all are located either within 40m wide corridors of RP-001a & RR-001 or 20m wide corridors of the proposed access roads. Eight (8) specimens grow near the corridor edges; these are as follows: 1. Population 2 represented by one tree along the proposed RP-001a corridor (Map 2) 2. Population 3 represented by a single tree along the proposed AR55 corridor (Map 2) 3. Population 51 (one tree) along the proposed RR-001 corridor (Map 13) 4. Population 62 (one tree) along the proposed RR-001 corridor (Map 14) 5. Population 63 (four trees) along the proposed RR-001 corridor (Map 14). It is recommended that the above trees be marked prior to construction and retained. Other 14 specimens are located near the corridor centre-lines of the proposed reroute/replacement sections and access roads. It is recommended that these specimens be marked and their locations relative to the final alignment of WREP SR sections and roads be verified by the pre-construction botanical surveys. The following measures are proposed to compensate for the Demeter s pear specimens, which cannot be retained: Recommended compensation planting ratio of 1 to 10 Recommended propagation method: plants grown from wild-collected seeds Recommended seed collection period: September to November Reintroduction of 25cm tall (2-year old) seed-grown specimens to original habitat outside the WREP SR impact zone Recommended planting period: late October-early November (before winter frosts). June 2016 Page 10

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 In total, populations of six herbaceous HCV plant species were recorded in the corridors of the surveyed replacement/re-route sections and proposed access roads; all species are orchids. 1. Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) represented by total of 51 populations with only two populations located outside the surveyed corridors. Nine (9) populations (NN 5-6, 9, 10, 13, 32, 41, 44-45) occur near the corridor edges. 2. Green-winged orchid (Anacamptis morio) by 11 populations (NN 15-19, 21, 26, 28-29, 47, 71, 78) recorded in the proposed RR-001 corridor. One population (No. 28) represented by 3 plants is located outside the 40m wide corridor; another population (No. 19 comprised of three plants) was identified very close to the eastern edge of the corridor. Two populations (NN 26 and 29) support over 100 specimens each. Other seven populations support a total of 21 plants. 3. A single specimen of Narrow-lipped helleborine (Epipactis leptochila) was recorded at only one location (No. 53) in the proposed RR-001 corridor. 4. Fragrant orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea) was also represented by one population (No. 73) comprised of only two plants in the proposed RR-001 corridor. 5. Violet limodore (Limodorum abortivum) was represented by five populations (NN 23, 77, 79-80, 83) in the proposed RR-001 corridor; only one population (No. 23) is off the corridor edge. Other populations contain 10 plants. 6. Late spider-orchid (Ophrys fuciflora) is represented by four populations (NN 24-25, 27, 40) in the proposed RR-001 corridor. No. 24 is located several meters off the south edge of the 40m wide corridor. Other three populations are inside the corridor and support 9 plants. Pyramidal orchid is represented by numerous populations supporting high number of plants and seem widespread in the habitats traversed by WREP SR facilities. This conclusion is confirmed by assessment of the Georgian orchids conducted in 2003 applying IUCN criteria (Akhalkatsi et al, 2003. Diversity and Conservation of Georgian orchids, pp. 7-9). According to the above evaluation, Pyramidal orchid is classified as category NT (Near Threatened) by IUCN criteria. Therefore, potential impacts of WREP SR project activities on the national populations this species is low and no translocation of Pyramidal orchid specimens is recommended. It is proposed that the working width is minimized as far as practicable to reduce construction-related impacts on the populations of this species. Green-winged orchid populations are the second largest comprising over 220 specimens within the 40m wide RR-001 corridor. This orchid is assigned category VU according to IUCN criteria (Akhalkatsi et al, 2003. Diversity and Conservation of Georgian orchids, pp. 7-9). Other four species are represented by different number of populations supporting no more than 20 specimens. Consequently, the following mitigation measures are recommended: Implementation of pre-construction HCV species survey in late April-late May to confirm the location of populations relative the final alignment and width of the proposed road Marking populations / specimens of HCV plants located on the edges of the final working corridors for avoidance Transplantation of small populations (supporting less than 50 specimens) detected within the 20m wide corridor of the final alignment and cannot be retained to the nearest suitable habitat Up to 20% (most well-established plants regularly completing life cycle as indicated by the presence of generative organs such as flower buds, flowers, inflorescences June 2016 Page 11

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 and fruits, which grow in the affected part of the population) of the two large populations of Green-winged orchid (NN 26&29) should be translocated to the nearest suitable habitat outside the project impact zone if at least 50% of the recorded populations are likely to be affected by WREP SR construction activities despite minimisation of the working width of the construction corridor Implementation of HCV plant presence verification surveys after completion of construction and reinstatement. Monitoring of the translocated populations should be carried out twice annually during the flowering and fructification phases for at least three years to assess adaptation success. If monitoring surveys indicate failure of the translocated high conservation value (HCV) plant specimens, a mitigation plan will be developed and implemented. This plan will involve collection of seeds from wild source populations occurring close to the project-affected sites, propagation of seedlings at ex situ conservation centres (botanical gardens) and re-introduction to original habitats near WREP SR. June 2016 Page 12

Environmental Advisory Services s RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 APPENDIX A SURVEY MAPS June 2016 Page 13

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Verification of Presence of HCV Plants Recorded in 2007-2011: Map 1 June 2016 Page 14

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 1 June 2016 Page 17

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 2 June 2016 Page 18

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 3 June 2016 Page 19

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 4 June 2016 Page 20

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 5 June 2016 Page 21

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 6 June 2016 Page 22

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 7 June 2016 Page 23

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 8 June 2016 Page 24

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 9 June 2016 Page 25

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 10 June 2016 Page 26

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 11 June 2016 Page 27

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 12 June 2016 Page 28

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 13 June 2016 Page 29

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 14 June 2016 Page 30

s Environmental Advisory Services RP-001a, RR-001, AR55, AR55a, AR63, AR63a, AR64.5, AR64.5a, AR66, AR66a, AR69a, BVS28 Locations of HCV Plant Populations: Map 15 June 2016 Page 31

Section 5.5b AR 225 High Conservation Value Plants, early May May 2016

WREP SECTIONAL REPLACEMENT PROJECT HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE PLANT IDENTIFICATION SURVEY ACCESS ROAD AR 225 EARLY MAY, 2016 This report has been produced By Dzelkva Ltd on Behalf of RSK Environment Limited May, 2016 Tbilisi

Table of Contents 1 Introduction... 1 2 Survey Methods... 1 3 Survey Area... 1 4 Baseline Botanical Survey Findings... 1 5 Recommendations... 3 Appendix A Survey Maps... 4 Appendix B Field Datasheets... 10 Tables Table 1 HCV Plant Species Identified along Proposed AR 225... 2 May 2016 Page i

1 INTRODUCTION This report summarizes the findings of the botanical surveys focused on identification of high conservation value (HCV) plant species conducted along the proposed WREP SR access road AR 225 between 6 th and 9 th May, 2016. The field team was comprised of (1) Nino Memiadze, Botanist, and (2) David Kharazishvili, Field Assistant. 2 SURVEY METHODS The HCV plant identification survey involved botanists walking along the proposed access road AR 225 corridor to spot individuals and populations of early flowering and geophyte plant species of high conservation value including species listed in the Georgian Red List (GRL) and appendices of the CITES. If HCV plants were detected, data on abiotic and biotic environment were recorded such as target species, GPS coordinates, altitude, aspect, inclination, soil, habitat, area of occupancy, number of individuals, phenological phase, population state and existing threats. The surveys covered 20m wide corridor centered on the proposed access road AR 225. Nomenclature of the plants is given according to the Vascular Plants of Georgia: A Nomenclature Checklist by R. Gagnidze (2005) excluding family Orchidaceae representatives, which follows Diversity and Conservation of Georgian Orchids by Akhalkatsi et al (2003). The survey areas and findings are shown on maps contained in Appendix A. 3 SURVEY AREA The proposed access road AR 225 corridor is located in the vicinity of village Mandaeti, Chiatura municipality, Imereti region. The corridor includes approximately 7.22km long village road with adjacent secondary meadows, forest patches and arable land. Altitudes vary in the range of 714 816m amsl. The proposed AR 225 corridor traverses flat and slightly inclined (up to 10º) uneven terrain with alluvial soils. 4 BASELINE BOTANICAL SURVEY FINDINGS The proposed AR 225 traverses the following major habitats: 1. Secondary broad-leaved woodland 2. Secondary scrub 3. Secondary grass-forb meadow 4. Secondary Rush dominated wet meadow 5. Agricultural fields. In total, six populations of four HCV herbaceous plant species were identified. All plant species are included in the Second Appendix of the CITES and belong to the botanical family of Orchidaceae. These species are as follows: Narrow-leaved Helleborine Cephalanthera longifolia Roman Dactylorhiza Dactylorhiza romana subsp. georgica Lesser Butterfly Orchid Platanthera bifolia May 2016 Page 1

Lady Orchid Orchis purpurea subsp. caucasica. It should be noted that Narrow-leaved Helleborine was represented by the largest population with some 500 individuals; Roman Dactylorhiza is the second largest population comprising up to 200 specimens; the other two species were represented by 1 and 2 individuals only. Information on populations of the HVC plant species identified in the course of the early May surveys is summarized in Table 1 below. Locations of occurrence are shown on maps in Appendix A; full information collected in field is given in the datasheets contained in Appendix B. The proposed access road corridor does not support any early flowering GRL plant species. Table 1 HCV Plant Species Identified along Proposed AR 225 Ref. Scientific Name GPS Coordinates Area of Occupancy m 2 1 Cephalanthera longifolia 2 Cephalanthera longifolia 3 4 Cephalanthera longifolia Dactylorhiza romana subsp. georgica Cephalanthera longifolia Dactylorhiza romana subsp. georgica Total Number of Note Individuals in Identified Population 08363803 04675311 5 5 This species occurs from this location to 08362378 / 4675864 along the proposed AR. Total number of individuals is up to 500 by estimation. Population 1 is at a distance of ca. 7.5m south-west from the 20m wide survey corridor 08363668 04675429 10 10 This population is some 11m off the 20m wide survey corridor. This population is 10 10 within the 20m wide survey corridor This species occurs from this location to 08362378 / 08363305 04675644 4675864 along the proposed AR. Total 20 15 number of individuals is up to 200 by estimation. This population is within the 20m wide survey corridor. This population is 10 10 within the 20m wide 08363299 04675643 survey corridor. This population is 20 15 within the 20m wide survey corridor. May 2016 Page 2

Ref. Scientific Name GPS Coordinates Area of Occupancy m 2 Platanthera bifolia 5 Orchis purpurea subsp. caucasica 6 Orchis purpurea subsp. caucasica 5 RECOMMENDATIONS Total Number of Individuals in Identified Population 1 1 Note This population is within the 20m wide survey corridor. 08358668 04676044 1 1 This specimen is ~1m off the 20m wide survey corridor. 08364643 04674951 1 1 This population is within the 20m wide survey corridor. Taking into consideration the survey findings, the following is recommended: Implementation of pre-construction HCV species survey in late April-early May to confirm the location of populations relative the final alignment Transplantation of small populations (supporting less than 50 specimens) detected within the 20m wide corridor of the final alignment to the nearest suitable habitat Marking large populations (supporting 50 and more specimens) for avoidance. Parts of the populations, which cannot be avoided, should be translocated to the nearest suitable habitat Implementation of HCV plant presence verification surveys after completion of construction and reinstatement. Monitoring of the translocated populations should be carried out twice annually during the flowering and fructification phases for at least three years. May 2016 Page 3

APPENDIX A SURVEY MAPS May 2016 Page 4

Map 1 Locations of HCV Plant Populations May 2016 Page 5

Map 2 Locations of HCV Plant Populations May 2016 Page 6

Map 3 Locations of HCV Plant Populations May 2016 Page 7

Map 4 Locations of HCV Plant Populations May 2016 Page 8

Map 5 Locations of HCV Plant Populations May 2016 Page 9

APPENDIX B FIELD DATASHEETS May 2016 Page 10

High Conservation Value Plant Populations along Proposed AR 225 Population ref. 1 HCV Plant Species: Cephalanthera longifolia (Narrow-leaved Helleborine) Date of field data collection: 06/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08363803 / 04675311 Altitude (m AMSL): 785 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 5 Number of Individuals: 5 Phenological Phase: Flowering Population State: Suppressed Habitat: Soil: Existing Threats: Broad-leaved woodland combined with secondary grass-forb meadow Alluvial Grazing & trampling, logging, road expansion Figure 1: View of Population 1 (Cephalanthera longifolia) May 2016 Page 11

Population ref. 2 HCV Plant Species: Cephalanthera longifolia (Narrow-leaved Helleborine) Date of field data collection: 07/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08363668 / 04675429 Altitude (m AMSL): 779 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 10 Number of Individuals: 10 Phenological Phase: Flowering Population State: Suppressed Habitat: Broad-leaved woodland combined with secondary grass-forb meadow Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging, road expansion May 2016 Page 12

Figure 2: View of Population 2 (Cephalanthera longifolia) May 2016 Page 13

Population ref. 3-1 HCV Plant Species: Cephalanthera longifolia (Narrow-leaved Helleborine) Date of field data collection: 07/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08363305 / 04675644 Altitude (m AMSL): 780 Aspect: NW Inclination: 5º Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 10 Number of Individuals: 10 Phenological Phase: Flowering Population State: Suppressed Habitat: Secondary broad-leaved woodland Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging, likely harvesting Figure 3: View of Population 3-1 (Cephalanthera longifolia) May 2016 Page 14

Population ref. 3-2 HCV Plant Species: Dactylorhiza romana subsp. georgica (Roman Dactylorhiza) Date of field data collection: 07/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08363305 / 04675644 Altitude (m AMSL): 780 Aspect: NW Inclination: 5º Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 20 Number of Individuals: 15 Phenological Phase: Flowering Population State: Suppressed Habitat: Secondary broad-leaved woodland Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging, likely harvesting May 2016 Page 15

Figure 4: View of Population 3-2 (Dactylorhiza romana subsp. georgica) May 2016 Page 16

Population ref. 4-1 HCV Plant Species: Cephalanthera longifolia (Narrow-leaved Helleborine) Date of field data collection: 07/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08363299 / 04675643 Altitude (m AMSL): 780 Aspect: NW Inclination: 5º Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 10 Number of Individuals: 10 Phenological Phase: Flowering Population State: Suppressed Habitat: Secondary broad-leaved woodland Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging Figure 5: View of Population 4-1 (Cephalanthera longifolia) May 2016 Page 17

Population ref. 4-2 HCV Plant Species: Dactylorhiza romana subsp. georgica (Roman Dactylorhiza) Date of field data collection: 07/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08363299 / 04675643 Altitude (m AMSL): 780 Aspect: NW Inclination: 5º Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 20 Number of Individuals: 15 Phenological Phase: Flowering Population State: Suppressed Habitat: Secondary broad-leaved woodland Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging May 2016 Page 18

Figure 6: View of Population 4-2 (Dactylorhiza romana subsp. georgica) May 2016 Page 19

Population ref. 4-3 HCV Plant Species: Platanthera bifolia (Lesser Butterfly Orchid) Date of field data collection: 07/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08363299 / 04675643 Altitude (m AMSL): 780 Aspect: NW Inclination: 5º Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 1 Number of Individuals: 1 Phenological Phase: In buds Population State: Suppressed Habitat: Secondary broad-leaved woodland Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging Figure 7: View of Population 4-3 (Platanthera bifolia) May 2016 Page 20

Population ref. 5 HCV Plant Species: Orchis purpurea subsp. caucasica (Lady Orchid) Date of field data collection: 08/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08358668 / 04676044 Altitude (m AMSL): 743 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 1 Number of Individuals: 1 Phenological Phase: Flowering Population State: Suppressed Habitat: Secondary broad-leaved woodland Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging, road expansion Figure 8: View of Population 5 (Orchis purpurea subsp. caucasica) May 2016 Page 21

Population ref. 6 HCV Plant Species: Orchis purpurea subsp. caucasica (Lady Orchid) Date of field data collection: 08/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08364643 / 04674951 Altitude (m AMSL): 812 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 1 Number of Individuals: 1 Phenological Phase: Vegetative Population State: Suppressed Habitat: Secondary grass-forb meadow Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging, road expansion Figure 9: View of Population 6 (Orchis purpurea subsp. caucasica) May 2016 Page 22

Section 5.5c AR 225 High Conservation Value Plants, late May June 2016

WREP SECTIONAL REPLACEMENT PROJECT HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE PLANT IDENTIFICATION SURVEY ACCESS ROAD AR 225 LATE MAY, 2016 This report has been produced By Dzelkva Ltd on Behalf of Georgian Pipeline Company June, 2016 Tbilisi

Table of Contents 1 Introduction... 1 2 Survey Methods... 1 3 Survey Area... 1 4 Baseline Botanical Survey Findings... 1 5 Recommendations... 3 Appendix A Survey Maps... 5 Appendix B Field Datasheets... 11 Tables Table 1: HCV Plant Populations Identified along Proposed AR 225 (20m Corridor)... 2 June 2016 Page i

1 INTRODUCTION This report summarizes the findings of the botanical surveys focused on identification of high conservation value (HCV) plant species conducted along the proposed WREP SR access road AR 225 between 26 th and 29 th May, 2016. The late May survey was carried out to record the plant species, which were not identifiable by the HCV plant survey implemented in early May, 2016. The field team was comprised of (1) Nino Memiadze, Botanist, and (2) David Kharazishvili, Field Assistant. 2 SURVEY METHODS The HCV plant identification survey involved botanists walking along the proposed access road AR 225 corridor to spot individuals and populations of late May flowering plant species of high conservation value including geophytes and species listed in the Georgian Red List (GRL) and appendices of the CITES. If HCV plants were detected, data on abiotic and biotic environment were recorded such as target species, GPS coordinates, altitude, aspect, inclination, soil, habitat, area of occupancy, number of individuals, phenological phase, population state and existing threats. The surveys covered 20m wide corridor centered on the proposed access road AR 225. Nomenclature of the plants is given according to the Vascular Plants of Georgia: A Nomenclature Checklist by R. Gagnidze (2005) excluding family Orchidaceae representatives, which follows Diversity and Conservation of Georgian Orchids by Akhalkatsi et al (2003). Maps contained in Appendix A show the survey area and findings of both early and late May HCV plant identification surveys. 3 SURVEY AREA The proposed access road AR 225 corridor is located in the vicinity of village Mandaeti, Chiatura municipality, Imereti region. The corridor includes approximately 7.22km long country road with adjacent secondary meadows, forest patches and arable land. Altitudes vary in the range of 714 816m amsl. The proposed AR 225 corridor traverses flat and slightly inclined (up to 10º) uneven terrain with alluvial soils. 4 BASELINE BOTANICAL SURVEY FINDINGS The proposed AR 225 traverses the following major habitats: 1. Secondary broad-leaved woodland 2. Secondary scrub 3. Secondary grass-forb meadow 4. Secondary Rush dominated wet meadow 5. Agricultural fields. In total, nine populations of 8 HCV herbaceous plant species were identified. Six species (5 orchids Long-lipped serapias, Marsh orchid, Lady orchid, Bird s-nest orchid, Bug orchid and Eastern cyclamen) are included in the Second Appendix of the CITES; one species, representative of botanical family of Iridaceae - Colchic iris is andemic of Georgia and June 2016 Page 1

another species Lily of the valley is a rare wild ornamental, representative of botanical family Asparagaceae. These species are as follows: Long-lipped serapias Serapias vomeracea Marsh orchid Dactylorhiza urvilliana Lily of the valley Convallaria transcaucasica Eastern cyclamen Cyclamen coum Colchic iris Iris colchica Lady Orchid Orchis purpurea subsp. caucasica Bird s-nest orchid Neottia nudus-avis Bug orchid Anacamptis coriophora (syn. Orchis coriophora) It should be noted that Long-lipped serapias was represented by some 80 individuals (the largest population contained up to 50 individuals). This species occurs as rare solitary specimens and in relatively large groups between GPS coordinates: 08364595/04674984 (807m amsl) and 08360905/ 04676373 (751m amsl); Serapias is also found in the vicinity of the proposed road corridor. The Eastern cyclamen was represented by ten specimens and Colchic iris by seven; the remaining five species were represented by 1 to 5 individuals only. Information on populations of the HVC plant species identified in the course of the late May surveys is summarized in Table 1 below. Locations of occurrence are shown on maps in Appendix A; full information collected in field is given in the datasheets contained in Appendix B. The proposed access road corridor does not support any flowering GRL plant species. Table 1: HCV Plant Populations Identified along Proposed AR 225 (20m Corridor) Ref. Scientific Name GPS Coordinates Area of Occupancy m 2 7 1 Serapias vomeracea 8 Serapias vomeracea 9 Dactylorhiza urvilliana 10 Convallaria majalis Convallaria transcaucasica Total Number of Individuals in Identified Population Note 08364595 04674984 1 3 Stunted population Existing threats: grazing&trampling, road expansion 08364533 04675008 80 50 Stable population Existing threats: grazing&trampling, road expansion 08364256 04675109 1 1 Stunted population Existing threats: grazing&trampling 08363736 04675410 2 5 Stunted population Existing threats: grazing&trampling, logging 1 Population numbers continue from the numbers assigned to HCV plant populations surveyed in early May, 2016 June 2016 Page 2

Ref. Scientific Name GPS Coordinates Area of Occupancy m 2 Total Number of Individuals in Identified Population 11 Cyclamen coum 08363640 04675478 5 10 Stunted population Existing threats: grazing&trampling, logging 12 Iris colchica 08361441 04675148 1 7 Stunted population Existing threats: grazing&trampling, logging 13 Orchis purpurea subsp. caucasica Note 08359956 04676632 10 5 Stunted population Existing threats: grazing&trampling, road expansion 14 Neottia nudus-avis 08364109 04675169 1 1 Stunted population Existing threats: grazing&trampling, logging 15 Anacamptis coriophora Orchis coriophora 5 RECOMMENDATIONS 08364220 04675134 1 3 Stunted population Existing threats: grazing&trampling Taking into consideration the survey findings, the following is recommended: Implementation of pre-construction HCV species survey in late April-late May to confirm the location of populations relative the final alignment and width of the proposed road Transplantation of small populations (supporting less than 50 specimens) detected within the 20m wide corridor of the final alignment to the nearest suitable habitat Marking large populations (supporting 50 and more specimens) for avoidance. Parts of the populations, which cannot be avoided, should be translocated to the nearest suitable habitat, viz.: if at least 50% of the recorded population is likely to be affected by WREP SR, 20% of the entire population (most well-established plants regularly completing life cycle as indicated by the presence of generative organs such as flower buds, flowers, inflorescences and fruits, which grow in the affected part of the population) should be translocated to the nearest suitable habitat outside the project impact zone Implementation of HCV plant presence verification surveys after completion of construction and reinstatement. Monitoring of the translocated populations should be carried out twice annually during the flowering and fructification phases for at least three years to assess adaptation success. If monitoring surveys indicate failure of the translocated high conservation value (HCV) plant specimens, a mitigation plan will be developed and implemented. This plan will involve collection of seeds from wild source populations occurring close to the project-affected sites, propagation of June 2016 Page 3

seedlings at ex situ conservation centres (botanical gardens) and re-introduction to original habitats near WREP SR. June 2016 Page 4

APPENDIX A SURVEY MAPS June 2016 Page 5

Map 1 Locations of HCV Plant Populations June 2016 Page 6

Map 2 Locations of HCV Plant Populations June 2016 Page 7

Map 3 Locations of HCV Plant Populations June 2016 Page 8

Map 4 Locations of HCV Plant Populations June 2016 Page 9

Map 5 Locations of HCV Plant Populations June 2016 Page 10

APPENDIX B FIELD DATASHEETS June 2016 Page 11

High Conservation Value Plant Populations along Proposed AR 225 (20m Corridor) Population ref. 7 HCV Plant Species: Serapias vomeracea (Long-lipped serapias) Date of field data collection: 26/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08364595 / 04674984 Altitude (m AMSL): 807 Aspect: W Inclination: 5º Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 1 Number of Individuals: 3 Phenological Phase: Beginning of flowering phase Population State: Suppressed Habitat: Meadow Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, road expansion Figure 1: View of Population 7 (Serapias vomeracea) June 2016 Page 12

Population ref. 8 HCV Plant Species: Serapias vomeracea (Long-lipped serapias) Date of field data collection: 27/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08364533 / 04675008 Altitude (m AMSL): 802 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 80 Number of Individuals: 50 Phenological Phase: Beginning of flowering phase Population State: Stable Habitat: Meadow Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, road expansion Figure 2: View of Population 8 (Serapias vomeracea) June 2016 Page 13

Population ref. 9 HCV Plant Species: Dactylorhiza urvilliana (Marsh orchid) Date of field data collection: 27/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08364256 / 04675109 Altitude (m AMSL): 794 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 1 Number of Individuals: 1 Phenological Phase: Flowering Population State: Stable Habitat: Meadow Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling Figure 3: View of Population 9 (Dactylorhiza urvilliana) June 2016 Page 14

Population ref. 10 HCV Plant Species: Convallaria majalis=convallaria transcaucasica (Lily of the valley) Date of field data collection: 28/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08363736 / 04675410 Altitude (m AMSL): 790 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 2 Number of Individuals: 5 Phenological Phase: Vegetative phase Population State: Stunted Habitat: Broad-leaved woodland Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging Figure 4: View of Population 10 (Convallaria transcaucasica) June 2016 Page 15

Population ref. 11 HCV Plant Species: Cyclamen coum (Eastern cyclamen) Date of field data collection: 28/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08363640 / 04675478 Altitude (m AMSL): 785 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 5 Number of Individuals: 10 Phenological Phase: Senile Population State: Stunted Habitat: Broad-leaved woodland Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging Figure 5: View of Population 11 (Cyclamen coum) June 2016 Page 16

Population ref. 12 HCV Plant Species: Iris colchica (Colchic iris) Date of field data collection: 28/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08361441 / 04675148 Altitude (m AMSL): 720 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 1 Number of Individuals: 7 Phenological Phase: End of flowering phase Population State: Stunted Habitat: Broad-leaved woodland Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging Figure 6: View of Population 12 (Iris colchica) June 2016 Page 17

Population ref. 13 HCV Plant Species: Orchis purpurea subsp. caucasica (Lady Orchid) Date of field data collection: 28/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08359956 / 04676632 Altitude (m AMSL): 750 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 10 Number of Individuals: 5 Phenological Phase: End of flowering phase Population State: Stunted Habitat: Roadside shrubbery Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, road expansion Figure 7: View of Population 13 (Orchis purpurea subsp. caucasica) June 2016 Page 18

Population ref. 14 HCV Plant Species: Neottia nudus-avis (Bird s-nest orchid) Date of field data collection: 28/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08364109 / 04675169 Altitude (m AMSL): 796 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 1 Number of Individuals: 1 Phenological Phase: Flowering phase Population State: Stunted Habitat: Broad-leaved woodland Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling, logging Figure 8: View of Population 14 (Neottia nudus-avis) June 2016 Page 19

Population ref. 15 HCV Plant Species: Anacamptis coriophora (Bug orchid) Date of field data collection: 29/05/2016 Abiotic Environment GPS Co-ordinates: 08364220 / 04675134 Altitude (m AMSL): 793 Aspect: - Inclination: - Biotic Environment Area of Occupancy (m 2 ): 1 Number of Individuals: 3 Phenological Phase: Flowering phase Population State: Stunted Habitat: Wet meadow Soil: Alluvial Existing Threats: Grazing&trampling Figure 9: View of Population 15 (Anacamptis coriophora) June 2016 Page 20

Section 5.5a. East Georgia High Conservation Value Plants. May/June 2016