8
Terrestrial Ecology Impact Assessment
This section presents the terrestrial
ecological baseline information gathered from the literature review and field surveys on
8.2
Legislative
Requirements and Evaluation Criteria
Legislative requirements and evaluation
criteria for the protection of species and habitats of terrestrial ecological
importance relevant to the study are summarised as follows:
1.
Country Parks Ordinance (Cap 208);
2.
Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap
96);
3.
Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (WAPO)
(Cap 170);
4.
Protection of Endangered Species of
Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586);
5.
Town Planning Ordinance (Cap 131);
6.
7.
The Technical Memorandum on Environmental
Impact Assessment Process under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance
(EIAO-TM);
8.
United Nations Convention on Biodiversity
(1992);
9.
Convention on Wetlands of International
Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the Ramsar Convention); and,
10. PRC
Regulations and Guidelines.
8.2.1
Country Parks Ordinance (Cap 208)
The Country
Parks Ordinance (Cap 208) provides for the designation and management of
8.2.2
Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap 96)
The Forests
and Countryside Ordinance (Cap 96)
prohibits the felling, cutting, burning or destroying of trees and growing
plants in forests and plantations on Government land. The subsidiary Forestry Regulations prohibit the picking, felling or possession of
listed rare and protected plant species.
The list of protected species in
8.2.3
Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap
170)
Under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap 170), designated wild animals are protected from being
hunted, whilst their nests and eggs are protected from destruction and
removal. All birds and most mammals
including all cetaceans are protected under this Ordinance, as well as certain
reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
The Second Schedule of the
Ordinance that lists protected species was last revised in June 1997.
8.2.4
Protection
of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586)
The Protection of Endangered Species of
Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586) was enacted to align
8.2.5
Town Planning Ordinance (Cap 131)
The
recently amended Town Planning Ordinance
(Cap 131) provides for the designation of areas such as “Coastal Protection Areas”,
“Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)”, “Green Belts” and
"Conservation Areas” to promote the conservation or protection of
significant habitat.
8.2.6
Chapter
10 of the HKPSG
covers planning considerations relevant to conservation. This chapter details the principles of
conservation, the conservation of natural landscape and habitats, historic
buildings, archaeological sites and other antiquities. It also addresses the issue of
enforcement. The appendices list the
legislation and administrative controls for conservation, other conservation
related measures in
8.2.7
Technical Memorandum on Environmental
Impact Assessment Process under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance
(EIAOTM)
Annex
16 of the EIAOTM sets out the general approach and methodology for assessment
of ecological impacts arising from a project or proposal, to allow a complete
and objective identification, prediction and evaluation of the potential
ecological impacts. Annex 8 recommends the criteria that can be used for evaluating
ecological impacts.
8.2.8
Other Relevant Legislation
The Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) is a
Contracting Party to the United Nations
Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992.
The Convention requires signatories to make active efforts to protect
and manage their biodiversity resources.
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has stated
that it will be “committed to meeting the environmental objectives” of the
Convention.
The Convention
on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the Ramsar Convention) applies to the HKSAR.
The Convention requires parties to conserve and make wise use of wetland
areas, particularly those supporting waterfowl populations. Article
1 of the Convention defines wetlands as "areas of marsh, fen, peatland
or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water
that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine
water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters." The Mai Po/Inner Deep Bay wetland was
declared a Wetland of International Importance (“Ramsar site”) under the
Convention in 1995.
The PRC in 1988 ratified the Wild Animal Protection Law, which lays
down basic principles for protecting wild animals. The Law prohibits the killing of protected
animals, controls hunting, and protects the habitats of wild animals, both
protected and non-protected. The Law
also provides for the creation of lists of animals protected at the state
level, under Class I and Class II. There
are currently 96 animal species in Class I and 156 in Class II. Class I provides a higher level of protection
for animals considered to be more threatened.
8.3
Terrestrial
Ecological Study Area
The Study Area for the terrestrial
ecological assessments is 500 m from the boundary of the proposed LNG terminal
on
The South Soko LNG terminal is proposed to
be located in the centre of the island, as presented in the preliminary layout Figure 8.1. The existing platform of the former detention
centre provides the majority of land needed for the terminal; however, a small
area of reclamation (less than 2 ha) will be required. The jetty for the LNG carrier extends
southeast to the deeper waters of the southern coast of
The cable circuit and water main which
provide power and water supplies to South Soko LNG terminal will connect to
Shek Pik. The cable circuit will connect
to the existing Shek Pik substation and the water main will connect to a new
water tank located next to an existing water tank that is presently serving
Shek Pik Prison (Figure 8.2).
8.4
Terrestrial
Ecological Resources
This
section details the baseline conditions of ecological resources of the
terrestrial habitats at
8.4.1
Description and Historical Background of
Historical
Background in early 1960s
An
aerial photograph of the early 1960s (D3F400 dated 1963, Figure
8.3) indicates settlements were concentrated
in Ha Tsuen and Sheung Tsuen, comprising approximately 50 households. During this period terrace cultivation was
evident and extensive on
Historical Background between 1960s and
1980s
The
number of households in Ha Tsuen and Sheung Tsuen reduced to approximately 20
(Aerial Photograph 1986, Figure
8.3). The
agricultural lands located near Sheung Tsuen were modified into a small
reservoir surrounded with a concrete bund.
By the 1980’s most of the agricultural land had either been abandoned
and covered by grasses and shrubs or modified into livestock farms.
Historical
Background in late 1980s
Construction
of a Detention Centre on the
Present
Condition
Prior
to 1997, the Detention Centre and the building structures were demolished. The island is presently abandoned with no
inhabitants (aerial photograph 2004, Figure
8.3).
The concrete paths, helipad and the remaining structures of the original
developments were covered by climbers and grasses. Exotic plantation was found in the middle of
island at Sheung Tsuen with tiny patch of secondary woodland located at the
fringe of Sheung Tsuen.
Section 11 of Part
2 presents a discussion of how the landscape has changed regularly since
the early 1960s; terrestrial habitats have been affected/disturbed by the
landscape changes.
Methodology
A
preliminary desktop study and literature review has been conducted to determine
the existing conditions within the Study Area (including up to 500 m from the boundary
fence line) and to identify habitats and species of conservation interest. The literature review included Government and
private sector reports, independent and Government published literature,
academic studies, vegetation maps, recent aerial photographs and land use maps,
comprising the following:
Stage 1 EIA for a New Power
Station: Stage I EIA Report for Hong Kong Electric Co. Ltd 
([1]);
([2]);
·
·Discovering Soko Islands. Hong
Kong Discovery Volume 16 May/Jun 2003 ([3]);
·
Aerial
photographs of
·
Porcupine!
([8]);
·
The
Ecology and Biodiversity of
·
Hong
Kong Biodiversity ([10]);
·
Annual
Report of the
·
Butterfly
Watching in
·
Field
Guide to Butterfly Watching in
·
Field
Guide to the Dragonflies of
·
Gymnosperms
and Angiosperms of
·
·
·
Orchidaceae
of
·
The
Avifauna of
·
A Field Guide to the Amphibians of
·
A Field Guide to the Venomous Land Snakes
of
Results
The
literature review of the Study Area is summarised in the following sections.
Habitat and Vegetation
Shrubland
was the dominant habitat covering the headlands and hillsides, which
represented over 60% of the total island area.
Shrubs and herbs, approximately 1 to 2 meters in height, were dominated
by Cratoxylum ligustrinum, Schefflera octophylla, Raphiolepis indica,
Ilex rotunda, Pueraria spp. and Pandanus tectorius ([22])
([23]), which are common and typical in such
habitat in
The
literature review revealed that limited information on habitat and vegetation
was available within the Study Area of Shek Pik.
Birds
|
Common Name |
Species Name |
Status |
|
Besra |
Accipiter virgatus |
Localised or rare. |
|
Black Drongo |
Dicrurus macrocercus |
Widespread and common. |
|
Black Kite |
Milvus migrans |
Widespread and common in |
|
Black-collared Starling |
Sturnus nigricollis |
Widespread and common. |
|
Black-naped Tern |
Sterna sumatrana |
Localised or rare. |
|
Chinese Bulbul |
Pycnonotus sinensis |
Widespread and common. |
|
Common Tailorbird |
Orthotomus sutorius |
Widespread and common. |
|
Crested Myna |
Acridotheres cristatellus |
Widespread and common. |
|
Grey-tailed Tattler |
Heteroscelus brevipes |
Localised or rare. |
|
Little Swift |
Apus affinis |
Widespread and common. |
|
Pacific Reef Egret |
Egretta sacra |
Local but not uncommon in |
|
Spotted Dove |
Streptopelia chinensis |
Widespread and common. |
|
White-bellied Sea Eagle |
Haliaeetus leucogaster |
Local but not uncommon in |
|
White-shouldered Starling |
Sturnus sinensis |
Local but not uncommon. |
|
White-throated Kingfisher |
Halcyon smyrnensis |
Widespread and common. |
ERM’s 1997 ([25]) study revealed that
certain shrubby plant species on the island might provide food for fruit eating
birds. At least 12 species of birds,
including the Besra Accipiter
virgatus and Chinese Starling Sturnus
sinensis, were recorded in
The
literature review revealed that limited information on birds was available
within the Study Area of Shek Pik.
Mammals
The
literature review (including the literature selected in Section 8.3)
revealed that limited information on mammals was available within the Study
Areas of South Soko and Shek Pik.
Herpetofauna
According
to Karsen et al (1998) ([28]), the uncommon Two-striped Grass Frog Rana
taipehensis was found on
Two
species of reptile, the Long-tailed Skink Mabuya longicaudata and Common
Rat Snake Ptyas mucosus, have been recorded in the
The
literature review revealed that limited information on herpetofauna was
available within the Study Area of Shek Pik.
Invertebrate
Dragonfly
The
literature review revealed that limited information on invertebrates was
available within the Study Area of South Soko.
Only the common dragonfly species Pied Skimmer Pseudothemis zonata
was reported in
The
literature review revealed that limited information on dragonflies was
available within the Study Area of Shek Pik.
Butterfly
Twenty
five butterfly species, including eight Papilionidae, three Pieridae, three
Danaidae, three Satyridae, three Nymphalidae, one Amathusiidae, one Riodinidae,
one Lycaenidae and two Hesperiidae, have been recorded at South Soko in 2003 ([36]).
The most abundant species recorded included Large Faun Faunis eumeus,
South China Bush Brown Mycalesis panthaka and Dark-band Bush Brown Mycalesis
mineus, and all of which were recorded near to the secondary woodland and
the abandoned reservoir.
The
literature review revealed that limited information on butterflies was
available within the Study Area of Shek Pik.
Stream Fauna
The
literature review revealed that limited information on stream fauna was
available within the Study Areas of South Soko and Shek Pik.
8.4.3
Baseline Ecological Surveys
Methodology
The
Study Areas were defined as the land area of
The
following baseline surveys were identified as necessary and the details are
summarised in Table 8.2.
Table
8.1 The Details of the Baseline Surveys
|
Survey Type |
Methodology |
Date |
|
Habitat
and Vegetation |
Habitat
mapping and vegetation identification through ground truthing in major
habitats. |
12
February, 10 & 17 March, 23 July 2004, 13, 14 and 22 September 2005, 18,
25 and 27 January 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
Bird
|
Quantitative
(point count method) and qualitative (recorded within Study Area) survey
including day and night surveys covered both wet and dry seasons. |
13
& 21 February, 17 & 18 March, 16 April, 10 May, 14 June, 23 July
2004, 13, 22 September 2005, 2, 4, 18 January, 2 February and 21 April 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
Mammal
|
Quantitative
(active searching along the survey transect) and qualitative (recorded within
Study Area); including day and night surveys covered both wet and dry
seasons. |
13
& 21 February, 9 & 10 March, 19 April, 10 May, 17 June, 23 July 2004,
14 September and 28 December 2005, 18 January, 2 February and 8 April 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
Herpetofauna
|
Quantitative
(active searching along the survey transect) and qualitative (recorded within
Study Area); including day and night surveys covered both wet and dry
seasons. |
13
& 21 February, 9 & 10 March, 19 April, 10 May, 17 June,23 July 2004,
14 September and 28 December 2005, 18 January, 2 February and 8 April 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
Butterfly
|
Quantitative
(point count method) and qualitative (recorded within Study Area) survey;
including only day surveys covered both wet and dry seasons. |
13
& 21 February, 9 & 10 March, 19 April, 10 May, 17 June, 23 July 2004,
14 September and 28 December 2005, 18 January, 2 February and 8 April 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
Dragonfly |
Quantitative
(point count method) and qualitative (recorded within Study Area) survey;
including only day surveys covered both wet and dry seasons. |
13
& 21 February, 9 & 10 March, 19 April, 10 May, 17 June, 23 July 2004,
14 September and 28 December 2005, 18 January, 2 February and 8 April 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
Aquatic
fauna |
Active
searching in stream, abandoned reservoir and abandoned wet agricultural land;
Using hand net and casting net for fish survey in the abandoned reservoir;
including only day surveys covered both wet and dry seasons. |
13
February, 10 March, 10 May, 17 June 2004 and 13 September 2005. |
Habitats and Vegetation
Field
surveys focussing on the habitats and vegetation within the Study Area were performed on 12 February, 10 & 17
March, 23 July 2004, 13, 14 and 22 September 2005, 18, 25 and 27 January 2006. The aim of the surveys was to record and map
habitat characteristics and distribution as well as floral composition within
the Study Area and to establish the ecological profile. The methodologies of habitat and vegetation
survey were made reference to those proposed in the Technical Guidance Notes
7/2002 and 10/2004 of the EIA Ordinance.
Habitats
were mapped based on recent government aerial photographs (2004)([37])
and field ground truthing, and are presented in Figure
8.4 for
Mammals
The
methodology for the mammal survey made reference to those proposed in the Technical
Guidance Notes 7/2002 and 10/2004 of the EIA Ordinance. As most mammals occur at low densities, all
sightings, tracks, and signs of mammals were actively searched. Camera traps were considered not necessary
for this Study, as the information from the literature review described that
Birds
The
methodology for the bird surveys made reference to those proposed in the Technical
Guidance Notes 7/2002 and 10/2004 of the EIA Ordinance. The bird surveys were undertaken in the major
habitat types (secondary woodland, plantation, shrubland, grassland, abandoned
wet agricultural land, stream and disturbed area) within the Study Area
quantitatively (using the point count method).
Sampling points at
Herpetofauna
The
methodology for the hereptofauna surveys made reference to those proposed in
the Technical Guidance Notes 7/2002 and 10/2004 of the EIA
Ordinance. All reptiles and
amphibians were recorded by direct observation and active searching in
potential concealed locations such as in leaf litter, under stones and
logs. Auditory detection of
species-specific advertisement calls was used to survey frogs and toads. Surveys were focussed on areas within 10 m
either side of the survey transects.
Location of survey transects at
Invertebrates
(Dragonflies and Butterflies)
The
methodology of invertebrate survey was made reference to those proposed in the Technical
Guidance Notes 7/2002 and 10/2004 of the EIA Ordinance. Dragonflies and butterflies of different
habitats within the Study Area were surveyed on 13 & 21 February, 9 &
10 March, 19 April, 10 May, 17 June, 23 July 2004, 14 September and 28 December
2005, 18 January, 2 February and 8 April 2006 using the transect count
method. During the transect count
surveys, all of the dragonflies and butterflies found within 10 m either sides
of the transect were identified and counted.
Location of survey transects at
Aquatic Fauna
The
methodology for the aquatic fauna surveys made reference to those proposed in
the Technical Guidance Notes 7/2002 and 10/2004 of the EIA
Ordinance. Field surveys were
undertaken on 13 February, 10 March, 10 May, 17 June 2004 and 13 September 2005
to identify the water bodies and aquatic resources in the Study Area. The water bodies, including a stream, an
abandoned reservoir and abandoned wet agricultural lands, were actively
searched for the presence of aquatic fauna.
Fish surveys were conducted within the abandoned reservoir by direct
observation and active sampling. Direct
observation was undertaken for sensitive species or individuals in the middle
of the abandoned reservoir, and active searching using hand nets and casting
nets was carried out for most areas of the abandoned reservoir. All fish species recorded were identified in
the field and the number of individuals seen was also recorded. The classification of the stream fauna
followed Chong and Dudgeon ([48]) and AFCD ([49]),while the conservation status of the stream
fauna followed Fowler ([50]), AFCD ([51]) and Yue and Chen ([52]).
The
information presented in the following sections is based on the findings of the
baseline surveys performed during the periods February to July 2004 and October
2005 to February 2006. The baseline
ecological conditions have been evaluated based on the criteria laid out in Annexes
8 & 16 of the EIAOTM.
The findings of the baseline surveys undertaken in South Soko were also
used to compare with other outlying islands in southern Hong Kong Waters,
including North Soko, Shek Kwu Chau, Sunshine Island, Hei Ling Chau, Green
Island, Little Green Island, Lamma Island, Tung Lung Chau and Po Toi Island,
and south Lantau including Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Pui O, Cheung Sha and Tai O in
order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the existing ecological
resources and significance of South Soko.
The locations of the areas for comparison are shown in Figure
8.8.
Results
of Baseline Ecological Surveys
Existing Habitat and Vegetation
Habitats
found within the Study Area included secondary woodland, plantation, shrubland, backshore shrubland,
grassland, abandoned wet agricultural land, abandoned dry agricultural land,
abandoned reservoir, seasonal stream and disturbed area. The habitat map is presented in Figure
8.4.
The Study Area was dominated by shrubland, which covered most of the
hill-side areas. Secondary woodland
occupied the valley and behind the old villages such as Sheung Tsuen. The former Detention Centre and associated
facilities, covered by a concrete platform, were classified as disturbed areas. Aquatic habitats were limited to an abandoned
reservoir surrounded by concrete road, streams of short length and small
catchment areas, and abandoned wet agricultural lands.
A
total of 132 plant species were recorded within the Study Area (Table 1 of
Annex 8) with one addition plant species recorded during tree surveys
conducted on 4 May 2006. Among the
recorded plant species, there were 20 tree species, 52 shrub species, 10 grass
species, 2 palm species, 3 sedges, 24 climber species, 17 herb species, 3 fern
species and one orchid.
Coastal
vegetation, species of which are well adapted to adverse environments such as
limited water supply, strong wind and saline conditions (typical
characteristics of island habitats), were frequently found throughout the Study
Area ([53]).
There were nine species of typical coastal vegetation found in the Study
Area including Rhapis excelsa, Zoysia matrella, Pandanus tectorius,
Table 8.3 Habitat
Types Recorded Within the
|
Habitat Type |
Approximate Area (hectare)/ Length (m) |
Number of Plant Species Recorded |
|
Secondary woodland |
1 ha |
72 |
|
|
11.4 ha |
54 |
|
Shrubland |
85.7 ha |
75 |
|
Backshore shrubland |
0.5 ha |
14 |
|
Grassland |
2.1 ha |
28 |
|
Abandoned wet agricultural land |
1.0 ha |
37 |
|
Abandoned dry agricultural land |
0.4 ha |
27 |
|
Stream |
90 m |
28 |
|
Abandoned reservoir |
0.2 ha |
7 |
|
Disturbed area |
6.5 ha |
41 |
|
Bare rocks, artificial shore and sandy beach* |
11.2 ha |
Not applicable |
Note: * Bare rocks, artificial shore and sandy beach were grouped to marine
ecological resources and will be discussed in detail in Part 2, Section9.
Secondary
Small
patches of secondary woodland (approximately 1 ha) are located at the west of
the abandoned reservoir and at the fringe of shrubland. The woodlands were densely vegetated with
canopy species reaching the height of 15 m.
It is mainly comprised of native tree species and fruit trees planted by
local villagers several decades ago, which included Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum
camphora, Machilus chinensis, Ficus
microcarpa and Dimocarpus
longan.
Most trees were mature in size and hence the ecological value of secondary
woodland is considered as moderate.
Secondary woodland will develop towards a climax habitat (mature
woodland) through succession and natural colonization, it was in the initial
stages of this process. Photographic
records of secondary woodland are shown in Figure
8.9.
Outlying
islands such as South Soko support generally limited sized woodland habitats (Table
2a of Annex 8), due to steep terrain and crests of islands which cannot retain
water or deep top soil, resulting in physical conditions that limit the
development of remote woodlands.
Exposure to strong winds and locations away from seed sources (mature
woodlands) also restricts the establishment of tall trees on the island. It can be seen from Table 2a of Annex 8 that, Chi Ma Wan
and Tai O offer comparable habitats, and have large and continuous woodland
patches. The colonisation by trees and
development into large woodland in these two areas is facilitated by their
geographical linkage to similar habitats on
Shrubland
Shrubland
is defined as woody vegetation with a modal height of 1 m to 4 m and is a
transitional stage in the ecological succession between grassland and
woodland/forest. Shrubland was the
dominant habitat of
Shrubland
is one of the most extensive vegetation types, other than grassland and
secondary forest, in
Backshore Shrubland
Backshore
shrubland refers to the dense tall shrubland found behind the sandy beaches and
is composed mainly of coastal plant species.
Backshore shrubland was found along the southern end of Tung Wan and
along Pak Tso Wan (at the southwestern part of
Backshore
shrubland is typically found at the back of sheltered sandy beaches but seldom
found on
Grassland
Grassland
is defined as vegetation dominated by herbaceous and grassy plant species with
a modal height less than 1.5 m.
Grassland was found located at the hillside next to Ha Tsuen. The photographic records of grassland are
shown in Figure
8.14.
Concrete paths and a helipad, considered to be the associated facilities
of the Detention Centre, were found within the grassland. The grassland is expected to have originated
from the shrubland located in the area prior to the development of the
Detention Centre. The grassland
consisted of grasses and shrubs 0.5 to 2 meters in height, and a total of 28
plant species were found during the surveys.
The grassland was dominated by several grass species including Digitaria
sanquinalis, Ischaemum aristatum
and Paspalum conjugatum and scattered with native shrubs such as Cratoxylum
cochinchinense, Rhodomytus tomentosa and Melastoma candidum. A few individuals of Acacia confusa
were found at the edge of the grassland.
All of the plant species are common or very common in
Grassland
is one of the most extensive vegetation types in
Abandoned Wet Agricultural Land
Abandoned wet agricultural land refers to the waterlogged and seasonally
or permanently submerged former agricultural land that is dominated by emergent
hydrophytes. Abandoned wet agricultural lands were found in conjunction with
the abandoned reservoir near Sheung Tsuen and at the southeast of
Most
of the outlying islands, such as
Abandoned Dry Agricultural Land
Abandoned
dry agricultural land was found at the backshore of Pak Tso Wan. This habitat is similar to abandoned wet
agricultural land in appearance, however, it does not have waterlogged soil and
is rarely submerged. The photographic
records of abandoned dry agricultural land are shown in Figure
8.16.
Cultivation activities in this habitat ceased a long time ago. The abandoned dry agricultural land was
dominated by weed species including Mikania micrantha, Paederia
scandens and Wedelia chinensis 0.3 to 0.5
meters in height. A total of 27 plant
species were found during the surveys and all of the plant species are common
or very common in
Abandoned
agricultural land was also found on
Stream
Two
natural seasonal streams, located near Sheung Tsuen and Pak Tso Wan, lie within
the Study Area. Photographic records of
the two seasonal streams are shown in Figure
8.17.
The riparian vegetation communities of the stream near Sheung Tsuen were
integrated with the surrounding secondary woodland and shrubland. The riparian vegetation communities of the
natural stream near Pak Tso Wan were similar to the backshore shrubland. The beds of the streams were rocky with
medium-sized boulders and very limited water flow even during the wet
season. A total of 28 plant species were
found along the stream and no rare or protected species were recorded. The structural complexity and floristic
diversity of the natural seasonal streams are low.
Permanent
stream habitat is not present in most of the outlying islands due to the
geographical setting of the islands (i.e., small catchment and steep
slope). The seasonal streams on South
Soko were of much smaller scale compared to the permanent streams in Lantau
which are larger and show a higher abundance and diversity of aquatic fauna
(i.e., 20 fish species found in Pui O) (Table 2g of Annex 8). No
stream fauna of conservation interest were found in the two streams, which indicate the low ecological importance
of the streams located in
Abandoned Reservoir
An abandoned reservoir constructed for water storage during the
1980s (see Section 8.3), enclosed by plantation and secondary woodland,
was found near Sheung Tsuen. The abandoned reservoir is elliptical in
shape and not more than 2-3 meters deep.
The bunds of the reservoir were lined with concrete and surrounded by a
concrete road, partially degraded and covered by vegetation in certain
areas. Due to the height difference
between the abandoned reservoir
and the concrete road, most of the bunds have vertical walls. The southernmost region of the abandoned reservoir was abandoned wet
agricultural land covered by reeds and Taro.
The bottom of the abandoned
reservoir was mostly sandy, scattered with waste materials and rocks,
including granite and broken concrete. During the latest survey in
October 2005, it was found that the water level in the abandoned reservoir had
dropped dramatically (from 1.5 meters to 0.5 meters). Photographic records of the abandoned reservoir are shown in Figure
8.18.
The flora of abandoned
reservoir consisted of seven plant species including Polygonum sp.,
Pistia
stratiotes, Lantana
camara, Carex
chinensis, Bidens pilosa and Phragmites
australis, which were mainly located on the bund and in the shallow water
of the abandoned reservoir. All of the plant species are common or very
common in inundated habitats in
The
ecological significance of the abandoned reservoir was compared with similar
habitat types on other outlying islands in the vicinity and south Lantau area (Table
2h of Annex 8). Ponds were recorded in Tai O, however they
originated from fishponds and were subject to tidal influence (Table 2h of Annex 8). Both the ponds in Tai O and the abandoned
reservoir in
Disturbed Area
Disturbed
areas included the former Detention Centre and associated facilities located
between Sai Wan and Tung Wan, abandoned villages such as Sheung Tsuen and
concrete slopes. Photographic records of
disturbed area are shown in Figure
8.19.
The Detention Centre was constructed in the 1980s and operated for less
than 10 years and was demolished after 1996.
However, the helipad is frequently used by the Government Flying
Service. Underground and surface
stormwater drainage channels are present on the concrete platform of the former
Detention Centre and these trap rainwater during the wet season. Forty one plant species were recorded within
the disturbed area, which were mainly landscape plants such as Araucaria
heterophylla and Acalypha wilkesiana. Other than landscape plants, weed species Bidens
pilosa dominated the disturbed area and covered most of the areas adjacent
to the beach at Sai Wan. All of the
plant species are common or very common in
All
of the outlying islands and south Lantau are developed to a certain extent (Table
2i of Annex 8). Due to disturbance within the habitat,
neither rare nor protected species were found.
As such, the ecological importance of the disturbed area on
Wildlife
Mammals
Three
Feral Cats (Felis catus)
and an individual of Buff-bellied Rat Rattus
tanezumi were recorded during the survey.
The Feral Cat was recorded in the developed area (near the pier) and
sandy beach. The Buff-bellied Rat was
recorded in the abandoned wet agricultural land and is a common mammal species
in
The lack of
native mammal species in
Birds
A
total of 75 species of birds were identified during the surveys. 22 were recorded only during the dry season, 23
species were recorded only during wet season, and 28 species were recorded in
both seasons within the Study Area. 54
species were recorded at the sampling points during point count surveys and an
additional 21 species were recorded outside of the sampling points, but within
the Study Area (Table 3 of Annex 8). The details of the bird data are shown in Table
4 of Annex 8. Relative
abundance and species richness in each type of surveyed habitat, based on the
results of the point count method, are presented in Table 8.4. The highest mean
number of individuals (determined on a per hectare and per survey day basis)
was recorded in the abandoned reservoir and disturbed area habitats. Stream habitat supported the highest mean
number of bird species (per sampling point).
The secondary woodland and abandoned reservoir habitats recorded the
highest total number of bird species.
Table
8.4 Abundance and Species Richness of Birds
within the
|
|
Season |
W |
P |
Sh |
G |
AW |
R |
S |
D |
Total |
|
Number of sampling points surveyed (each sampling
point covered an area of ~ 0.28 ha) |
|
1 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
22 |
|
Number of survey days |
Dry |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
|
Wet |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Total number of individuals |
Dry |
14 |
119 |
124 |
9 |
39 |
35 |
20 |
247 |
607 |
|
Wet |
6 |
93 |
38 |
16 |
43 |
31 |
25 |
5 |
257 |
|
|
Overall |
20 |
212 |
162 |
25 |
82 |
66 |
45 |
252 |
864 |
|
|
Mean abundance (no. of birds per hectare per survey
day) |
Dry |
8.3 |
14.2 |
14.8 |
2.7 |
5.8 |
20.8 |
5.9 |
73.5 |
16.5 |
|
Wet |
3.6 |
11.1 |
4.5 |
4.8 |
6.4 |
18.5 |
7.4 |
1.5 |
7.0 |
|
|
Overall |
5.9 |
12.6 |
19.3 |
3.7 |
6.1 |
19.6 |
6.5 |
37.5 |
11.7 |
|
|
Total No. of Species Recorded |
Dry |
10 |
26 |
9 |
5 |
12 |
15 |
11 |
10 |
48 |
|
Wet |
4 |
18 |
14 |
10 |
16 |
15 |
5 |
5 |
54 |
|
|
Overall |
12 |
34 |
18 |
13 |
21 |
26 |
15 |
13 |
54 |
|
|
Species richness (mean no. of species per sampling
point) |
Dry |
1.7 |
0.9 |
0.3 |
0.4 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
0.9 |
0.8 |
1.3 |
|
Wet |
0.7 |
0.6 |
0.5 |
0.8 |
0.7 |
2.5 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
1.46 |
|
|
Overall |
1.0 |
1.1 |
0.3 |
1.1 |
0.9 |
4.3 |
1.3 |
1.1 |
0.73 |
Habitat: W = secondary woodland, P = exotic plantation;
Sh = shrubland, G = grassland, AW = abandoned wet agricultural land, R =
abandoned reservoir, S = stream, D = disturbed area.
Avifauna recorded at
Most of the bird species
recorded are common and widespread in
The Great Frigatebird is an
“oceanic” bird and occurs worldwide in tropical oceans and mainly in the
Indo-Pacific area, but locally are rare.
There have been three records of Great Frigatebird reported in
The Black Kite is a very
widespread and common species in
The Pacific Reef Egret
occurs throughout its range in eastern and southern
The
Crested Serpent Eagle occurs throughout much of the oriental region from
The
Greater Coucal is a Class 2 Protected
Animal in the PRC ([63]).
However, it
occupies many types of habitats in
The Eurasian Hobby occurs
in southern
The
Peregrine Falcon is listed in Appendix 1
of CITES ([66]).
It is resident in
The
The Osprey has been recorded as a migrant along the
east coast of
The
Crested Goshawk has been recorded as a resident in
The Common
Buzzard is a common winter visitor and scarce passage migrant in
Juveniles
of three bird species were recorded within the Study Area (Table 8.5).
Juvenile Chinese Bulbul, Greater Coucal and Black Drongo were recorded
in the plantation, abandoned wet agricultural land, shrubland and beside the
abandoned reservoir respectively. The
Chinese Bulbul and Black Drongo are common and widespread in Hong Kong while
the Greater Coucal is a Class 2
Protected Animal in the PRC, but is a common resident in
Table 8.5 Bird
Species Showing Breeding Activities Within the
|
Common Name |
Habitat Type Recorded |
Observation |
|
Chinese Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis |
|
Juveniles recorded |
|
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus |
Tree next to the abandoned reservoir |
Juveniles recorded |
|
Greater Coucal Centropus
sinensis |
|
Juveniles recorded |
Overall, the species
diversity of birds on
Invertebrates
Butterfly
A
total of 58 species of butterfly were recorded within the Study Area during the
quantitative surveys (Tables 6a and 6b of Annex 8). Eleven species were recorded qualitatively
outside sampling transects and points but within the Study Area. All the butterfly species recorded (both
quantitatively and qualitatively) are shown in Table 6c of Annex 8. Fifteen uncommon and two rare butterfly
species were recorded. Their
distribution and favoured food plants are listed in Table 8.6. Uncommon species included Banded Awl Hasora
chromus, Long-banded Silverline Spindasis lohita, Three-spot Grass
Yellow Eurema blanda, Plain Cupid Chilades pandava, Common Nawab Polyura
athamas, Yellow Pansy Junonia hierta, White Commodore Parasarpa
dudu, Striped Blue Crow Euploea mulciber, Bush Hopper Ampittia dioscorides, Formosan Swift Borbo
cinnara, Indian Palm Bob Suastus gremius, Blue Pansy Junonia
orithya, Tree Flitter Hyarotis adrastus, Conjoined
Swift Pelopidas conjunctus and Indian
Fritillary Argyreus hyperbius.
The rare butterfly species are Red
Lacewing Cethosia bibles and Dark Grass Blue
Zizeeria karsandra. Locations of these species recorded within
the Study Area are shown in Figure
8.21.
Table 8.6 Food
Plants of the Rare and Uncommon Butterflies Recorded within the
|
Common Name |
Species Name |
Food Plant |
Habitat Recorded |
|
Banded Awl |
Hasora chromus |
Pongamia pinnata |
|
|
Long-banded Silverline |
Spindasis lohita |
Crematogaster sp. |
plantation |
|
Three-spot Grass Yellow |
Eurema blanda |
Larvae feed on a variety of Caesalpiniaceae and
Mimosaceae, including Delonix regia and Albizia lebbeck |
|
|
Plain Cupid |
Chilades pandava |
Cycas circinalis |
Abandoned wet agricultural land |
|
Common Nawab |
Polyura athamas |
Acacia sinulate, Albizia
corniculata, A. lebbeck Archidendron clypearia Leucaena leucocephala Peltophorum pterocarpum |
|
|
Yellow Pansy |
Junonia hierta |
Barleria cristata |
|
|
White Commodore |
Parasarpa dudu |
Lonicera confusa, L.
macrantha |
Disturbed area |
|
Striped Blue Crow |
Euploea mulciber |
Toxocarpus wightianus Nerium indicum |
Shrubland, plantation and Secondary woodland |
|
Bush Hopper |
Ampittia dioscorides |
Oryza sativa, Leersia hexandra |
Abandoned wet agricultural land |
|
Formosan Swift |
Borbo cinnara |
Apluda mutica, Capillipedium parviflorum,Digitaria
setigera, Paspalum conjugatum and Setaria palmifolia |
Abandoned wet agricultural land |
|
Indian Palm Bob |
Suastus gremius |
Phoenix hanceana, P. roebelinii, Rhapis
excelsa |
Grassland and plantation |
|
Dark Grass Blue |
Zizeeria karsandra |
Amaranthus spinosus, A. tricolour and
A. viridis |
shrubland |
|
Blue Pansy |
Junonia orithya |
Antirrhinum majus, Striga lutea, Justicia procumbens and Lepidagathis
incurva |
Disturbed area, shrubland |
|
Tree Flitter |
Hyarotis adrastus |
Calamus tetradactylus, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, and Phoenix
roehelenii |
Shrubland |
|
Red Lacewing |
Cethosia biblis |
Passiflora cochinchinensis |
Disturbed area |
|
Conjoined
Swift |
Pelopidas
conjunctus |
Miscanthus sinensis |
|
|
Indian
Fritillary |
Argyreus hyperbius |
Viola betonicifolia and V. odorata |
Grassland |
Most
of the uncommon butterfly species were found at the fringe of the plantation or
on the abandoned wet agricultural land located at the middle of
Butterfly
abundance in plantation habitat was considered high, medium in the abandoned
wet agricultural land, at abandoned reservoir and the secondary woodland, and
low in other types of habitats (Table
8.7). Species
richness was considered medium to high in the plantation, medium in abandoned
wet agricultural land, shrubland and abandoned reservoir, and low in other
types of habitats.
Table 8.7 Mean
Abundance of Butterflies Recorded at
|
|
Season |
W |
P |
Sh |
AW |
AD |
St |
R |
D |
|
No. of individual/ha |
Dry |
0 |
7.1 |
4.2 |
3.0 |
2.4 |
0 |
2.4 |
0 |
|
Wet |
32.1 |
73.3 |
26.2 |
40.5 |
7.1 |
1.8 |
42.9 |
2.4 |
|
|
No. of species |
Dry |
0 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Wet |
6 |
35 |
20 |
24 |
11 |
2 |
22 |
3 |
|
|
No. of uncommon/rare species |
1 |
4 |
11 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Habitat:
AW = abandoned wet agricultural land, W = Secondary woodland, P = plantation, S
= shrubland, R = abandoned reservoir, D = disturbed area, AD = abandoned dry
agricultural land, St = stream
Both of the abundance and species richness of
butterflies recorded in
Dragonfly
Eighteen
species of dragonfly were recorded in different habitats at
Dragonfly
abundance was considered medium to high in abandoned wet agricultural land,
medium in abandoned reservoir and stream, and low in plantation, abandoned dry
agricultural land and disturbed area. No
dragonflies were recorded in shrubland and secondary woodland during the
surveys (Table
8.8). Dragonfly species richness was
considered to be low in all habitats recorded in the Study Area.
Table 8.8 Mean
Abundance of Dragonfly Recorded at
|
|
Season |
W |
P |
Sh |
AW |
AD |
St |
R |
D |
|
No. of individual/ ha |
Dry |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wet |
0 |
6.0 |
0 |
51.8 |
6.0 |
19.6 |
23.2 |
4.8 |
|
|
No. of species |
Dry |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wet |
0 |
6 |
0 |
11 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
Habitat: AW = abandoned wet agricultural land, W = Secondary
woodland, P =
Except
for the Greater Blue Skimmer Orthetrum
melania, Common Evening Hawker Anaciaeschna
jaspidea and Eastern Lilysquatter Cercion melanotum, all of the recorded
species are common and widespread in Hong Kong ([72])..
The details of the Greater Blue Skimmer, Common Evening Hawker and
·
Greater
Blue Skimmer is uncommon in Hong Kong and has been recorded in Black’s Link
(Hong Kong Island), Bride’s Pool, Kang Mun Tsui, Pok Fu Lam Reservoir, Sam A
Tsuen, Sha Lo Tung and Tai Lam Country Park ([73])
([74]).
·
Common Evening
Hawker is uncommon in Hong Kong and has been recorded in Long
Valley, Mai Po Marshes, Sha Lo Tung and Tai Po Kau ([75]).
·
Eastern
Lilysquatter is uncommon in Hong Kong and has been recorded in Tin Shui Wai
(Hong Kong Wetland Park), Lai Chi Wo, Luk Keng and Shek Kwu Chau.
The uncommon dragonfly Greater Blue Skimmer
was recorded in grassland and near to the abandoned buildings of Ha Tsuen. The Common Evening Hawker was recorded at the sandy shore (Figure 8.22). The
The
species diversity of dragonfly on
Herpetofauna
Six
amphibian species, including Gunther’s Frog Rana guentheri,
Three-striped Grass Frog Rana microdactyla, Brown Tree Frog Polypedates
megacephalus, Asiatic Painted Frog Kaloula pulchra, Ornate Pigmy
Frog Microhyla ornata and Marbled Pigmy Frog Microhyla pulchra,
were recorded within the Study Area during the surveys. All of the recorded species are common and
widespread in
Eight
species of reptile were recorded within the Study Area during the surveys;
Bowring’s Gecko Hemidactylus bowringii, Reeves’ Smooth Skink Scincella
reevesii, Common Rat Snake Ptyas mucosus, Checkered Keelback Xenochrophis
piscator, Chinese Gecko Gekko
chinensis, Common Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops braminus, Bamboo Snake
Trimeresurus albolabris, Plumbeous Water Snake Enhydris plumbea. All of recorded reptile species are common in
The
species diversity of herpetofauna on
Aquatic Fauna
No
aquatic fauna were recorded in the streams during the surveys. The freshwater snail Melanoides
tuberculata was recorded in the abandoned wet agricultural land located at
south-east of
A
total of nine freshwater fish species, including Carp Cyprinus
carpio, Chinese Catfish Clarias
fuscus, Catfish Clarias
sp., Mosquito Fish Gambusia
affinis, Tilapia Oreochromis
niloticus,
Small
Snakehead Channa asiatica, Mullet
sp. Chelon
sp., Spotted
Scat Scatophagus argus, Cresent-banded
Grunter Terapon jarbua
and one shrimp (Macrobrachium
sp.) were recorded in the abandoned reservoir. All of the recorded fish species are
introduced exotic species. The survey
results are presented in Table
8.9.
Table 8.9 Fish
Species and Individuals Recorded from the Abandoned Reservoir at
|
Scientific Name |
Status |
Protection Status |
Origin |
Abundance |
|
Carp Cyprinus carpio |
Obs. |
Common |
Exotic to |
+ |
|
Chinese Catfish Clarias fuscus |
Obs. |
Common |
Exotic to |
++ |
|
Catfish Clarias sp. |
Obs. |
Common |
Exotic to |
+ |
|
Mosquito Fish Gambusia affinis affinis |
Cap. |
Common |
Exotic to |
+++ |
|
Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus |
Cap. |
Common |
Exotic to |
+++ |
|
Small Snakehead Channa asiatica |
Obs. |
Common |
Exotic to |
+ |
|
Mullet Chelon sp. |
Obs. |
Common |
Exotic to |
+++ |
|
Spotted Scat Scatophagus argus |
Obs. |
Common |
Exotic to |
+++ |
|
Cresent-banded Grunter Terapon jarbua |
Cap. |
Common |
Exotic to |
+++ |
+ = less than 5
individuals; ++ = 5-10 individuals; +++ = more than 10 individuals
Cap. =Captured;
Obs. = Observed. Protection status of fish species is
reference to Wang sung (1998) China Red
Data Book of Endangered Animals-Pisces. Science Press.
The recorded fish species were either aggregated or
solitary over the abandoned reservoir in different substrata and water
depths. Numbers of individuals found in
each region may differ due to the habitat preference of each fish species. Tilapia, which is one of the most common
exotic species, is the dominant
fish species in this small abandoned reservoir.
The species
diversity of aquatic fauna, particularly fish species, on South Soko is
considered to be low, compared with
Present Condition of the Project Area at
The
Project Area comprises the works area and the areas for the installation of
various structures of the development.
The terrestrial habitats recorded in the Project Area were mainly disturbed area and
shrubland, with patches of secondary woodland, plantation, backshore shrubland,
abandoned wet agricultural land, and grassland.
The sizes of each habitat covered and impacted by the Project Area are
shown in Table 8.10.
Table
8.10 Habitats within the Project
Area at
|
Habitat |
Ecological Importance |
Approximate Total Area within Project Boundary (ha) |
Approximate Impacted Area by the Project (Ha) |
|
Secondary woodland |
Moderate |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
|
Low to moderate |
6.7 |
3.3 |
|
Shrubland |
Low to moderate |
16.8 |
8.3 |
|
Abandoned Wet Agricultural Land |
Low to moderate |
0.6 |
0.5 |
|
Backshore Shrubland |
Low |
0.4 |
- |
|
Grassland |
Low |
2.1 |
1.8 |
|
Disturbed Area |
Negligible |
5.8 |
5.6 |
|
Artificial Shore |
(to be discussed in Section 9
Marine Ecology) |
0.5 |
- |
|
Rocky Shore |
(to be discussed in Section 9
Marine Ecology) |
3.6 |
- |
Small patch of secondary woodland was found within the Project Area.
The woodlands were densely vegetated with canopy species reached the
height of 15 m. It mainly comprised of
native tree species and fruit trees planted by local villagers several decades
ago, which included Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Machilus
chinensis, Ficus microcarpa and Dimocarpus
longan.
Most canopy species were mature in size and hence the ecological value
of secondary woodland is considered as moderate. Secondary woodland will develop towards a
climax habitat (mature woodland) through succession and natural colonization,
it was in the initial stages of this process.
The plantation was located at the southern part of the Project Area and
dominated by the exotic canopy species Acacia
confusa, with native undergrowth including Ficus microcarpa, Litsea glutinosa, Litsea rotundifolia and Eurya nitida.
The dominant habitat, shrubland, was located at the north of the Project
Area with a canopy of about 1.5 meters in height and dominated by native
species such as Rhodomyrtus tomentosa,
Embelia laeta and Cratoxylum cochinchinensis. The shrubland originated from hill fire
affected shrubby grassland that has been subject to soil erosion, which has
resulted in poor vegetation cover and dry conditions. Due to the simple floristic diversity and
lack of structural complexity, the ecological importance of plantation and
shrubland is low to moderate.
The abandoned wet agricultural land is located at the southern part of
the Project Area and was dominated by a few common wetland plants including Ludwigia epilobioides and Colocasia esculenta. The extent of the abandoned wet agricultural
land was subject to the availability of water and diminished during the dry
season survey. The floristic diversity,
structural complexity and ecological value of the abandoned wet agricultural
land area are low to moderate. The
grassland was dominated by Ischaemum
aristatum and the vegetation was generally less than 1 m in height.
Backshore
shrubland was found along the southern end of Tung Wan. The backshore shrublands were of medium age,
with some landscape plant species previously planted and intermingled with the
native species. A large amount of
rubbish, such as plastic bags and bottles, were washed onto the shore and had
accumulated in the backshore shrubland.
Backshore shrubland only occupied fringing areas along the shore and
consisted mainly of vegetation including Thespesia populnea, Ipomoea
brasiliensis, Scaevola sericea and Cerbera manghas. The floristic diversity and the structural
complexity of the backshore shrubland were low.
The grassland was located at the southeast of the Project Area, created
during the formation of a helipad in the 1990s and considered to be low in
ecological importance.
The disturbed area was located in the middle of the Project Area and
consisted of the demolished Detention Centre, pier, concrete paths, cut slopes
and a few landscape plants including Araucaria
heterophylla and Acalypha
wilkesiana. All of the recorded plant
species are common or very common in
Artificial shore and rocky shore habitats within the Project Area are
discussed in detail in Section 9
Marine Ecology.
A
number of species of conservation interest found within the Study Area were
recorded in the Project Area. The bird
species Greater Coucal,
Shek Pik
Existing Habitat and Vegetation
The
habitats recorded within the Study Area at Shek Pik were plantation, shrubland,
backshore shrubland, developed area and reservoir.
A
total of 108 plant species were recorded within the Study Area (Table 12 of
Annex 8). Among the recorded plant
species, there were 23 tree species, 47 shrub species, 5 grass species, 2 palm
species, 2 sedges, 21 climber species, 7 herb species and 1 fern species.
Coastal
vegetation species which are well adapted to adverse environments such as
limited water supply, strong wind and saline conditions, were frequently found
within the Study Area. An Acacia
plantation was found on both sides of
Table 8.11 Habitat
Types Recorded Within the Shek Pik Study Area
|
Habitat Type |
Approximate Area (hectare) |
Number of Plant Species Recorded |
|
|
7.7 |
24 |
|
Shrubland |
34.6 |
78 |
|
Backshore vegetation |
1.4 |
15 |
|
Developed area |
27.4 |
18 |
Shrubland
Shrubland
was one of the dominant habitats within the Study Area at Shek Pik comprising
49% of the total land area. The
shrubland consisted of shrubs, sedges and grasses 0.5 to 1.5 meters in height
and a total of 78 plant species were found during the surveys. The shrubland was dominated by native species
such as Cratoxylum cochinchinense, Celtis sinensis, Rhodomyrtus
tomentosa, Melastoma candidum, Ilex asprella, Ficus microcarpa, Phyllanthus
emblica, Litsea glutinosa and
Daphniphyllum calycinum.
Photographic records of shrubland are shown in Figure
8.25.
All of the plant species are common or very common in Hong Kong with the
exception of a locally protected shrub species Pavetta Pavetta hongkongensis was found.
The location of Pavetta found within the Study Area is shown in Figure 8.26.
The floristic diversity and the structural complexity of shrubland are
moderate and low to moderate respectively.
In conclusion, the ecological importance of shrubland at Shek Pik is low
to moderate.
Backshore Shrubland
Backshore
shrubland was found at the southeast of the Study Area within groundcover and
backshore vegetation. Photographic
records of Backshore shrubland are shown in Figure
8.27.
The backshore shrubland only occupied fringing areas along the shore and
were dominated by coastal plants including Zoysia matrella, Pandanus
tectorius,
Developed Area
Developed
areas were found at the western part of the Study Area and included a
residential area, roads and offices and was the dominant habitat within the
Study Area. The area was dominated by
Acacia plantation and landscape species, with the height of canopy species
reaching 4 to 8 meters. A total of 18
plant species were recorded, all of which are common or very common in
Reservoir
Part
of the Shek Pik Reservoir lies within the northern part of the Study Area. No vegetation was found within the reservoir
and hence no ecological baseline surveys were conducted. The water main route does not physically
affect the reservoir.
Wildlife
Mammal
Three
mammal species, Japanese Pipistrelle (bat)
Pipistrellus abramus, Tanezumi Rat
Rattus tanezumi and Brown Musk
Shrew Suncus murinus were recorded
within the Study Area (Tables 13a and 13b of Annex 8). The Japanese
Pipistrelle Pipistrellus abramus is
protected under the Wild Animal
Protection Ordinance, however, the other two species were considered to
have no conservation significance. The
Japanese Pipistrelle was recorded in shrubland during the night survey program
as shown in Figure 8.26.
Birds
A
total of 53 species of birds were identified within the Study Area. Forty eight species were recorded at the
sampling points during point count surveys and an additional five species were
recorded outside of the sampling points but within the Study Area (Table 14 of Annex 8). The
details of the bird data are shown in Table 15 of Annex 8). Relative abundance and species richness in
each type of surveyed habitat, based on the results of the point count method,
are presented in Table 8.12.
Both
the highest mean number of individuals of birds (determined on a per hectare,
per survey point and per survey day basis) and the highest mean number of bird
species (per sampling point) were recorded in the developed area, while
shrubland recorded the highest total number of bird species.
Table 8.12 Abundance
and Species Richness of Birds Recorded within the Shek Pik Study Area
|
|
Season |
|
Shrubland |
Backshore Shrubland |
Developed Area |
Total |
|
Number of sampling points surveyed (each sampling
point covered an area of ~ 0.28 ha) |
|
3 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
11 |
|
Number of survey days |
Dry |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Wet |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Overall |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Total number of individuals |
Dry |
216 |
206 |
22 |
167 |
611 |
|
|
Wet |
44 |
92 |
1 |
32 |
169 |
|
|
Overall |
260 |
298 |
23 |
199 |
780 |
|
Mean abundance (no. of birds per hectare per
survey day) |
Dry |
128.5 |
73.5 |
39.3 |
149.1 |
98.9 |
|
|
Wet |
52.3 |
65.7 |
3.57 |
57.1 |
54.6 |
|
|
Overall |
103.1 |
70.9 |
27.4 |
118.4 |
84.4 |
|
Total no. of species recorded |
Dry
|
24 |
26 |
11 |
24 |
42 |
|
|
Wet |
15 |
17 |
1 |
6 |
24 |
|
|
Overall |
26 |
38 |
9 |
27 |
48 |
|
Species richness (mean no. of species per sampling
point) |
Dry |
2.4 |
4.3 |
5.5 |
12 |
1.9 |
|
|
Wet |
3 |
5.7 |
1 |
12 |
2.4 |
|
|
Overall |
1.7 |
4.2 |
3.0 |
9.0 |
1.6 |
Among the recorded species,
there were 30 residents, 18 passage migrants, 24 winter visitors and one summer
visitor.
Most of the bird species
recorded are common and widespread in
As Black
Kites were only recorded soaring over the area during the surveys, the exact
locations of the bird cannot be shown in Figure 8.26. Black Kites usually forage over a large area
and Shek Pik is considered to be part of their foraging areas. The Pacific Reef Egret was recorded roosting
on rocky shores along the coastal line of Shek Pik during the surveys. The Greater Coucal was found roosting in
various habitats during the surveys.
The Common
Buzzard was recorded
flying over open areas such as the developed area. The Common Buzzard is listed as Class 2 Animal of PRC and Appendix II of CITES. Since the Common Buzzard is widespread in the
The
Bonelli’s Eagle is a scarce resident in
The Common
Kestrel is a common autumn migrant and less common winter visitor. It is listed as Class 2 Animal of PRC and Appendix II of CITES. It was recorded flying over the shrubland during the
surveys.
The
Collared Scops Owl is a common and widespread resident in
The Hwamei is listed in Appendix II of CITES. It is a common
and widespread breeding resident in Hong Kong and almost endemic to
Overall, the
species diversity of birds at Shek Pik is considered low to moderate.
Invertebrates
Butterfly
A
total of 29 species of butterfly were recorded within the Study Area during the
surveys (Tables 16a and 16b of
Annex 8). Twelve species were
recorded in dry season while 22 species were recorded in wet season. No additional butterfly species were recorded
outside the point count location.
Four
uncommon butterfly species, Blue
Pansy Junonia orithya, Chocolate Royal Remelana jangala, Yellow
Orange Tip Ixias pyrene, and Banded
Awl Hasora chromus were recorded within the Study Area. The distribution and favoured food plants are
listed in Table 8.13, the locations of Blue
Pansy Junonia orithya, Chocolate Royal Remelana jangala, Yellow
Orange Tip Ixias pyrene, and Banded
Awl Hasora chromus recorded within the Study Area are shown
in Figure
8.26.
Table 8.13 Food
Plants of the Uncommon Butterflies Recorded within the Shek Pik Study Area
|
Common Name |
Species Name |
Food Plant |
Habitat Recorded |
|
Blue Pansy |
Junonia orithya, |
Antirrhinum majus, Striga lutea, Justicia procumbens and Lepidagathis
incurva |
Developed area |
|
Chocolate Royal |
Remelana jangala |
Cratoxylum cochinchinense, Embelia laeta,
Sterculia lanceolata and Rhododendron
sp. |
Shrubland,
plantation |
|
Banded Awl |
Hasora chromus |
Pongamia pinnata |
|
|
Yellow |
Ixias pyrene |
Capparis cantoniensis |
|
Butterfly abundance in the plantation area
was considered low to moderate, and low in other types of habitats (Table
8.14).
Table 8.14 Mean
Abundance of Butterflies Recorded at Shek Pik
|
|
Season |
|
Shrubland |
Developed Area |
|
Mean no. of individual/ha |
Dry |
8.9 |
2.85 |
5.35 |
|
|
Wet |
19.0 |
15.0 |
0 |
|
|
Overall |
12.3 |
6.9 |
3.6 |
|
No. of species |
Dry |
4 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
Wet |
12 |
14 |
0 |
|
|
Overall |
16 |
16 |
3 |
|
No. of uncommon/rare species |
Dry |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
Wet |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
Overall |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Both the abundance and species
richness of butterflies were higher during the wet season. Species diversity was considered to be
moderate, taking into account of the survey effort and the size of surveyed
areas. The presence of shrubland and
plantation support the higher diversity of butterfly species.
Dragonflies
Three dragonfly species; Yellow Featherlegs
Copera marginipes, Evening Skimmer
Tholymis tillarga and Wandering Glider
Pantala flavescens were recorded at Shek Pik in the
wet season (Table 17 of Annex 8). All of them are common and widespread in
Herpetofauna
Five
amphibian species, including the Paddy Frog Fejervarya
llimnocharis, Gunther’s Frog Rana guentheri,
Brown Tree Frog Polypedates megacephalus, Asiatic Painted Frog Kaloula
pulchra, and Romer’s Tree Frog
Philautus romeri were recorded within the Study Area during the surveys (Tables 18a and 18b of Annex 8). All of the recorded species identified are
common and widespread in
There
were five species of reptile recorded within the Study Area during the
surveys. Reptile species recorded
included Common Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops braminus,
Bowring’s Gecko Hemidactylus bowringii,
Reeves’ Smooth Skink Scincella reevesii, Changeable Lizard Calotes versicolor and Chinese Gecko Gekko chinensis. All of the recorded reptiles are common in
Present Condition of the Project Area at Shek Pik
The
land sections of the cable circuit and water main are proposed to run mainly
along the existing road from the shore to the new water tank and to Shek Pik
Cable Substation. There are two options for the proposed
location of new water tank. Water tank
of Option 1 is proposed to be located at the fringe of the reservoir dam,
occupies a small area of Acacia plantation.
Water tank of Option 2 is proposed to be located at the fringe the
existing chlorination plant at
Table
8.15 Habitats within the Shek Pik
Project Area
|
Habitat |
Ecological Importance |
Approximate Area (ha) |
|
|
Low |
0.004 ha |
|
Developed Area |
Negligible |
0.15 ha |
The Acacia plantation is found along both sides of the road (proposed
alignment of the cable circuit and water main) dominated by the exotic canopy
species Acacia confusa, with native
undergrowth including Litsea glutinosa, Litsea rotundifolia and
Eurya nitida. Due to the simple floristic diversity and
lack of structural complexity, the ecological importance of Acacia plantation
is low.
The developed area is located at the western part of the Project Area
and comprised residential buildings, concrete roads, and a few landscape plants
including Acacia confusa, Delonix regia and Bauhinia
blackeana. All of the recorded plant
species are common or very common in
Two
bird species of conservation interest, including the Greater Coucal and Hwamei have
been recorded within plantation of the Project Area. Their locations within the Project Area are
shown in Figure 8.26.
8.5
Evaluation of
Ecological Importance
In
this section the ecological importance of the terrestrial habitats and wildlife
identified within the Study Area and Project Area are evaluated in accordance
with the EIAO TM Annex 8 criteria.
·
Naturalness;
·
Size;
·
Diversity;
·
Rarity;
·
Re-creatability;
·
Ecological
Linkage;
·
Potential
value;
·
Nursery
Ground;
·
Age;
and,
·
Abundance.
The
evaluation is based upon the information presented in the previous Section
8.4.3.
8.5.1
Habitats within Study Area
The
ecological importance of each habitat type within the Study Area of South Soko
and Shek Pik and the habitats within the Study Area are presented in Tables
8.16-8.26.
Secondary
Small
patches of secondary woodlands (approximately 1 ha) are located at the west of
the abandoned reservoir in
Table 8.16 Ecological
Evaluation of Secondary
|
Criteria |
Secondary |
|
Naturalness |
Secondary, semi-natural, originally from native
trees and fruit trees cultivated by local villagers. |
|
Size |
Small patches of secondary woodland (approximately
1 ha) located to the west of the abandoned reservoir and fringe of shrubland. |
|
Diversity |
Moderate in diversity of plant species and
structural complexity. Low to moderate
for bird, moderate for butterfly and low for other faunal diversity. |
|
Rarity |
Bird species |
|
Re-creatability |
It may take more than 30 years for the secondary
woodland to develop. |
|
Fragmentation |
Not fragmented but small in size. |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Not linked to any ecologically significant area. |
|
Potential Value |
Moderate to high, as mature woodland. |
|
Nursery/ Breeding Ground |
Nil. |
|
Age |
Mature (more than 30 years) based on tree size,
structure and species composition. |
|
Abundance/ Richness of Wildlife |
Low to moderate for birds and butterflies and low
for other faunal species. |
|
Overall Ecological Importance |
Moderate |
The plantation of
The
plantation at Shek Pik was dominated by exotic plant species and the
understorey occupied by several species of native shrubs. The floristic diversity and structural
complexity of the plantation in Shek Pik are low. The ecological importance of the plantation
area in Shek Pik is low (Table 8.17).
Table 8.17 Ecological
Evaluation of
|
Criteria |
|
|
|
Naturalness |
Secondary, semi-mature, exotic |
Secondary, young age, exotic. |
|
Size |
A continuous patch of trees with overall size of
approximately 11.4 ha, the plantation is located mainly in the middle of the
Study Area. |
|
|
Diversity |
Moderate in diversity of plants (54 species) and
structural complexity. Low to moderate
for birds (34 species) high for butterflies (36 species), and low for other
faunal diversity. |
Low in diversity of plant (24 species) and
structural complexity. Low for bird
(26 species), low for butterfly (13 species), and low for other faunal
diversity. |
|
Rarity |
Bird species of conservation interest included
Greater Coucal, and Crested Goshawk were recorded. Uncommon butterfly species; Common Nawab,
Long-banded Silverline, Striped Blue Crow, Yellow Pansy, Tree-spot Grass
Yellow, Banged Angle, Common Maping, Indian Palm Bob and Conjoined
Swift. Rare butterfly species included
Red Lacewing. |
Endemic amphibian species Romer’s Tree Frog was
recorded. Five bird species of
conservation interests; Greater Coucal, Common kestrel, Black Kite, Hwamei
and Bonelli’s Eagle were recorded respectively. Three uncommon butterfly species; Chocolate
Royal, Yellow Orange Tip and Banded Awl. |
|
Re-creatability |
Habitat characteristics and species composition
are easy to recreate. However it may
take more than 10 years for the plantation to develop. |
Habitat characteristics and species composition
are easy to recreate. |
|
Fragmentation |
Medium, the woodlands were fragmented by the
concrete road/path. |
High, the plantations were fragmented by the
concrete road/path. |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Not linked to any ecologically significant area. |
Not linked to any ecologically significant area. |
|
Potential Value |
Moderate, becoming mature woodland if given time
and protection from disturbance. |
Low |
|
Nursery/ Breeding Ground |
Juvenile of protected bird species Greater Coucal
were recorded during the survey. |
Nil |
|
Age |
Young (10 to 20 years old) based on tree size,
structure and species composition. |
Young (10 to 20 years old) based on tree size,
structure and species composition. |
|
Abundance/ Richness of Wildlife |
High for butterfly, low to moderate for avifauna
and low for other faunal species. |
Low for avifauna and other faunal species. |
|
Overall Ecological Importance |
Low to moderate |
Low |
Shrubland
Shrubland
was the dominant habitat on The species of conservation
interest included the orchid Golden Eulophia,
protected bird species Greater Coucal, Crested Serpent Eagle, Pacific Reef
Egret and . . The
floristic diversity and the structural complexity of shrubland are moderate and
low to moderate respectively. In
conclusion, the ecological importance of shrubland in
Shrubland
was also the dominant habitat at Shek Pik, and occupied 51% of vegetation
cover. One locally protected plant
species Pavetta Pavetta hongkongensis,
one uncommon butterfly Chocolate Royal as well as the uncommon bird species
including Common Kestrel and Common Buzzard were recorded. A locally protected mammal, the Japanese
Pipistrelle, was recorded during the night survey. The floristic diversity and the
structural complexity of shrubland are moderate, and low to moderate
respectively. In
conclusion, the ecological importance of shrubland at Shek Pik is low to
moderate.
The
ecological evaluation of shrublands at
Table 8.18 Ecological
Evaluation of Shrubland
|
Criteria |
Shrubland at |
Shrubland at Shek Pik |
|
Naturalness |
Natural habitat with limited human disturbance. |
Natural habitat with limited human disturbance. |
|
Size |
The shrubland was the dominant habitat within the
Study Area with overall size of approximately 85.7 ha. |
The shrubland was the dominant habitat within the
Study Area with overall size of approximately 34.6 ha. |
|
Diversity |
Medium diversity of plant (75 species) and
structural complexity. Moderate for bird and low for other fauna. |
Medium diversity of plant (78 species) and low to
moderate in structural complexity. Low to moderate for bird and other fauna. |
|
Rarity |
Protected orchid Golden Eulophia, protected bird species: Greater
Coucal, Crested Serpent Eagle, Pacific Reef Egret and |
A
locally protected plant species Pavetta Pavetta
hongkongensis, uncommon butterfly species Chocolate Royal and bird species
of conservation interests including Black Kite, Common Kestrel, Greater
Coucal, Hwamei, Collared Scops Owl and Common Buzzard and a locally protected
mammal Japanese Pipistrelle were recorded. |
|
Re-creatability |
Readily recreatable. |
Readily recreatable. |
|
Fragmentation |
Shrubland
mainly exists as a continuous patch. |
Shrubland
mainly exists as a continuous patch. |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Not linked to any ecologically significant areas. |
Not linked to any ecologically significant areas. |
|
Potential Value |
Moderate. |
Moderate. |
|
Nursery/Breeding Ground |
Juveniles of bird species Chinese Bulbul was
recorded during the wet season surveys. |
Nil |
|
Age |
Moderate. |
Moderate. |
|
Abundance/Richness of Wildlife |
Moderate for avifauna and low for other faunal
species. |
Low to moderate for avifauna and other faunal
species. |
|
Overall Ecological Importance |
Low to moderate |
Low to moderate |
Backshore
Shrubland
Backshore
shrubland habitat in
Backshore
shrubland at The ecological importance of
backshore shrubland on
Backshore
shrubland was found along Tung Wan at Shek Pik. The backshore shrubland was young
in age and spread scarcely along the beach. All of the plant species are
common or very common coastal species in The floristic diversity and the structural
complexity of backshore shrubland are low. The ecological importance of
backshore shrubland at Shek Pik is considered to be low.
The
ecological evaluation of backshore shrublands at
Table 8.19 Ecological
Evaluation of Backshore Shrubland
|
Criteria |
Backshore Shrubland at |
Backshore Shrubland at Shek Pik |
|
Naturalness |
Natural, disturbed by littering. |
Natural |
|
Size |
The overall size was approximately 0.5 ha. |
The overall size was approximately 1.4 ha. |
|
Diversity |
Low for vegetation (total of 14 species), low for
bird and other faunal species. |
Low for vegetation (total of 15 species), low for bird
and other faunal species. |
|
Rarity |
No rare species. |
Bird species Pacific Reef Egret is of conservation
interest. |
|
Re-creatability |
Readily creatable. |
Readily creatable. |
|
Fragmentation |
Low. |
Low. |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Not functionally linked to any highly valued
habitat in close proximity. |
Not functionally linked to any highly valued
habitat in close proximity. |
|
Potential Value |
Low. |
Low. |
|
Nursery/Breeding Ground |
No significant nursery or breeding ground recorded. |
No significant nursery or breeding ground
recorded. |
|
Age |
Young. |
Young. |
|
Abundance/Richness of Wildlife |
Abundance of avifauna, dragonfly and butterfly
were low. |
Abundance of avifauna, dragonfly and butterfly
were low. |
|
Overall Ecological Importance |
Low |
Low |
Grassland
Grassland
habitats in
Table 8.20 Ecological
Evaluation of Grassland at
|
Criteria |
Grassland |
|
Naturalness |
Man-made habitat, created for helipad and concrete
walkways of the former Detention Centre. |
|
Size |
The overall size was approximately 2.1 ha, located
in the middle of the Study Area. |
|
Diversity |
Low diversity of plant (28 species) and structural
complexity. Low in faunal diversity. |
|
Rarity |
Protected bird species Greater Coucal and Common
Buzzard were recorded uncommon dragonfly Greater Blue Skimmer and uncommon
butterfly Indian Fritillary and Indian Palm Bob were found. |
|
Re-creatability |
Readily recreatable. |
|
Fragmentation |
Not fragmented. |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Not linked to any ecological significant area. |
|
Potential Value |
Low. |
|
Nursery/Breeding Ground |
No significant nursery or breeding ground recorded
during the survey. |
|
Age |
Young. |
|
Abundance/Richness of Wildlife |
Low for avifauna, butterfly and dragonfly. |
|
Overall Ecological Importance |
Low |
Abandoned
Wet Agricultural Land
Abandoned wet agricultural lands were found in conjunction with the
abandoned reservoir near Sheung Tsuen and at the southeast of . . The floristic diversity
and the structural complexity of the abandoned
wet agricultural lands are low to moderate. In conclusion, the ecological importance of
the abandoned wet agricultural lands found on
Table 8.21 Ecological
Evaluation of Abandoned Wet Agricultural Land at
|
Criteria |
Abandoned Wet Agricultural Land |
|
Naturalness |
Semi-natural, originated from abandoned
agricultural land. |
|
Size |
The overall size was approximately 1.0 ha. |
|
Diversity |
Low for vegetation (total of 37 species), low to
moderate for bird and dragonflies, low for butterfly and herpetofauna. |
|
Rarity |
Protected bird species including Osprey, Greater
Coucal, and |
|
Re-creatability |
Readily creatable. |
|
Fragmentation |
Fragmented at Sheung Tsuen. |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Not functionally linked to any highly valued
habitat in close proximity. |
|
Potential Value |
Moderate. |
|
Nursery/Breeding Ground |
Juveniles of bird species Chinese Bulbul were
recorded during the wet season surveys. |
|
Age |
Young. |
|
Abundance/Richness of Wildlife |
Abundance of avifauna, dragonfly and butterfly
were low. |
|
Overall Ecological Importance |
Low to moderate |
Abandoned
Dry Agricultural Land
Abandoned
dry agricultural land was found at the backshore of Pak Tso Wan at
Table 8.22 Ecological
Evaluation of Abandoned Dry Agricultural Land at
|
Criteria |
Abandoned Dry Agricultural Land |
|
Naturalness |
Man-made |
|
Size |
The overall size was approximately 0.4 ha. |
|
Diversity |
Low for vegetation (total of 27 species), moderate
for bird and low for butterfly, dragonfly and herpetofauna. |
|
Rarity |
None recorded. |
|
Re-creatability |
Readily creatable. |
|
Fragmentation |
Not fragmented. |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Not functionally linked to any highly valued
habitat in close proximity. |
|
Potential Value |
Low. |
|
Nursery/Breeding Ground |
No significant nursery or breeding ground
recorded. |
|
Age |
Young. |
|
Abundance/Richness of Wildlife |
Abundance of avifauna, dragonfly and butterfly
were low. |
|
Overall Ecological Importance |
Low to moderate |
Stream
Two
seasonal streams, located near Sheung Tsuen and Pak Tso Wan, were found within
the Study Area. The
riparian vegetation communities of the stream near Sheung Tsuen were integrated
with the surrounding secondary woodland and shrubland. The riparian vegetation
communities of the natural stream near Pak Tso Wan were similar to the
backshore shrubland. The
beds of the streams were rocky with medium-sized boulders and very limited
water flow even during the wet season. A
total of 28 plant species were found along the stream and no rare or protected
species were recorded. No
stream fauna were found in either of the two streams on the In conclusion, the ecological importance of
the stream in
Table 8.23 Ecological Evaluation of Streams
at
|
Criteria |
Natural Stream at the Backshore of Pak
Tso Wan and Natural Stream at the south of Abandoned Reservoir |
|
Naturalness |
Natural. |
|
Size |
The total length was less than 100 m. |
|
Diversity |
Low for plant and aquatic fauna. |
|
Rarity |
Nil |
|
Re-creatability |
Re-creatable. |
|
Fragmentation |
Not applicable. |
|
Ecological linkage |
Not functionally linked to any highly valued
habitat in close proximity. |
|
Potential value |
Medium ecological potential. |
|
Nursery/breeding ground |
No significant nursery or breeding ground
recorded. |
|
Age |
Not applicable. |
|
Abundance/Richness of wildlife |
Low for all wildlife including avifauna and
aquatic fauna. |
|
Overall Ecological Importance |
Low to moderate |
Abandoned
and Active Reservoirs
An
abandoned water reservoir,
enclosed by secondary woodland, was found near Sheung Tsuen at The
bottom of the abandoned reservoir
was generally sandy, scattered with waste materials and some rocks, including
granite and broken concrete. All
of the recorded plant species are common or very common in The
species diversity and the structural complexity of the abandoned reservoir are low. Ecological importance of the abandoned
reservoir is presented in Table 8.24.
A
reservoir (Shek Pik Reservoir) was recorded at Shek Pik. The reservoir is under active
management and is used for water collection from nearby hills and slopes. No vegetation was recorded within the
reservoir. The
species diversity and the structural complexity of the reservoir are low. Ecological importance of the reservoir is
presented in Table 8.24.
Table 8.24 Ecological
Evaluation of Abandoned Reservoir at
|
Criteria |
Abandoned Reservoir ( |
Reservoir (Shek Pik) |
|
Naturalness |
Man-made, created for water storage. |
Man-made, created for water storage. |
|
Size |
The overall size was approximately 0.2 ha. |
The overall size was approximately 23 ha. |
|
Diversity |
Low for vegetation (total of 7 species), Low for
butterfly, dragonfly and herpetofauna. Fish species are all introduced
exotics of low ecological value. |
Nil for vegetation, low for wildlife. |
|
Rarity |
Protected bird species |
Protected bird species Common Buzzard was recorded
flying over the area. |
|
Re-creatability |
Readily creatable. |
Readily creatable. |
|
Fragmentation |
Not fragmented. |
Not fragmented. |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Not functionally linked to any highly valued
habitat in close proximity. |
Not functionally linked to any highly valued
habitat in close proximity. |
|
Potential Value |
Moderate. |
Low |
|
Nursery/ Breeding Ground |
No significant nursery or breeding ground
recorded. |
No significant nursery or breeding ground
recorded. |
|
Age |
Young. |
Young. |
|
Abundance/ Richness of Wildlife |
Abundance of avifauna, dragonfly and butterfly
were low. Moderately high abundance of
the invasive fish species Tilapia spp. |
Low for wildlife. |
|
Overall Ecological Importance |
Low |
Low |
The
disturbed area included the concrete platform of the former Detention Centre located
between Sai Wan and Tung Wan, abandoned village (i.e., Sheung Tsuen), piers,
concrete roads and paths, and cut slopes at
The
developed area at Shek Pik included the concrete roads, residential buildings
and Shek Pik Prison. All of the recorded
plant species are common or very common in
Table 8.25 Ecological
Evaluation of Disturbed Area at
|
Criteria |
Disturbed Area ( |
Developed Area (Shek Pik) |
|
Naturalness |
Man-made habitat consisting demolished Detention
Centre and associated facilities. |
Man-made habitat consisting concrete roads,
residential buildings and Shek Pik Prison. |
|
Size |
The overall size was approximately 6.5 ha. |
The overall size was approximately 27.4 ha. |
|
Diversity |
Low for vegetation (total of 41 species), moderate
for bird and low for butterfly, dragonfly and herpetofauna. |
Low for vegetation (total of 18 species), low to
moderate for bird and low for butterfly, dragonfly and herpetofauna. |
|
Rarity |
Protected bird species Common Buzzard was recorded
flying over. Uncommon butterfly
species White Commodore and Blue Pansy were recorded. Protected reptile species Plumbeous Water
Snake was recorded. |
Uncommon butterfly species Blue Pansy, birds of
conservation interests included Black Kite.
. |
|
Re-creatability |
Readily creatable. |
Readily creatable. |
|
Fragmentation |
Not applicable. |
Not applicable. |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Not functionally linked to any highly valued
habitat in close proximity. |
Not functionally linked to any highly valued habitat
in close proximity. |
|
Potential Value |
Low. |
Low. |
|
Nursery/Breeding Ground |
No significant nursery or breeding ground
recorded. |
No significant nursery or breeding ground
recorded. |
|
Age |
Not applicable. |
Not applicable. |
|
Abundance/Richness of Wildlife |
Abundance of avifauna, dragonfly and butterfly
were low. |
Abundance of avifauna, dragonfly and butterfly
were low. |
|
Overall Ecological Importance |
Negligible |
Negligible |
8.5.2
Ecological Evaluation of the Project Area
The
Project Area at
Shek
Pik
The
Project Area at Shek Pik was approximately 0.15 ha in area including plantation
and developed areas of relatively low ecological importance. The Project Area was low in floral and faunal
species and no species of conservation interest were recorded within the
Project Area. In conclusion, the ecological
importance of the Project Area at Shek Pik is considered to be Low. It should be noted that although the
ecological values of both Shek Pik and South Soko are considered to be low, the
ecological significance of Shek Pik is considered to be less than that of
Table
8.26 Ecological Evaluation of the
Project Areas
|
Criteria |
Project Area at |
Project Area at Shek Pik |
|
Naturalness
|
Previous
history of disturbance, i.e., construction of cut slope, concrete path,
detention centre, pier and helipad.
Natural habitats were of relatively low ecological importance with only
a small patch of secondary woodland is of moderate ecological value. |
Disturbed,
i.e., existing water pipes, concrete road and Shek Pik Prison. Natural habitats were of relatively low
ecological importance. Part of the
area is located within |
|
Size |
Total:
approximately 19.7 ha. Approximately
0.2 ha of secondary woodland, 3.3 ha of plantation, 8.3 ha of shrubland, 0.5
ha of abandoned wet agricultural land, 1.8 ha of grassland and 5.6 ha of
disturbed area recorded within the Project Area. |
Total:
approximately 0.15 ha. of developed area and 0.004 ha of plantation recorded
within the Project Area. |
|
Diversity |
Low
for vegetation and fauna. |
Low
for vegetation and fauna. |
|
Rarity |
Orchid
species Golden Eulophia, Bird species included the Greater Coucal,
White-bellied Sea Eagle, Common Buzzard and Black Kite; butterfly species
included the Bush Hopper, Formosan Swift, Three-spot Grass Yellow, Indian
Palm Bob, Dark Grass Blue, Yellow Pansy, Striped Blue Crow, White Commodore,
Blue Pansy, Tree Flitter and Common Nawab; dragonfly species included the
Greater Blue Skimmer; and the reptile species Plumbeous Water Snake and
Common Rat Snake were recorded within the Project Area. |
Nil
|
|
Re-creatability |
Readily
creatable. |
Readily
creatable. |
|
Fragmentation |
Not
applicable. |
Not
applicable. |
|
Ecological
Linkage |
Not
functionally linked to any highly valued habitat in close proximity. |
Not
functionally linked to any highly valued habitat in close proximity. Part of the area locate within |
|
Potential
Value |
Low
to moderate. |
Low
|
|
Nursery/Breeding
Ground |
No
significant breeding ground recorded. |
No
significant breeding ground recorded. |
|
Age |
Young. |
Young. |
|
Abundance/Richness
of Wildlife |
Abundance
of fauna was low. |
Abundance
of fauna was low. |
|
Overall Ecological Importance |
Moderate for Secondary Low to Moderate for Low for Grassland Negligible for Disturbed Area Overall Considered to be Low |
Low for Negligible for Developed Area Overall Considered to be Low and less
significance than |
8.5.3
Flora and Fauna of Ecological Interest
The
following floral and faunal species of conservation interest were recorded
within the Study Area during the surveys:
·
Plant at South Soko: A protected and rare plant species Golden
Eulophia was recorded within the Study Area at
·
Plant at Shek Pik: A protected plant species Pavetta Pavetta hongkongensis was found within
the Study Area at Shek Pik during the survey.
·
Mammals at Shek Pik: One locally protected bat species Japanese
Pipistrelle Pipistrellus abramus was recorded within the Study Area.
·
Birds at South Soko: Eleven bird species of conservation
interest, the Great Frigatebird Fregata minor, Black Kite Milvus lineatus, Osprey Pandion haliaetus, White-bellied Sea
Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster, Crested
Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela,
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo,
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus,
Pacific Reef Egret Egretta sacra,
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo, Crested
Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus and
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis, were recorded within the Study Area of
South Soko. Aside from the Black
Kite, Pacific Reef Egret, White-bellied Sea Eagle and the Greater Coucal, the
birds of conservation interest were sighted either only once or flying over the
island.
·
Birds at Shek Pik: Eight bird species of conservation
interest; Black Kite Milvus lineatus,
Pacific Reef Egret Egretta sacra,
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo, Greater
Coucal Centropus sinensis, Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, Collared
Scops Owl Otus lettia, Hwamei Garrulax canorus and Bonelli’s
Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus were recorded
within the Study Area at Shek Pik. Aside from the Black Kite, Pacific Reef Egret
and Collared Scops Owl, the birds of conservation interest were sighted flying
over Shek Pik.
·
Reptiles at
·
Amphibian at Shek Pik: An endemic and protected amphibian
species, the Romer’s Tree Frog Philautus romeri
was heard at the plantation during a night survey at Shek Pik.
·
Butterflies at South Soko: Fifteen uncommon and two rare butterfly
species including the Banded Awl
Hasora chromus, Long-banded Silverline Spindasis lohita, Three-spot Grass Yellow Eurema blanda, Plain Cupid Chilades pandava, Common Nawab Polyura athamas, Yellow Pansy Junonia hierta, White Commodore Parasarpa dudu , Striped Blue
Crow Euploea mulciber, Bush Hopper Ampittia dioscorides, Formosan
Swift Borbo cinnara, Tree Flitter Hyarotis adrastus, Blue Pansy Junonia orithya, Conjoined
Swift Pelopidas conjunctus, Indian
Palm Bob Suastus gremius, and Indian Fritillary Argyreus hyperbius, and the rare
butterfly species Dark Grass Blue
Zizeeria karsandra and Red Lacewing Cethosia bibles, respectively
were recorded within the Study Area. Most of the butterfly species of conservation
interest were found at the fringe of the secondary woodland or the abandoned
wet agricultural land located in the middle of
·
Butterflies at Shek Pik: Four uncommon butterfly species including
the Blue Pansy Junonia orithya, Chocolate Royal Remelana jangala, Banded Awl Hasora chromus and Yellow Orange Tip Ixias pyrene were recorded within the Study Area.
·
Dragonflies at
In
accordance with Annex 8 of the EIAO
TM the list and evaluation of the above species of ecological interest are
provided in Table 8.27 and Table
8.28.
Table 8.27 Evaluation
of Species of Conservation Interest Recorded within the Study Area of
|
Name |
Location |
Protection Status |
Distribution |
Rarity |
|
Plant |
|
|
|
|
|
Golden
Eulophia Eulophia flava |
Recorded in shrubland at |
Locally protected plant species |
Recorded in Tai Tam, |
Rare in |
|
Bird |
|
|
|
|
|
Black-eared Kite Milvus lineatus |
Various habitats at |
Wild
Animals Protected Ordinance (Cap 170); Class 2
Protected Animal of PRC; Appendix 2 of
CITES |
Found in many types of habitat areas; |
Common and widespread in |
|
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo |
Recorded
in over open area of the Study Area, including, developed area and grassland
at |
Class
2 Protected Animal of PRC; Appendix 2
of CITES |
Widespread
in |
Common
winter visitor to |
|
Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela |
On the top of a shrubland at |
Wild Animals
Protected Ordinance (Cap 170); Class 2
Protected Animal of PRC; Appendix 2 of CITES |
Found in terrestrial habitats in |
Rare in |
|
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo |
In the disturbed area at |
Wild Animals
Protected Ordinance (Cap 170); Class 2 Protected
Animal of PRC; Appendix 2 of CITES |
Found in open country in |
Rare in |
|
Great
Frigatebird Fregata minor |
Flying
past |
Wild Animals
Protected Ordinance (Cap 170) |
This
“Oceanic” bird and occurs worldwide in tropical oceans and mainly in the
Indo-Pacific area. |
Rare in |
|
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis |
In various habitats of |
Wild Animals
Protected Ordinance (Cap 170); Class 2
Protected Animal of PRC |
Found in many types of habitats in |
Common and widespread in Rare in |
|
Osprey Pandion haliaetus |
Recorded on a tree next to the abandoned wet
agricultural land at perching and flying; not within Project Area. |
Wild Animals
Protected Ordinance (Cap 170); Class 2
Protected Animal of PRC; Appendix 2 of CITES |
Found in |
Uncommon in |
|
Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus |
Record
in the pond area of the Study Area at Shek Pik, outside of Project Area. |
Class
2 Protected Animal of PRC; Appendix 2
of CITES |
Mainly
utilise woodland, widespread in |
Uncommon
in |
|
Pacific Reef Egret Egretta
sacra |
Along the coastline of rocky shore at |
Wild Animals
Protected Ordinance (Cap 170); Class 2
Protected Animal of PRC; |
Found in coastal habitats in |
Common and widespread in |
|
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
Along the coastline of rocky shore at |
Wild Animals
Protected Ordinance (Cap 170); Appendix 1
of CITES |
Found in many types of habitats in |
Rare in |
|
White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster |
In various habitats of soaring and perching; three sighting records
within the Project Area. |
Wild Animals
Protected Ordinance (Cap 170); Class 2
Protected Animal of PRC; Appendix 2 of CITES |
Found in coastal habitats and reservoirs in |
Uncommon in |
|
Herpetofauna |
|
|
|
|
|
Common
Rat Snake Ptyas mucosus |
Abandoned wet agricultural land located at
the southeast of |
Appendix 2 of CITES |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Plumbeous
Water Snake |
Drainage
channel of disturbed area at |
Not protected |
Widespread |
Uncommon |
|
Butterfly |
|
|
|
|
|
Banded Awl Hasora chromus |
Abandoned wet agricultural land and secondary
woodland at |
Not protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
Blue Pansy
Junonia orithya, |
Shrubland and developed area at |
Not Protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
Bush Hopper
Ampittia dioscorides |
Abandoned wet agricultural land at |
Not Protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
Common Nawab Polyura athamas |
|
Not protected |
Widespread in |
Uncommon in |
|
Conjoined
Swift Pelopidas conjunctus |
|
Not Protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
Dark Grass Blue
Zizeeria karsandra |
Shrubland at |
Not Protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Rare in |
|
Formosan Swift
Borbo cinnara |
Abandoned wet agricultural land at |
Not Protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
Indian
Fritillary Argyreus hyperbius |
Grassland at |
Not Protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered localities
in |
Uncommon in |
|
Indian Palm Bob
Suastus gremius |
Grassland and plantation at |
Not Protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
Long-banded Silverline Spindasis lohita |
|
Not protected |
Widespread in |
Uncommon in |
|
Plain Cupid Chilades pandava |
Abandoned wet agricultural land at |
Not protected |
Restricted distribution in |
Uncommon in |
|
Red Lacewing Cethosia biblis |
|
Not Protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Rare in |
|
Striped Blue Crow Euploea mulciber |
Secondary woodland, plantation and shrubland at |
Not protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
Three-spot Grass Yellow Eurema blanda |
|
Not protected |
Sporadically distributed in |
Uncommon in |
|
Tree Flitter Hyarotis
adrastus |
Abandoned wet agricultural land at |
Not Protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
White Commodore Parasarpa dudu |
Disturbed area at |
Not protected |
Widespread in |
Uncommon in |
|
Yellow Pansy Junonia hierta |
Disturbed area at |
Not protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities |
Uncommon in |
|
Dragonfly |
|
|
|
|
|
Common Evening
Hawker Anaciaeschna jaspidea |
|
Not protected |
Found in a few localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
Cercion melanotum |
Abandoned
Reservoir at |
Not
protected |
Found
in a few localities in |
Uncommon
in |
|
Greater Blue Skimmer Orthetrum melania |
Grassland at |
Not protected |
Found in a few localities in |
Uncommon in |
Table 8.28 Evaluation
of Species of Conservation Interest Recorded within the Study Area of Shek Pik
|
Name |
Location |
Protection Status |
Distribution |
Rarity |
|
Plant |
|
|
|
|
|
Pavetta Pavetta hongkongensis |
Recorded in shrubland
at Shek Pik, outside of Project Area. |
Locally protected
plant species |
Widely
distributed in |
Common |
|
Mammal |
|
|
|
|
|
Japanese
Pipistrelle Pipistrellus abramus |
Recorded in shrubland
at Shek Pik, outside of Project Area. |
Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap
170) |
Widespread |
The most common bat in |
|
Bird |
|
|
|
|
|
Black-eared
Kite Milvus lineatus |
In various habitats
at Shek Pik; Soaring; >10 sighting records. outside of Project Area. |
Class 2 Protected
Animal of PRC; Appendix 2 of CITES |
Found in many types
of habitats; |
Common and
widespread in |
|
Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus
fasciatus |
Recorded in flight over Study Area at Shek Pik, outside of Project Area. |
Class 2 Protected Animal of
PRC; Appendix 2 of CITES |
Widespread in South China, North Africa and |
Rare and local resident in |
|
Collared Scops Owl Otus
lettia |
Heard during night survey at Tung Wan and the prison at Shek Pik, outside of Project Area. |
Class 2 Protected Animal of
PRC; Appendix 2 of CITES |
Widespread in |
Widespread resident in |
|
Common
Buzzard Buteo
buteo |
Flying over the shrubland at Shek Pik. |
Class 2 Protected Animal of PRC; Appendix 2 of CITES |
Widespread in |
Common winter visitor to |
|
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus |
Recorded in flight over shrubland of
Study Area at
Shek Pik, outside of
Project Area. |
Class 2 Protected Animal of PRC; Appendix 2 of CITES |
Widespread in |
Common and widespread autumn migrant,
less common winter visitor |
|
Greater Coucal
Centropus sinensis |
Flying over
the plantation at Shek Pik.within Project Area. |
Class 2
Protected Animal of PRC |
Found in many
types of habitats in |
Common and
widespread in Rare in |
|
Hwamei Garrulax canorus |
Recorded
in plantation at Shek Pik. Within Project Area. |
Appendix 2 of CITES |
Found
in shrubland in |
Common
and widespread in |
|
Pacific Reef Egret Egretta sacra |
Along the coastline
of rocky shore at Shek Pik; perching; 8 sighting records, outside of Project Area. |
Class 2 Protected
Animal of PRC; |
Found in coastal
habitats in |
Common and
widespread in |
|
Herpetofauna |
|
|
|
|
|
Romer’s Tree
Frog Philautus romeri |
Recorded in
plantation at Shek Pik, outside of Project Area. |
Wild
Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap 170) |
Found on
Lamma, Lantau, Po Toi and |
Restricted and
endemic |
|
Butterfly |
|
|
|
|
|
Banded Awl Hasora
chromus |
|
Not protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
Blue Pansy Junonia orithya, |
Developed area
at Shek Pik, outside of Project Area. |
Not Protected |
Not widespread,
found in a few scattered localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
Chocolate Royal Remelana
jangala |
|
Not protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Uncommon in |
|
Yellow Ixias
pyrene |
|
Not protected |
Not widespread, found in a few scattered
localities in |
Uncommon in |
8.6
Terrestrial
Ecological Assessment
8.6.1
Assessment Methodology
The potential impacts due to the
construction and operation of the proposed LNG terminal on South Soko,
electricity cable circuit and the water main at Shek Pik are assessed
(following the EIAO-TM Annex 16 guidelines) in the following
sections, and the impacts evaluated (based on the criteria in EIAO-TM Annex 8).
8.6.2
Potential Sources of Impact
Potential impacts that may arise from the
construction and operational phases for both
Construction Phase
·
Direct
habitat and vegetation loss and habitat fragmentation resulting from land take
for the LNG terminal and associated facilities;
·
Direct
loss of inactive/less mobile/habitat-specific wildlife nesting/inhabiting the
affected area;
·
Associated
potential impacts to wildlife, including restriction of wildlife utilisation of
the area (i.e., transit, feeding and roosting), degradation of habitat quality/
ecological function as a result of temporary and permanent loss, isolation and
fragmentation of ecological habitat; and
·
Potential
impacts to the surrounding habitat and associated wildlife due to physical
disturbance of this habitat including noise, increased human activity or hill
fire.
Operational Phase
·
Potential
impacts to the surrounding habitat and associated wildlife due to increased
human activities and disturbance (i.e., noise and light) associated with the
operation of the LNG terminal at
·
Potential impacts to avifauna during
operation of the LNG terminal at
·
Potential
impacts to the surrounding habitat and associated wildlife due to LNG leakage,
vaporisation and fire hazard during the operation of the LNG terminal at
8.6.3
Assessment of Ecological Impacts
The land-based Project Area (excluding
sandy shore and artificial shore) at
Construction Phase
The potential direct impacts during the
construction phase will be:
Habitat Loss
·
Permanent
loss of secondary woodland (approximately 0.2 ha), plantation (approximately
2.8 ha), shrubland (approximately 7.3 ha), grassland (approximately 1.8 ha),
abandoned wet agricultural land (approximately 0.5 ha) and disturbed area
(approximately 5.3 ha) due to the construction of the LNG terminal platform and
cryogenic pipeline route (refer to Figure
8.29 and
Table 8.29);
·
Relocation
and potential loss of floral species (Golden Eulophia) of conservation
interest;
·
Temporary
loss of plantation (approximately 0.5 ha) and disturbed area (approximately 0.3
ha) and shrubland (approximately 1.0 ha) due to the construction of temporary
construction stores, access road and spoil storage (details refer to Figure
8.29 and
Table 8.29) which will be revegetated
after completion of work; and,
·
Potential
loss of foraging and feeding ground for wildlife, particularly species of
conservation interest recorded in the Study Area of South Soko during the surveys
(Table 8.29).
Table 8.29 Overall
Habitat Loss at
|
Impacted
Habitats |
Permanent Loss (Land Take for the LNG Terminal) (ha) |
Potential Temporary Loss (Land Take for the Construction
Stores, Spoil Storage Area, Access Road and Cut Slope) (ha) |
Ecological Importance of the Affected Habitats |
|
Secondary |
~ 0.2 |
- |
Moderate |
|
|
~ 2.8 |
~ 0.5 |
Low to moderate |
|
Shrubland |
~ 7.3 |
~ 1.0 |
Low to moderate |
|
Abandoned Wet Agricultural
Land |
~ 0.5 |
- |
Low to moderate |
|
Grassland |
~ 1.8 |
- |
Low |
|
Disturbed Area |
~ 5.3 |
~ 0.3 |
Negligible |
Note:
The total permanent area loss by the excavation/soil levelling and cut/slope stabilisation
is 18.5 ha. 0.6 ha of which are the
upper intertidal habitats along 560m artificial shore, 245m rocky shore and 35m
sandy shore and is detailed in Section 9
Marine Ecology.
Table 8.30 Impacts
on the Species of Conservation Interest at
|
Species of Conservation Interest |
Impacts |
Location Recorded |
|
Plant |
|
|
|
Golden Eulophia (protected under the FCPO in |
A small part of their associated habitat
(approximately 8.3 ha of shrubland) will be affected, there are extensive
similar habitats in proximity (at least 82 ha of shrubland available on |
Shrubland at Fei Kei Teng. |
|
Birds |
|
|
|
Greater Coucal (protected under WAPO in |
A small part of their associated habitat
(approximately 3.3 ha of plantation, 8.3 ha of shrubland and 1.8 ha of
grassland) will be affected, there are extensive similar habitats in
proximity (at least approximately 11 ha of plantation, 82 ha of shrubland and
2.1 ha of grassland available on |
|
|
White-bellied Sea Eagle (protected under
WAPO in |
A small part of their associated habitat
(approximately 8.3 ha of shrubland) will be affected, there are extensive
similar habitats in proximity (at least 82 ha of shrubland available on |
Shrubland at Fei Kei Teng (perching). |
|
Black Kite (protected under WAPO in |
A small part of their associated habitat
will be affected, there are extensive similar habitats in proximity (at least
11 ha of plantation and 82 ha of shrubland available on |
Soaring in the sky over the site. |
|
Common Buzzard (protected under WAPO in |
A small part of their associated habitat
will be affected, there are extensive similar habitats in proximity (at least
11 ha of plantation and 82 ha of shrubland available on |
Open area of shrubland, disturbed area
and grassland. |
|
Butterfly |
|
|
|
Bush Hopper (uncommon), Formosan Swift
(uncommon), Three-spot Grass Yellow (uncommon), Indian Palm Bob (uncommon),
Dark Grass Blue (rare), Yellow Pansy (uncommon), Striped Blue Crow
(uncommon), Tree Flitter (uncommon), Blue Pansy (uncommon), Common Nawab (uncommon)
and White Commodore (uncommon) |
A small part of their associated habitat
(approximately 0.5 ha abandoned wet agricultural land, 3.3 ha of plantation,
1.8 ha of grassland and 8.3 ha of shrubland) will be affected, there are
extensive similar habitats in proximity (at least 0.5 ha of abandoned
agricultural land, 11 ha of secondary woodland, 82 ha of shrubland on |
Abandoned wet agricultural land at
Sheung Tsuen, plantation, grassland, shrubland and disturbed area (pier) at
Sai Wan |
|
Dragonflies |
|
|
|
Greater Blue Skimmer (uncommon) |
Their foraging habitat (approximately
1.8 ha of grassland) will be affected (at least 2.1 ha of grassland on |
Grassland. |
|
Reptiles |
|
|
|
Common Rat Snake (Appendix 2 of CITES) |
A small part of their associated habitat
(approximately 0.5 ha abandoned wet agricultural land) will be affected;
there are extensive similar habitats in close proximity (at least 0.5 ha of
abandoned wet agricultural land on |
Abandoned wet agricultural land at
Sheung Tsuen. |
It should be noted that the
routing of cryogenic pipeline to the jetty (Figure
8.29) has been aligned to avoid the
disturbance of the central area of
Habitat Fragmentation
and Isolation
Habitat fragmentation and isolation is not
expected as the existing natural habitats, in particular the shrubland and
plantation to the north and south, are already physically separated by the site
of the former Detention Centre and associated roads and paths.
Habitat fragmentation and isolation effects
to the surrounding habitats from the clearance of a corridor for the cryogenic
pipeline from the terminal to the LNG carrier jetty (approximately 50 m wide)
is expected to be minimal as the affected habitats are located in the eastern
end of the island and as such, the larger undisturbed habitats will remain
untouched.
Other Impacts
Secondary
impacts to the surrounding habitats at
Shek Pik
The installation of the water main and
electricity cable circuit at Shek Pik will involve construction of new water tank,
reinstatement of existing water main site clearance and trenching work, which
will lead to the loss of existing habitats, mainly in the developed area.
The potential direct impacts during the
construction phase will be:
Habitat Loss
·
Permanent
loss of plantation (approximately 0.004 ha) and developed area (approximately
0.02 ha) for option 1 water tank, or permanent loss of developed area of 0.01
ha of developed area for option 2 water tank due to the installation of new
water tank (refer to Figure 8.30
and Table 8.31);
·
Temporary
loss of developed area (approximately 0.1 ha), due to the trenching work for
the installation of electricity cable circuit (refer to Figure 8.30and
Table 8.31);
·
Temporary
loss of developed area (approximately 0.02 ha), due to the trenching work for
reinstatement of existing water main (refer to Figure 8.30and
Table 8.31); and,
·
Potential
loss of foraging and feeding ground of the associated wildlife (Table 8.32).
Table 8.31 Overall
Habitat Loss at Shek Pik due to the Water Main and Cable Circuit
|
Development |
Impacted
Habitats |
Permanent Loss (Land Taken for the Water Tank) (ha) |
Potential Temporary Loss (Land Take for Trenching
Work) (ha) |
Ecological Importance of the Affected Habitats |
|
New Water Tank Option 1 |
|
~ 0.004 |
|
Low |
|
|
Developed Area |
~ 0.02 |
|
Negligible |
|
New Water Tank Option 2 |
Developed Area |
~ 0.01 |
|
Negligible |
|
Electricity Cable |
Developed Area |
|
~ 0.1 |
Low |
|
Reinstatement of Existing
Water Main |
Developed Area |
|
~ 0.02 |
Negligible |
Table 8.32 Impacts
on the Species of Conservation Interest at Shek Pik
|
Species of Conservation Interest |
Impacts |
Location Recorded |
|
Birds |
|
|
|
Greater Coucal (protected under WAPO in |
A small part of their associated habitat
(approximately 0.004 ha of plantation) will be affected, there are extensive
similar habitats in proximity (approximately 8.8 ha of plantation). |
|
|
Hwamei Appendix 2
of
CITES |
A small part of their associated habitat
(approximately 0.004 ha of plantation) will be affected, there are extensive
similar habitats in proximity (approximately 8.8 ha of plantation). |
|
Habitat Fragmentation and Isolation
Habitat fragmentation and isolation is not
expected as the electricity cable and water main will be installed mainly along
or next to the existing
Other Impacts
Secondary
impacts to the surrounding habitats at Shek Pik (generally of low ecological
importance) and associated wildlife may arise from the potential of increased
noise impact, human activities and disturbance and construction site
runoff. The impacts are expected to be
low owing to the existing human presence in the area, the temporary nature and
relatively small scale of the construction works, and environmental management
measures and regular checks on construction practices will be conducted. Impacts are not expected to be unacceptable.
Operational Phase
Operational
phase impacts to terrestrial ecology may arise from increased human activities
in the area resulting in disturbance to the surrounding habitats and associated
wildlife, if uncontrolled.
Vaporisation of LNG releases will be
a potential risk provided that there is an ignition source in the
vicinity. The unlikely event of leakage of LNG
will be handled by the terminal’s fire prevention system (details are presented
in Part 2 Section 13 Hazard to Life
Assessment), and consequently impacts to the terrestrial ecological resources
through spread of fire would not be expected.
The impacts associated with accidental spills of LNG are discussed in Part 2 Section 13 Hazard to Life
Assessment.
To
the extent practical, structures will utilise appropriate design to complement
the surrounding landscape. Materials and
finishes will be considered during detailed design. The major lighting sources will be pointed inward
and downwards to avoid disturbance to birds.
The
equipment of the teminal are guaranteed by suppliers that they are free of the
characteristics of tonality, impulsiveness and intermittency which indicate
that the noise level will remain, at low level and mainly restricted within the
terminal area. In addition, the noise emission
sources will mainly be enclosed within building structures and therefore noise
impacts on birds due to the operation of the terminal are not expected to be
significant.
The
air emission due to the operation of the terminal will be mainly restricted
within the terminal area. Bird species
will expect to have low utilisation within the terminal area during operation,
and significant air impact on birds due to the operation of the terminal are
not expected.
Shek Pik
No
significant impacts are expected to arise from the operation of the water main
or electricity cable at Shek Pik.
Cumulative Impact
At present there are no planned projects on
8.6.4
Impact Evaluation
Habitat Loss
Potential
impacts to ecology have been evaluated according to Table 1 of Annex 8 of the
EIAO TM. Tables
8.33 to 8.36 present an evaluation of the habitat loss due to the Project
on
Secondary
There
shall be permanent habitat loss of approximately 0.2 ha of secondary woodland
at
Table
8.33 Overall Impact Evaluation for
Secondary
|
Evaluation Criteria |
Secondary |
|
Habitat quality |
The habitat quality is moderate. |
|
Species |
No species of conservation interest will be impacted. |
|
Size/Abundance |
Permanent loss approximately 0.2 ha |
|
Duration |
The impact will persist during the construction and
operational phases. |
|
Reversibility |
The secondary woodland is small in size. The habitat loss could be recreated but
would require a certain period of time to reach maturity. |
|
Magnitude |
The scale of the habitat loss and impact is small in the
context of the surrounding similar habitats, flora and fauna. |
|
Overall Impact Conclusion |
Low |
The
permanent and temporary habitat loss of plantation habitat at South Soko are
approximately 2.8 and 0.5 ha respectively, and will have the potential to
impact bird
(Greater Coucal) and butterfly species (Common Nawab, Three-spot Grass Yellow,
Indian Palm Bob, Long-banded Silverline, Striped Blue Crow, Common Mapwing,
Banded Awl, Yellow Pansy and White Commodore).
In view of the generally low to moderate ecological importance of the
plantation, the small size of the habitat affected (3.6 ha), availability
similar habitat in the vicinity and the high mobility of birds and butterflies,
it is considered that impact to the birds and butterflies within the plantation
would not be significant.
Table
8.34 Overall Impact Evaluation for
|
Evaluation Criteria |
|
|
Habitat quality |
The habitat quality is low to moderate. |
|
Species |
The potential exists for direct and indirect impacts to
the wildlife, including bird (Greater Coucal) and butterfly species (Common Nawab, Three-spot Grass Yellow,
Indian Palm Bob, Long-banded Silverline, Striped Blue Crow, Common Mapwing,
Yellow Pansy and White Commodore). In view of the generally extensive
available similar habitat in the vicinity, high mobility of birds and
butterflies, it is believed that impact to the birds and butterflies within
the Project Area would not be significant.
|
|
Size/Abundance |
Approximately 2.8 ha of plantation will
be lost permanently and 0.5 ha plantation will be lost temporarily. |
|
Duration |
The impact will persist during the construction and
operational phases. |
|
Reversibility |
The plantation is dominated by exotic canopy species. The habitat could be recreated but require
around 10 years time to reach maturity.
|
|
Magnitude |
The scale of the habitat loss and impact is small in the
context of the surrounding similar habitats, flora and fauna. |
|
Overall Impact Conclusion |
Low |
Shrubland
The
permanent and temporary habitat loss of
the shrubland at South Soko involves approximately 7.3 ha and 1.0 ha
respectively, with potential impacts to floral and faunal species of
conservation interest, including orchid Golden Eulophia, birds (White-bellied
Sea Eagle and Common Buzzard), and butterfly species (Striped Blue Crow, Tree
Flitter and Blue Pansy) in shrubland. In
view of the generally poor vegetation cover and the dryness of the shrubland,
it is considered that the Project Area does not provide optimal habitat for
birds and butterflies, and that the impact to wildlife would not be
significant. Impacts to Golden Eulophia
located within the Project Site can be reduced by transplantation.
Table
8.35 Overall Impact Evaluation for
Shrubland at
|
Evaluation
Criteria |
Shrubland |
|
Habitat quality |
The habitat quality is low to moderate. |
|
Species |
The potential exists for direct and indirect impacts to floral and
faunal species, including orchid (Golden Eulophia), bird ( |
|
Size/Abundance |
Approximately 7.3 ha of shrubland will
be lost permanently and 1.0 ha of shrubland will be lost temporarily. |
|
Duration |
The impact will persist during the construction and
operational phases. |
|
Reversibility |
The shrubland originated from the hill fire affected
shrubby grassland. It is readily creatable. |
|
Magnitude |
The scale of the habitat loss and impact is small in the
context of the surrounding similar habitats and flora and fauna present. |
|
Overall Impact Conclusion |
Low |
Abandoned Wet Agricultural Land
The
habitat loss of abandoned wet agricultural land amounts to approximately 0.5
ha. Wildlife species potentially
affected, include butterflies (Bush Hopper and Formosan Swift) and the Common
Rat Snake. In view of the low ecological
value of abandoned wet agricultural land, it is considered that the habitat to
be lost does not provide optimal habitat for birds and butterflies.
Table
8.36 Overall Impact Evaluation for
Abandoned Wet Agricultural Land at
|
Evaluation
Criteria |
Abandoned Wet
Agricultural Land |
|
Habitat quality |
The habitat quality is low to moderate. |
|
Species |
The potential exists for direct and indirect impacts to wildlife,
including butterfly species Bush Hopper and Formosan Swift and reptile
species Common
Rat Snake recorded in abandoned wet agricultural land. The affected habitat is believed to be
foraging area. In view of the low
ecological value of abandoned wet agricultural land, it is believed that the
area affected does not provide optimal habitat for birds and butterflies. |
|
Size/Abundance |
Approximately 0.5 ha of abandoned wet
agricultural land will be lost permanently. |
|
Duration |
The impact will persist during the construction and
operational phases. |
|
Reversibility |
Abandoned wet agricultural land regenerated after
cessation of agricultural activities.
It is readily creatable. |
|
Magnitude |
The scale of the habitat loss and impact is small in the context
of the surrounding similar habitats and flora and fauna present. |
|
Overall Impact Conclusion |
Low |
Grassland and Disturbed Area
The habitat loss of the grassland and
disturbed area at
Table
8.37 Overall Impact Evaluation for
Grassland and Disturbed Area within Project Area at
|
Evaluation
Criteria |
Grassland
& Disturbed Area |
|
Habitat quality |
The habitat quality is low or negligible. |
|
Species |
The potential exists for direct and indirect impacts to
the wildlife, including birds (Greater Coucal and Common Buzzard),
butterflies (Yellow Pansy, Blue Pansy, Indian Fritillary, White Commodore and Indian Palm
Bob) and dragonfly
(Greater
Blue Skimmer). In view of the
generally low ecological importance of grassland and disturbed area, small
size of the habitat to be affected, similar habitat in the vicinity and the
high mobility of bird species, it is predicted that impacts to the bird
species within the Project Area would not be significant. |
|
Size/Abundance |
Area lost permanently is approximately
5.3 ha for the disturbed area and 1.8 ha for the grassland and area lost
temporarily is approximately 0.3 ha for the disturbed area. |
|
Duration |
The impact will persist during the construction and
operational phases. |
|
Reversibility |
The grassland and disturbed area were mainly created in
1990s. |
|
Magnitude |
The scale of the habitat loss is small in the context of
the surrounding similar habitats. |
|
Overall Impact Conclusion |
Low to
Negligible |
In conclusion, the direct ecological impacts
due to the construction of the LNG terminal are expected to be of low severity
and magnitude, and will not contribute to any potential cumulative impact.
Habitat
loss (permanent and temporary) due to the Project during construction and
operation will reduce the area of foraging and feeding grounds for wildlife
(particularly the species of conservation interest recorded), including Greater Coucal, White-bellied Sea
Eagle Common Buzzard, Common Rat Snake, Yellow Pansy, Blue Pansy, Tree Flitter,
Common Nawab, Common Mapwing, Striped Blue Crow, Indian Palm Bob, Three-spot
Grass Yellow, Indian Palm Bob, White Commodore, Greater Blue Skimmer, Bush
Hopper and Formosan Swift. The impacts are expected to be low owing
to the extensive habitat areas available in the vicinity, as well as the
temporary nature of the construction work, and given that regular checks on
construction boundaries will be conducted.
Potential impacts on the protected plant species Golden Eulophia, will
be reduced through transplantation prior to the commencement of the
construction works.
Shek Pik
Potential
impacts to ecology have been evaluated according to Table 1 of Annex 8 of the
EIAO TM. Tables
8.38 to 8.39 present an evaluation of the habitat loss at Shek Pik due to
the Project.
The permanently habitat loss of plantation
at Shek Pik involves about 0.004 ha if option 1 of new water tank is
required. Bird species of conservation
interests included Hwamei and Greater Coucal will be impacted by the loss of
plantation. In view of the generally low
ecological importance of the plantation, low abundance of wildlife, the small
size of the habitat affected, the availability of similar habitat in the
vicinity and its temporary nature, it is considered that impact to wildlife
within the Project Area would not be significant.
Table 8.38 Overall
Impact Evaluation for
|
Evaluation Criteria |
|
|
Habitat quality |
The habitat quality is low. |
|
Species |
Species of conservation interest included bird species
Hwamei and Greater Coucal. |
|
Size/Abundance |
Area loss permanently is small in size:
approximately 0.004 ha. |
|
Duration |
The impact will persist during the construction and
operation phase. |
|
Reversibility |
Not Applicable |
|
Magnitude |
The scale of the habitat loss and impact is small in the
context of the surrounding similar habitats and flora and fauna present. |
|
Overall Impact Conclusion |
Low |
The
permanent habitat loss of developed area at Shek Pik involves approximately
0.02 ha and 0.01 ha for the adoption of option 1 and option 2 of new water
tank. In view of the generally low
ecological importance of developed area, the small size of the habitat to be
affected and the availability of similar habitat in the vicinity, it is
predicted that impacts to the wildlife within the Project Area would not be
significant.
Table 8.39 Overall
Impact Evaluation for Developed Area at Shek Pik
|
Evaluation Criteria |
Developed Area |
|
Habitat quality |
The habitat quality is negligible. |
|
Species |
The potential exists for direct and indirect impacts to
the wildlife. In view of the generally
low ecological importance of developed area, small size of the habitat to be
affected and similar habitat in the vicinity, it is predicted that impacts to
the wildlife within the Project Area would not be significant. |
|
Size/Abundance |
Area lost permanently and temporarily
are approximately 0.02 ha and 0.12 ha respectively. |
|
Duration |
The impact will persist during the construction and
operational phases for permanent loss and only during construction phase for
temporary loss. |
|
Reversibility |
The developed area is readily recreatable. |
|
Magnitude |
The scale of the habitat loss is small in the context of
the surrounding similar habitats. |
|
Overall Impact Conclusion |
Negligible |
In conclusion, the direct ecological impacts
due to the installation of the water main and electricity circuit, and the
construction of the new water tank at Shek Pik are expected to be of low
severity and magnitude, and will not contribute to any potential cumulative
impact.
Habitat
loss (permanent and temporary) due to the Project during the construction and
operation will reduce the area of foraging and feeding grounds of the wildlife
close to the Project Areas. Impacts are expected to be low, owing
to the extensive habitats alternative available in the vicinity, as well as the
temporary nature and small scale of the construction work, and given that
regular checks on construction boundaries will be undertaken.
Other Associated Impacts
Habitat
Fragmentation and Isolation
– As the LNG terminal will mainly be
located on the existing disturbed area and as the scale of the habitat loss is
small in the context of the surrounding similar habitats, the potential impacts
of habitat fragmentation and isolation are considered to be minimal.
Other
Impacts – Increased human activity and disturbance
due to the Project during construction have the potential to affect the
surrounding natural habitats and the associated wildlife. These potential impacts are expected to be
low given that regular checks on construction boundaries will be
conducted.
The
major lighting sources will be pointed inward and downwards so all light rays
travel downward and not horizontally or up to avoid disturbance to birds. These impacts would
be considered less-than-significant because there
are large undisturbed habitats remain untouched in
8.7
Summary of
Mitigation Measures
Annex
16 of the EIAO TM states that the general policy for mitigation of
significant ecological impacts, in order of priority, is:
Avoidance: Potential impacts should be avoided to the
maximum extent practicable by adopting suitable alternatives;
Minimisation: Unavoidable impacts should be minimised by
taking appropriate and practicable measures such as constraints on intensity of
works operations or timing of works operations; and
Compensation: The loss of important species and habitats
may be provided for elsewhere as compensation. Enhancement and other
conservation measures should always be considered whenever possible.
8.7.1
Avoidance
As part of the site selection process for
the LNG terminal, a total of 27 sites have been analysed (see Part 1 Section 5 of this EIA Report). Two sites (Black Point and
·
Wild Animal Protection Areas;
·
Conservation Areas;
·
Coastal Protection Areas;
·
Registered Sites of Special Scientific Interests (SSSIs); and,
·
Country Parks.
The Project Area on
It
should be noted that the
routing of cryogenic pipeline to the jetty (Figure
8.29) has been aligned to avoid the
disturbance of the central area of
The Project Area at Shek Pik
(mainly developed area), was also not considered to constitute important
wildlife or floristic habitat. None of
the terrestrial habitats recorded in the Study Area at Shek Pik are of high ecological
importance, with most of the habitats recorded as low to moderate and the
developed area is regarded as negligible ecological importance. The proposed water pipeline/circuit route
will also be located mainly in developed areas, along existing roads. Reinstatement work of the existing water main
shall be confined to the developed area.
8.7.2
Minimisation
The previous discussion in Section 8.6 has indicated that the
impacts on ecological resources due to the construction and operation of the
proposed LNG terminal are generally expected to be low and acceptable. It should be noted that this is a win-win
option to reduce the disturbance through minmimising sea reclamation
(disturbance to marine habitat and mammals) and to allow a balance of cut and
fill for the proposed land formation.
The following conservation measures to reduce disturbance to surrounding
habitats will be also taken.
Habitat
and Wildlife
·
The
routing of temporary haul road to the construction stores has reduced the
disturbance to natural habitat in the vicinity by following an abandoned road
instead of formation of new path;
·
The
temporary construction store was located next to the proposed cryogenic
pipeline. This has minimised the disturbance
to natural habitat by avoiding the construction of temporary haul road and
fulfil the safety requirement of at least 300 m away from the store at the same
time;
·
To
the extent practical, structures will utilise appropriate design to complement the
surrounding landscape. Materials and
finishes will be considered during detailed design; and,
·
The
major lighting sources will be pointed inward and downwards where practicable
to ensure the light rays travel downward and not horizontally or up
to reduce light spill.
Vegetation Loss
·
The
Golden Eulophia (9 individuals) recorded within the Project Area will be
transplanted to a similar habitat in the vicinity, i.e., shrubland with open
canopy and south facing, which can be found in the southern part of South Soko.
A detailed vegetation survey on the Golden Eulophia within the impacted
shrubland and Project Area would be conducted by a suitably qualified botanist/
ecologist to identify and record the affected individuals prior to the
commencement of site clearance works.
Feasibility and suitability of transplanting the affected plant species
of conservation interest would be carefully studied and suitable receptor sites
would be identified. Detailed
transplantation proposal providing information of transplantation methodology,
recipient site, implementation programme, watering requirement,
post-transplanting monitoring and personal involved shall be submitted to and
approved by EPD and AFCD.
Transplantation would be undertaken and supervised by a suitably qualified
botanist/ horticulturist. After
transplantation, monitoring will be undertaken to check the performance and
health conditions of the transplanted individuals on a weekly basis in the
first month after transplantation and monthly basis for addition eleven
months. Remedial actions will be
discussed with AFCD in the event of unsuccessful transplantation.
Appropriate Construction Practice
·
Erect
fences along the boundary of the works area before the commencement of works to
prevent vehicle movements, and encroachment of personnel, onto adjacent
areas;
·
Regularly
check the work site boundaries to ensure that they are not breached and that
damage does not occur to surrounding areas; and,
·
Reinstate
temporarily affected areas, particularly the plantation and shrubland habitats
at
8.7.3
Compensation
·
The
Project will provide compensatory tree and shrub planting for the loss of secondary
woodland (approximately 0.2 ha), shrubland (1.9 ha), grassland (1.3 ha) and
revegetate the temporary lost habitat including the areas of the temporary
construction stores and spoil storage area (refer to Table 11.6 in Section 11). The location of the proposed compensatory
planting is presented in Figure
11.20. The selection of planting species shall be
made with reference to the species identified in Annex 8 and be native to Hong Kong or the South China region, and
will include food plants of the butterfly species of conservation interest
(refer to Table 8.6), to provide
additional measures for the butterflies.
8.8
Residual
Environmental Impacts
8.8.1
No adverse residual impact due to the
construction and operation of the LNG terminal is expected at
8.8.2
Shek Pik
Approximately 0.004 ha of plantation and
0.02 ha of developed area will be permantly lost and 0.12 ha of developed area
will be temporarily lost. The affected
areas are considered to be low/negligible quality habitat. No adverse residual impact due to the construction
of electricity cable circuit and water main is expected.
8.9
Environmental
Monitoring and Audit
The implementation of the ecological
mitigation measures described in Section
8.7 will be included within the environmental monitoring and audit
requirement during the construction period.
The
Golden Eulophia is identified of conservation interest in the shrubland that
will have the potential to be directly impacted by the proposed developments
under this Project. As a mitigation
measure, the affected individuals will be transplanted to suitable nearby
habitats prior to the construction phase as far as practicable. A detailed vegetation survey on the Golden
Eulophia covering
the impacted shrubland will be conducted within the shrubland and Project Area by
a suitably qualified botanist/ ecologist to identify and record the affected
individuals prior to the commencement of site clearance works. Feasibility and suitability of transplanting
the affected plant species will be carefully studied and suitable receptor
sites will be identified. Detailed
transplantation proposal providing information of transplantation methodology,
recipient site, implementation programme, watering requirement,
post-transplanting monitoring and personal involved shall be submitted to and
approved by EPD and AFCD. Transplantation will be supervised
by a suitably qualified botanist/ horticulturist. After transplantation, monitoring will be
undertaken to check the performance and health conditions of the transplanted
individuals on a weekly basis for the first month after transplantation and
monthly basis for addition eleven months.
Remedial actions will be discussed with AFCD in the event of
unsuccessful transplantation.
8.10.1
The terrestrial ecological resources
recorded within the Study Area comprise secondary woodland, plantation,
shrubland, grassland, backshore shrubland, seasonal stream, abandoned wet
agricultural land, abandoned dry agricultural land, abandoned reservoir and
disturbed areas, with their associated wildlife. Of these habitats, secondary woodland
(approximately 1 ha) has moderate ecological importance.
The proposed LNG terminal
will be located mainly in habitats such as the already disturbed areas which
were formerly part of the now demolished Detention Centre. The
impact on the natural habitats is considered to be low, and no adverse residual
impact is expected after the implementation of the recommended mitigation
measures. The measures include the
adoption of appropriate construction practices, transplantation of Golden
Eulophia and compensatory tree planting.
These measures will reduce potential disturbance to the surrounding
environment. Environmental monitoring
and audit measures in form of regular checks as part of site inspections are
recommended.
During the operation phase of the LNG
terminal at
8.10.2
Shek Pik
The terrestrial ecological resources
recorded within the Study Area included plantation, shrubland, backshore
shrubland and developed area, as well as associated wildlife. Of these habitats, shrubland has low to
moderate ecological importance while plantation and backshore vegetation have
low ecological value. The remaining
habitat is of negligible ecological importance.
It should be noted that the overall ecological value of Project Area in
Shek Pik is
considered to be low, and is less significant than that of
The proposed electricity
cable circuit and water main will be located in habitats such as the developed
area which is adjacent to the existing Shek Pik Prison and concrete road. The
impact on natural habitats is considered to be low, and no adverse residual
impact is expected after the implementation of the recommended mitigation
measures. Appropriate construction
practices and reinstatement of affected areas of plantation and shrubland
reduce potential disturbance to the surrounding environment.
During the operation phase of the
electricity cable circuit and water main at Shek Pik adverse impacts to
terrestrial ecology are not expected to occur.