Estidama - Natural Systems Assessment PDF
Estidama - Natural Systems Assessment PDF
Estidama - Natural Systems Assessment PDF
Intent To ensure that at the commencement of the design process, the environmental baseline
conditions surrounding, connected to and on the site are considered and assessed.
Credit
GENERAL
Requirements
Demonstrate that, before the start of the design process and site clearance, an
assessment of the Natural Systems has been carried out at the:
project site;
area of probable impact surrounding the project site;
sub-regional; and
regional scale.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) must be prepared to guide the design of the
development, based on the results of the opportunities and constraints analysis. KPIs
must be measurable targets against which future design or construction works can be
assessed.
The Natural Systems Assessment Report must cover the following environmental
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components, as a minimum:
Topography;
Geology/ geomorphology;
Soils and geotechnical attributes;
Hydrology and groundwater;
Waste and contamination;
Coastal conditions;
Microclimate (such as prevailing winds, solar orientation and solar shading;
Priority species, habitats and ecosystems (both onsite and those influenced by the
site);
Flora and fauna (including wildlife corridors, seasonal uses); and
Archaeological features.
The Natural Systems Assessment must be undertaken in combination with LBo-R2 Urban
Systems Assessment.
The assessment must be based on a field survey and a desk top study using historical
and/or other data. As a minimum, a field survey must be carried out on the project site
and include a Phase I Habitat Survey, or similar. A desk top study is sufficient for the
area of probable impact, sub-regional and regional analysis.
The assessment must then clearly identify and justify the following, as applicable, in
addition to the above:
developable land;
buffer areas;
reclaimed land;
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connections; and
areas subject to environmental constraints, including high groundwater, flooding,
steep slopes, etc.
KPIs must be prepared to guide the design of the development, based on the results of
the opportunities and constraints analysis. They must include indicators and targets
relating to the following, as a minimum:
Soil;
Flora;
Fauna;
Microclimate;
Topography and views;
Drainage;
Other targets relating to mitigation of identified environmental constraints; and
Area of site to be protected, maintained, created or restored.
KPIs must be simple, clear, measurable targets against which future design or
construction works can be assessed. They also need to be site specific and reflect the
particular attributes of a site.
Project site area The physical area within which activities of the proposed project will
take place (boundary of project area is defined by titled property boundary).
References Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (for Development Review and Design Process,
and Coastal Development Guidelines), www.upc.gov.ae
Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and
Preliminary Environmental Review (PER) guidelines), www.ead.ae
Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN, www.iucn.org
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2005
Terrestrial Environment of Abu Dhabi Emirate, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi,
2008, www.ead.ae
Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey a technique for environmental audit, JNCC,
2007, www.jncc.gov.uk
Vascular Plants of Abu Dhabi Emirate, Gary Brown and Sabitha Sakkir, August 2004
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NS-R2: Natural Systems Protection
Intent To protect significant and valuable Natural Systems assets identified in NS-R1 Natural
Systems Assessment.
Credit
GENERAL
Requirements
Demonstrate that significant or valuable Natural Systems assets, as identified in NS-R1
Natural Systems Assessment, are adequately protected or that the impacts are either
mitigated or compensated.
This credit contains three types of strategies. Proponents shall demonstrate one of the
three:
Strategy 1 - Protection
Strategy 2 - Onsite Mitigation
Strategy 3 - Offsite Compensation
Where significant and valuable assets are present, the Natural Systems Protection,
Mitigation or Compensation plan and supporting studies must be prepared by a suitably
qualified ecological professional.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT/CLARIFICATIONS
Strategy 1 Protection:
Demonstrate that 100% of a significant asset identified in NS-R1 is retained and
protected from damage and destruction sufficient to maintain its existing structure
and function (including any reclamation and dredging works at the project site or
sources location of dredged materials);
Demonstrate that 80% of a valuable asset identified in NS-R1 is retained and
protected from damage and destruction sufficient to maintain its existing structure
and function; and
Demonstrate that a maximum of 25% of the projects total land area consist of
reclaimed land.
or
Demonstrate that no significant or valuable assets for protection were identified in
NS-R1.
This strategy cannot be applied if the Natural Systems asset to be impacted is located
within a protected or proposed protected area or national park, a coastal park or
ecological hotspot, or a coastal conservation zone, as defined by the UPC Coastal
Development Guidelines.
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affect no more than 20% of the coastal edge;
Mitigate for impacts (for the loss of up to 30% of significant assets and 50% of
valuable assets) through on-site re-establishment of habitat, using similar species
diversity as the lost habitat at an area replacement ratio of 2:1;
Provide for an ecological corridor between the protected habitat area (significant
assets) and the mitigation area; and
Provide confirmation of the appointment of a management and maintenance
organization (with a contract running for at least 5 years)
Requirement
Achievement This is a requirement. There are no Credit Points awarded.
Credit Supporting calculations, summarizing total site area, protection area and/or
Submission: mitigation area / compensation area in hectares;
Design Rating Construction strategy to protect sensitive habitats and protected species from
construction impacts;
Details of the appointed suitably qualified ecological consultants professional
status, if different to the consultant details provided in NS-R1; and
Strategy 1:
Protection Strategy Report which identifies the potential risks to the Natural
Systems assets from development and inform setback requirements, including:
narrative and maps which detail the boundaries of the assets;
extent of habitats and species to be protected;
limits of development, buffer areas and setbacks (Works areas must be clearly
identified on an aerial photograph of existing conditions); and
any features of ecological value to be lost.
Strategy 2:
Mitigation Strategy Report which details the reasons for requiring mitigation for
loss of habitat and includes:
narrative and maps of the area of natural system assets to remain protected;
the area and value of habitat to be lost to development;
the area allocated for re-establishment;
limits of development, buffer areas and setbacks (Works areas must be clearly
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identified on an aerial photograph of existing conditions);
a strategy for habitat re-establishment, including source of plant stock and
establishment of soil base; and
five year strategy for on-going management and monitoring following
completion of construction, including confirmation of management
organization.
Strategy 3:
Compensation Strategy Report which details the reasons for requiring compensation
for loss of habitat and includes:
narrative and maps of the area of natural system asset to remain protected;
the area and value of habitat to be lost to development;
limits of development, buffer areas and setbacks (Works areas must be clearly
identified on an aerial photograph of existing conditions);
details on the compensation area allocated for re-establishment, including site
location and confirmation of approval to establish habitat;
strategy for habitat re-establishment, including source of plant stock and
establishment of soil base; and
five year strategy for on-going management and monitoring following
completion of construction, including confirmation of management
organization.
Credit Evidence that features of ecological value have been protected during
Submission: construction; for example, a construction management plan and dated photographs
Construction of successfully protected areas/features;
Rating Updated development map delineating the built limits of all proposed development
and disturbance, setback zones, and buffer areas;
Supporting calculations summarizing final total land area and protected areas; and
Confirmation of the appointment of a management and maintenance organization
(with a contract running for at least 5 years), if management not to be undertaken
by the local municipality. The confirmation must contain details of individuals
responsible and their duties in line with the strategy.
Calculations and Only species within the project site boundary need to be protected, not those within
Methodology the Area of Probable Impact (as defined in NS-1 Natural Systems Assessment).
For mitigation or compensation, calculate the original area of the ecological habitat to
be re-established. Re-establish the habitat on two times the surface area of the original
habitat area. The mitigation or compensation area must have a similar hydrological
function and soil type as the original area.
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NS-R3: Natural Systems Design & Management Strategy
Intent To minimize demand for resources, promote soil protection and enhancement and
ensure the long term survival and management of landscaped/habitat areas.
Credit
GENERAL
Requirements
Demonstrate that a Natural Systems Design and Management Strategy has been
prepared that ensure the long term survival and management of the landscape and
habitat areas within the site and promotes:
soil protection and enhancement;
low maintenance requirements; and
low demand for resources.
The Natural Systems Design and Management Strategy must cover all landscape areas
including the management of:
protected, mitigated or compensated assets (as identified under NS-R2);
areas of ecological enhancement (as identified under NS-3); and
habitat creation and restoration areas (as identified under NS-4).
The Natural System Design and Management Strategy must be prepared by a suitably
qualified professional.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT/CLARIFICATIONS
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organization (with a contract running for at least 5 years), if management not
to be undertaken by the local municipality. The confirmation must contain
details of individuals responsible and their duties in line with the strategy.
Calculations and The Natural Systems Design and Management Strategy must include the following, as a
Methodology minimum:
A landscape design influenced by the assessment undertaken at NS-R1;
A strategy for protection of site soils from compaction, erosion, pollution and
increases in salinity;
A strategy for soil testing to determine nutrient level, salinity and a strategy for
soil enhancement including increasing water retention capacity, salinity
management and nutrient management including promotion of low fertilizer
requirements;
Details of plant palette for landscape and/or habitat areas and sources of plant
stock or seeds;
Planting design which groups together species with similar soil and microclimatic
requirements and water demands;
An irrigation strategy which promotes low water demand through species selection
and efficient irrigation networks;
Avoidance of pesticide and herbicide application; if required, identify potential
impacts and outline strategy to be adopted to minimize environmental impact;
Identification of the landscape and/or habitat areas that require specific
monitoring and maintenance (as identified by NS-R1 and NS-R2) and outline a
strategy for their establishment, survival, generation and protection, identifying
the establishment and maintenance periods and a performance criteria for
establishment;
Identify maintenance duties required to be carried out in the various landscaped
areas considering species type, soil type, irrigation requirements and season;
Identify monitoring requirements for the landscape / habitat areas and species for
annual monitoring of health, species diversity and abundance and soil condition;
and
Identify monitoring and maintenance organization.
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