Services

Explore our range of expert services designed to meet your unique needs, from environmental assessments to tailored solutions for sustainable development—delivering excellence at every step.

How do we conduct a High Conservation Value (HCV) Assessment?

Various techniques are applied to sample the available faunal and fish species in the project area. These sampling methods include camera traps, small mammal traps, cast nets, fyke nets, gill nets, angling and electro-fishing, and they are dependent on on-site characteristics.

Faunal community structures and diversity are determined where possible and if necessary; this information is used to investigate essential community characteristics, as well as the specific characteristics of dominant and present species. Faunal and Floral samples may be collected for identification.

HCV Assessment Guidelines Compliance Process

1

Conservation Status and Endemism Determination

Determine the conservation status and endemism of fauna and flora using the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standards.

2

Baseline Studies and Species Identification

Generate species lists and identify key species, then analyze data and map sample areas, habitat types, and specific important species locations.

3

Species Conservation Status Assessment

Cross-reference species lists with IUCN and CITES databases to determine conservation status. Then review scientific publications and consult specialist opinions for species not assessed by IUCN.

4

Mapping, Statistics, and Conservation Analysis

Complete mapping, statistical analysis, and identify conservation-important species to inform additional assessment components.

5

Site Visits and
Data Collection

Conduct site visits and on-site assessments to identify data gaps using questionnaires with local translators where necessary.

6

Community Engagement and Participatory Mapping

Perform ecosystem and social assessments, engaging local communities and stakeholders. Facilitate participatory mapping in villages within the project areas.

Aquatic Ecological Surveys

Aquatic ecosystems support nearly 40% of vertebrate species, making their conservation vital. Our team of aquatic ecologists conducts comprehensive surveys across rivers, wetlands, and lakes in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Our team is responsible for providing services like biomonitoring, bioaccumulation assessments, and river health evaluations. Using non-fatal sampling techniques such as electroshocking and various nets, we ensure sustainable and accurate aquatic life assessments.

Aquatic Ecological Surveys​

Avifaunal Surveys

Bird species, or avifauna, are valuable ecological indicators, as their presence or absence often reflects ecosystem health, closely tied to land cover.

To assess bird communities, our team conducts vantage point surveys, dawn and dusk observations, and transect surveys across project areas, including remote regions via hunting paths in forests. 

Key survey activities include identifying IUCN-listed and species of special concern, monitoring bird movements and behaviors, especially breeding in affected species, and performing Diurnal Point Surveys to estimate habitat use by raptors and other passerines.

Avifaunal Surveys​

Botanical and Habitat Surveys

Our flora assessment services provide a comprehensive evaluation of vegetation in proposed development areas, ensuring compliance with IFC Standards and HCV principles. We classify vegetation types, identify critical habitats, and survey rare and endangered species to support conservation in planning. 

We also assess plant relocation and preservation options when required by legislation and develop tailored mitigation strategies for infrastructure impacts. Our services include vegetation studies, species lists, mapping, and impact assessments. 

Floristic surveys are conducted during the wet season, focusing on protected, endemic, exotic, invasive, and culturally significant species, with sampling and stratification methods adapted to specific project needs. This rigorous approach helps balance ecological preservation with development requirements.

Botanical and Habitat Surveys​

Environmental Management

Our team provides tailored environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA), environmental audits, and due diligence, leveraging international expertise across sectors such as mining, oil and gas, agribusiness, and heavy industry. 

We deliver comprehensive solutions, including environmental and social management plans (ESMP), environmental monitoring, and risk assessments, aligned with international standards like IFC and the Equator Principles. 

Led by Nelius Scheepers, a registered environmental auditor and HCS assessor, our team manages large-scale projects globally, ensuring compliance with local regulations and international guidelines. Nelius has overseen projects across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, with qualifications in water resource management and wildlife management.

Environmental Management​

Environmental and Water Legal

Our Environmental and Water Legal Specialist offers expert administrative legal services in South Africa, focusing on compliance with the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the National Water Act (NWA).

We guide clients through obtaining Environmental Authorizations (EA) and Water Use Licenses (WUL), essential for sectors like mining, agriculture, infrastructure, and renewable energy.

With deep knowledge of NEMA’s procedural requirements and the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), we provide strategic legal insights and collaborate with senior counsel to support dispute resolution and ensure compliance with environmental and water laws.

Environmental and Water Legal​

GIS and Mapping

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite remote sensing are essential in the HCV-HCSA assessment process, providing efficient and accurate spatial data for large areas.

GIS specialists create draft land cover maps based on the HCV-HCSA Assessment Manual (2017) and ground-truth them during site visits.

During the full assessment, the GIS specialist performs patch analysis and classifies land cover using field data, which forms the basis for the final assessment and recommendations.

GIS and Mapping​

Herpetofauna Surveys

Our herpetofauna assessments identify reptile and amphibian species, including rare and endangered ones, in proposed development areas like transmission lines and substations.

We evaluate construction impacts and develop mitigation measures. Desktop studies, using field guides and Red Data Books, inform environmental assessments. Field surveys, alongside vegetation surveys, document species and ecological indicators such as calls, tracks, and dung.

We compile species lists with a focus on protected and endemic species, conducting diurnal and nocturnal surveys, and assess the herpetofauna environment through key ecological indicators, mapping sensitive species.

Herpetofauna Surveys​

Mammal Surveys

Our mammal surveys identify species, including rare and endangered ones, in proposed development areas like transmission lines and substations.

We analyze habitat disturbance impacts and develop mitigation measures. Desktop studies using field guides and Red Data Books inform a comprehensive species list, while field surveys (diurnal and nocturnal) use ecological indicators like calls, tracks, and dung to assess species presence.

Focus is placed on protected and endemic species, and key ecological indicators are used to evaluate the environment, mapping rare or sensitive species.

Mammal Surveys​

Social and Cultural Surveys

Our social and cultural surveys begin with a desktop review, followed by on-site evaluations to gather data on local communities and ecosystems.

We engage stakeholders through interviews, group discussions, and questionnaires, with translators as needed. Participatory mapping is used in villages within the project area to capture community input.

This approach ensures local perspectives are integrated into assessments, addressing impacts on livelihoods, traditions, and resource use.

Social and Cultural Surveys​

Contact Us

Reach out to us, and one of our experienced specialists will be happy to discuss how we can support your environmental goals with tailored, internationally recognized solutions.
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