R
ESIDUAL
S
IGNIFICANCE
Natural Habitats (Weakly inclined
piedmont plain of relic low mountains)
Medium
Moderate
Moderate
Natural Habitats (Foothills of relic low
mountains )
High
Minor
Minor to
Moderate
Natural Habitats (Outcrops of
variegated beds)
Medium
Minor
Minor
Natural Habitats (Stony slopes of relic
low mountains)
High
Minor
Minor to
Moderate
Natural Habitats (Steep Rocky slopes
of relic low mountains)
Medium
Minor
Minor
Settlement and Wasteland
Low / Lower
Minor
Negligible to
Minor
7.3.1.2
Biodiversity Loss
E
ARTHWORKS
(C
LEARING
,
E
XCAVATION
)
Clearing of existing vegetation will results in direct loss and mortality of removed specimens.
Further, wildlife such as burrowing rodents and herptiles may be directly crushed during
earthworks or may suffer stress-induced mortality.
The Southern Even-fingered Gecko (CR) and the Russian Tortoise (VU) are both burrowing
species considered as Critical and a Priority Biodiversity Features (PBFs) respectively. Active
only during a few months of the spring season, the Russian tortoise spends majority of the year
in a dormant state in burrows below ground which makes it all the more susceptible to
earthworks.
The Southern Even-fingered Gecko is a particularly sensitive receptor. Recent DNA analysis
indicates that this is a new species within Central Uzbekistan. Therefore, the impacts of direct
loss and mortality due to clearing, excavation and earthworks on this species is considered to
be of major significance.
The magnitude and unmitigated significance calculations are presented in the table below.
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