8                    terrestrial ecology

8.1              Introduction

8.1.1          The assessment of potential impacts on terrestrial ecology arising from the Project construction and operational activities is presented in this section, in accordance with Clause 6.5.6 of the EIA Study Brief.  The study area, as shown in Figure 8.1, comprises existing urbanised reclaimed land and proposed new reclamation near the existing coastline at Wan Chai.

8.2              Environmental Legislation, Policies, Plans, Standards and Criteria

8.2.1          This section makes reference to the following guidelines, standards, documents and HKSAR Government ordinances and regulations when identifying habitats and species of ecological importance, evaluating and assessing potential impacts of the proposed development on the ecological resources in and around the study area:

·          Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96) and its subsidiary legislation, Forestry Regulations;

·          Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170);

·          Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance (Cap. 187);

·          Town Planning Ordinance (Cap. 131);

·          Country Parks Ordinance (Cap. 208) and associated subsidiary legislation;

·          Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) Register;

·          Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) Chapter 10, “Conservation”;

·          Works Branch Technical Circular No. 24/94 (Planning, Environmental and Lands Branch Circular 3/94) on Tree Preservation;

·          Works Branch Technical Circular No. 4/97 (Planning, Environment & Lands Branch Technical Circular No. 1/97), Guidelines for Implementing the Policy on Off-site Ecological Mitigation Measures; and

·          Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) and the associated Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM), Annex 8 and Annex 16.

8.2.2          This section also makes reference to the following international conventions:

·           Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (the “Bonn Convention”), which requires parties to protect listed threatened or endanger migratory species occurring within their boundaries;

·          United Nations Conventions on Biodiversity (1992);

·          Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (“CITES”);

·          The PRC National Protection List of Important Wild Animals;

·          Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of PRC for the Protection of Migratory Birds and their Environment;

·          Agreement on the Protection of Migratory Birds and Their Habitats by the Governments of Japan and the PRC; and

·          International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), Red Data Books.

 

8.3              Description of the Environment

8.3.1          The terrestrial ecology is largely dominated by a highly urbanised habitat.  No terrestrial sensitive receivers are in the vicinity of the study area and the nearest Country Park, the Aberdeen Country Park, is approximately 2 km inland to the south.  Apart from isolated trees over the study area, the most significant green area is the Victoria Park.

Vegetation

8.3.2          There are no rare trees or shrubs in the study area.  A tree survey conducted for the Wanchai East and North Point Sewerage Environment Impact Assessment (Binnie, 1996) did not reveal any rare or protected trees in the area.  A tree survey conducted in 1997 (Maunsell Consultants, 1997) identified both species present and their amenity value.  The majority of species present had only a fair amenity value, considerably fewer had a good amenity value and some were in poor condition.  Dominant species included Ficus microcarpa, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Alibizia lebbek and Cinnamomum camphora.  These species are common and widely grown in Hong Kong (Thrower, 1988).

8.3.3          According to Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) Register of Unusual Trees, there are no such listed trees in the study area.  However, a number of trees classified as Champion Trees are found in the Victoria Park (Jim, 1994).  Apart from the Victoria Park, other areas of existing vegetation in the study area identified in a landscape review conducted in 1999 are found in or along, the Fenwick Pier open space, Grand Hyatt Hotel public podium plaza, the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) Extension public promenade, the Central Plaza forecourt, the China Resources Building Chinese Garden, street tree planting, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the Causeway Bay promenade area (Maunsell, 1999).  The landscape review did not reveal any rare or protected trees in the study area.  Species in these areas included Macaranga sp., Hibiscus sp., Aleurites moluccana, Ficus microcarpa and Melaeuca leucadendron.  These species are common and widely grown in Hong Kong (Thrower, 1988).

Fauna

8.3.4          Owing to the urbanised nature of the terrestrial environment, there is no significant terrestrial fauna species found in the area.  Bird species found in the proposed development area are common urban birds such as the tree sparrow Passer montanus.   The Victoria Park, with its variety of trees and shrub species, has attracted a number of bird species.  A study to investigate the ecology of urban birds in Hong Kong recorded 21 avian species in the Park on two separate visits in 1997 and 1998.  Birds sighted were mainly resident birds commonly found in Hong Kong, such as Spotted Dove, Streptopelia chinensis, Chinese Bulbul, Pycnonotus sinensis and Crested Myna, Acridotheres cristatellus with a few winter visitors, such as Yellow-browed Warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus and White Wagtail, Motacilla alba (Fiona Lock, personal communication).  The bird species found in the study and adjacent area are summarised in Appendix 8.1.

8.3.5          Black Kite Milvus lineatus can sometimes be found scavenging in the Victoria Harbour.  Other avian species that have been sighted in the Victoria Harbour includes the Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus, Herring Gull, Larus argentatus and Little Egret, Egretta garzetta.  Flocks of over 50 of Little Egret, Night Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, and Reef Egret, Egretta sacra, were recorded at A King Marine shipyard.  In addition, about a hundred Little Egrets were found roosting on the breakwater to the north of the shipyard.  Several records of Red-necked Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus have also been seen in the Victoria Harbour during the spring migration (Atkins, 1999).

 

Ecological Importance

8.3.6          Based on the available literatures and discussion presented in Sections 8.3.1 to 8.3.5, the current ecological assessment shows that the terrestrial ecological resources present within the study area are considered of low ecological value.  This has been determined on the basis of the considerations, in accordance with the EIAO-TM Annex 8 Table 2 criteria, listed in Table 8.1.

Table 8.1         Criteria and Evaluation of the Present Terrestrial Ecological Resources

Criteria

Evaluation

Naturalness

The man-made terrestrial habitats are highly urbanised and subjected to human disturbance

Size

Small in size

Diversity

The species diversity is low

Rarity

No rare species found

Re-creatability

The vegetation can be recreated

Fragmentation

Not applicable

Ecological linkage

The present habitats are not functionally linked to any highly valued habitat in close proximity in a significant way

Potential value

Low value for man-made habitats

Nursery ground

No record of nursery or breeding ground was found

Age

Not applicable

Abundance / Richness of wildlife

Low

 

8.4              Assessment Methodology

8.4.1          Evaluation and assessment of potential impact on ecological resources will be conducted in accordance with the criteria and guidelines specified in Annex 8 and Annex 16, respectively, of the EIAO-TM.

8.4.2          The significance of impacts will be ranked as “minor”, “moderate” or “severe” based on the criteria shown in Table 8.1.  The description of the ranking are as below:

8.4.3          Minor - Impacts to species or groups are assessed as “minor” if the predicted impact would result in a slight, and / or short-term reduction in the local population numbers or geographic distribution of a species or group, but the species or group is predicted to recover from the perturbation with no-long term adverse impacts.  Impacts to habitat are assessed as “minor” when the habitat is widely distributed locally and that no rare, protected or conservation importance species are found in the habitat.

8.4.4          Moderate – Impacts to species or groups are considered “moderate” if the predicted impact would result in probably non-recoverable and / or long-term reduction in population numbers.  However, the species in question should be considered widely distributed or common, and abundant on a local, regional or global scale.  Impacts to habitat are assessed as ‘moderate” if the habitat is of limited local or regional distribution or declining in extent and that the habitat has a potential of supporting fauna and / or fauna of conservation or regulatory importance.

8.4.5          Severe – Impacts to species or groups are judged to be “severe” if the predicted impact has an adverse effect on species or groups which are rare, protected or of conservation importance locally, regionally, or globally.  Impacts to habitat are considered to be “severe” if the habitat in question is of limited local or regional distribution or declining in extent and that it contains rare, protected or conservation importance species or generally considered by the scientific community to be of local, regional or global importance to the support of wild fauna.

8.4.6          If impacts on ecological resources are found to be significant (that is, moderate or severe), mitigation measures will be recommended in accordance with the Technical Memorandum.  Impact mitigation will be sought in the following priority: avoidance, minimisation, on-site compensation and off-site compensation.  Impact avoidance generally consists of modifications to the preferred development options, but may in some extreme cases require abandonment of the project.  Impact minimisation includes any means of reducing the scope or severity of a given impact, for example, through timing of construction programme, modification in the design or ecological restoration of disturbed areas following the completion of works.  Impact compensation will be recommended if the effect on a given species or habitat is irreversible and attempts will be made to compensate it elsewhere, for example, enhancement, creation of suitable habitats or recreation of the habitat.  Compensation can be on-site or off-site.  Off-site compensation will only be recommended if all possible mitigation measures have been investigated and it will be conducted in accordance with the Works Branch Technical Circular No. 4/67.

8.5              Identification of Environmental Impacts

Construction Phase

8.5.1          The potential terrestrial ecological impacts arising from Project construction activities may include:

·         direct impacts as a result of habitat loss and loss of species due to landtake for construction of the Project; and

·         indirect impact to the surrounding habitats and associated wildlife due to increased background noise.

Operational Phase

8.5.2          The potential terrestrial ecological impacts arising from the Project operational activities may include:

·         indirect impact to the surrounding habitats and associated wildlife due to increased background noise.

8.6              Prediction and Evaluation of Environmental Impacts

Construction phase

8.6.1          The vegetations of low ecological value associated with the man-made habitats at the northern boundary of the Victoria Park and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club may be removed due to the construction of the CWB and IECL.

8.6.2          The bird community associated with the northern boundary of Victoria Park may be temporary disturbed or displaced due to increased background noise.  The birds may be displaced to similar habitats available in the surrounding area.

Operational Phase

8.6.3          The bird community associated with the northern boundary of Victoria Park may be displaced to similar habitats available in the surrounding area due to increased background noise.  In view of the fact that majority of the birds found in the Park are urban birds and that the Park is located in close vicinity to major road interchange and highway, it is anticipated that displacement may be temporary and the bird community will recover from the perturbation with no long-term adverse impact.

8.6.4          In order to provide roosting area for the egrets and herons found in A King Marine, trees will be planted in the vicinity of the existing A King Marine site and the surrounding areas.  The detail of compensatory planting is described in Section 10.

8.6.5          Based upon the discussion between Sections 8.6.1 and 8.6.3, the terrestrial ecological impact associated with the WDII development is considered to be low in accordance with Annex 8 of the EIAO-TM (Table 8.2).

Table 8.2         Criteria and Evaluation of Terrestrial Ecological Impact

Criteria

Evaluation

Habitat quality

Low quality urbanised habitats

Species

The vegetations that may be impacted, including Ficus spp., Hibiscus spp., Albizia spp, are of low conservation interest.  The birds that may be impacted including Streptopelia chinensis, Pycnonotus sinensis and Acridotheres cristatellus are of low conservation interest.

Size / Abundance

No direct habitat loss abut a few urban trees may be removed

Duration

The duration of impact will persist during construction and operation phases

Reversibility

Impacts to the vegetation at the northern boundary of Victoria Park and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club are permanent.  Impacts due to increased background noise and tree removal to the bird community in the Victoria Park during the construction and operational phase are temporary.

Magnitude

Minor

 

8.7              Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Impacts

8.7.1          It is anticipated that no specific mitigation measures will be required for the potential terrestrial ecological impacts to preserve ecological resources in the study area.  Tree loss will be compensated by landscaping along the seafront.

8.8              Environmental Monitoring and Audit

8.8.1          Ecological monitoring and auditing will not be required.

8.9              Conclusion

8.9.1          The terrestrial ecological resources within the study area comprise a variety of habitat types including man-made terrestrial habitat and associated bird community.  Based on the past literatures and the discussions above, no unacceptable terrestrial ecological impact is anticipated.  Tree loss will be compensated by landscaping.

 

8.10          References

1.       Atkins China Ltd. (1999).  Central Reclamation, Phase III, Studies, Site Investigation, Design and Construction. Comprehensive Feasibility Study for minimum Option: Final Key issues and Initial Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

2.       Binnie Consultants (1996).  Agreement No. CE 78/94, Wan Chai East and North Point Sewerage EIA.

3.       Jim, C. Y. (1994).  Champion Trees in Urban Hong Kong. Urban Council, Hong Kong.

4.       Maunsell (1997).  Agreement No. CE 5/95, Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link, Final EIA Report.

5.       Maunsell (1999).  Agreement No. CE 74/98, Wan Chai Development Phase II – Comprehensive Feasibility Study: Planning and Urban Design Review Study.

6.       Thrower, S. L. (1988).  Hong Kong Trees.  The Urban Council Hong Kong.

 

Personal Communications:

 

Fiona N. Y. Lock, PhD student, Hong Kong University.

Appendix 8.1     Wan Chai Development Phase II:  Study and Adjacent Area Bird Species List

 

Avians

Passer montanus                                                             Lock pers comm.

Sturnus nigricollis                                                           Lock pers comm.

Streptopelia chinensis                                                     Lock pers comm.

Garrulax perspicillatus                                                   Lock pers comm.

Aridotheres cristatellus                                                    Lock pers comm.

Pycnonotus jocosus                                                         Lock pers comm.

Pycnonotus sinensis                                                        Lock pers comm.

Milvus lineatus                                                                Lock pers comm.

Copsychus saularis                                                         Lock pers comm.

Orthotomus sutorius                                                        Lock pers comm.

Pica pica                                                                         Lock pers comm.

Leiothrix lutea                                                                 Lock pers comm.

Aethopyga christinae                                                       Lock pers comm.

Eudynamis scolopacea                                                    Lock pers comm.

Motacilla alba                                                                 Lock pers comm.

Turdus merula                                                                 Lock pers comm.

Turdus obscurus                                                              Lock pers comm.

Phylloscopus inornatus                                                   Lock pers comm.

Columba livia                                                                  Lock pers comm.

Gracula religiosa                                                            Lock pers comm.

Cacatua sulphurea                                                          Lock pers comm.

Larus ridibundus                                                             Atkins, 1999

Larus argentatus                                                             Atkins, 1999

Egretta garzetta                                                               Atkins, 1999

Phalaropus lobatus                                                         Atkins, 1999

 

 

References

1.       Atkins China Ltd. (1999).  Central Reclamation, Phase III, Studies, Site Investigation, Design and Construction. Comprehensive Feasibility Study for minimum Option: Final Key issues and Initial Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

 

Personal Communications:

Fiona N. Y. Lock, PhD student, Hong Kong University.