Chapter Title Page

9. Ecological Impact 9-1

9.1 Introduction________________________________________________________________ 9-1

9.2 Background________________________________________________________________ 9-1

9.3 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines_______________________________ 9-7

9.4 Assessment Area and Ecological Survey Methodology_______________________________ 9-8

9.5 Ecological Baseline Condition_________________________________________________ 9-12

9.6 Habitat and Species Evaluation_______________________________________________ 9-104

9.7 Identification and Evaluation of Environmental Impact______________________________ 9-134

9.8 Mitigation Measures________________________________________________________ 9-151

9.9 Evaluation of Cumulative Impact______________________________________________ 9-151

9.10 Evaluation of Residual Impact________________________________________________ 9-151

9.11 Environmental Monitoring and Audit____________________________________________ 9-151

9.12 Conclusion______________________________________________________________ 9-151

9.13 Reference_______________________________________________________________ 9-151

Tables

Table 9.1:__ Schedule of Fauna Surveys_ 9-11

Table 9.2:__ Habitats Present in Assessment Area_ 9-15

Table 9.3:__ Habitats Present in Works Area_ 9-15

Table 9.4:__ Mammal Species recorded from BCP Area_ 9-24

Table 9.5:__ Mammal Species recorded from Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary 9-25

Table 9.6:__ Mammal Species recorded from Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan_ 9-27

Table 9.7:__ Mammal Species recorded from the North Tunnel Aboveground Area_ 9-28

Table 9.8:__ Mammal Species recorded from Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas) 9-28

Table 9.9:__ Mammal Species recorded in Pat Sin Leng Country Park from AFCD Survey^{(1, 2, 3, 4)} 9-29

Table 9.10:_ Mammal Species recorded from Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas) 9-31

Table 9.11:_ Bird Species recorded from BCP Area_ 9-36

Table 9.12:_ Bird Species recorded from Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary 9-38

Table 9.13:_ Bird Species recorded from Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan_ 9-42

Table 9.14:_ Bird Species recorded from the North Tunnel Aboveground Area_ 9-46

Table 9.15:_ Bird Species recorded from Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas) 9-47

Table 9.16:_ Bird Species recorded from Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Area_ 9-50

Table 9.17:_ Bird Species Recorded from Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas) 9-53

Table 9.18:_ Amphibian and Reptile Species recorded from BCP Area_ 9-57

Table 9.19:_ Amphibian and Reptile Species recorded from Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area Boundary 9-58

Table 9.20:_ Amphibian and Reptile Species recorded from Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan_ 9-59

Table 9.21:_ Amphibian and Reptile Species recorded from Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas) 9-61

Table 9.22:_ Amphibian and Reptile Species recorded from Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Area_ 9-62

Table 9.23:_ Amphibian and Reptile Species Recorded from Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas) 9-64

Table 9.24:_ Butterfly Species recorded from BCP Area_ 9-67

Table 9.25:_ Butterfly Species recorded from Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area Boundary 9-68

Table 9.26:_ Butterfly Species recorded from Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan_ 9-71

Table 9.27:_ Butterfly Species recorded from the North Tunnel Aboveground Area_ 9-75

Table 9.28:_ Butterfly Species recorded from Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas) 9-76

Table 9.29:_ Butterfly Species recorded from Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Areas_ 9-79

Table 9.30:_ Butterfly Species recorded from Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas) 9-82

Table 9.31:_ Dragonfly Species recorded from BCP Area_ 9-85

Table 9.32:_ Dragonfly Species recorded from Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary 9-85

Table 9.33:_ Dragonfly Species recorded from Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan_ 9-87

Table 9.34:_ Dragonfly Species recorded from the North Tunnel Aboveground Area_ 9-89

Table 9.35:_ Dragonfly Species recorded from Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas) 9-89

Table 9.36:_ Dragonfly Species recorded from Tan Shan River and Lau Shui Heung Reservoir Area_ 9-92

Table 9.37:_ Dragonfly Species recorded from Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas) 9-94

Table 9.38:_ Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from BCP Area_ 9-97

Table 9.39:_ Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from the channels at Frontier Closed Area_ 9-98

Table 9.40:_ Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from branches of River Ganges at Wo Keng Shan Area_ 9-99

Table 9.41:_ Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from streams and channels at Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Area_ 9-100

Table 9.42:_ Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from Tan Shan River, Kwan Tei River and Lau Shui Heung Reservoir 9-101

Table 9.43:_ Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from Fanling Area_ 9-103

Table 9.44:_ Ecological Evaluation of Woodland (1) – Fung Shui Wood_ 9-105

Table 9.45:_ Ecological Evaluation of Woodland (2) – Secondary Woodland_ 9-106

Table 9.46:_ Ecological Evaluation of Woodland (3) – Secondary Woodland_ 9-107

Table 9.47:_ Ecological Evaluation of Woodland (4) – Secondary Woodland_ 9-108

Table 9.48:_ Ecological Evaluation of Shrubland_ 9-109

Table 9.49:_ Ecological Evaluation of Plantation_ 9-110

Table 9.50:_ Ecological Evaluation of Freshwater Wetland_ 9-111

Table 9.51:_ Ecological Evaluation of Active Agricultural Land_ 9-112

Table 9.52:_ Ecological Evaluation of Abandoned Agricultural Land_ 9-113

Table 9.53:_ Ecological Evaluation of Hillside Grassland_ 9-114

Table 9.54:_ Ecological Evaluation of Pond_ 9-114

Table 9.55:_ Ecological Evaluation of Drainage Channel (1) 9-115

Table 9.56:_ Ecological Evaluation of Drainage Channel (2) 9-116

Table 9.57:_ Ecological Evaluation of Watercourse_ 9-117

Table 9.58:_ Ecological Evaluation of Open Field_ 9-118

Table 9.59:_ Ecological Evaluation of Developed Area_ 9-118

Table 9.60:_ Ecological Evaluation of Floral Species of Conservation Interest within Assessment Area_ 9-119

Table 9.61:_ Mammal Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area_ 9-120

Table 9.62:_ Bird Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area_ 9-122

Table 9.63:_ Amphibian and Reptile Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area_ 9-126

Table 9.64:_ Butterfly Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area_ 9-128

Table 9.65:_ Dragonfly Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area_ 9-129

Table 9.66:_ Freshwater Fauna Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area_ 9-132

Table 9.67:_ Habitat Loss in Works Area_ 9-135

Table 9.68:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 1 – BCP (1) 9-140

Table 9.69:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 1 – BCP (2) 9-140

Table 9.70:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Sections 2 & 3 – Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan (1) 9-141

Table 9.71:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Sections 2 & 3 – Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan (2) 9-142

Table 9.72:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Sections 2 & 3 – Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan (3) 9-142

Table 9.73:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 5 – Sha Tau Kok Road (between North and South Tunnel) (1) 9-143

Table 9.74:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 5 – Sha Tau Kok Road (between North and South Tunnel) (2) 9-144

Table 9.75:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 6_ 9-145

Table 9.76:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 7- Fanling (1) 9-146

Table 9.77:_ Ecological Evaluation of Works Area in Section 7- Fanling (2) 9-147

Table 9.78:_ Potential Ecological Impact on Floral Species of Conservation interest 9-148

Table 9.79:_ Potential Ecological Impact on Fauna Species of Conservation interest 9-151

Table 9.80:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Fragmentation_ 9-151

Table 9.81:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Loss of Ecologically Sensitive Wetland_ 9-151

Table 9.82:_ Disturbance to Sites of Conservation Interest 9-151

Table 9.83:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Indirect Disturbance (Noise and Visual) 9-151

Table 9.84:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Hydrological Disruption_ 9-151

Table 9.85:_ Potential Ecological Impact of Vibration_ 9-151

Table 9.86:_ Summary of Potential Ecological Impacts before and after adoption of Mitigation Measures_ 9-151

Figures

Figure 9.1a Ecological Assessment Area

Figure 9.1b Sections of Works Area

Figure 9.2a Habitat Map (Key Plan)

Figure 9.2b Record Locations of Mammal Species Yellow-bellied Weasel and Crab-eating Mongoose around Assessment Area

Figure 9.3 Habitat Map (Sheet 1 of 12)

Figure 9.4 Habitat Map (Sheet 2 of 12)

Figure 9.5 Habitat Map (Sheet 3 of 12)

Figure 9.6 Habitat Map (Sheet 4 of 12)

Figure 9.7 Habitat Map (Sheet 5 of 12)

Figure 9.8 Habitat Map (Sheet 6 of 12)

Figure 9.9 Habitat Map (Sheet 7 of 12)

Figure 9.10 Habitat Map (Sheet 8 of 12)

Figure 9.11 Habitat Map (Sheet 9 of 12)

Figure 9.12 Habitat Map (Sheet 10 of 12)

Figure 9.13 Habitat Map (Sheet 11 of 12)

Figure 9.14 Habitat Map (Sheet 12 of 12)

Figure 9.15 Estimated Extent of Habitat to be Affected (Sheet 1 of 11)

Figure 9.16 Estimated Extent of Habitat to be Affected (Sheet 2 of 11)

Figure 9.17 Estimated Extent of Habitat to be Affected (Sheet 3 of 11)

Figure 9.18 Estimated Extent of Habitat to be Affected (Sheet 4 of 11)

Figure 9.19 Estimated Extent of Habitat to be Affected (Sheet 5 of 11)

Figure 9.20 Estimated Extent of Habitat to be Affected (Sheet 6 of 11)

Figure 9.21 Estimated Extent of Habitat to be Affected (Sheet 7 of 11)

Figure 9.22 Estimated Extent of Habitat to be Affected (Sheet 8 of 11)

Figure 9.23 Estimated Extent of Habitat to be Affected (Sheet 9 of 11)

Figure 9.24 Estimated Extent of Habitat to be Affected (Sheet 10 of 11)

Figure 9.25 Estimated Extent of Habitat to be Affected (Sheet 11 of 11)

Figure 9.26 Potential Woodland Compensation Area

Figure 9.27 Indicative Boundary of the Potential Wetland Compensation Area

Figure 9.28 Conceptual Plan and Typical Cross-section Views of the Proposed Wetland Compensation Area

Appendices

Appendix 9.1 Ecological Survey Locations and Study Boundary

Appendix 9.2 Plates

Appendix 9.3a Plant Species recorded in Section 1 - BCP

Appendix 9.3b Plant Species recorded in Sections 2 & 3 - Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

Appendix 9.3c Plant Species recorded in Section 5 - Sha Tau Kok Road (between North and South Tunnel)

Appendix 9.3d Plant Species recorded in Section 7 - Fanling

Appendix 9.4 Woodland Compensation Plan

Appendix 9.5a Fauna recorded in BCP area

Appendix 9.5b Fauna recorded in the Frontier Closed Area

Appendix 9.5c Fauna recorded in Nga Yiu Ha, Ping Yeung and Wo Keng Shan Area

Appendix 9.5d Fauna recorded in the North Tunnel Aboveground Area

Appendix 9.5e Fauna recorded in Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Area

Appendix 9.5f Fauna recorded in Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Area

Appendix 9.5g Fauna recorded in Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Area

Appendix 9.6 (Not used)

Appendix 9.7 Consideration of Alternative Portal Locations for Woodland Avoidance

9. Ecological Impact

9.1 Introduction

This Section addresses the potential ecological impacts that may arise from the construction and operation of the proposed Liantang / Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point (LT/HYW BCP) and the associated works, including a dual two-lane trunk road connecting the proposed BCP with Fanling Highway adjacent to Wo Hop Shek, in accordance with Section 3.4.9 of the EIA Study Brief (ESB-199/2008). It presents the findings of literature review and supplementary field surveys conducted from May 2009 to September 2010. The potential impacts to the ecological sensitive receivers within the Assessment Area were assessed and suitable mitigation measures were proposed to avoid, minimise and compensate the potential adverse impacts.

9.2 Background

9.2.1 Project Components

The Project consists of two main components, construction of a BCP; and construction of a connecting road alignment.

The proposed BCP is located at the boundary with Shenzhen near the existing Chuk Yuen Village. The site will be comprised of a main passenger building with passenger and cargo processing facilities and associated customs, transport and ancillary facilities. Connection to Shenzhen side will be via several bridges over the Shenzhen River.

The connecting road alignment consists of six main sections:

1. Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area (FCA) Boundary – this section comprises at-grade and viaducts and includes the improvement works at Lin Ma Hang Road;

2. Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan – this section stretches from the Frontier Closed Area Boundary to the tunnel portal at Cheung Shan and comprises at-grade and viaducts including an interchange at Ping Yeung;

3. North Tunnel – this section comprises the tunnel segment at Cheung Shan and includes a ventilation building at the portals on either end of the tunnel;

4. Sha Tau Kok Road – this section stretches from the tunnel portal at Wo Keng Shan to the tunnel portal south of Loi Tung and comprises at-grade and viaducts including an interchange at Sha Tau Kok and an administration building;

5. South Tunnel – this section comprises a tunnel segment that stretches from Loi Tung to Fanling and includes a ventilation building at the portals on either end of the tunnel as well as a ventilation building in the middle of the tunnel near Lau Shui Heung;

6. Fanling – this section comprises the at-grade, viaducts and interchange connection to the existing Fanling Highway.

Figures 2.1a to 2.1k show the Project layout and corresponding sections.

9.2.2 Consideration of Design Alternatives

9.2.2.1 BCP

Site Constraints

The proposed site of the Shenzhen BCP at Liantang and the design parameters presented a number of constraints to the possible sites for the corresponding BCP in Hong Kong. On the Hong Kong side immediately adjacent to the proposed Liantang BCP, there are two village environs (Chuk Yuen and Tsung Yuen Ha), the Kong Yiu Channel, the border road, Lin Ma Hang Road and one graded historic building (Macintosh Fort) at Pak Fu Shan. Other nearby features include the NENT landfill and permitted burial grounds.

BCP Location Options

Based on the design requirements and site constraints, three initial options for locating the Hong Kong BCP were identified during the Feasibility Study. These were Option 1 – location of BCP at the foothills of Pak Fu Shan; Option 2 – location of BCP between Chuk Yuen and Tsung Yuen Ha; and Option 3 – location of BCP at Chuk Yuen via resumption of Chuk Yuen village. The options assessments conducted as part of the Feasibility Study is summarised in Appendix 2.3. Based on the findings during the Feasibility stage, Option 1 was identified to be technically unsuitable while Option 2 presented too many disadvantages from the technical perspective and was also considered to be unacceptable in terms of the environmental impacts. Hence the current BCP location (as shown in Figure 2.1a) involving resumption of Chuk Yuen Village (Option 3) was recommended and has been adopted.

The BCP footprint was also reviewed to maintain a certain distance from the existing Kong Yiu Drainage Channel. This will minimise the possible impacts on the drainage and the environment of the existing river and the associated aquatic community. The sewage treatment facility is proposed to locate near the western boundary of the BCP and away from nearby sensitive receivers. The Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) will treat the sewage flow generated from the BCP and the resite of Chuk Yuen Village. The daily effluent from the STP is estimated about 327.56 m³/day, i.e. 0.004 m³/s. Compared with the surface runoff from the local catchments Kong Yiu Drainage, the impact due to the treated sewage effluent is insignificant. The treated effluent form the proposed sewage treatment works will achieve the effluent standards to ensure no net increase in pollutant loads discharged and comply with the no net increase in pollutant loading in Deep Bay Policy.

9.2.2.2 Connecting Road Alignment

Refined Alignment Options

Based on the recommendation of alignment Option 1A from the Feasibility Study, this alignment was initially taken forward during the preliminary design stage for public consultation. However, it was quickly identified during the public consultations that the alignment at the Sha Tau Kok Road area was unacceptable to the local villagers in terms of environmental and social impacts (see Section 2.5.2). In response to the concerns raised at the public consultations, the recommended alignment Option 1A was further assessed and a total of nine refined alignment options (which includes two options identified by village groups) were evaluated alongside the original recommended Option 1A. These refinements focus on the section of alignment between Lau Shui Heung to the south of Sha Tau Kok Road and the tunnel through Cheung Shan to the north of Sha Tau Kok Road.

A broad study corridor was identified initially between Ping Che Road in the west, and Loi Tung village in the east. Options further west were not considered as these had been previously considered at the Feasibility Study and rejected due primarily to their negative impact on the development of the NENT NDAs and poor performance on traffic grounds, as well as the presence of a number of archaeological sites and also due to the intensive development of this area. Options further east were not considered as these would encounter similar constraints to those already identified in the proposed alignment corridor and would involve an unnecessarily long detour. Therefore, locating the portal at hillside habitat near Loi Tung is unavoidable.

Within the identified corridor, the major constraints were identified and alignment options that would avoid or minimise the impact on these major constraints were proposed. The priority is given to avoiding environmental sensitive receivers including fung shui woods, secondary woodland, Conservation Area, Country Park, watercourses (include Ecologically Important Streams) and wetlands amongst others. The refined alignment options (RAOs) are shown in Figure 2.3 and described in Section 2.6.2.2.

Screening

The findings of the assessment show that the RAOs with the least severity and magnitude of environmental impacts were RAO 6 and 7. This is because from the community perspective, both alignments manage to avoid direct impact on village zones and typically has less direct impacts on isolated village houses/structures compared to the other RAOs, particularly RAO 2, 3 and 4. Environmentally, air, noise and visual impacts are likely to be less due to the smaller number of sensitive receivers, and the alignments do not affect the fung shui wood at Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai, and generally has less impact on Tan Shan River and the Country Park compared to RAO 8 and 9. Consequently, these two RAOs were taken forward for the final assessment involving a detailed technical review.

Further Refinements

Based on the technical assessment, RAO 6 was identified as the most preferable horizontal alignment for the Sha Tau Kok Road area. As part of the initiative to maintain continuous public involvement and address as much of the outstanding environmental and community concerns as possible, a number of modifications have subsequently been made, the most significant of which include the further modification of the RAO 6 alignment to follow the route of RAO 7 at the Princess Hill area and the adoption of a continuous tunnel alignment from the portal at Princess Hill south Sha Tau Kok Road interchange to Fanling Highway (shown in Figures 2.1e to 2.1k). This serves to avoid any impact on permitted burial grounds at Lau Shui Heung, Tan Chuk Hang and Ma Mei Ha, as well as any associated environmental pollution at those locations. Direct impact on Tan Shan River is also avoided. This change from at-grade to tunnel in the Tan Chuk Hang area also means that RAO 7 has become just as favourable as RAO 6 in terms of construction difficulties and impact on existing structures, however, RAO 6 remains more preferable on environmental impact as it avoids any encroachment upon the Country Park. However, it is not possible to eliminate all concerns, particularly at the Sha Tau Kok Road section, due to the requirement to provide an interchange with the Sha Tau Kok Road, and hence the need for an above-ground alignment at this section.

At Ping Yeung the alignment has also been refined to be located away from the villages and is proposed to be located principally on viaduct, with existing accesses maintained in underpasses beneath the Connecting Road. An interchange is incorporated at the north of Ping Yeung village to provide connectivity for local residents and also to cater for the future integration of a link from the proposed Ping Che/Ta Kwu Ling NDA.

The alignment will be elevated on the approach to the BCP in order to maintain connectivity between land areas for the local villagers, and a connection is provided between the realigned Lin Ma Hang Road and the Connecting Road to improve local access. All the Connecting Roads are elevated except the connection to BCP, interchange at Nga Yiu Ha and Sha Tau Kok Road and at-grade level structure near Wo Keng Shan. After completion of construction works, the works area in all sections underneath the viaduct will be restored with landscaping features which allow wildlife crossing.

Refinement of the Sha Tau Kok Road Section

Subsequent to the extensive options assessment and alignment refinements and due to the serious environmental concerns raised by villagers at Loi Tung following the public consultations, including concerns on air quality, noise, visual and cultural heritage impact, a variation of the alignment at Sha Tau Kok Road Section was considered in order to increase the separation of the interchange from Loi Tung Village and from significant cultural heritage features. This alignment is similar to the previous alignment through Princess Hill but then continues to curve back to the west after exiting the tunnel, cutting through the northeast shoulder of Princess Hill approximately midway between a major grave site and a shrine near Loi Tung Village, and then forming an interchange with Sha Tau Kok Road close to the existing Wo Keng Shan Road junction. The alignment then continued northwards to the tunnel section under Cheung Shan, avoiding the major grave site of Tai Tong Wu to the west of the portal area.

The angle between the Connecting Road and Sha Tau Kok Road requires the use of an oval roundabout in order to accommodate the various connections for the ramps, Sha Tau Kok Road and Wo Keng Shan Road. The roundabout circulates either side of the River Indus, utilising the existing Wo Keng Shan Road bridge to cross the River Indus at its west end and a new bridge crossing of the river at its east end. The Wo Keng Shan Road itself is realigned to connect into the proposed roundabout junction.

A number of squatter residences in the area between the Sha Tau Kok Road and the north face of Princess Hill will be affected by the alignment, however there is a reduction in the number of properties affected north of the Sha Tau Kok Road. To minimise the ecological and landscape impacts due to cut slopes through Princess Hill, bored pile retaining walls of up to 10m height will be proposed, which reduces the extent of cut slopes required. This modified alignment has addressed the concerns of Loi Tung Village and represents the best compromise between design, engineering, environmental and social requirements.

9.2.3 Description of Construction Works

9.2.3.1 BCP

This section is comprised of the BCP site and the realigned section of the Lin Ma Hang Road where it conflicts with the proposed BCP location. Where the section of Lin Ma Hang Road currently passes through the proposed BCP area, the road will be realigned to run east and then north along the edge of the BCP area, before reconnecting to the existing road near to Tsung Yuen Ha. The road is designed as a standard 7.3 m width carriageway with 2 m width footpaths on both sides where there is an identified pedestrian demand. At the north end of the realigned Lin Ma Hang Road a pick-up/ drop-off facility is located, which will provide local residents with a convenient access via a pedestrian subway to the BCP facilities.

Environmental factors taken into consideration in the design for this section includes avoiding realignment of Kong Yiu Channel by designing the BCP and realigned Lin Ma Hang Road to fit entirely within the space on the western side of the channel, thereby significantly reducing the potential environmental impacts to the channel and the associated fauna community. Where the connecting road alignment crosses Kong Yiu Channel to connect to the BCP, the alignment will be constructed as bridges over the channel, and will not require any direct footing or construction activities in the channel.

9.2.3.2 Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary

This section comprises the Connecting Road alignment from where it connects to the BCP to the boundary of the Frontier Closed Area, and includes the upgrading works to Lin Ma Hang Road and the Resite Village Access Road.

The main Connecting Road in this section comprises a viaduct section running from the boundary of the BCP to the boundary of the FCA, with a typical road width of 24.5 m to serve a dual 2-lane road with central median and hard shoulders. The choice of a viaduct alignment as opposed to an at-grade alignment significantly reduces the permanent ecological footprint of the connecting road, minimize the potential impact of habitat fragmentation and will free up a lot more space after construction for provision of landscaping and visual mitigation measures.

Immediately south of the BCP boundary, a limited-movement interchange has been provided at the Lin Ma Hang Road to allow for local access to the Connecting Road and the BCP, and also to serve as a turn-around facility for any vehicles that are prohibited from entering the BCP area.

9.2.3.3 Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

This section runs from the FCA to the tunnel portal at Wo Keng Shan, and has been designed as mainly viaduct alignment to reduce the permanent footprint (and the need for cut and fill slopes), avoid conflicting with Wo Keng Shan Road and to allow the local villages access and watercourses to continue uninterrupted below the Connecting Road, and significantly minimize any permanent direct impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecology.

An at-grade interchange has been provided at Ping Yeung to connect the villages at Ping Yeung area and the future Ping Che/ Ta Kwu Ling New Development Area to the Connecting Road. The roundabout interchange connects to the existing road between Ping Yeung and Nga Yiu Ha, with a section of road between the roundabout.

9.2.3.4 North Tunnel (Wo Keng Shan tunnel section)

This section comprises the approximately 0.9 km long tunnel through Cheung Shan, and its associated ventilation buildings located at either end of the tunnel portals. The north portal is located on a north eastern face of Cheung Shan in front of Ng Chow Road. The portal location is determined by the decision of avoiding large area slope cutting at Wo Keng Shan due to shifting the alignment to east and traffic safety risk of undesirable sharp/reverse curvatures due to shifting the portal to west. South portal is located on a south western face of Cheung Shan next to the section of Wo Keng Shan Road prior to its intersection with Sha Tau Kok Road. The tunnel will be constructed as separate tubes for northbound and southbound, with a standard road width of 8.3 m for each tube. The two ventilation buildings required for this tunnel section will be located directly above the tunnel portals to avoid the need for occupying additional works area at other parts of Cheung Shan, thereby avoiding additional ecological impact.

9.2.3.5 Sha Tau Kok Road

This short section comprises a viaduct running across the proposed Sha Tau Kok Road Interchange from the south portal of the North Tunnel to the south of the interchange, followed by a depressed road section that runs to the north portal of the South Tunnel, with link roads connecting the alignment and the Sha Tau Kok Road interchange. The Interchange will be elevated by approximately 4 m above the existing road level and will intersect with River Indus via bridges over the channel taking into account the completion of the ‘Drainage Improvements in Northern New Territories – Package C (Man Uk Pin section) and the need to maintain adequate flood capacity in the channel. This interchange will also provide a new connection between the existing Wo Keng Shan Road and Sha Tau Kok Road. An administration building for the connecting road will be located alongside Wo Keng Shan Road and will comprise of 2 floors totalling 10 m in height.

The design options for this section is severely constrained due to the need for provision of an interchange with Sha Tau Kok Road, the need to maintain flood capacity at River Indus, the close presence of village zones, and the existing topographical constraints posed by the presence of Princess Hill to the south. The alignment at this section has been placed as far away from the village zones on either side of the alignment as practicable in order to limit air quality, noise and landscape and visual impacts, and direct encroachment onto the freshwater wetland habitat near Loi Tung has been minimized. While the alignment to the north of the interchange can be designed as mainly viaduct to limit the permanent loss of land, a viaduct alignment to the south of the interchange is not feasible given the hilly terrain, nor can it be designed as a tunnel due to the insufficient separation distance between the tunnel portal and the interchange, hence the alignment at this southern portion is restricted to a depressed road.

9.2.3.6 South Tunnel (Lau Shui Heung tunnel section)

This section comprises an approximately 4.8 km long tunnel section that runs from the portal at the east face of Princess Hill to the portal at Lung Shan. The alignment of the tunnel section is generally configured as a series of straight sections and large radius curves and aligned to avoid passing under the Pat Sin Leng Country Park and any village zones. Aside from the curved section of the tunnel at Princess Hill which needs to be widened to increase the line of sight, the tunnel will be constructed to a standard road width of 8.3 m for each tube as with the North Tunnel.

The design for this section has opted for a tunnel alignment primarily to avoid directly impacting ecological habitats of concern including woodland habitats and Tan Shan River. Despite the increased volumes of C&D waste that will be generated from this tunnel section, other environmental impacts including air, noise, water, ecology, landscape and visual, and cultural heritage are significantly reduced or avoided as compared with an at-grade or viaduct alignment, thereby protecting much of the surrounding environment from adverse impacts from the project. Where the tunnel alignment passes underneath Tan Shan River, the alignment is designed to pass perpendicular to the river, thereby limiting the potential zone of ecological impact that may arise from subsurface construction activities.

The two portal ventilation buildings for this tunnel section will be located directly above the tunnel portals to avoid the need for occupying additional works area and will consist of 4 floors totalling 25 m in height above the top of the tunnel in order to accommodate the required fan equipment and facilitate the dispersion of tunnel exhaust. Near the middle of the tunnel, a connection leading to a ventilation building will also be constructed. This Mid-Ventilation Building is located at Po Kat Tsai and will comprise a single building of 4 floors totalling 20 m in height. The selected location on currently developed area avoids additional encroachment onto natural habitat and therefore avoids direct impact on ecological context.

9.2.3.7 Fanling

The Fanling section comprises the rest of the alignment from the south portal of the South Tunnel section to the connection with Tolo/Fanling Highway at Kau Lung Hang. The alignment will be connected to Fanling Highway via 5 single lane link roads connecting the north and south-bound carriageways. The length of this section is approximately 1.3 km with a total bridge deck length of around 3.0 km. The alignment crosses the Ma Wat River and the MTR East Rail Line tracks on viaduct, and enters into tunnel under Lung Shan.

As with the Sha Tau Kok Road section, the scope for environmentally friendly design at this section is limited by the requirements for the Fanling Interchange. As this section of the alignment is mainly on existing disturbed land, the ecological and landscape and visual impacts are generally limited to the tunnel portal area due to the need for slopeworks around the portal. This loss of habitats around the portal area is considered unavoidable as the portal location is determined by the fixed location of the Fanling Interchange, however, mitigation measures can be applied to limit the severity of impacts.

9.3 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines

A number of international conventions, local legislation and guidelines provide the framework for the protection of species and habitats of ecological importance. Those related to this Project are:

¡ Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96), which protects the rare plant species from selling, offering for sale, or possession illegally;

¡ Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170), which protects wild animals listed under the second schedule from being hunted, possession, sale or export, disturbance of their nest or egg without permission by authorized officer;

¡ Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), which regulates the import, introduction from the sea, export, re-export, and possession of specimens of a scheduled species, including live, dead, parts or derivatives. The Ordinance applies to all activities involving endangered species which include the parties of traders, tourists and individuals.

¡ Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) (Cap. 499), which specifies designated projects under Schedule 2 of the Ordinance, unless exempted, must follow the statutory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and require environmental permits for their construction and operation.

¡ EIAO Guidance Notes No. 6/2002, 7/2002, 10/2004 and 11/2004. These guidance notes provide the observations on Ecological Assessment from the EIAO perspective, providing the general guidelines for conducting an ecological baseline survey for ecological assessment, introducing some methodologies in conducting terrestrial and freshwater ecological baseline surveys, and methodologies for marine ecological baseline surveys respectively.

¡ Annex 8 and 16 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM): Annex 8 recommends the criteria for evaluating ecological impacts. Annex 16 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.

¡ Town Planning Ordinance (Cap. 131) which gives designation to country parks, conservation area, green belts, sites of special scientific interest, coastal protection area and other specified uses to promote conservation, protection and education of the valuable environment.

9.4 Assessment Area and Ecological Survey Methodology

9.4.1 Assessment Area

The Assessment Area for impact assessment of terrestrial ecology covers all the areas within 500 m from the Project ‘works’ boundary, and area east of the Frontier Closed Area (FCA) including Chuk Yuen, Tsung Yuen Ha, Ha Heung Yuen, Heung Yuen Wai and Pak Fu Shan in accordance with Clause 3.4.9.2 in EIA Study Brief No. ESB-199/2008. The Ecological Assessment Area along the proposed BCP and the alignment of the connecting road is presented in Figure 9.1a.

9.4.2 Literature Review

A preliminary desktop study and literature review were conducted to study the existing condition within the Assessment Area and to identify habitats or species of conservation interest. The best relevant information including Government and private sector reports, published literature and academic studies were covered in the literature review.

9.4.3 Ecological Field Surveys

The ecological surveys were conducted in accordance with the criteria and guidelines stated in Annex 8 “Criteria for Evaluation Ecological Impact” and Annex 16 “Guidelines for Ecological Assessment” of the EIAO-TM, “Ecological Baseline Survey for Ecological Assessment (EIAO Guidance Note No. 7/2002)”, “Methodologies for Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecological Baseline Surveys (EIAO Guidance Note No. 10/2004)” and “Methodologies for Marine Ecological Baseline Surveys (EIAO Guidance Note No. 11/2004)”.

The Assessment Area for the terrestrial field survey covers the 500 m radius boundary of the proposed BCP and associated connecting road works area and any areas potentially affected. Ecological field surveys were conducted between May 2009 and September 2010, in both the wet and dry seasons. Each section of the Assessment Area was surveyed for a period of at least nine months and the survey dates were scheduled evenly within the period to avoid missing out some data in between. Special attention was paid to the ecologically sensitive wildlife groups and habitats. Details of the field survey programme are described below and the survey transect routes are depicted in Figures A1 to A11 of Appendix 9.1. The fauna survey route was designed in fashion to cover representative habitats within the Assessment Area and the Works Area. Accessible routes are selected so that the surveyor can have unobstructed view over the adjacent habitat and would not be heavily restricted by dense vegetation, which hinders the survey effort.

9.4.3.1 Habitat and Vegetation

Habitat maps of suitable scale showing the type and location of habitats in the Assessment Area with the overlay plot of the Project boundary were produced.

Recent aerial photos were studied to identify the general land use/ habitat type of the Assessment Area. A preliminary habitat map was generated through translating the visualized condition in the aerial photos, and the detailed habitats were marked during ground truthing exercise.

Vegetation surveys were conducted during wet and dry seasons within the ecological assessment area and special attention was paid on species of conservation concern and habitats within the proposed works area where the vegetation will be directly impacted.

Ground truthing study was conducted on-site to verify and delineate the habitat type that was identified or missing during desktop study. All ecological resources within habitats were recorded and a more focused survey on those identified important habitats were conducted to collect further information.

All the flora species within the Project limit were recorded and their relative abundance was estimated through visual observation.

9.4.3.2 Mammal Survey

Surveys of mammals were conducted by direct observation and active searching of traits such as scats, footprints and feeding signs within the Assessment Area, in particular for the woodland habitat. All ad hoc records of sightings, tracks and sign of mammals were identified and recorded. Bat surveys were carried out by direct counting at potential roosting ground such as abandoned village house and Chinese Fan-palm, and foraging ground such as hillside grassland, wetland and specific landscape features including watercourse and associated riparian habitats, woodland fringe and tree lines. Night surveys for nocturnal mammals particularly at mature woodland area were conducted twice during the study period in wet season. Species, abundance and their feeding/foraging behaviours were identified and recorded. Nomenclature for mammals follows Shek (2006).

9.4.3.3 Bird Survey

Birds communities within the Assessment Area were surveyed using a walk over transect survey method. Line transect survey is generally used for surveying open area habitat such as shrubland and marsh (Ma et al. 2006). In considering that majority of the Assessment Area are open area composed of a mixture of habitat, transect survey was adopted for surveying the avifauna. Another survey method, point count survey, which is generally adopted for surveying avifauna in woodland, was not adopted in this Study because it requires suitably spaced point count stops replicates. Given that most of the woodlands within the Assessment Area are patchy and small in size, e.g. Chuk Yuen woodland, point count stops cannot be located with suitable spacing (advised to be at least 200 m apart by Ma et al. (2006)) and therefore point count is not considered as the optimal survey method. Bird surveys at potential ecologically important habitats such as Country Park and mature woodland were conducted at early morning to collect representative data. All birds seen or heard during the transect survey were identified and counted. Special attention was paid to the wetland habitat to investigate if any important habitat for wetland-dependent birds was present. Species showing notable breeding behaviour were also recorded in detail to identify any important breeding ground nearby. Ornithological nomenclature and status follow Carey et al. (2001).

9.4.3.4 Herpetofauna Survey

Surveys of herpetofauna within the Assessment Area were conducted through active searching and detection of the mating calls during daytime and night surveys. Survey area covered both terrestrial and aquatic environment of various habitat types including stream, nullah, freshwater wetland and wooded area. Daytime surveys for herpetofauna were carried out in line with mammal and insect surveys. Night surveys were carried out at least twice during wet season when this fauna group is more active. Nomenclature to be used in this report for amphibians and reptiles follows Chan et al. (2005) and Karsen et al. (1998) respectively.

9.4.3.5 Dragonflies and Butterflies Survey

Butterflies and dragonflies surveys were carried out using the same transect route as for the bird survey to cover all types of habitat found within the Assessment Area. All butterflies and dragonflies observed during the transect survey were identified and counted with an aid of a pair of binoculars. Special attention was paid to the streams and riparian zones, in particular Tan Shan River, lowland stream at Tsung Yuen Ha and River Ganges at Ping Yeung, to look for dragonfly species. Hand netting was used for collecting specimens where it is necessary to confirm the species identification, and the live specimen will be released in-situ after identification.

9.4.3.6 Freshwater Fish Survey

Freshwater fish surveys were conducted in wet season during their active stage at aquatic habitats including streams, marshes and ponds at suitable weather and time to avoid inactive phase of the fishes. Survey methods encompassed direct bank side counting and other sampling methods taking into account different types of aquatic environment.

In shallow, slow-moving streams with clear water and minimal vegetation, direct bank side counting was adopted at vantage observation points for at least 10 minutes period. For aquatic habitats with deeper water, turbulent areas, turbid water or stream with dense riparian and aquatic vegetation, pot trapping and hand netting methods were used for collecting sample for identification. Live specimens were released in-situ after identification. Nomenclature of freshwater fishes follows Lee et al. (2004).

9.4.3.7 Survey Schedule

In accordance with EIAO Guidance Note No. 7/2002, the duration of the ecological baseline survey shall be determined according to the diversity of habitat, flora and fauna species within the study area. In consideration of the high geographical coverage of habitat within the Assessment Area, the ecological survey was scheduled to cover at least 9 months period including both wet and dry seasons, the maximum period recommended in the Guidance Note for non-Deep Bay Area. Also, the survey was scheduled evenly over the survey period to avoid missing some important data in between. This requirement was not only met for the Assessment Area as a whole but also for each particular section. The schedule for the fauna surveys is presented in Table 9.1. In respect of vegetation survey that is not listed in this table, the survey was conducted between June 2009 and September 2010.

Table 9.1: Schedule of Fauna Surveys

Survey Time	Fauna Group	2009								2010
		MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	AUG	SEP
Day Survey	Mammal	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
	Bird	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
	Herpetofauna	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
	Butterfly	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
	Dragonfly	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
	Aquatic fauna	ü			ü	ü	ü						ü	ü	ü	ü
Night Survey	Mammal				ü	ü	ü						ü	ü	ü
	Herpetofauna				ü	ü	ü						ü	ü	ü

9.5 Ecological Baseline Condition

The ecological baseline information of the Assessment Area was collected through a combination of both literature review and field survey. A preliminary desktop study and literature review were conducted to study the existing condition within the Assessment Area and to identify habitats or species of conservation interest. The best relevant information including Government and private sector reports, published literature and academic studies were covered in the literature review. Site specific and updated ecological information was derived from field survey to fill any information gap identified in literature review.

9.5.1 Recognized Sites of Conservation Importance

No Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Nature Reserve, Special Area and nature conservation related Restricted Area was found within the Assessment Area. The sites that are recognized as conservation importance within Assessment Area include the Pat Sin Leng Country Park, six sporadically located Fung Shui Woods and three Ecologically Important Streams (Figure 9.1a). Besides, the complex of wetland at Mai Po Inner Deep Bay is recognized as ecologically important and protected through designation of Ramsar Site, SSSI and Nature Reserve, which are located at downstream of Shenzhen River.

Pat Sin Leng Country Park

Pat Sin Leng Country Park (CP) is located at northeast New Territories covering 3,125 hectares. The major landscape features include mountain ranges of Pat Sin Leng and Ping Fung Shan and two irrigation reservoirs namely Hok Tau and Lau Shui Heung. The Assessment Area of this project overlays with the country park boundary at Lung Shan, Lau Shui Heung and Hok Tau Pai but all these sections are constructed in underground tunnel and the Works Area is outside of the Country Park boundary. The potential impact on the site is evaluated in Section 9.7.7.1 and Table 9.82.

Fung Shui Woods

Totally six fung shui woods were identified within the Assessment Area at Heung Yuen Wai, Tsung Yuen Ha, Kan Tau Wai, Man Uk Pin, Loi Tung and Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai. All these are mature woodlands preserved by the indigenous villagers for over a century for their traditional fung shui belief. Compared with other lowland secondary woodlands, fung shui woods are dominated by older and larger trees which are mostly native shade-tolerant species while secondary woodlands are dominated mainly by sun-loving pioneer species. The Project alignment has been proposed to avoid all the six fung shui woods within the Assessment Area. The potential impact on these sites is evaluated in Section 9.7.7.2 and Table 9.82.

Ecologically Important Steams

Ecologically Important Streams (EIS) are natural streams/rivers identified with important ecological function such as providing habitats for rare fauna or flora communities. There are three EIS located within the Works Area which are Man Uk Pin, Tan Shan River (River Jhelum) and Kau Lung Hang. The Man Uk Pin EIS is located behind Man Uk Pin village to the north of the Sha Tau Kok Road section. Tan Shan River EIS runs across the lowland agricultural field in Tan Chuk Hang which overlays the Assessment Area at the south Tunnel section. Kau Lung Hang EIS comprises a few streams near Kau Lung Hang which are located to the south of Fanling portal section. The potential impact on these streams is evaluated in Section 9.7.7.3 and Table 9.82.

Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site

The Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site covers the Mai Po Marshes SSSI, the Inner Deep Bay area and the inter-tidal mudflats with 1,500 hectares of wetlands. Although the Ramsar Site is outside the Assessment Area, it is also regarded as potentially affected area in accordance with the Condition 3.2.1 (iv)(e) in EIA Study Brief No.ESB-199/2008. The Ramsar Site is a natural shallow estuarine area, with extensive inter-tidal mudflats, dwarf mangroves, gei wai and fishponds. These wetlands provide a wide range of habitats to support a high diversity of fauna, including some rare mammals and restricted-range invertebrates. This habitat is particularly important to migratory waterbirds for roosting and foraging. More than 87,300 waterbirds in winter 2009/10 including a number of globally threatened species stop over or overwinter at this site annually. Moreover, at least 35 globally threatened bird species, including 3 critically endangered, have been recorded in the Ramsar Site. The potential impact on this site is evaluated in Section 9.7.7.4 and Table 9.82.

Mai Po Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest

The Mai Po Marshes SSSI covers an area of about 393 hectares of which 209 hectares are gei wais and bunds. The Marshes contain the largest and most important area of dwarf mangrove in Hong Kong providing a rich food source for fauna community, particularly for wetland-dependent birds. The SSSI provides an important roosting and foraging habitat for migratory wetland-dependent birds, including species or population of global concern. The SSSI is protected through designation as Nature Reserve and managed as a restricted area. The potential impact on this site is evaluated in Section 9.7.7.4 and Table 9.82.

Inner Deep Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest

The Inner Deep Bay area is situated in Northwest part of the New Territories and bordered by the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone to the North. This 2,235 hectare site comprises a range of habitats from shallow water to intertidal and estuarine mudflats. Inner Deep Bay contains the largest and most important dwarf mangrove communities in Hong Kong. The huge mudflats with dwarf mangroves is a highly productive ecosystem which provides feeding and resting ground for diverse wetland-dependent bird community, of which majority of them are winter visitor or passage migrant to Hong Kong including globally threatened species. The mudflats and the intertidal habitat also support a high diversity of organisms which are of economic value and scientific importance. The potential impact on this site is evaluated in Section 9.7.7.4 and Table 9.82.

Wetland Conservation Area

In order to conserve the ecological value of the existing contiguous and adjoining active/abandoned fishponds in the landward of the Ramsar, a Wetland Conservation Area was designated by the Town Planning Board (TPB PG-No. 12B) to maintain the ecological value of the fishponds which form an integral part of the wetland ecosystem in the Deep Bay Area. It also mitigates the negative impact arising from undesirable land uses and human disturbances, by protecting the ecological resources of the wetland and fishponds and conserves the integrity of the Deep Bay wetland ecosystem. The potential impact on this area is evaluated in Section 9.7.7.4 and Table 9.82.

Wetland Buffer Area

The intention of the Wetland Buffer Area is to protect the ecological integrity of the fish ponds and wetland within the Wetland Conservation Area and prevent development that would have a negative off-site disturbance impact on the ecological value of the fish ponds. The Wetland Buffer Area covers a buffer area of about 500 m along the landward boundary of the Wetland Conservation Area. As a substantial amount of the fish ponds within the Wetland Buffer Area have already been lost over time through filling and certain areas have been degraded by the presence of open storage use, these degraded areas may be considered as target areas to allow an appropriate level of residential/recreational development so as to provide an incentive to remove the open storage use and/or to restore some of the fish ponds lost. The potential impact on this area is evaluated in Section 9.7.7.4 and Table 9.82.

Ping Che Egretry

The egretry is located inside Ping Che Village approximately 1km to the west of the North Tunnel North Portal. The egretry has been first discovered in 2009 mainly used by Chinese Pond Heron. Given the forage range of ardeid can cover more than 1km of their roosting site, potential impacts on this egretry is assessed under the study.

9.5.2 Habitat Type within the Assessment Area

The proposed Project alignment runs from Chuk Yuen to Kau Lung Hang at Fanling via Ping Yeung, Cheung Shan, Loi Tung and Po Kat Tsai. A key plan showing the Ecological Assessment Area is presented as Figure 9.1a.

There are 12 types of habitat identified in the Assessment Area, namely:

¡ Woodland;

¡ Shrubland;

¡ Plantation;

¡ Freshwater Wetland;

¡ Active Agricultural Land;

¡ Abandoned Agricultural Land;

¡ Hillside Grassland;

¡ Pond;

¡ Drainage Channel;

¡ Watercourse;

¡ Open Field; and

¡ Developed Area.

Habitat Maps of the Project are illustrated in Figures 9.2 to 9.14. The areas of each habitat type within the Assessment Area and Works Area are listed in Tables 9.2 and 9.3 respectively. Works Area refers to the areas within the Project boundary.

Table 9.2: Habitats Present in Assessment Area

Habitat	Assessment Area
	Area (ha)	%
Woodland	199.4	13.8
Shrubland	181.8	12.7
Plantation	99.3	6.9
Freshwater Wetland	13.8	1.0
Active Agricultural Land	73.1	5.1
Abandoned Agricultural Land	284.2	19.8
Hillside Grassland	328.4	22.9
Pond	3.1	0.2
Drainage Channel	12.4	0.9
Watercourse	11.6	0.8
Open Field	11.5	0.8
Developed Area	216.7	15.1
Total	1435.3	100.0

Table 9.3: Habitats Present in Works Area

Habitat	Works Area
	Area (ha)	%
Woodland	10.8	11.0
Shrubland	3.4	3.5
Plantation	10.9	11.1
Freshwater Wetland	1.4	1.4
Active Agricultural Land	13.2	13.5
Abandoned Agricultural Land	29.9	30.5
Hillside Grassland	6.6	6.7
Pond*	< 0.1	0.0
Drainage Channel	1.9	1.9
Watercourse	0.4	0.4
Open Field	0.9	0.9
Developed Area	18.6	19.1
Total	98.0	100.0

* an abandoned amenity pond in very small size (419 m²) is identified within the Works Area.

Representative photographs of each type of habitats are illustrated in Plates 1 to 12 in Appendix 9.2.

The ecological profile of the Assessment Area and the Works Area are described below.

9.5.3 Habitats and Vegetation within Assessment Area

Description of habitats identified within the Assessment Area is given below. Floral species of conservation interest as listed in Section 9.6.2 have been evaluated and identified in accordance with Annex 8 of the EIAO-TM. Indicative locations of floral species of conservation interest are illustrated in Figures 9.3 to 9.14.

9.5.3.1 Woodland

Woodland areas were found scattered throughout the Assessment Area. They are mostly distributed on hillsides or near villages, and separated with each other by low-lying agricultural lands (either active or inactive or abandoned) and other artificial land uses. Two main types of woodland were identified, viz. fung shui wood and secondary woodland.

Six fung shui woods were identified at Heung Yuen Wai, Tsung Yuen Ha, Kan Tau Wai, Man Uk Pin, Loi Tung and Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai within the Assessment Area. Unlike secondary woodland, fung shui woods are woodland habitat of older age, preserved by the local villagers for their fung shui beliefs. Plant species typically found in fung shui woods were recorded, including: Antidesma bunius, Aporusa dioica, Cinnamomum camphora, Endospermum chinense, Machilus chekiangensis, Pygeum topengii, Schefflera heptaphylla, Schima superba, Sterculia lanceolata and Syzygium hancei. The naturalised fruit tree species Dimocarpus longan is also very common in these fung shui woods.

Loi Tung village shows a typical traditional fung shui village layout. There is a well preserved fung shui wood immediately behind (east of the village) the village in crescent shape and a fung shui pond in front of the village. Another element of a typical fung shui layout is the presence of a Pak Kung (shrine of Earth God) located near the entrance of the village area. Like the vegetation in the fung shui wood, the plants around the Pak Kung have been preserved for decades by the villagers. The Loi Tung Pak Kung situates at the northeastern shoulder of Princess Hill. This small portion of woodland habitat (of about 0.4ha) is considered to be the Loi Tung fung shui wood associated habitat, which is evidenced by the presence of some fung shui wood species and trees of old age.

The largest contiguous patches of secondary woodland are located at Cheung Shan, Loi Tung and Lau Shui Heung area near the Lau Shui Heung irrigation reservoir.

Dominant plant species found in secondary woodlands at Lau Shui Heung area include Adinandra millettii, Antirhea chinensis, Canthium dicoccum, Glochidion wrightii, Gordonia axillaris, Homalium cochinchinensis, Litsea cubeba, Litsea glutinosa, Litsea rotundifolia, Sapium discolour, Schima superba and Zanthoxylum avicennae.

Due to different geographical location and topography, plant composition different from Lau Shui Heung woodlands was observed in the secondary woodland at Loi Tung area. The dominant plant species are Acronychia pedunculata, Aquilaria sinensis, Alangium chinense, Aporusa dioica, Cratoxylum cochinchinense, Endospermum chinense, Microcos paniculata, Schefflera heptaphylla, Schima superba, Melicope pteleifolia, Psychotria asiatica, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa and Blechnum orientale. This Loi Tung secondary woodland can be roughly divided into two portions (eastern and western portions) by the freshwater wetland south of Loi Tung village. Due to the close proximity, both portions of the woodland are under influence of the Loi Tung fung shui wood in terms of plant species. Endospermum chinense and Pygeum topengii are dominant species in the Loi Tung fung shui wood and both species are restricted to fung shui wood and adjacent secondary woodland habitats. Although lower in commonness, both species can be found in the two portions of the secondary woodland. As the eastern portion has direct physical and ecological connection to the fung shui wood, the fung shui wood influence is found significantly stronger here than the western portion at Princess Hill. Endospermum chinense and Pygeum topengii are much more common in the eastern portion and some fung shui wood species such as Ficus formosana, Ficus pandurata and Xylosma longifolium recorded in the fung shui wood can also be located in the eastern portion but not found in the western portion.

The Cheung Shan woodland situates mainly along the north facing slope. Dominant plant species of the Cheung Shan secondary woodland include Alangium chinense, Aporusa dioica, Aquilaria sinensis, Bridelia tomentosa, Itea chinensis, Schima superba and Schefflera heptaphylla. To the south, another secondary woodland is located near Shan Tong. Common plant species include Alangium chinense, Aporusa dioica, Bridelia tomentosa, Itea chinensis, Schima superba and Schefflera heptaphylla.

Other secondary woodlands are located near rural villages. Despite the difference in size and location, all these village secondary woodland share high similarity in plant species composition as they were developed under similar conditions after the post-war period. Dominant plant species are mixture of native lowland plants and fruit trees, including Celtis sinensis, Litsea glutinosa, Alangium chinense, Aporusa dioica, Dimocarpus longan and Litchi chinensis.

Six floral species of conservation interest were recorded in woodland habitats within the Assessment Area: Aquilaria sinensis, Cibotium barometz, Cleisostoma simondii, Euonymus kwangtungensis, Pavetta hongkongensis and Xylosma longifolium.

Aquilaria sinensis and Cibotium barometz are species scheduled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) which aims to control the import/export of the listed species, while Cleisostoma simondii and Pavetta hongkongensis are scheduled under the Forestry Regulations (Cap. 96. sub. leg.) that aim to control over-collection of certain plant species. Despite the protection status, all these four species are very common in Hong Kong as well as in the Assessment Area of the Project.

Euonymus kwangtungensis is a rare native shrub species in Hong Kong. According to Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong (AFCD, 2003), its status in China is endangered (EN). Currently it is not protected by any local and regional legislation. It was recorded in the woodland on Princess Hill west of Loi Tung village.

Xylosma longifolium is a rare tree species recorded in fung shui woods at Tsung Yuen Ha, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung. Currently it is not protected by any local and regional legislation. However as its distribution is always restricted in fung shui woods or secondary woodlands in the vicinity, this species is considered to be of conservation interest.

9.5.3.2 Shrubland

Shrublands are common on hillside terrains within the Assessment Area. This type of habitat is a subsequent succession stage of grassland. Most of these habitats are situated on hillsides where human disturbance particularly hill fire event is not too frequent. Dominant plants are mixture of shrubs and small trees, including Baeckea frutescens, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Melastoma sanguineum, Ilex asprella, Litsea rotundifolia, Psychotria asiatica, Alangium chinense, Ficus variolosa and Cratoxylum cochinchinense.

Two floral species of conservation interest were recorded in shrubland habitats within the Assessment Area: Aquilaria sinensis and Pavetta hongkongensis.

9.5.3.3 Plantation

Plantation includes landscape plantation and orchard plantation. These man-made habitats are dominated by planted trees for forestation/landscape and fruit production. Plantation habitats are common but scattered throughout the Assessment Area. Common plant species of landscape plantation and orchard plantation include Acacia confusa, Casuarina equisetifolia and Dimocarpus longan, Litchi chinensis respectively.

9.5.3.4 Freshwater Wetland

In this EIA, freshwater wetland refers to herb-dominated grassy wetlands derived from the abandonment of agricultural land (i.e. wet abandoned agricultural land) and also some active wet agricultural land where hydrological condition is favourable to water retaining. Dominant plant species include Hedychium coronarium, Microstegium ciliatum, Cyclosorus interruptus and Colocasia esculenta.

9.5.3.5 Active Agricultural Land

These are wholly man-made habitats for crop production and quite common but scattered within the Assessment Area. Most of these habitats can be found near the rural villages. The species of crops commonly recorded during the baseline surveys include Lactuca sativa, Daucus carota and Brassica parachinensis.

9.5.3.6 Abandoned Agricultural Land

These habitats were established by the abandonment of cultivation. This is one of the major low-lying habitats within the Assessment Area. Like other similar habitats in the North East New Territories (NENT), the dominant plant species are mostly widespread weeds, including Microstegium ciliatum, Bidens alba, Ipomoea cairica and Mikania micrantha. A rare herb Polygonum orientale was found in an abandoned agricultural land near Pak Fu Shan. However it is an abandoned cultivation associated species without any conservation status locally and regionally.

9.5.3.7 Hillside Grassland

This is a hillside habitat maintained by frequent hill fires. As hill fires are common incidents in the rural New Territories particularly during Ching Ming and Chung Yeung Festivals, this hill fire associated habitat is also very common within the Assessment Area. Common plant species include Dicranopteris pedata, Miscanthus sinensis, Neyraudia reynaudiana and Ischaemum sp.

9.5.3.8 Pond

Only very few ponds can be found within the Assessment Area. Some of them are abandoned irrigation ponds formerly used for cultivation while some are currently used as fung shui ponds (such as that at Loi Tung village). Dominant plant species recorded along the pond bunds are common riparian plants or weed species including Brachiaria mutica, Panicum maximum, Wedelia trilobata, Commelina diffusa and Mikania micrantha. A small amenity pond is identified at Shan Tong. As it is located along the edge of a commercial horticultural nursery, the plant species surrounding the pond are either ornamental or weed species such as Terminalia mantaly, Taxodium distichum, Phoenix roebelenii, Grevillea robusta, Plumeria rubra, Bidens alba, Miscanthus floridulus and Mikania micrantha.

9.5.3.9 Drainage Channel

Drainage channels are wholly artificial structure for drainage and flood control purposes. Except grasses planted on grasscrete lining and weeds grown from the cracks of the concrete banks, these habitats are free of vegetation. Major drainage channels are Kong Yiu Channel, River Ganges, Kwan Tei River and Ma Wat Channel. Few shorter sections can be found within the Assessment Area. Common plant species recorded along the drainage channels include Mimosa pudica, Sesbania javanica and Panicum maximum.

9.5.3.10 Watercourse

Watercourses refer to those semi-natural or modified stream courses found within the Assessment Area. Main watercourses include the Shenzhen River, an upper section of River Ganges (north of Ping Yeung village), Tan Shan River and an upper section of Kwan Tei River (the section adjoining the Lau Shui Heung Irrigation Reservoir). As pointed out in Section 9.5.1, watercourses at Man Uk Pin, Tan Shan River (River Jhelum) and Kau Lung Hang are recognised as EIS.

Common riparian plant species include Commelina diffusa, Microstegium ciliatum, Coix lacryma-jobi and Bidens alba.

9.5.3.11 Open Field

Open field refers to bare ground, construction site or wasteland. Except some common weed species such as Bidens alba, Eleusine indica and Mimosa diplotricha, these habitats are free of vegetation cover.

9.5.3.12 Developed Area

Developed areas are wholly artificial habitats. This urbanised land use is of negligible ecological importance.

9.5.4 Habitats and Vegetation within Works Area

As direct impact will occur on the habitats within the proposed Works Area (i.e. area within the Project boundary), detailed description of habitats within different sections of the Works Area is given in the following order:

§ Section 1 - BCP;

§ Sections 2 & 3 - Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan;

§ Section 4 - North Tunnel (Cheung Shan tunnel section);

§ Section 5 - Sha Tau Kok Road (between North and South Tunnel);

§ Section 6 - South Tunnel (Lau Shui Heung tunnel section); and

§ Section 7 – Fanling

The sections of the Works Areas are illustrated in Figure 9.1b.

9.5.4.1 Works Area of Section 1 - BCP

The proposed Works Area of this section comprises six types of habitat, which are shrubland, plantation, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, drainage channel and developed area (Figure 9.3). The shrubland located in this Section is very small in size, which is a secondary habitat vegetated by self-seeded pioneer species of shrubs and small trees such as Bridelia tomentosa, Ligustrum sinense, Microcos paniculata and Trema tomentosa. An area of plantation (an active orchard plantation) was identified and the dominated fruit trees are Dimocarpus longan and Litchi chinensis. However, major habitats within this Section are the active and abandoned agricultural land around the rural village Chuk Yuen village. Vegetation to be affected are dominated by the common crops and self-seeded plants typically found in these low-lying habitats such as Lycium chinense, Brassica parachinensis, Brassica alboglabra, Microstegium ciliatum, Bidens alba and Eleusine indica. The drainage channel is a concrete structure. Only some weeds were found along some cracks on the banks.

A total of 184 species was recorded in this Section. No floral species of conservation interest were identified. The plant list is presented in Appendix 9.3a.

9.5.4.2 Works Area of Sections 2 & 3 - Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

The proposed Works Area of these two sections comprises 11 types of habitat, including woodland, shrubland, plantation, freshwater wetland, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, hillside grassland, drainage channel, watercourse, open field and developed area (Figures 9.3, 9.5 to 9.7). Plant species of habitats shrubland, plantation, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, hillside grassland, drainage channel, watercourse, open field and developed area are all common and widespread. Four patches of freshwater wetland were found within the Works Area near Nga Yiu Ha and Ping Yeung (Figure 9.6). These freshwater wetlands are developed from abandoned wet agricultural land. The dominated wetland plant species are mainly those formerly cultivated crop plants and some other species commonly found along waterways of agricultural land such as Hedychium coronarium, Colocasia esculenta and Cyclosorus interruptus.

The portals and ventilation building of the proposed North Tunnel will be located at a hillside area of Cheung Shan (Figure 9.7), where part of the woodland habitat is covered. The dominant plant species are Alangium chinense, Aporusa dioica, Bridelia tomentosa, Itea chinensis and Schefflera heptaphylla which are common and typical species in local secondary woodland. However, two floral species of conservation interest – Aquilaria sinensis and Cibotium barometz were recorded in the woodland area. Both species are scheduled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) which aims to control the import/export of the listed species. Both species are common and widely distributed in Hong Kong.

Aquilaria sinensis were recorded at two hillside woodlands (Figure 9.7) along Wo Keng Shan Road within Section 3 of the Works Area. Most of the individuals are semi-mature, having trunk diameter ranging from 150mm to 300mm. The recorded Cibotium barometz is a fern species of about 1m in height.

A total of 288 species were recorded in this Section. The plant list is presented in Appendix 9.3b.

9.5.4.3 Works Area of Section 4 - North Tunnel (Cheung Shan tunnel section)

This section comprises wholly tunnelling works (Figure 9.7). No Works Area on ground level is required for the underground works. Ecological baseline information of the aboveground portals of the North Tunnel and their associated ventilation buildings are presented in Works Area of Section 3 and Section 5 respectively.

9.5.4.4 Works Area of Section 5 - Sha Tau Kok Road (between North and South Tunnel)

The Works Area of this Section is proposed for two portals, ventilation buildings, an administration building and a section of connecting road of the Works (Figures 9.8 and 9.9). Habitats to be covered in this Section include woodland, shrubland, plantation, freshwater wetland, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, hillside grassland, pond, drainage channel, watercourse, open field and developed area.

Affected habitats of plantation, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, hillside grassland, pond, drainage channel, open field and developed area are either man-made or modified. Plant species recorded are all common and widespread: Microstegium ciliatum, Bidens alba and Ipomoea cairica.

To the north of this Section, a portal and ventilation building of the North Tunnel is proposed at a hillside area at Shan Tong area where habitats including woodland, hillside grassland, abandoned amenity pond and some developed area were identified. Dominant plant species of the woodland include Acronychia pedunculata, Alangium chinense, Aporusa dioica, Cratoxylum cochinchinense, Microcos paniculata, Schefflera heptaphylla, Melicope pteleifolia, Psychotria asiatica, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa and Blechnum orientale. One floral species of conservation interest Aquilaria sinensis was recorded at the edge of the woodland (Figure 9.8) along a vehicular access road. The recorded Aquilaria sinensis is a young individual of about 1m in height. Aquilaria sinensis is a tree species scheduled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) which aims to control the import/export of the listed species. However this species is common in woodland and shrubland habitats in Hong Kong. Common plant species in the hillside grassland include Miscanthus sinensis, Dicranopteris pedata, Eulalia quadrinervis, Ischaemum barbatum, Baeckea frutescens and Rhodomyrtus tomentosa.

A small pond is found in Shan Tong covered by the Works Area (Figure 9.8). It is an abandoned amenity pond at the edge of a commercial horticultural nursery. Amenity planting (Terminalia mantaly, Taxodium distichum, Phoenix roebelenii, Grevillea robusta, Plumeria rubra) and weed species (Bidens alba, Miscanthus floridulus, Mikania micrantha) were found along the pond bund.

To the south of this Section, part of the freshwater wetland and woodland area at Princess Hill will be covered within the Works Area (Figures 9.8 and 9.9). Like other habitats of the same type within the Assessment Area, this freshwater wetland is derived from abandoned agricultural land (cultivation of ginger lily Hedychium coronarium). The dominant plant species recorded include Cyclosorus interruptus, Hedychium coronarium, Microstegium ciliatum, Commelina diffusa and Leersia hexandra, of which Hedychium coronarium is the most abundant as it is the remanent crop species formerly planted by the villagers for their ornamental flowers. As shown in Figure 9.8, only a small portion of the wetland will be covered by the Works Area whilst most of the wetland area can be avoided. The main water supply of the wetland comes from the ditch (shown as watercourse in the Habitat Map Figure 9.8) originated from south running along the eastern side. Although a very short section (about 25m) of the ditch will fall within the Works Area, the proposed construction work at west of the wetland will not interrupt the water supply of the site. Potential water quality impact during construction phase will be controlled by water quality control measures.

The woodland portion to be affected situates along the eastern edge Princess Hill. The wooded area at Loi Tung Pak Kung (Figure 9.8) will be outside the proposed limit of the Works Area. Common plant species found in the affected portion of the secondary woodland include Aporusa dioica, Acronychia pedunculata, Aquilaria sinensis, Ilex pubescens, Litsea glutinosa, Schima superba, Schefflera heptaphylla, Sterculia lanceolata, Ardisia quinquegona, Desmos chinensis, Psychotria asiatica, Sarcandra glabra, Uvaria macrophylla and Gnetum luofuense. Four floral species of conservation interest were recorded within the woodland area (Figures 9.8 and 9.9): Aquilaria sinensis, Cibotium barometz, Euonymus kwangtungensis and Pavetta hongkongensis.

Aquilaria sinensis and Cibotium barometz are species scheduled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) which aims to control the import/export of the listed species, while Pavetta hongkongensis is scheduled under the Forestry Regulations (Cap. 96. sub. leg.) that aim to control over-collection of certain plant species. However, all the three species are common and widespread in Hong Kong. The recorded Cibotium barometz and Pavetta hongkongensis are small sized individuals of about 1m in height. Most of the Aquilaria sinensis recorded were seriously damaged due to illegal extraction of agarwood. The shrub Euonymus kwangtungensis is a rare native species but currently not protected by any local or regional legislation. Two individuals of Euonymus kwangtungensis were recorded within the Works Area.

A total of 288 species were recorded in this Section. The plant list is presented in Appendix 9.3c.

9.5.4.5 Works Area of Section 6- South Tunnel (Lau Shui Heung tunnel section)

The proposed South Tunnel will be wholly underground (Figures 9.9 to 9.12) but will have a ventilation building at Po Kat Tsai (Figure 9.11). As the Works Area for the building is proposed on the existing open storage and workshop, only habitat of developed area will be covered. No floral species were recorded in this urbanised area.

9.5.4.6 Works Area of Section 7 - Fanling

The Works Area of this Section is proposed for the construction of a portal of the South Tunnel and a section of connecting road to be linked with the existing road network in the Fanling area. Habitats identified within this Section include woodland, shrubland, plantation, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, drainage channel and developed area (Figures 9.13 and 9.14).

The proposed portal will be located at the downhill area of Lung Shan and will cover part of the shrubland and woodland area. The dominant plants are common native shrub and tree species, including Litsea rotundifolia, Psychotria asiatica, Ilex asprella, Ficus hirta, Gnetum luofuense, Desmos chinensis, Aporusa dioica, Cratoxylum cochinchinense and Schefflera heptaphylla. One individual of Aquilaria sinensis was found in the woodland.

Two small patches of woodland near Wo Hop Shek will be covered by the Works Area. Common plant species recorded in the woodland area include Aporusa dioica, Bridelia tomentosa, Cratoxylum cochinchinense, Macaranga tanarius, Phyllanthus emblica and Schefflera heptaphylla.

Plant species recorded in other habitats are all common and widespread (Appendix 9.3d).

A total of 218 species were recorded in this Section. The plant list is presented in Appendix 9.3d.

9.5.5 Fauna within the Assessment Area

In accordance with Annex 16 of the EIAO-TM, baseline information of fauna species was derived from a combination of both literature review and field survey. Fauna species of conservation interest as listed in Section 9.6.3 have been evaluated and identified following the guidelines as stipulated in Annex 8 of the EIAO-TM and in accordance with the statutory requirements of the EIA Study Brief (SB. No. 199/2008). The findings of the study are presented in following sections and the indicative locations of fauna species of conservation interest recorded under the study are presented in Habitat Maps (Figures 9.2 to 9.14). For clear and comprehensible presentation, the ecological context within the Assessment Area was presented and described in sectioning format. Given that natural habitat are in continuity and difficult to be clearly sectored, the ecological context are described and presented below in a location-orientated approach. Fauna species of conservation interest recorded within the Assessment Area were listed in Section 9.6.3.

9.5.5.1 Mammals

The woodlands in the northeast New Territories are not lack of non-flying mammal species, owing to the lower human disturbance level at remote location. According to literature record, the woodland in Pat Sin Leng CP is favourable to some mammal community whilst some scattered woodlands in FCA in the northeast New Territories have been recorded with a few rare mammal species.

Literature Review

A number of mammal species was recorded within the Assessment Area. In a camera trap survey of Hong Kong terrestrial mammals conducted by AFCD in 2002-06, a total of 16 wild terrestrial mammal species was recorded in Pat Sin Leng CP (Shek et al 2007). Species of conservation interest recorded including Yellow-bellied Weasel, Crab-eating Mongoose, Masked Palm Civet, Malayan Porcupine (also named as East Asian Porcupine) and Red Muntjac.

According to the bat surveys conducted by AFCD in 2003-05, a total of 19 bat species were found within the Pat Sin Leng CP (Shek 2006; Shek & Chan 2006). Common bat species including Japanese Pipistrelle, Lesser Bamboo Bat and Brown Noctule were recorded in Hok Tau Pai area. Short-nosed Fruit Bat was also found in the Pat Sin Leng CP near Lau Shui Heung Reservoir.

A total of 10 mammal species was recorded in Chuk Yuen woodland, which is located near the proposed BCP of which four species including Malayan Porcupine, Masked Palm Civet, Leopard Cat and Red Muntjac were identified as species of conservation interest (Shek et al 2007; Fellowes et al 2002). All four species are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170), while the Leopard Cat is also protected under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix II and as vulnerable species in the China Red Data Book. To the east of Heung Yuen Wai, species of conservation concern including Yellow-bellied Weasel and Crab-eating Mongoose were recorded at the woodland in Lin Ma Hang (Shek et al 2007) (record locations refer to Figure 9.2b). Other species such as Small Indian Civet, Small-toothed Ferret Badger, Small Asian Mongoose, Domestic Dog, Domestic Cat and Eurasian Wild Pig were also recorded (Shek et al 2007) in the area. Small Asian Mongoose, which is fairly widespread in northwest New Territories was recorded sneaking out the existing boundary fence at Pak Fu Shan during a field survey in 2008 (Mott MacDonald 2008). Malayan Porcupine, Masked Palm Civet and Leopard Cat of conservation interest were also recorded in Ta Kwu Ling and Fanling survey sites (Shek et al 2007). Individuals of unidentified bat species (suspected to be Pipistrellus sp.) were recorded at the semi-natural woodland behind the Wo Hop Shek crematorium, but no roosting sites were found. Droppings from Leopard Cat were recorded within the site and it was interpreted that Leopard Cat was only foraging and passing through since no breeding site were found (Hyder 2008).

Field Survey Summary

Owing to the secretive behaviour of the non-flying mammal species, direct sighting record is rarely obtained. Detection of mammal species was made by searching of their scat and footprint. Signs of earth turned over by Eurasian Wild Pigs were found in Tsung Yuen Ha woodland and Lung Shan hillside shrubland and their footprints were recorded in Loi Tung abandoned field and beside the stream at Wo Keng Shan. Scats of Leopard Cats were found in Lung Shan hillside shrubland and Loi Tung woodland. Both records were found in front of grave area, which is a typical behaviour of this species as they often leave scats on open area. The only direct sighting record was a Red Muntjac at Tsung Yuen Ha abandoned agricultural field. It was found walking across the abandoned field in daytime. A quill of Malayan Porcupine was found in an abandoned agricultural land in Nga Yiu Ha. Besides, a carcass of small mammal Musk Shrew Suncus murinus was found near the North Tunnel South Portal. This species can be found in wide variety of habitats and is fairly widespread in Hong Kong. Among the species recorded, Leopard Cat, Red Muntjac and Malayan Porcupine are regarded species of conservation interest.

For the flying mammals, bats are commonly found in late evening within the Assessment Area. Over the course of night survey, common bat species includes Lesser Bamboo Bat and at least one species of Pipistrelle were identified actively foraging at the grassland near the Wo Keng Shan. On the other hand, in the agricultural land near Tsung Yuen Ha, carcasses of common bat species Short-nosed Fruit Bat were noted. A checklist of mammal recorded from field survey is presented in Appendix 9.5a to 9.5g and summaries of mammal record in each section under this EIA study are presented in Tables 9.4 to 9.10.

Study Findings

Section 1 – BCP Area

In the proposed BCP area, a few mammal species were recorded under the study, including Leopard Cat and the Short-nosed Fruit Bat of conservation interest. Short-nosed Fruit Bat is listed as “Indeterminate” in China Red Data Book but very common in Hong Kong urban area. The mammal species recorded in adjacent area (including literature record of AFCD camera trap records) but outside the BCP boundary are regarded as part of Section 2 in data presentation.

Table 9.4: Mammal Species recorded from BCP Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Status^(1)	Protection Status/ Level of Concern^(3)	AFCD Survey^(1)	AFCD’s unpublished data^(5)	Current Survey
Non-flying Mammals
Domestic Dog	Canis lupus familiaris	Common	-	ü		ü
Domestic Cat	Felis catus	Uncommon	-	ü		ü
Small Asian Mongoose	Herpestes javanicus	Uncommon	Cap.170	ü	ü
Malayan Porcupine	Hystrix brachyura	Very Common	Cap.170; PGC	ü	ü
Small-toothed Ferret Badger	Melogale moschata	Common	Cap.170	ü	ü
Red Muntjac	Muntiacus muntjak	Very Common	Cap.170; PRC	ü	ü	ü
Masked Palm Civet	Paguma larvata	Uncommon	Cap.170; PRC	ü	ü
Leopard Cat	Prionailurus bengalensis	Uncommon	Cap.170, Cap.586, CITES, CRDB (V)	ü	ü
Eurasian Wild Pig	Sus scrofa	Very Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Small Indian Civet	Viverricula indica	Very Common	Cap.170	ü	ü
Bats
Bat species	-	-	Cap.170^(4)			ü
Short-nosed Fruit Bat	Cynopterus sphinx	Very Common^(2)	Cap.170, CRDB (I)			ü

Note:

(1) Shek et al. (2007).

(2) Shek and Chan (2006).

(3) Abbreviations for Protection Status/ Level of Concern:

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Mammalia (Wang, 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(4) All bats found in Hong Kong are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

(5) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Sections 2 & 3 – Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

From the AFCD camera trap survey result, a total of 11 species of large non-flying mammals including four species of conservation interest (Leopard Cat, Malayan Porcupine, Red Muntjac and Masked Palm Civet) was recorded within Sections 2 & 3. Yellow-bellied Weasel and Crab-eating Mongoose of conservation interest were also recorded in Lin Ma Hang outside the 500 m Assessment Area (not listed in Tables 9.5 and 9.6). To fulfil the SB requirements, potential ecological impacts on the above two species recorded would also be assessed under the Study. Over the course of the field survey, quill of Malayan Porcupine and footprint of Eurasian Wild Pig were recorded. The bat species recorded in the night survey was thought to be common species Lesser Bamboo Bat and Japanese Pipistrelle although it cannot be ascertained.

Table 9.5: Mammal Species recorded from Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary

Common Name	Scientific Name	Status^(1)	Protection Status/ Level of Concern^(2)	AFCD Survey^(1)	Regulation of SZ River Stage IV EIA^(3)	Secondary Boundary Fence EIA^(4)	AFCD’s un-published data^(6)	Current Survey
Non-flying Mammals
Domestic Ox	Bos Taurus	Common	-	ü
Domestic Dog	Canis lupus familiaris	Common	-	ü
Domestic Cat	Felis catus	Uncommon	-	ü
Small Asian Mongoose	Herpestes javanicus	Uncommon	Cap.170	ü		ü	ü
Malayan Porcupine	Hystrix brachyura	Very Common	Cap.170; PGC	ü	ü		ü
Small-toothed Ferret Badger	Melogale moschata	Common	Cap.170	ü			ü
Red Muntjac	Muntiacus muntjak	Very Common	Cap.170; PRC	ü			ü	ü
Masked Palm Civet	Paguma larvata	Uncommon	Cap.170; PRC	ü			ü
Leopard Cat	Prionailurus bengalensis	Uncommon	Cap.170, Cap.586, CITES, CRDB (V)	ü	ü		ü
Musk Shrew	Suncus murinus	Common	-		ü
Eurasian Wild Pig	Sus scrofa	Very Common	-	ü	ü		ü	ü
Roof Rat	Rattus rattus	Very Common	-			ü
Brown Rat	Rattus norvegicus	Very Common	-			ü
Small Indian Civet	Viverricula indica	Very Common	Cap.170	ü	ü		ü	ü
Bats
Unidentified Bat Species	-	-	Cap.170^(5)		ü			ü

Note:

(1) Shek et al. (2007).

(2) Abbreviations for Protection Status/ Level of Concern:

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Mammalia (Wang, 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) ERM (2010).

(4) Mott MacDonald (2008).

(5) All bats found in Hong Kong are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

(6) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Table 9.6: Mammal Species recorded from Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

Common Name	Scientific Name	Status^(1)	Protection Status/ Level of Concern^(2)	AFCD Survey^(1)	NENT Landfill Extension EIA^(3)	Current Survey
Non-flying Mammals
Domestic Dog	Canis lupus familiaris	Common	-	ü
Malayan Porcupine	Hystrix brachyura	Very Common	Cap.170; PGC	ü		ü
Small-toothed Ferret Badger	Melogale moschata	Common	Cap.170	ü
Red Muntjac	Muntiacus muntjak	Very Common	Cap.170; PRC	ü
Masked Palm Civet	Paguma larvata	Uncommon	Cap.170; PRC	ü
Leopard Cat	Prionailurus bengalensis	Uncommon	Cap.170, Cap.586, CITES, CRDB (V)	ü
Eurasian Wild Pig	Sus scrofa	Very Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Small Indian Civet	Viverricula indica	Very Common	Cap.170	ü
Bats
Unidentified Bat Species	-	-	Cap.170^(4)			ü
Lesser Bamboo Bat	Tylonycteris pachypus	Very common	Cap.170; (LC); CRDB (R)			ü

Note:

(1) Shek et al. (2007).

(2) Abbreviations for Protection Status/ Level of Concern:

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Mammalia (Wang, 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) Ove Arup (2007).

(4) All bats found in Hong Kong are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

Section 4 – North Tunnel (Cheung Shan)

Two non-flying mammals of conservation interest, Red Muntjac and Leopard Cat were recorded under AFCD’s Biodiversity Survey in this section.

Table 9.7: Mammal Species recorded from the North Tunnel Aboveground Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Status^(1)	Protection Status/ Level of Concern^(2)	AFCD’s un-published data^(3)
Non-flying Mammals
Red Muntjac	Muntiacus muntjak	Very Common	Cap.170; PRC	ü
Leopard Cat	Prionailurus bengalensis	Uncommon	Cap.170, Cap.586, CITES, CRDB (V)	ü

Note:

(1) Shek et al. (2007).

(2) Abbreviations for Protection Status/ Level of Concern:

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Mammalia (Wang, 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Section 5 – Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung)

A total of six non-flying mammals including Malayan Porcupine, Red Muntjac and Leopard Cat of conservation interest were recorded in the section. The field records include dropping of Leopard Cat at the woodland behind Loi Tung, footprint of Eurasian Wild Pig in the Loi Tung freshwater wetland and a carcass of Musk Shrew near the North Tunnel South Portal.

Table 9.8: Mammal Species recorded from Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Status^(1)	Protection Status/ Level of Concern^(2)	Drainage Improvement in NNT – Package C EIA ^(3)	AFCD’s un-published data^(5)	Current Survey
Non-flying Mammals
Malayan Porcupine	Hystrix brachyura	Very Common	Cap.170; PGC	ü	ü
Red Muntjac	Muntiacus muntjak	Very Common	Cap.170; PRC		ü
Leopard Cat	Prionailurus bengalensis	Uncommon	Cap.170, Cap.586, CITES, CRDB (V)		ü	ü
Musk Shrew	Suncus murinus	Common	-			ü
Eurasian Wild Pig	Sus scrofa	Very Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Small Indian Civet	Viverricula indica	Very Common	Cap.170		ü
Bats
Unidentified Bat Species	-	-	Cap.170^(4)			ü
Himalayan Leaf-nosed Bat	Hipposideros armiger	Very common	Cap.170; (LC)		ü

(1) Shek et al. (2007).

(2) Abbreviations for Protection Status/ Level of Concern:

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Mammalia (Wang, 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) B&V (2007).

(4) All bats found in Hong Kong are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

(5) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Section 6 – South Tunnel (Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Area)

Assessment area of this section lies within or in close proximity to the Pat Sin Leng Country Park, an identified biodiversity hotspot. All the mammal species recorded in the Country Park are presented in Table 9.9 and regarded as potentially affected species from a precautionary perspective. According to AFCD’s biodiversity baseline surveys, species of conservation interest including Yellow-bellied Weasel, Leopard Cat, Crab-eating Mongoose, Malayan Porcupine, Red Muntjac and Masked Palm Civet were recorded in the Pat Sin Leng Country Park. Moreover, 19 bat species including Chinese Myotis, Short-nosed Fruit Bat and Lesser Bamboo Bat listed in the China Red Data Book as “Vulnerable”, “Indeterminate” and “Rare” respectively were also recorded.

Table 9.9: Mammal Species recorded in Pat Sin Leng Country Park from AFCD Survey^{(1, 2, 3, 4)}

Common Name	Scientific Name	Status^(1, 2, 3)	Protection Status/ Level of Concern^(5)
Non-flying Mammals^(1, 4)
Greater Bandicoot Rat	Bandicota indica	Rare	-
Domestic Ox	Bos Taurus	Common	-
Domestic Dog	Canis lupus familiaris	Common	-
Domestic Cat	Felis catus	Uncommon	-
Small Asian Mongoose	Herpestes javanicus	Uncommon	Cap.170
Crab-eating Mongoose	Herpestes urva	Conservation Concern	Cap.170; LC
Malayan Porcupine	Hystrix brachyura	Very Common	Cap.170; PGC
Rhesus Macaque	Macaca mulatta	Common	Cap.170, Cap.586, CRDB (V)
Small-toothed Ferret Badger	Melogale moschata	Common	Cap.170
Red Muntjac	Muntiacus muntjak	Very Common	Cap.170; PRC
Yellow-bellied Weasel	Mustela kathiah	Rare	LC
Chestnut Spiny Rat	Niviventer fulvescens	Very common	-
Masked Palm Civet	Paguma larvata	Uncommon	Cap.170; PRC
Leopard Cat	Prionailurus bengalensis	Uncommon	Cap.170, Cap.586, CITES, CRDB (V)
Eurasian Wild Pig	Sus scrofa	Very Common	-
Small Indian Civet	Viverricula indica	Very Common	Cap.170
Bats – Mist Net Survey^(2, 4)
Short-nosed Fruit Bat	Cynopterus sphinx	Very common	Cap.170, CRDB (I)
Whiskered Myotis	Myotis muricola	Rare	Cap.170
Brown Noctule	Nyctalus noctula	Common	Cap.170; PRC (RC)
Japanese Pipistrelle	Pipistrellus abramus	Very common	Cap.170
Least Pipistrelle	Pipistrellus tenuis	Uncommon	Cap.170
Unidentified Pipistrelle	Pipistrellus sp.	Rare	Cap.170
Lesser Yellow Bat	Scotophilus kuhlii	Uncommon	Cap.170; (LC)
Lesser Bamboo Bat	Tylonycteris pachypus	Very common	Cap.170, CRDB (R); (LC)
Bats – Roost census^(3, 4)
Himalayan Leaf-nosed Bat	Hipposideros armiger	Very common	Cap.170; (LC)
Pomona Leaf-nosed Bat	Hipposideros pomona	Very common	Cap.170; (LC)
Greater Bent-winged Bat	Miniopterus magnater	Common	Cap.170; PRC (RC)
Lesser Bent-winged Bat	Miniopterus pusillus	Uncommon	Cap.170; (LC)
Chinese Myotis	Myotis chinensis	Uncommon	Cap.170, CRDB (V); (LC)
Horsfield’s Bat	Myotis horsfieldii	Rare	Cap.170; PRC (RC)
Rickett's Big-footed Bat	Myotis ricketti	Uncommon	Cap.170, IUCN (NT); (LC)
Intermediate Horseshoe Bat	Rhinolophus affinis	Uncommon	Cap.170; (LC)
Least Horseshoe Bat	Rhinolophus pusillus	Uncommon	Cap.170; PRC (RC)
Chinese Horseshoe Bat	Rhinolophus sinicus	Very common	Cap.170
Leschenault’s Rousette	Rousettus leschenaulti	Common	Cap.170; (LC)

Note:

(1) Shek et al. (2007)

(2) Shek & Chan (2006)

(3) Shek (2006)

(4) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

(5) Abbreviations for Protection Status/ Level of Concern:

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Mammalia (Wang, 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

Section 7 – Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Area)

A total of 7 large non-flying mammals was recorded in this Section under the AFCD’s camera trap survey. Species of conservation interest including Leopard Cat, Malayan Porcupine, Red Muntjac and Masked Palm Civet were recorded. As the Assessment Area under the section is largely developed, the mammal records mainly confine to the hillside shrubland and woodland habitats.

Table 9.10: Mammal Species recorded from Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Status^(1)	Protection Status/ Level of Concern^(2)	AFCD Survey^(1)	Wo Hop Shek Crematorium EIA ^(3)	Current Survey
Non-flying Mammals
Malayan Porcupine	Hystrix brachyura	Very Common	Cap.170; PGC	ü
Small-toothed Ferret Badger	Melogale moschata	Common	Cap.170	ü
Red Muntjac	Muntiacus muntjak	Very Common	Cap.170; PRC	ü
Masked Palm Civet	Paguma larvata	Uncommon	Cap.170; PRC	ü
Leopard Cat	Prionailurus bengalensis	Uncommon	Cap.170, Cap.586, CITES, CRDB (V)	ü	ü	ü
Eurasian Wild Pig	Sus scrofa	Very Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Small Indian Civet	Viverricula indica	Very Common	Cap.170	ü
Bats
Unidentified Bat Species	-	-	Cap.170^(4)		ü

Note:

(1) Shek et al. (2007).

(2) Abbreviations for Protection Status/ Level of Concern:

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Mammalia (Wang, 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) Hyder (2008).

(4) All bats found in Hong Kong are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

9.5.5.2 Avifauna

Owing to the nature of the habitat covered in the Assessment Area, the avifauna recorded in the transect survey comprises mainly terrestrial bird species. Unlike the lowland area in northwest New Territories, the non-coastal habitat in northeast New Territories, where the Assessment Area is situated, is in lack of a continuous wetland system to support a diverse wetland ecosystem. The habitat within the Assessment Area is dominated by active and inactive agricultural land, grassland, shrubland and developed area. The major wetland systems within the Assessment Area comprise mainly River Ganges and River Indus and the catchment basin. Most of the rivers and tributary streams have been artificially modified to enhance water flow and limit flooding risk. Therefore, the avifauna in the Assessment Area contains only a limited number of wetland-dependent birds.

Literature Review

Unlike the wetland habitat in northwest New Territories, the avifauna in the terrestrial habitat in northeast New Territories is seldom surveyed. The best relevant data for this study are the two bird surveys conducted by the Hong Kong Birdwatching Society which are Breeding Bird Survey conducted in 1992-1996 and Night Bird Survey conducted in 2000-2001. In the breeding bird survey conducted in 1992-1996, it recorded all the breeding and potentially breeding bird species in Hong Kong and the result was presented in grid format (Carey et al 2001). All species recorded within the Assessment Area of this Project are common breeding birds in Hong Kong except a raptor species Black Baza. This species is uncommon in Hong Kong with only a few local breeding records. This potential breeding record was found in Fanling near Kwan Tei.

In the night bird survey conducted in 2000-2001, four night birds species comprising Slaty-legged Crake, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Collared Scops Owl and Savanna Nightjar were recorded at Cloudy Hill site (Lewthwaite and Yu 2007). All four species are breeding visitors to Hong Kong and usually found in hillside shrubland or grassland.

In the Planning Study for this project, a total of 79 bird species was recorded around HYW/Tsung Yuen Ha/Chuk Yuen. Among these species, 16 of them are considered by Fellowes et al (2002) to be of conservation interest in Hong Kong including a scarce species Eurasian Eagle Owl. In the proposed BCP site, a total of 43 species was recorded. All are common and widespread in Hong Kong although three species, comprising Little Egret, Chinese Pond Heron and Black Kite, are considered to be species of conservation interest (Ove Arup 2008).

In the Planning Study for North East New Territories New Development Areas, a few wetland-dependent bird species of conservation interest including Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail and Black-crowned Night Heron were recorded in Tai Po Tin (approximately 1.5km to the west of Works Area) (Ove Arup 2009). The study also identified the grassland to the north of Ping Che as a potential breeding site for Bright-capped Cisticola owing to the sighting record of juvenile and singing adult in breeding season.

In 2009, an egretry was first identified in Ping Che, which was recorded with 16 Chinese Pond Heron nests in 2010 (Anon 2010) The egretry is located at Ping Che village which is outside the Assessment Area. Given the forage range of ardeid can cover more than 1 km of their roosting site, potential impacts on this egretry is included under the study although it is located outside the 500 m Assessment Area. Flight-line survey for the egretry was carried out in late breeding season on 10 July 2009 (Ove Arup 2009) which observed most birds leaving west or southwest in the direction of the Ping Che/ Ta Kwu Ling New Development Area towards foraging sites.

The EIA Study for the Drainage Improvement in Northern New Territories – Package C recorded a few wetland-dependent bird species in the affected River Indus. A total of 6 wetland-dependent bird species were recorded but all are in low abundance (B&V 2007).

The assessment area of the concurrent project Regulation of Shenzhen (SZ) River Stage IV intersects with that of this Project at Lin Ma Hang Road. The EIA study recorded a few bird species of conservation interest within the assessment area including a few raptor species and a pair of Greater Painted Snipe (ERM 2010). Among the records, Greater Spotted Eagle is a globally endangered species listed as “Vulnerable” in IUCN Red List. It is a regular winter visitor in Hong Kong and mainly confined to the northwest and north New Territories whilst record at northeast New Territories is rare. The species was recorded west of Ping Che Road which is on the verge of the Assessment Area of this Project.

Moreover, the study also recorded a community of wetland-dependent birds in Shenzhen River and adjacent wetland which included Chinese Pond Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Striated Heron, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Common Snipe, Greater Painted Snipe, Japanese Quail and Common Teal. The pair of Greater Painted Snipe was found in River Ganges near Ta Kwu Ling Village. Greater Painted Snipe in Hong Kong usually occurs in static freshwater wetland. Although the modified River Ganges was stated in the Report as potential breeding site for this species, the wetland habitat adjacent to the river channel section consisting of various wet agricultural practice is more optimal for this species. Incidentally, Greater Painted Snipe was recorded in wet agricultural land at Chow Tin Tsuen during the FCA Feasibility Study (Ove Arup 2009).

Field Survey Summary

A total of 102 bird species was recorded in the survey, of which 9 are wetland-dependent species and 26 are of conservation interest. The survey period covered the migratory season and wintering season so that both residential species and migratory species were recorded in the survey.

The habitat at the northern part of the Assessment Area, i.e. villages alongside the Lin Ma Hang Road, is dominated by agricultural land of various farming practice. Some inactive agricultural lands after a long period of abandonment have converted into a mosaic of grassland and lower shrub. The importance of agricultural land to bird species depends on the farming practice and hydrological regime. Generally, wet agricultural practice is more attractive to birds particularly if it comprises a mixed type of wetland including ponds, marsh and irrigation ditches. To the contrast, the agricultural land in northern part of the Assessment Area such as Heung Yuen Wai, Tsung Yuen Ha, Chuk Yuen and Nga Yiu Ha are predominantly dry agricultural land, if they are still actively managed. No significant number of wetland-dependent birds of conservation interest was found in this area except occasional records of Chinese Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Cattle Egret and Little Egret. The wet agricultural land near Chow Tin Tsuen is an exception, but that agricultural land is not totally covered in the Assessment Area. Continuous unobstructed lowland is also attractive to some lowland bird species of conservation interest such as Yellow-billed Grosbeak, Chestnut Bunting and Red-throated Flycatcher were recorded of which Yellow-billed Grosbeak is of local concern. The lowland grassland is favourable to Greater Coucal and Lesser Coucal. These species were regularly recorded in dense and tall grasses in abandoned agricultural land. Flocking of about 100 of White-cheeked Starling was sighted in Tsung Yuen Ha. This species is uncommon in Hong Kong but commonly found in the lowland area in northwest New Territories during wintering season.

In respect of starling species, another species of conservation interest White-shouldered Starling was regularly seen in the FCA. A small group of 15 individuals was sighted in Lin Ma Hang Road side lamp pole on 10 August 2009. Although White-shouldered Starling is sedentary to lowland habitat in some parts of the New Territories, this late summer record is most likely a nomadic flock rather than localized resident. During breeding season, they were recorded in different locations within the Assessment Area but all involved only single or two individuals. In Hong Kong, this species uses electric box in open area for breeding nest. Although no breeding activity was observed within the Assessment Area, the sighting record at breeding season suggested that they are likely breeding locally in this region.

Although mature woodland or Fung Shui Woods are identified in the Assessment Area, woodland specialist or well-formed woodland bird communities was rarely observed. The woodland bird community was mainly found in Sections 5 and 6, where the woodland habitat is fairly unfragmented and mature. Although not identified as species of conservation interest, Black Baza is believed to be a potential local breeder in Hong Kong. Over the course of the 12-months survey, only 3 adult birds of Black Baza were sighted once in the Tsung Yuen Ha woodland. No notable breeding behaviour of the species is recorded under the study. At the area around Ping Yeung, Nga Yiu Ha and Wo Keng Shan, the lowland habitats are fragmented by developed areas and small hills. The woodland behind Nga Yiu Ha was recorded with some woodland species of conservation interest such as Black-naped Oriole, Emerald Dove and Crested Goshawk. The lowland habitats are mosaic of agricultural land, shrubland, water channels and developed area. Only common bird species were recorded in this area. On the hillside grassland, most bird species recorded are common except the winter visitor Bright-capped Cisticola. Two individuals in breeding plumage were sighted in Nga Yiu Ha hillside grassland on 18 March 2010. However, they were not found again in subsequent surveys. This species of conservation interest was previously regarded as scarce in Hong Kong but was fairly easily found in the hillside grassland near Wo Keng Shan and Nga Yiu Ha during non-breeding season. They are fond of long grass in hillside habitat and have been recorded in widespread localities in recent years. They are more widespread in the northeast New Territories than previously thought owing to the presence of large area of suitable habitat in this territory. Another unusual bird species recorded is a White Wagtail race personata wintering in the ditch between Wo Keng Shan Road and Ng Chow Road. This subspecies of White Wagtail is rare and has only been recorded a few times in Hong Kong, but the species is not of conservation interest. This individual was recorded foraging at the bed of the concreted ditch on 18 February 2010 and 11 March 2010. Eight species of raptors were recorded in the survey of which Black Kite, Crested Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon and Crested Serpent Eagle are identified as species of conservation interest. All the species were recorded occasionally except the Crested Serpent Eagle pair, which have been heard and sighted regularly throughout the whole Assessment Area and therefore they are thought to be sedentary to the adjacent woodland area. Crested Serpent Eagle is an uncommon resident in Hong Kong which usually occurs in woodland but also wanders around open area. In the wooded area near the North Tunnel North Portal, a few common woodland bird species were recorded including Chestnut Bulbul and Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush. Further to the south of Loi Tung and Shan Tong near Sha Tau Kok Road, the area is progressively dominated by artificially modified habitat and is subject to comparatively high level of human disturbance in both sides of Sha Tau Kok Road. Some agricultural lands have been converted to ornamental plants cultivation, which is regarded as low in ecological value. In the abandoned agricultural land and the peripheral woodland in Loi Tung, woodland bird fauna were recorded including Grey Treepie, Scarlet Minivet, Chestnut Bulbul and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, of which only Grey Treepie is of conservation interest. In the night survey, calling of an uncommon resident Asian Barred Owlet was heard from the fung shui wood behind Loi Tung village. Except two Chinese Pond Herons sighted in the fung shui pond in front of a village house, no wetland-dependent bird species was found in the freshwater wetland in Loi Tung. Grey-chinned Minivet of conservation interest was thought to be woodland specialist species in Hong Kong that could only be found in mature woodland. However, recent records indicated that this species is widely distributed in a range of habitats, even in suburban area Hong Kong. Owing to its linkage to the woodland area in Pat Sin Leng CP. Grey Treepie has been recorded in a few locations in Lau Shui Heung region over the course of the field survey under this Study.

In Tan Chuk Hang, Hok Tau and Lau Shui Heung area where the proposed alignment would be underground, representative transects survey were also conducted under the study. In this mixture of agricultural land, stream, woodland and shrubland, arrays of terrestrial bird species were recorded. Species of conservation interest including Grey Treepie and Asian Paradise Flycatcher in the shrubland and Zitting Citiscola and Red-breasted Flycatcher (near Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai) in the abandoned agricultural land were recorded. Among the above species, the Red-breasted Flycatcher was rarely recorded in Hong Kong and is only recently accepted in the local bird checklist.

In the southern part of the Assessment Area, transect surveys were conducted at the southwest side of Lung Shan where the tunnel portal will be located. The hillside is dominated by a mixture of woodland and shrubland but the uphill part is regularly disturbed by hill fire as observed in the field surveys. The bird species recorded in this area are relatively uncommon species including Greenish Warbler, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Black-headed Bunting and Japanese Thrush. The above species are not identified as of conservation interest.

The southern end of the Assessment Area is a valley area traversed by railway, highway and a channelized river. The Ma Wat Channel, although being channelized, is supporting a community of aquatic organisms and riparian vegetations. Despite of the fact that the abundance and diversity of aquatic organism is not high, a few species of wetland-dependent birds were sighted in the survey which included Grey Heron, Little Egret and Chinese Pond Heron of conservation interest. In the riparian vegetation, an uncommon species Eurasian Wryneck was recorded in migratory season. A checklist of bird species recorded in field survey is presented in Appendix 9.5a to 9.5g and summaries of bird record in each section are presented in Tables 9.11 to 9.17.

Ping Che Egretry

The egretry is located inside Ping Che Village which falls outside the Assessment Area but within approximately 1 km to the west of the North Tunnel North Portal. However, given the relatively large forage range of breeding egret and heron, the egretry was also surveyed from a precautionary approach. The egretry was checked and counted on 18 and 23 June, 2010. Only Chinese Pond Heron was identified using the egretry. Both fledglings and nests were found during both mid June surveys, with about 9 nests identified.

Study Findings

Section 1 – BCP Area

A total of 32 bird species was recorded within the proposed BCP boundary or in close proximity. Four species of conservation interest include Little Egret, Chinese Pond Heron, Black Kite and Greater Coucal were recorded within the proposed works area. Wetland-dependent species White-breasted Waterhen, Green Sandpiper, Common Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and White Wagtail were found near the Kong Yiu river channel and is assessed under Section 2 of the alignment.

Table 9.11: Bird Species recorded from BCP Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Level of Concern/ Protection Status^(1)	Hong Kong Status	Current Survey
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü^(2)
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü^(2)
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü^(2)
Besra	Accipiter virgatus	-	Uncommon resident	ü
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus	-	Common resident	ü
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Spotted Dove	Streptopelia chinensis	-	Common resident	ü
Indian Cuckoo	Cuculus micropterus	-	Uncommon summer visitor	ü
Plaintive Cuckoo	Cacomantis merulinus	-	Uncommon summer visitor	ü
Common Koel	Eudynamys scolopacea	-	Common resident	ü
Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis	CRDB (V)	Common resident	ü
Little Swift	Apus affinis	-	Common migrant and summer visitor	ü
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	-	Common resident	ü
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	-	Common migrant and summer visitor	ü
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	-	Common winter visitor	ü
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Red-whiskered Bulbul	Pycnonotus jocosus	-	Common resident	ü
Sooty-headed Bulbul	Pycnonotus aurigaster	-	Common resident	ü
Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach	-	Common resident	ü
Oriental Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis	-	Common resident	ü
Masked Laughingthrush	Garrulax perspicillatus	-	Common resident	ü
Common Tailorbird	Orthotomus sutorius	-	Common resident	ü
Dusky Warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Great Tit	Parus major	-	Common resident	ü
Japanese White-eye	Zosterops japonicus	-	Common resident	ü
White-rumped Munia	Lonchura striata	-	Common resident	ü
Scaly-breasted Munia	Lonchura punctulata	-	Common resident	ü
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus	-	Common resident	ü
Black-collared Starling	Sturnus nigricollis	-	Common resident	ü
Crested Myna	Acridotheres cristatellus	-	Common resident	ü
Large-billed Crow	Corvus macrorhynchos	-	Common resident	ü

(1) All wild birds are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Aves (Zheng & Wang 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(2) Little Egret and Chinese Pond Heron were recorded from the Feasibility Study (Ove Arup 2008), while Black Kite was recorded from both current survey and Feasibility Study (Ove Arup 2008).

Sections 2 & 3 – Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

A total of 108 bird species was recorded in the FCA from previous EIA studies and current baseline field survey. A higher number of wetland-dependent bird species and 6 raptor species of conservation interest were recorded under the study. Moreover, a total of three Starling species of conservation interest were recorded. All of them are fairly common in northwest New Territories but less common in the northeast. Other terrestrial species with conservation status include Pacific Swift, Zitting Cisticola, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, Grey Treepie and Collared Crow were also recorded under the study.

For the Nga Yiu Ha, Ping Yeung and Wo Keng Shan area, a total of 82 species was recorded. Low density of wetland-dependent bird species was recorded throughout the area. A few wetland-dependent birds, two raptor species and some terrestrial birds including Grey-chinned Minivet and Bright-capped Cisticola of conservation interest are recorded. The Bright-capped Cisticola is of particular interest in this area in view of its stable population.

Table 9.12: Bird Species recorded from Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary

Common Name	Scientific Name	Level of Concern/ Protection Status ^(1)	Hong Kong Status	Regulation of SZ River Stage IV EIA^(2)	Secondary Boundary Fence EIA^(3)	Current Survey
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Great Egret	Egretta alba	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü	ü
Intermediate Egret	Egretta intermedia	RC	Common migrant	ü
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü	ü	ü
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	(LC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü		ü
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü	ü	ü
Striated Heron	Butorides striata	(LC)	Uncommon summer visitor	ü
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	(LC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü		ü
Common Teal	Anas crecca	RC	Common winter visitor	ü
Black Baza	Aviceda leuphotes	-	Uncommon migrant and summer visitor			ü
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü	ü	ü
Crested Serpent Eagle	Spilornis cheela	(LC); CRDB (V)	Uncommon resident	ü		ü
Crested Goshawk	Accipiter trivirgatus	CRDB (R)	Common resident	ü
Japanese Sparrowhawk	Accipiter gularis	-	Uncommon migrant	ü
Besra	Accipiter virgatus	-	Uncommon resident	ü		ü
Common Buzzard	Buteo buteo	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Greater Spotted Eagle	Aquila clanga	GC; IUCN (VU); CRDB (R)	Scarce winter visitor	ü
Bonelli's Eagle	Aquila fasciata	(RC); CRDB (R)	Uncommon resident	ü
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus	(LC)	Uncommon visitor	ü		ü
Chinese Francolin	Francolinus pintadeanus	-	Common resident			ü
Japanese Quail	Coturnix japonica	LC; IUCN (NT)	Uncommon migrant and winter visitor	ü
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Greater Painted-Snipe	Rostratula benghalensis	LC	Uncommon migrant and resident	ü
Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius	(LC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola	LC	Common winter visitor	ü
Common Sandpiper	Actiitis hypoleucos	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Common Snipe	Gallinago gallinago	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
Rock Dove	Columba livia	-	Common resident	ü
Oriental Turtle Dove	Streptopelia orientalis	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Red Turtle Dove	Streptopelia tranquebarica	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Spotted Dove	Streptopelia chinensis	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Emerald Dove	Chalcophaps indica	CRDB (V)	Uncommon resident	ü
Eurasian Collared Dove	Streptopelia decaocto	-	Uncommon resident	ü
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo	Clamator coromandus	-	Uncommon summer visitor			ü
Large Hawk Cuckoo	Hierococcyx sparverioides	-	Common summer visitor			ü
Indian Cuckoo	Cuculus micropterus	-	Uncommon summer visitor			ü
Plaintive Cuckoo	Cacomantis merulinus	-	Uncommon summer visitor			ü
Common Koel	Eudynamys scolopacea	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis	CRDB (V)	Common resident	ü		ü
Lesser Coucal	Centropus bengalensis	CRDB (V)	Common resident	ü		ü
Eurasian Eagle Owl	Bubo bubo	RC; CRDB (R)	Scarce resident			ü^(4)
Asian Barred Owlet	Glaucidium cuculoides	-	Uncommon resident	ü		ü
Savanna Nightjar	Caprimulgus affinis	-	Uncommon resident	ü		ü
Pacific Swift	Apus pacificus	(LC)	Uncommon migrant and summer visitor	ü
Little Swift	Apus affinis	-	Common migrant and summer visitor	ü	ü	ü
Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis	(LC)	Uncommon winter visitor	ü
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	-	Common resident	ü		ü
White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis	(LC)	Uncommon winter visitor and resident	ü	ü	ü
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	-	Common migrant and summer visitor	ü	ü	ü
Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla flava	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü	ü
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü	ü
Richard’s Pipit	Anthus richardi	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Red-whiskered Bulbul	Pycnonotus jocosus	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Chinese Bulbul	Pycnonotus sinensis	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Sooty-headed Bulbul	Pycnonotus aurigaster	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Brown Shrike	Lanius cristatus	-	Uncommon winter visitor			ü
Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Siberian Rubythroat	Luscinia calliope	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Red-flanked Bluetail	Tarsiger cyanurus	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Oriental Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Daurian Redstart	Phoenicurus auroreus	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Common Stonechat	Saxicola torquata	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü	ü
Blue Whistling Thrush	Myophonus caeruleus	-	Common resident		ü
Common Blackbird	Turdus merula	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Grey-backed Thrush	Turdus hortulorum	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Masked Laughingthrush	Garrulax perspicillatus	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Hwamei	Garrulax canorus	-	Common resident			ü
Japanese Bush Warbler	Cettia diphone	-	Common winter visitor			ü
Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler	Cettia fortipes	-	Common winter visitor			ü
Yellow-bellied Prinia	Prinia flaviventris	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Plain Prinia	Prinia inornata	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Mountain Tailorbird	Orthotomus cuculatus	-	Uncommon resident			ü
Common Tailorbird	Orthotomus sutorius	-	Common resident	ü		ü
Dusky Warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü	ü
Pallas's Leaf Warbler	Phylloscopus proregulus	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus	-	Common winter visitor			ü
Arctic Warbler	Phylloscopus borealis	-	Uncommon migrant		ü
Asian Stubtail Warbler	Urosphena squameiceps	-	Uncommon winter visitor	ü
Zitting Cisticola	Cisticola juncidis	LC	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
Grey-streaked Flycatcher	Muscicapa griseisticta	-	Uncommon migrant			ü
Asian Brown Flycatcher	Muscicapa dauurica	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Red-throated Flycatcher	Ficedula albicilla	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Great Tit	Parus major	-	Common resident	ü		ü
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker	Dicaeum cruentatum	-	Common resident	ü		ü
Fork-tailed Sunbird	Aethopyga christinae	-	Common resident	ü		ü
Japanese White-eye	Zosterops japonicus	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Little Bunting	Emberiza pusilla	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Chestnut Bunting	Emberiza rutila	-	Uncommon migrant			ü
Black-faced Bunting	Emberiza spodocephala	-	Common winter visitor	ü		ü
Yellow-billed Grosbeak	Eophona migratoria	LC	Uncommon winter visitor			ü
White-rumped Munia	Lonchura striata	-	Common resident	ü		ü
Scaly-breasted Munia	Lonchura punctulata	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Red-billed Starling	Spodiopsar sericeus	GC	Uncommon winter visitor	ü
White-cheeked Starling	Sturnus cineraceus	PRC	Uncommon winter visitor			ü
Black-collared Starling	Sturnus nigricollis	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
White-shouldered Staring	Stumus sinensis	(LC)	Uncommon winter visitor and resident			ü
Crested Myna	Acridotheres cristatellus	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Black Drongo	Dicrurus macrocercus	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Hair-crested Drongo	Dicrurus hottentottus	-	Uncommon resident	ü		ü
Blue Magpie	Urocissa erythrorhyncha	-	Common resident	ü
Grey Treepie	Dendrocitta formosae	LC	Uncommon resident	ü
Common Magpie	Pica pica	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Large-billed Crow	Corvus macrorhynchos	-	Common resident	ü	ü	ü
Collared Crow	Corvus torquatus	LC; IUCN (NT)	Uncommon resident	ü

(1) All wild birds are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Aves (Zheng & Wang 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(2) ERM (2010).

(3) Mott MacDonald (2008).

(4) Record from the Feasibility Study for this Project (Ove Arup 2008).

Table 9.13: Bird Species recorded from Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

Common Name	Scientific Name	Level of Concern/ Protection Status^(1)	Hong Kong Status	NENT Landfill Extension EIA^(2)	Current Survey
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü	ü
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	(LC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü	ü
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	(LC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü	ü
Crested Serpent Eagle	Spilornis cheela	(LC); CRDB (V)	Uncommon resident		ü
Crested Goshawk	Accipiter trivirgatus	CRDB (R)	Common resident		ü
Common Buzzard	Buteo buteo	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Common Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus	-	Uncommon winter visitor		ü
Chinese Francolin	Francolinus pintadeanus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Rock Dove	Columba livia	-	Common resident		ü
Oriental Turtle Dove	Streptopelia orientalis	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Spotted Dove	Streptopelia chinensis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Emerald Dove	Chalcophaps indica	CRDB (V)	Uncommon resident	ü	ü
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo	Clamator coromandus	-	Uncommon summer visitor		ü
Large Hawk Cuckoo	Hierococcyx sparverioides	-	Common summer visitor	ü	ü
Indian Cuckoo	Cuculus micropterus	-	Uncommon summer visitor		ü
Plaintive Cuckoo	Cacomantis merulinus	-	Uncommon summer visitor	ü
Common Koel	Eudynamys scolopacea	-	Common resident		ü
Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis	CRDB (V)	Common resident	ü	ü
Lesser Coucal	Centropus bengalensis	CRDB (V)	Common resident		ü
Collared Scops Owl	Otus lettia	-	Uncommon resident	ü	ü
Asian Barred Owlet	Glaucidium cuculoides	-	Uncommon resident		ü
Savanna Nightjar	Caprimulgus affinis	-	Uncommon resident		ü
Little Swift	Apus affinis	-	Common migrant and summer visitor		ü
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	-	Common resident	ü
White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis	(LC)	Uncommon winter visitor and resident	ü	ü
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	-	Common migrant and summer visitor	ü	ü
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Grey-chinned Minivet	Pericrocotus solaris	LC	Uncommon winter visitor and resident	ü
Red-whiskered Bulbul	Pycnonotus jocosus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Chinese Bulbul	Pycnonotus sinensis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Sooty-headed Bulbul	Pycnonotus aurigaster	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Chestnut Bulbul	Hypsipetes castanonotus	-	Uncommon winter visitor and resident	ü	ü
Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Siberian Rubythroat	Luscinia calliope	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Red-flanked Bluetail	Tarsiger cyanurus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Oriental Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Daurian Redstart	Phoenicurus auroreus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Common Stonechat	Saxicola torquata	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Blue Whistling Thrush	Myophonus caeruleus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Common Blackbird	Turdus merula	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Grey-backed Thrush	Turdus hortulorum	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Masked Laughingthrush	Garrulax perspicillatus	-	Common resident		ü
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush	Garrulax pectoralis	-	Common resident		ü
Black-throated Laughingthrush	Garrulax chinensis	-	Common resident	ü
Hwamei	Garrulax canorus	-	Common resident		ü
Japanese Bush Warbler	Cettia diphone	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler	Cettia fortipes	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Bright-capped Cisticola	Cisticola exilis	LC	Uncommon winter visitor		ü
Yellow-bellied Prinia	Prinia flaviventris	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Plain Prinia	Prinia inornata	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Common Tailorbird	Orthotomus sutorius	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Dusky Warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Pallas's Leaf Warbler	Phylloscopus proregulus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Greenish Warbler	Phylloscopus trochiloides	-	Uncommon winter visitor		ü
Grey-streaked Flycatcher	Muscicapa griseisticta	-	Uncommon migrant		ü
Asian Brown Flycatcher	Muscicapa dauurica	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Great Tit	Parus major	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker	Dicaeum cruentatum	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Fork-tailed Sunbird	Aethopyga christinae	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Japanese White-eye	Zosterops japonicus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Little Bunting	Emberiza pusilla	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Black-faced Bunting	Emberiza spodocephala	-	Common winter visitor		ü
White-rumped Munia	Lonchura striata	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Scaly-breasted Munia	Lonchura punctulata	-	Common resident		ü
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Black-collared Starling	Sturnus nigricollis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
White-shouldered Starling	Sturnus sinensis	(LC)	Uncommon winter visitor and resident		ü
Common Myna	Acridotheres tristis	-	Common resident	ü
Crested Myna	Acridotheres cristatellus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Black-naped Oriole	Oriolus chinensis	LC	Uncommon migrant		ü
Black Drongo	Dicrurus macrocercus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Hair-crested Drongo	Dicrurus hottentottus	-	Uncommon resident	ü	ü
Blue Magpie	Urocissa erythrorhyncha	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Common Magpie	Pica pica	-	Common resident	ü
Large-billed Crow	Corvus macrorhynchos	-	Common resident	ü	ü

Note:

(1) All wild birds are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Aves (Zheng & Wang 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(2) Ove Arup (2007).

Section 4 – North Tunnel (Cheung Shan)

A total of 21 common bird species was found in this section, majority of them are shrubland/woodland associated species. Three wetland-dependent bird species, White-breasted Waterhen, White Wagtail and Grey Wagtail, were found associated with the artificial channel.

Table 9.14: Bird Species recorded from the North Tunnel Aboveground Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Level of Concern/ Protection Status^(1)	Hong Kong Status	Current Survey
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus	-	Common resident	ü
Spotted Dove	Streptopelia chinensis	-	Common resident	ü
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	-	Common winter visitor	ü
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Red-whiskered Bulbul	Pycnonotus jocosus	-	Common resident	ü
Chinese Bulbul	Pycnonotus sinensis	-	Common resident	ü
Chestnut Bulbul	Hypsipetes castanonotus	-	Uncommon winter visitor and resident	ü
Siberian Rubythroat	Luscinia calliope	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Oriental Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis	-	Common resident	ü
Blue Whistling Thrush	Myophonus caeruleus	-	Common resident	ü
Masked Laughingthrush	Garrulax perspicillatus	-	Common resident	ü
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush	Garrulax pectoralis	-	Common resident	ü
Common Tailorbird	Orthotomus sutorius	-	Common resident	ü
Pallas's Leaf Warbler	Phylloscopus proregulus	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Great Tit	Parus major	-	Common resident	ü
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker	Dicaeum cruentatum	-	Common resident	ü
Fork-tailed Sunbird	Aethopyga christinae	-	Common resident	ü
Japanese White-eye	Zosterops japonicus	-	Common resident	ü
Blue Magpie	Urocissa erythrorhyncha	-	Common resident	ü
Large-billed Crow	Corvus macrorhynchos	-	Common resident	ü

Note:

(1) All wild birds are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Aves (Zheng & Wang 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

Section 5 – Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas)

In this mosaic of woodland, shrubland, wetland, grassland and artificial habitat, a total of 66 bird species was recorded. The bird community is dominated by common shrubland species while the density of wetland-dependent species associated with River Indus and freshwater wetland is low. No species of conservation interest or wetland-dependent bird species was recorded in the Loi Tung freshwater wetland. The fung shui pond in Loi Tung Village and the abandoned agricultural land within the assessment area was recorded with Chinese Pond Heron and Little Egret of conservation interest. In the Loi Tung woodland area, a few woodland associated birds were recorded including two species of conservation interest, Rufous-capped Babbler and Grey Treepie.

Table 9.15: Bird Species recorded from Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Level of Concern/ Protection Status^(1)	Hong Kong Status	Drainage Improvement in NNT – Package C EIA ^(2)	Current Survey
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü	ü
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü	ü
Crested Serpent Eagle	Spilornis cheela	(LC); CRDB (V)	Uncommon resident		ü
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Eurasian Woodcock	Scolopax rusticola	-	Uncommon winter visitor	ü
Rock Dove	Columba livia	-	Common resident		ü
Spotted Dove	Streptopelia chinensis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo	Clamator coromandus	-	Uncommon summer visitor		ü
Large Hawk Cuckoo	Hierococcyx sparverioides	-	Common summer visitor		ü
Plaintive Cuckoo	Cacomantis merulinus	-	Uncommon summer visitor	ü	ü
Common Koel	Eudynamys scolopacea	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis	CRDB (V)	Common resident	ü	ü
Asian Barred Owlet	Glaucidium cuculoides	-	Uncommon resident		ü
Little Swift	Apus affinis	-	Common migrant and summer visitor	ü	ü
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	-	Common migrant and summer visitor	ü	ü
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
Scarlet Minivet	Pericrocotus flammeus	-	Uncommon winter visitor and resident	ü	ü
Red-whiskered Bulbul	Pycnonotus jocosus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Chinese Bulbul	Pycnonotus sinensis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Chestnut Bulbul	Hypsipetes castanonotus	-	Uncommon winter visitor and resident	ü	ü
Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Red-flanked Bluetail	Tarsiger cyanurus	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Oriental Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Common Stonechat	Saxicola torquata	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
Blue Whistling Thrush	Myophonus caeruleus	-	Common resident		ü
Scaly Thrush	Zoothera dauma	-	Uncommon winter visitor	ü
Japanese Thrush	Turdus cardis	-	Uncommon winter visitor	ü
Common Blackbird	Turdus merula	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Grey-backed Thrush	Turdus hortulorum	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler	Pomatorhinus ruficollis	-	Uncommon resident		ü
Rufous-capped Babbler	Stachyris ruficeps	LC	Uncommon resident		ü
Masked Laughingthrush	Garrulax perspicillatus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush	Garrulax pectoralis	-	Common resident		ü
Hwamei	Garrulax canorus	-	Common resident	ü
Japanese Bush Warbler	Cettia diphone	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Russet Bush Warbler	Bradypterus seebohmi	-	Uncommon winter visitor	ü
Yellow-bellied Prinia	Prinia flaviventris	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Common Tailorbird	Orthotomus sutorius	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Dusky Warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Pallas's Leaf Warbler	Phylloscopus proregulus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
Asian Brown Flycatcher	Muscicapa dauurica	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Red-throated Flycatcher	Ficedula albicilla	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Hainan Blue Flycatcher	Cyornis hainanus	-	Uncommon winter visitor		ü
Great Tit	Parus major	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Buff-bellied Flowerpecker	Dicaeum ignipectus	-	Uncommon winter visitor	ü
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker	Dicaeum cruentatum	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Fork-tailed Sunbird	Aethopyga christinae	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Japanese White-eye	Zosterops japonicus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Little Bunting	Emberiza pusilla	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Chestnut Bunting	Emberiza rutila	-	Uncommon migrant	ü
Black-faced Bunting	Emberiza spodocephala	-	Common winter visitor	ü
Scaly-breasted Munia	Lonchura punctulata	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Black-collared Starling	Sturnus nigricollis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Crested Myna	Acridotheres cristatellus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Black Drongo	Dicrurus macrocercus	-	Common resident		ü
Hair-crested Drongo	Dicrurus hottentottus	-	Uncommon resident		ü
Grey Treepie	Dendrocitta formosae	LC	Uncommon resident	ü	ü
Common Magpie	Pica pica	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Large-billed Crow	Corvus macrorhynchos	-	Common resident	ü	ü

Note:

(1) All wild birds are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Aves (Zheng & Wang 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(2) B&V (2007).

Section 6 – South Tunnel (Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Areas)

Owing to the high naturalness of the terrestrial habitat, a variety of shrubland/woodland species was recorded in this section. A total of 61 bird species was recorded in these areas. The avifauna in this section comprises largely typical shrubland/woodland in Hong Kong whilst some open country bird was found in Hok Tau. The rare Red-breasted Flycatcher of conservation interest was recorded in Tan Chuk Hang area. Only five wetland-dependent bird species of conservation interest were recorded in this section, owing to the limited wetland habitats among which three ardeid species recorded are common and widespread in the New Territories but of conservation interest.

Table 9.16: Bird Species recorded from Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Level of Concern/ Protection Status^(1)	Hong Kong Status	AFCD^(2)	Current Survey
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident		ü
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident		ü
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	(LC)	Common winter visitor and resident		ü
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident		ü
Crested Serpent Eagle	Spilornis cheela	(LC); CRDB (V)	Uncommon resident		ü
Crested Goshawk	Accipiter trivirgatus	CRDB (R)	Common resident		ü
Chinese Francolin	Francolinus pintadeanus	-	Common resident	ü
Japanese Quail	Coturnix japonica	LC; IUCN (NT)	Uncommon winter visitor	ü
Spotted Dove	Streptopelia chinensis	-	Common resident		ü
Emerald Dove	Chalcophaps indica	CRDB (V)	Uncommon resident		ü
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo	Clamator coromandus	-	Uncommon summer visitor		ü
Large Hawk Cuckoo	Hierococcyx sparverioides	-	Common summer visitor		ü
Plaintive Cuckoo	Cacomantis merulinus	-	Uncommon summer visitor		ü
Common Koel	Eudynamys scolopacea	-	Common resident		ü
Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis	CRDB (V)	Common resident		ü
Lesser Coucal	Centropus bengalensis	CRDB (V)	Common resident		ü
Collared Scops Owl	Otus lettia	-	Uncommon resident		ü
Little Swift	Apus affinis	-	Common migrant and summer visitor		ü
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis	(LC)	Uncommon winter visitor and resident		ü
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	-	Common migrant and summer visitor		ü
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	-	Common winter visitor		ü
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Scarlet Minivet	Pericrocotus flammeus	-	Uncommon winter visitor and resident		ü
Red-whiskered Bulbul	Pycnonotus jocosus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Chinese Bulbul	Pycnonotus sinensis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Chestnut Bulbul	Hypsipetes castanonotus	-	Uncommon winter visitor and resident		ü
Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach	-	Common resident		ü
Red-flanked Bluetail	Tarsiger cyanurus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Oriental Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Daurian Redstart	Phoenicurus auroreus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Common Stonechat	Saxicola torquata	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Blue Whistling Thrush	Myophonus caeruleus	-	Common resident		ü
Common Blackbird	Turdus merula	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Rufous-capped Babbler	Stachyris ruficeps	LC	Uncommon resident		ü
Masked Laughingthrush	Garrulax perspicillatus	-	Common resident		ü
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush	Garrulax pectoralis	-	Common resident		ü
Hwamei	Garrulax canorus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Japanese Bush Warbler	Cettia diphone	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Zitting Cisticola	Cisticola juncidis	LC	Common winter visitor		ü
Yellow-bellied Prinia	Prinia flaviventris	-	Common resident		ü
Common Tailorbird	Orthotomus sutorius	-	Common resident		ü
Dusky Warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Arctic Warbler	Phylloscopus borealis	-	Uncommon migrant		ü
Asian Brown Flycatcher	Muscicapa dauurica	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Red-breasted Flycatcher	Ficedula parva	-	Rare winter visitor		ü
Asian Paradise Flycatcher	Terpsiphone paradisi	LC	Uncommon winter visitor		ü
Great Tit	Parus major	-	Common resident		ü
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker	Dicaeum cruentatum	-	Common resident		ü
Fork-tailed Sunbird	Aethopyga christinae	-	Common resident		ü
Japanese White-eye	Zosterops japonicus	-	Common resident		ü
Scaly-breasted Munia	Lonchura punctulata	-	Common resident		ü
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus	-	Common resident		ü
Black-collared Starling	Sturnus nigricollis	-	Common resident		ü
Crested Myna	Acridotheres cristatellus	-	Common resident		ü
Hair-crested Drongo	Dicrurus hottentottus	-	Uncommon resident		ü
Grey Treepie	Dendrocitta formosae	LC	Uncommon resident		ü
Common Magpie	Pica pica	-	Common resident	ü
Large-billed Crow	Corvus macrorhynchos	-	Common resident	ü	ü

Note:

(1) All wild birds are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Aves (Zheng & Wang 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(2) AFCD (2007).

Section 7 – Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas)

In this mixture of river channel, agricultural land, hillside shrubland, woodland and grassland, a variety of bird species was recorded. Low density of wetland-dependent bird species including egret, heron and sandpiper were regularly seen in the river channel. Shrubland bird community can be found in the hillside shrubland which become higher in species number in wintering season. A total of 56 species was recorded in this section, which include 7 species of conservation interest.

Table 9.17: Bird Species Recorded from Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Level of Concern/ Protection Status^(1)	Hong Kong Status	Wo Hop Shek Crematorium EIA ^(2)	Current Survey
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	PRC	Common winter visitor		ü
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident		ü
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	PRC(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident		ü
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	(RC)	Common winter visitor and resident	ü	ü
Crested Serpent Eagle	Spilornis cheela	(LC); CRDB (V)	Uncommon resident		ü
Besra	Accipiter virgatus	-	Uncommon resident		ü
Chinese Francolin	Francolinus pintadeanus	-	Common resident		ü
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus	-	Common resident		ü
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Spotted Dove	Streptopelia chinensis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Large Hawk Cuckoo	Hierococcyx sparverioides	-	Common summer visitor	ü	ü
Common Koel	Eudynamys scolopacea	-	Common resident	ü
Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis	CRDB (V)	Common resident	ü
Lesser Coucal	Centropus bengalensis	CRDB (V)	Common resident		ü
Little Swift	Apus affinis	-	Common migrant and summer visitor	ü
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	-	Common resident		ü
Eurasian Wryneck	Jynx torquilla	-	Uncommon winter visitor		ü
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	-	Common migrant and summer visitor		ü
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	-	Common winter visitor		ü
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	-	Common winter visitor	ü	ü
Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Scarlet Minivet	Pericrocotus flammeus	-	Uncommon winter visitor and resident		ü
Red-whiskered Bulbul	Pycnonotus jocosus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Chinese Bulbul	Pycnonotus sinensis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Sooty-headed Bulbul	Pycnonotus aurigaster	-	Common resident		ü
Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Siberian Rubythroat	Luscinia calliope	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Red-flanked Bluetail	Tarsiger cyanurus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Oriental Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Common Stonechat	Saxicola torquata	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Blue Whistling Thrush	Myophonus caeruleus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Japanese Thrush	Turdus cardis	-	Uncommon winter visitor		ü
Grey-backed Thrush	Turdus hortulorum	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Masked Laughingthrush	Garrulax perspicillatus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Hwamei	Garrulax canorus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Yellow-bellied Prinia	Prinia flaviventris	-	Common resident		ü
Plain Prinia	Prinia inornata	-	Common resident		ü
Common Tailorbird	Orthotomus sutorius	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Dusky Warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Pallas's Leaf Warbler	Phylloscopus proregulus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus	-	Common winter visitor		ü
Greenish Warbler	Phylloscopus trochiloides	-	Uncommon winter visitor		ü
Hainan Blue Flycatcher	Cyornis hainanus	-	Uncommon summer visitor		ü
Great Tit	Parus major	-	Common resident		ü
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker	Dicaeum cruentatum	-	Common resident		ü
Fork-tailed Sunbird	Aethopyga christinae	-	Common resident		ü
Japanese White-eye	Zosterops japonicus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Black-headed Bunting	Emberiza melanocephala	-	Uncommon winter visitor		ü
White-rumped Munia	Lonchura striata	-	Common resident		ü
Scaly-breasted Munia	Lonchura punctulata	-	Common resident		ü
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Black-collared Starling	Sturnus nigricollis	-	Common resident		ü
Crested Myna	Acridotheres cristatellus	-	Common resident		ü
Common Magpie	Pica pica	-	Common resident	ü	ü
Large-billed Crow	Corvus macrorhynchos	-	Common resident		ü

Note:

(1) All wild birds are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170).

Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Aves (Zheng & Wang 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(2) Hyder (2008).

9.5.5.3 Herpetofauna

In the New Territories, the agricultural land is inhabited by a variety of amphibian species. Lowland species such as Asiatic Painted Frog, Spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog, Paddy Frog, Ornate Pigmy Frog and Marbled Pigmy Frog are widely distributed in the lowland habitat and common in suitable habitat within the Assessment Area. On the other hand, the hill streams are inhabited by another type of amphibian community such as Hong Kong Newt, Green Cascade Frog, Short-legged Toad and Lesser Spiny Frog. These hill stream species are mainly localized in woodland and was recorded in the Pat Sin Leng CP.

Literature Review

During the Feasibility Study period, species of conservation interest including Chinese Bullfrog of potential regional concern and listed as China Class II Protected Animal was recorded at north of Chuk Yuen within the boundary of the proposed BCP while Common Rat Snake of potential regional concern was recorded within the Assessment Area (Ove Arup 2008). Chinese Bullfrog favours ponds, streams and marshy area. Although Chinese Bullfrog is fairly common and widespread in Hong Kong, it is identified as species of conservation concern and is threatened by habitat destruction, relishing as food delicacy locally and the widespread application of insecticide in modern farming methods (Karsen et al. 1998). Common Rat Snake is common in open habitat throughout Hong Kong and favours a wide range of habitats such as agricultural land, shrubland, grassland, ponds and reservoirs (Karsen et al. 1998). It is also listed as endangered species in the China Red Data Book.

In the EIA Study for the Drainage Improvement in Northern New Territories – Package C, a few herpetofauna were recorded associated with the River Indus and connecting streams. All the herpetofauna are common in Hong Kong and without conservation interest but a reptile species Common Rat Snake is a species of potential regional concern.

Field Survey Summary

Although no particular location within the Assessment Area is identified as hotspot of amphibians and reptiles, some locations, particularly within the Pat Sin Leng CP, are generally suitable for this taxonomic group. Over the lowland area, Asian Common Toad, Asiatic Painted Frog, Brown Tree Frog, Ornate Pigmy Frog, Spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog, Paddy Frog and Gunther’s Frog were recorded, mainly in ponds, streams and ditches. All are common species in Hong Kong and without conservation interest. Chinese Bullfrog of conservation interest was recorded in abandoned field in Chow Tin Village and Kau Lung Hang. This species is listed as Protected Animal in China Class II but captive population of this species is available in local market sold for food delicacy. The population found in Hong Kong village side is of doubtful origin, probably are escaped individuals. For reptiles, a total of 10 snake species was recorded within the Assessment Area. Species of conservation interest including Copperhead Racer (in the shrubland in Lung Shan), Chinese Cobra (in abandoned agricultural land near Nga Yiu Ha) and Banded Stream Snake (downstream of Kwan Tei River) are recorded. Chinese Cobra is a common species in Hong Kong but listed in CITES Appendix II. (refer to Plate 13 in Appendix 9.2). The river section where the Banded Stream Snake was recorded is partially concreted and heavily disturbed by adjacent residential village. This species is rare in Hong Kong and had been recorded in a few locations including Ping Shan Chai in Pat Sin Range (Karsen et al 1998). Other than the above, common species including Checkered Keelback (a typical species to lowland marsh or stream), White-spotted Slug Snake, Bamboo Snake and Many-banded Krait (common in woodland and shrubland in Hong Kong) are also recorded. A checklist of amphibian and reptile field survey record is presented in Appendix 9.5a to 9.5g and summaries of the herpetofauna record in each section are presented in Tables 9.18 to 9.23.

Study Findings

Section 1 – BCP Area

Three amphibian and three reptile species were recorded in this section including Chinese Bullfrog and Common Rat Snake of conservation interest.

Table 9.18: Amphibian and Reptile Species recorded from BCP Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1, 2)	Level of concern^/ Protection Status^(3)	Feasibility Study	Current Survey
Amphibians
Asian Common Toad	Bufo melanostictus	Abundant and widespread^(1)	-		ü
Chinese Bullfrog	Hoplobatrachus chinensis	Fairly common and widespread throughout the New Territories^(3)	PRC	ü
Gunther’s Frog	Rana guentheri	Very common and widespread^(1)	-		ü
Reptiles
Common Rat Snake	Ptyas mucosus	Common and widespread	PRC; Cap. 586; CRDB (E)	ü
Changeable Lizard	Calotes versicolor	Common^(2)	-		ü
White-spotted Slug Snake	Pareas margaritophorus	Fairly Common^(2)	-		ü

Note:

(1) Chan et al. (2005a).

(2) Karsen et al. (1998).

(3) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Amphibia and Reptilia (Zhao 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

Sections 2 & 3 – Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

A total of 9 amphibian and 6 reptile species was recorded in FCA whilst 7 amphibian and 10 reptile species were recorded in Nga Yiu Ha, Ping Yeung and Wo Keng Shan area. Species of conservation interest included Chinese Bullfrog, Indian Forest Skink and Chinese Cobra.

Table 9.19: Amphibian and Reptile Species recorded from Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area Boundary

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1, 2, 3, 4)	Level of concern^/ Protection Status^(5)	Regulation of SZ River Stage IV EIA ^(6)	Secondary Boundary Fence EIA^(7)	Current Survey
Amphibians
Asian Common Toad	Bufo melanostictus	Abundant and widespread^(3)	-	ü	ü	ü
Paddy Frog	Fejervarya limnocharis	Very common and widespread throughout the New Territories^(3)	-	ü		ü
Chinese Bullfrog	Hoplobatrachus chinensis	Fairly common and widespread throughout the New Territories^(3)	PRC	ü		ü
Spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog	Kalophrynus interlineatus	Common and widespread in central and northern New Territories^(3)	-	ü	ü
Asiatic Painted Frog	Kaloula pulchra pulchra	Widespread and very common in the New Territories^(3)	-		ü	ü
Ornate Pigmy Frog	Microhyla ornate	Common and evenly distributed in the New Territories^(3)	-	ü		ü
Marbled Pigmy Frog	Microhyla pulchra	Common in the New Territories^(3)	-	ü
Brown Tree Frog	Polypedates megacephalus	Widespread and very common^(3)	-	ü	ü	ü
Gunther’s Frog	Rana guentheri	Very common and widespread^(3)	-	ü	ü	ü
Reptiles
Changeable Lizard	Calotes versicolor	Common^(4)	-			ü
Chinese Skink	Eumeces chinensis chinensis	Common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(1)	-	ü
Chinese Gecko	Gekko chinensis	Very common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(2)	-		ü
Indian Forest Skink	Sphenomorphus indicus	Common and occurs in woodlands in the eastern and central New Territories^(1)	LC			ü
Bamboo Snake	Trimeresurus albolabris	Widely distributed^(4)	-			ü
Checkered Keelback	Xenochrophis piscator	Occurs throughout the New Territories^(4)	-	ü		ü

Note:

(1) Chan et al. (2009).

(2) Chan et al. (2006).

(3) Chan et al. (2005a).

(4) Karsen et al. (1998).

(5) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Amphibia and Reptilia (Zhao 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(6) ERM (2010).

(7) Mott MacDonald (2008).

Table 9.20: Amphibian and Reptile Species recorded from Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)	Level of concern^/ Protection Status^(6)	NENT Landfill Extension EIA^(7)	Current Survey
Amphibians
Asian Common Toad	Bufo melanostictus	Abundant and widespread^(3)	-	ü	ü
Paddy Frog	Fejervarya limnocharis	Very common and widespread throughout the New Territories^(3)	-	ü	ü
Chinese Bullfrog	Hoplobatrachus chinensis	Fairly common and widespread throughout the New Territories^(3)	PRC	ü
Asiatic Painted Frog	Kaloula pulchra pulchra	Widespread and very common in the New Territories^(3)	-		ü
Ornate Pigmy Frog	Microhyla ornate	Common and evenly distributed in the New Territories^(3)	-		ü
Brown Tree Frog	Polypedates megacephalus	Widespread and very common^(3)	-	ü	ü
Gunther’s Frog	Rana guentheri	Very common and widespread^(3)	-	ü	ü
Reptiles
Changeable Lizard	Calotes versicolor	Common^(5)	-	ü
Chinese Skink	Eumeces chinensis chinensis	Common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(1)	-	ü
Chinese Gecko	Gekko chinensis	Very common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(2)	-		ü
Long-tailed Skink	Mabuya longicaudata	Common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(1)	-	ü
Chinese Cobra	Naja atra	Found throughout the territory^(5)	PRC; Cap. 586, CRDB (V); CITES		ü
White-spotted Slug Snake	Pareas margaritophorus	Fairly Common^(5)	-		ü
Slender Forest Skink	Scincella modesta	Common and occurs in scattered sites in the New Territories^(1)	-		ü
Indian Forest Skink	Sphenomorphus indicus	Common and occurs in woodlands in the eastern and central New Territories^(1)	LC		ü
Red-eared Slider	Trachemys scripta	Widely distributed^(4)	-	ü
Checkered Keelback	Xenochrophis piscator	Occurs throughout the New Territories^(5)	-		ü

Note:

(1) Chan et al. (2009).

(2) Chan et al. (2006).

(3) Chan et al. (2005a).

(4) Chan (2004).

(5) Karsen et al. (1998).

(6) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Amphibia and Reptilia (Zhao 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(7) Ove Arup (2007).

Section 4 – North Tunnel (Cheung Shan)

Assessment area of the aboveground works area under Section 4 is overlapped with other sections and therefore presented in Section 3 and Section 5.

Sections 5 – Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung)

A total of 8 amphibian and 11 reptile species was recorded in this section. The record of Common Rat Snake of conservation interest under Drainage Improvement Package C EIA is mainly derived from the River Indus and the associated streams.

Table 9.21: Amphibian and Reptile Species recorded from Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1, 2, 3, 4)	Level of concern/ Protection Status^(5)	Drainage Improvement in NNT – Package C EIA^(6)	Current Survey
Amphibians
Asian Common Toad	Bufo melanostictus	Abundant and widespread^(3)	-	ü	ü
Paddy Frog	Fejervarya limnocharis	Very common and widespread throughout the New Territories^(3)	-	ü	ü
Spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog	Kalophrynus interlineatus	Common and widespread in central and northern New Territories^(3)	-	ü
Asiatic Painted Frog	Kaloula pulchra pulchra	Widespread and very common in the New Territories^(3)	-	ü	ü
Marbled Pigmy Frog	Microhyla pulchra	Common in the New Territories^(3)	-	ü
Brown Tree Frog	Polypedates megacephalus	Widespread and very common^(3)	-	ü
Gunther’s Frog	Rana guentheri	Very common and widespread^(3)	-	ü	ü
Green Cascade Frog	Rana livida	Common and widespread^(3)	-	ü
Reptiles
Changeable Lizard	Calotes versicolor	Common^(4)	-	ü
Chinese Skink	Eumeces chinensis chinensis	Common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(1)	-	ü	ü
Chinese Gecko	Gekko chinensis	Very common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(2)	-	ü
Bowring’s Gecko	Hemidactylus bowringii	Common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(2)	-	ü
Long-tailed Skink	Mabuya longicaudata	Common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(1)	-		ü
White-spotted Slug Snake	Pareas margaritophorus	Fairly Common^(4)	-		ü
Common Rat Snake	Ptyas mucosus	Common^(4)	PRC; Cap. 586; CRDB (E)	ü
Common Blind Snake	Ramphotyphlops braminus	Abundant^(4)	-	ü
Reeve’s Smooth Skink	Scincella reevesii	Common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(1)	-	ü
Indian Forest Skink	Sphenomorphus indicus	Common and occurs in woodlands in the eastern and central New Territories^(1)	LC		ü
Bamboo Snake	Trimeresurus albolabris	Widely distributed^(4)	-	ü

Note:

(1) Chan et al. (2009).

(2) Chan et al. (2006).

(3) Chan et al. (2005a).

(4) Karsen et al. (1998).

(5) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Amphibia and Reptilia (Zhao 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(6) B&V (2007).

Sections 6 – South Tunnel (Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Areas)

A total of 5 amphibian and 8 reptile species was recorded in this section of which Banded Stream Snake, Hong Kong Newt, Many-banded Krait and Indian Forest Skink of conservation interest are found in Kwan Tei River.

Table 9.22: Amphibian and Reptile Species recorded from Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1, 2, 3)	Level of concern/ Protection Status^(4)	AFCD’s un-published data^(5)	Current Survey
Amphibians
Asian Common Toad	Bufo melanostictus	Abundant and widespread^(2)	-		ü
Paddy Frog	Fejervarya limnocharis	Very common and widespread throughout the New Territories^(3)	-	ü
Spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog	Kalophrynus interlineatus	Common and widespread in central and northern New Territories^(3)	-	ü
Hong Kong Newt	Paramesotriton hongkongensis	Common and widely distributed in Hong Kong ^(2)	PGC; Cap.170; IUCN (NT)	ü
Gunther’s Frog	Rana guentheri	Very common and widespread^(2)	-		ü
Reptiles
Many-banded Krait	Bungarus multicinctus multicinctus	Widely distributed in the New Territories^(3)	PRC; CRDB (V)		ü
Changeable Lizard	Calotes versicolor	Common^(3)	-		ü
Chinese Skink	Eumeces chinensis chinensis	Common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(1)	-		ü
Long-tailed Skink	Mabuya longicaudata	Common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(1)	-		ü
Banded Stream Snake	Opisthotropis balteata	Rare. Recorded from Shuen Wan, Ping Shan Chai, Pat Sin Range, Bride’s Pool, Tai Long Wan, Wong Chuk Yeung, Sha Tau Kok and Lam Tsuen River^(3)	-		ü
Red-necked Keelback	Rhabdophis subminiatus helleri	Widely distributed in woodlands throughout Hong Kong^(3)	-	ü
Indian Forest Skink	Sphenomorphus indicus	Common and occurs in woodlands in the eastern and central New Territories^(1)	LC		ü
Bamboo Snake	Trimeresurus albolabris	Widely distributed^(3)	-		ü

Note:

(1) Chan et al. (2009).

(2) Chan et al. (2005a).

(3) Karsen et al. (1998).

(4) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Amphibia and Reptilia (Zhao 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(5) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Section 7 – Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas)

A total of 8 amphibian and 7 reptile species was recorded in this section. The lowland amphibians recorded are dominated by common species in Hong Kong. Chinese Bullfrog, Short-legged Toad, Copperhead Racer, Banded Stream Snake and Indian Forest Skink of conservation interest are recorded. Short-legged Toad recorded under Wo Hop Shek Crematorium EIA is categorized in IUCN Red List as “Vulnerable”. This species usually inhabits hill stream with well-wooded banks common in Hong Kong Island but sporadically located in New Territories.

Table 9.23: Amphibian and Reptile Species Recorded from Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)	Level of concern/ Protection Status^(6)	Wo Hop Shek Crematorium EIA ^(7)	AFCD’s un-published data^(8)	Current Survey
Amphibians
Asian Common Toad	Bufo melanostictus	Abundant and widespread^(3)	-	ü		ü
Paddy Frog	Fejervarya limnocharis	Very common and widespread throughout the New Territories^(3)	-			ü
Chinese Bullfrog	Hoplobatrachus chinensis	Fairly common and widespread throughout the New Territories^(3)	PRC			ü
Spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog	Kalophrynus interlineatus	Common and widespread in central and northern New Territories^(3)	-			ü
Asiatic Painted Frog	Kaloula pulchra pulchra	Widespread and very common in the New Territories^(3)	-	ü		ü
Brown Tree Frog	Polypedates megacephalus	Widespread and very common^(3)	-	ü		ü
Gunther’s Frog	Rana guentheri	Very common and widespread^(3)	-	ü		ü
Short-legged Toad	Xenophrys brachykolos	A few localities in the New Territories^(3)	PGC; IUCN (EN)	ü
Reptiles
Changeable Lizard	Calotes versicolor	Common^(5)	-	ü
Copperhead Racer	Elaphe radiata	Recorded from many areas of the territory^(5)	PRC			ü
Chinese Gecko	Gekko chinensis	Very common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(2)	-	ü		ü
Long-tailed Skink	Mabuya longicaudata	Common and occurs throughout Hong Kong^(1)	-			ü
Banded Stream Snake	Opisthotropis balteata	Rare. Recorded from Shuen Wan, Ping Shan Chai, Pat Sin Range, Bride’s Pool, Tai Long Wan, Wong Chuk Yeung, Sha Tau Kok and Lam Tsuen River^(3)	-		ü
Indian Forest Skink	Sphenomorphus indicus	Common and occurs in woodlands in the eastern and central New Territories^(1)	LC			ü
Red-eared Slider	Trachemys scripta	Widely distributed^(4)	-			ü

Note:

(1) Chan et al. (2009).

(2) Chan et al. (2006).

(3) Chan et al. (2005a).

(4) Chan (2004).

(5) Karsen et al. (1998).

(6) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Amphibia and Reptilia (Zhao 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(7) Hyder (2008).

(8) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

9.5.5.4 Butterflies

In general, woodland habitat with higher diversity of plant species is more favourable to butterfly community while homogenous grassland or plantation is not optimal for butterfly. The woodland range inside and in proximity to Pat Sin Leng CP is generally good for butterfly community. Habitat with large aggregation of wintering population is regarded as ecologically important site for butterfly community, but no over-wintering hotspot has been identified in the Northeast New Territories.

Literature Review

A total of 36 common butterfly species, without any species of conservation interest, was recorded at the woodland habitat at the south of Chuk Yuen during the surveys for Feasibility Study (Ove Arup 2008). A total of 8 butterfly species of conservation interest was recorded at the Hok Tau and Cloudy Hill (Young and Yiu 2002).

Field Survey Summary

A total of 95 butterfly species was recorded over the course of the surveys of which 6 species are considered as species of conservation interest. In general, woodland area was recorded with higher diversity of butterfly species than the grassland in open area. In BCP and adjacent area, Common Grass Yellow and Indian Cabbage White are very common in the agricultural land or open area whilst a carcass of butterfly species of conservation interest Painted Lady was found in the agricultural land near Chuk Yuen. At Nga Yiu Ha, Ping Yeung and Wo Keng Shan area, where the habitat is dominated by open area, the butterfly species are dominated by common species. However, a rare and locally concerned butterfly species Small Three-ring was recorded in the hillside grassland behind Nga Yiu Ha Village (refer to Plate 21 in Appendix 9.2). This species has been recorded in a few locations in Sai Kung and also in Ping Che area (Ove Arup 2009). In the freshwater wetland near Wo Keng Shan, in which the habitat is managed for cultivation of Hedychium coronarium, a small population of Grass Demon was found. This species is uncommon in Hong Kong but widespread in agricultural land cultivating their food plant Hedychium coronarium. At the Loi Tung freshwater wetland, Lesser Forest Blue of conservation interest was found at the eastern side of the marsh associated with a ditch, which runs between the woodland and the freshwater wetland behind Loi Tung (refer to Plate 20 in Appendix 9.2). This species usually found in woodland area associated with its diet aphids. Other than the above, some common species such as Punchinello, Purple Sapphire and an uncommon species Painted Jezebel was also sighted.

At the area near Tan Chuk Hang and Pat Sin Leng CP, a higher diversity and abundance of butterfly species was recorded owing to the higher cover of woodland and shrubland particularly in late autumn period. At the South Tunnel South Portal in Fanling, a few woodland species were recorded at the woodland and shrubland on Lung Shan hillside which included a species of conservation interest, Peacock Royal. A checklist of butterfly field survey record is presented in Appendix 9.5a to 9.5g and summaries of the butterfly record in each section are presented in Tables 9.24 to 9.30.

Study Findings

Section 1 – BCP Area

A total of 27 butterfly species was recorded in this section, of which Painted Lady is of conservation interest. Other uncommon butterfly species including Common Jay, Quaker and Dark Grass Blue are also recorded.

Table 9.24: Butterfly Species recorded from BCP Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern^(2)	AFCD’s un-published data^(3)	Current Survey
Common Mime	Chilasa clytia clytia	Common	-	ü
Common Jay	Graphium doson axion	Uncommon	-	ü	ü
Common Bluebottle	Graphium sarpedon sarpedon	Very common	-		ü
Great Mormon	Papilio memnon agenor	Very common	-		ü
Paris Peacock	Papilio paris paris	Very common	-		ü
Common Mormon	Papilio polytes polytes	Very common	-	ü	ü
Mottled Emigrant	Catopsilia pyranthe pyranthe	Common	-	ü
Common Grass Yellow	Eurema hecabe hecabe	Very common	-		ü
Indian Cabbage White	Pieris canidia canidia	Very common	-	ü	ü
Common Tiger	Danaus genutia genutia	Very common	-	ü
Dark-brand Bush Brown	Mycalesis mineus mineus	Very common	-		ü
Common Five-ring	Ypthima baldus baldus	Very common	-	ü	ü
Angled Castor	Ariadne ariadne alterna	Common	-	ü
Common Sergeant	Athyma perius perius	Common	-		ü
White-edged Blue Baron	Euthalia phemius seitzi	Common	-	ü
Great Egg-fly	Hypolimnas bolina kezia	Very common	-		ü
Grey Pansy	Junonia atlites atlites	Common	-		ü
Common Sailer	Neptis hylas hylas	Very common	-		ü
Black Prince	Rohana parisatis staurakius	Common	-		ü
Painted Lady	Vanessa cardui	Uncommon	LC		ü
Lime Blue	Chilades lajus leucofasciatus	Very common	-		ü
Purple Sapphire	Heliophorous epicles phoenicoparyphus	Common	-	ü
Quaker	Neopithecops zalmora zalmora	Uncommon	-	ü
Dark Grass Blue	Zizeeria karsandra karsandra	Uncommon	-	ü
Pale Grass Blue	Zizeeria maha serica	Very common	-	ü	ü
Chestnut Angle	Odontoptilum angulatum angulatum	Common	-	ü
Common Straight Swift	Parnara guttata	Common	-		ü

Note:

(1) Young and Yiu (2002).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Sections 2 & 3 – Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

A total of 82 butterfly species was recorded in FCA. Most of them are commonly found in Hong Kong except two species of conservation interest, Danaid Egg-fly recorded in hillside grassland and Courtesan. Other uncommon butterfly species including Common Jay, Yellow Orange Tip and Chestnut Bob recorded in woodland habitat, Common Tree Brown in drainage channel; Bush Hopper in freshwater wetland, Yellow Band Dart in abandoned agricultural land, and Small Grass Yellow, Plain Tiger, Blue Pansy, Plains Cupid, Quaker, Dark Grass Blue were also recorded.

A total of 72 butterfly species was recorded in Nga Yiu Ha, Ping Yeung and Wo Keng Shan Area, which comprises two species of conservation interest, Small Three-ring and Great Swift. Small Three-ring was recorded in Nga Yiu Ha hillside grassland. Moreover, in the freshwater wetland near Wo Keng Shan, the habitat supports a stable population of the uncommon Grass Demon.

Table 9.25: Butterfly Species recorded from Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area Boundary

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern^(2)	Regulation of SZ River Stage IV EIA^(3)	Secondary Boundary Fence EIA^(4)	AFCD’s un-published data^(5)	Current Survey
Common Mime	Chilasa clytia clytia	Common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Tailed Jay	Graphium agamemnon agamemnon	Very common	-	ü			ü
Common Jay	Graphium doson axion	Uncommon	-			ü	ü
Common Bluebottle	Graphium sarpedon sarpedon	Very common	-	ü	ü		ü
Chinese Peacock	Papilio bianor bianor	Common	-	ü
Lime Butterfly	Papilio demoleus demoleus	Common	-	ü			ü
Red Helen	Papilio helenus helenus	Very common	-	ü	ü		ü
Great Mormon	Papilio memnon agenor	Very common	-	ü	ü		ü
Paris Peacock	Papilio paris paris	Very common	-	ü	ü		ü
Common Mormon	Papilio polytes polytes	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Spangle	Papilio protenor protenor	Very common	-	ü			ü
Lemon Emigrant	Catopsilia pomona pomona	Common	-	ü	ü		ü
Mottled Emigrant	Catopsilia pyranthe pyranthe	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Common Gull	Cepora nerissa nerissa	Common	-	ü
Red-base Jezebel	Delias pasithoe pasithoe	Very common	-	ü	ü		ü
Small Grass Yellow	Eurema brigitta rubella	Uncommon	-	ü
Common Grass Yellow	Eurema hecabe hecabe	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Great Orange Tip	Hebomoia glaucippe glaucippe	Common	-				ü
Yellow Orange Tip	Ixias pyrene pyrene	Uncommon	-				ü
Indian Cabbage White	Pieris canidia canidia	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Plain Tiger	Danaus chrysippus chrysippus	Uncommon	-	ü
Common Tiger	Danaus genutia genutia	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Common Indian Crow	Euploea core	Very common	-		ü
Blue-spotted Crow	Euploea midamus midamus	Very common	-	ü	ü		ü
Ceylon Blue Glassy Tiger	Ideopsis similis similis	Very common	-	ü	ü		ü
Glassy Tiger	Parantica aglea melanoides	Very common	-		ü		ü
Blue Tiger	Tirumala limniace limniace	Common	-	ü
Common Duffer	Discophora sondaica tulliana	Common	-				ü
Large Faun	Faunis eumeus eumeus	Common	-				ü
Banded Tree Brown	Lethe lmanac confusa	Very Common	-	ü			ü
Common Tree Brown	Lethe rohria permagnis	Uncommon	-				ü
Common Evening Brown	Melanitis leda leda	Very Common	-				ü
Dark Evening Brown	Melanitis phedima muskata	Common	-				ü
Dark-brand Bush Brown	Mycalesis mineus mineus	Very common	-	ü	ü		ü
South China Bush Brown	Mycalesis zonata	Common	-	ü
Common Five-ring	Ypthima baldus baldus	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Angled Castor	Ariadne ariadne alterna	Common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Colour Sergeant	Athyma nefte seitzi	Common	-	ü
Common Sergeant	Athyma perius perius	Common	-		ü		ü
Staff Sergeant	Athyma selenophora leucophryne	Common	-		ü
Tawny Rajah	Charaxes bernardus bernardus	Common	-	ü			ü
Rustic	Cupha erymanthis erymanthis	Very Common	-	ü			ü
Common Mapwing	Cyrestis thyodamas chinensis	Common	-				ü
White-edged Blue Baron	Euthalia phemius seitzi	Common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Red Ring Skirt	Hestina assimilis assimilis	Common	-				ü
Danaid Egg-fly	Hypolimnas misippus	Uncommon	LC	ü	ü
Great Egg-fly	Hypolimnas bolina kezia	Very common	-	ü	ü		ü
Peacock Pansy	Junonia almana almana	Common	-	ü	ü		ü
Grey Pansy	Junonia atlites atlites	Common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Blue Pansy	Junonia orithya orithya	Uncommon	-	ü
Blue Admiral	Kaniska canace canace	Common	-	ü		ü
Courtesan	Euripus nyctelius	Rare	-	ü
Southern Sullied Sailer	Neptis clinia susruta	Common	-	ü
Common Sailer	Neptis hylas hylas	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Five-dot Sergeant	Parathyma sulpitia sulpitia	Common	-	ü			ü
Black Prince	Rohana parisatis staurakius	Common	-		ü		ü
Plum Judy	Abisara echerius echerius	Very Common	-	ü	ü
Punchinello	Zemeros flegyas flegyas	Common	-	ü			ü
Common Hedge Blue	Acytolepis puspa gisca	Common	-	ü			ü
Lime Blue	Chilades lajus leucofasciatus	Very common	-	ü			ü
Plains Cupid	Chilades pandava pandava	Uncommon	-	ü
Toothed Sunbeam	Curetis dentata denta	Common	-	ü
"Gram Blue, Cupid"	Euchrysops cnejus cnejus	Common	-		ü
Small Grass Blue	Famegana alsulus eggletoni	Common	-				ü
Purple Sapphire	Heliophorus epicles phoenicoparyphus	Common	-	ü		ü	ü
Long-tailed Blue, Pea Blue	Lampides boeticus	Common	-	ü			ü
Quaker	Neopithecops zalmora zalmora	Uncommon	-			ü
Slate Flash	Rapala manea schistacea	Common	-		ü
Dark Grass Blue	Zizeeria karsandra karsandra	Uncommon	-			ü
Pale Grass Blue	Zizeeria maha serica	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Lesser Grass Blue	Zizina otis otis	Common	-	ü
Bush Hopper	Ampittia dioscorides etura	Uncommon	-				ü
Forest Hopper	Astictopterus jama chinensis	Common	-	ü			ü
Banana Skipper	Erionota torus	Common	-		ü
Chestnut Bob	Iambrix salsala salsala	Uncommon	-				ü
Chestnut Angle	Odontoptilum angulatum angulatum	Common	-			ü	ü
Oriental Straight Swift	Parnara bada bada	Common	-	ü
Common Straight Swift	Parnara guttata	Common	-	ü			ü
Little Branded Swift	Pelopidas agna agna	Common	-	ü			ü
Chinese Dart	Potanthus confucius confucius	Common	-
Yellow Band Dart	Potanthus pava pava	Uncommon	-				ü
Indian Palm Bob	Suastus gremius gremius	Common	-	ü

Note:

(1) Young and Yiu (2002).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) ERM (2010).

(4) Mott MacDonald (2008).

(5) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Table 9.26: Butterfly Species recorded from Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern^(2)	NENT Landfill Extension EIA^(3)	AFCD’s un-published data^(4)	Current Survey
Common Mime	Chilasa clytia clytia	Common	-			ü
Tailed Jay	Graphium agamemnon agamemnon	Very common	-	ü
Common Bluebottle	Graphium sarpedon sarpedon	Very common	-	ü		ü
Chinese Peacock	Papilio bianor bianor	Common	-	ü
Lime Butterfly	Papilio demoleus demoleus	Common	-			ü
Red Helen	Papilio helenus helenus	Very common	-	ü		ü
Great Mormon	Papilio memnon agenor	Very common	-	ü		ü
Paris Peacock	Papilio paris paris	Very common	-	ü		ü
Common Mormon	Papilio polytes polytes	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
Spangle	Papilio protenor protenor	Very common	-	ü		ü
Five-bar Swordtail	Pathysa antiphates antiphates	Common	-			ü
Lemon Emigrant	Catopsilia pomona pomona	Common	-			ü
Mottled Emigrant	Catopsilia pyranthe pyranthe	Common	-		ü	ü
Common Gull	Cepora nerissa nerissa	Common	-	ü
Red-base Jezebel	Delias pasithoe pasithoe	Very common	-	ü		ü
Common Grass Yellow	Eurema hecabe hecabe	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
Great Orange Tip	Hebomoia glaucippe glaucippe	Common	-			ü
Yellow Orange Tip	Ixias pyrene pyrene	Uncommon	-			ü
Indian Cabbage White	Pieris canidia canidia	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
Common Tiger	Danaus genutia genutia	Very common	-			ü
Blue-spotted Crow	Euploea midamus midamus	Very common	-	ü		ü
Ceylon Blue Glassy Tiger	Ideopsis similis similis	Very common	-	ü		ü
Common Duffer	Discophora sondaica tulliana	Common	-			ü
Large Faun	Faunis eumeus eumeus	Common	-	ü		ü
Banded Tree Brown	Lethe confusa confusa	Very Common	-	ü		ü
Common Tree Brown	Lethe rohria permagnis	Uncommon	-			ü
Common Evening Brown	Melanitis leda leda	Very Common	-	ü		ü
Dark Evening Brown	Melanitis phedima muskata	Common	-			ü
Dark-brand Bush Brown	Mycalesis mineus mineus	Very common	-			ü
South China Bush Brown	Mycalesis zonata	Common	-			ü
Common Five-ring	Ypthima baldus baldus	Very common	-			ü
Small Three-ring	Ypthima norma norma	Very rare	LC			ü
Angled Castor	Ariadne ariadne alterna	Common	-			ü
Staff Sergeant	Athyma selenophora leucophryne	Common	-			ü
Tawny Rajah	Charaxes bernardus bernardus	Common	-	ü		ü
Rustic	Cupha erymanthis erymanthis	Very Common	-			ü
Common Mapwing	Cyrestis thyodamas chinensis	Common	-	ü
Gaudy Baron	Euthalia lubentina lubentina	Uncommon	-			ü
White-edged Blue Baron	Euthalia phemius seitzi	Common	-			ü
Red Ring Skirt	Hestina assimilis assimilis	Common	-			ü
Great Egg-fly	Hypolimnas bolina kezia	Very common	-	ü		ü
Peacock Pansy	Junonia almana almana	Common	-	ü		ü
Grey Pansy	Junonia atlites atlites	Common	-		ü	ü
Lemon Pansy	Junonia lemonias lemonias	Uncommon	-			ü
Blue Admiral	Kaniska canace canace	Common	-		ü	ü
Common Sailer	Neptis hylas hylas	Very common	-		ü	ü
Common Lascar	Pantoporia hordonia rihodona	Common	-	ü
Black Prince	Rohana parisatis staurakius	Common	-			ü
Plum Judy	Abisara echerius echerius	Very Common	-	ü		ü
Punchinello	Zemeros flegyas flegyas	Common	-	ü		ü
Common Hedge Blue	Acytolepis puspa gisca	Common	-			ü
Lime Blue	Chilades lajus leucofasciatus	Very common	-			ü
"Gram Blue, Cupid"	Euchrysops cnejus cnejus	Common	-			ü
Small Grass Blue	Famegana alsulus eggletoni	Common	-			ü
Purple Sapphire	Heliophorus epicles phoenicoparyphus	Common	-	ü
Dark Cerulean	Jamides bochus bochus	Common	-	ü
Long-tailed Blue, Pea Blue	Lampides boeticus	Common	-			ü
Slate Flash	Rapala manea schistacea	Common	-			ü
Club Silverline	Spindasis syama peguana	Uncommon	-			ü
Pale Grass Blue	Zizeeria maha serica	Very common	-	ü		ü
Bush Hopper	Ampittia dioscorides etura	Uncommon	-	ü		ü
Forest Hopper	Astictopterus jama chinensis	Common	-			ü
Formosan Swift	Borbo cinnara	Common	-			ü
Banana Skipper	Erionota torus	Common	-			ü
Banded Awl	Hasora chromus chromus	Uncommon	-	ü
Chestnut Bob	Iambrix salsala salsala	Uncommon	-	ü
Chestnut Angle	Odontoptilum angulatum angulatum	Common	-	ü		ü
Great Swift	Pelopidas assamensis	Uncommon	LC			ü
Contiguous Swift	Polytremis lubricans lubricans	Common	-			ü
Chinese Dart	Potanthus confucius confucius	Common	-			ü
Greenish Palm Dart	Telicota ancilla horisa	Common	-			ü
Grass Demon	Udaspes folus	Uncommon	-			ü

Note:

(1) Young and Yiu (2002).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) Ove Arup (2007).

(4) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Section 4 – North Tunnel Aboveground Area

In the shrubland and woodland dominated Cheung Shan hillside, a total of 28 butterfly species including some woodland species was recorded. Except two species Danaid Eggfly which is of conservation interest and another uncommon butterfly species Short-banded Sailer, all other species recorded are common species.

Table 9.27: Butterfly Species recorded from the North Tunnel Aboveground Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern^(2)	AFCD’s un-published data^(3)	Current Survey
Common Bluebottle	Graphium sarpedon sarpedon	Very common	-	ü
Red Helen	Papilio helenus helenus	Very common	-		ü
Great Mormon	Papilio memnon agenor	Very common	-		ü
Paris Peacock	Papilio paris paris	Very common	-	ü	ü
Common Mormon	Papilio polytes polytes	Very common	-	ü	ü
Spangle	Papilio protenor protenor	Very common	-	ü	ü
Lemon Emigrant	Catopsilia pomona pomona	Common	-	ü
Mottled Emigrant	Catopsilia pyranthe pyranthe	Common	-	ü
Common Grass Yellow	Eurema hecabe hecabe	Very common	-	ü	ü
Common Indian Crow	Euploea core	Very common	-	ü
Large Faun	Faunis eumeus eumeus	Common	-		ü
Banded Tree Brown	Lethe confusa confusa	Very common	-		ü
Dark Evening Brown	Melanitis phedima muskata	Common	-		ü
Dark-brand Bush Brown	Mycalesis mineus mineus	Very common	-	ü	ü
Common Five-ring	Ypthima baldus baldus	Very common	-		ü
Staff Sergeant	Athyma selenophora leucophryne	Common	-		ü
Tawny Rajah	Charaxes bernardus bernardus	Common	-	ü
Rustic	Cupha erymanthis erymanthis	Very common	-		ü
Great Egg-fly	Hypolimnas bolina kezia	Very common	-	ü	ü
Danaid Egg-fly	Hypolimnas misippus	Uncommon	LC		ü
Blue Admiral	Kaniska canace canace	Common	-	ü
Common Sailer	Neptis hylas hylas	Very common	-	ü	ü
Short-banded Sailer	Phaedyma columella columella	Uncommon	-	ü
Common Jester	Symbrenthia lilaea lunica	Common	-		ü
Plum Judy	Abisara echerius echerius	Very common	-		ü
Forest Hopper	Astictopterus jama chinensis	Common	-	ü
Formosan Swift	Borbo cinnara	Common	-	ü
Contiguous Swift	Polytremis lubricans lubricans	Common	-		ü

Note:

(1) Young and Yiu (2002).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Section 5 – Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas)

A total of 75 butterfly species was recorded in this section, which comprises 13 uncommon species and one rare species. The rare Lesser Forest Blue was recorded associated with the ditch in Loi Tung which lies alongside the eastern edge of the freshwater wetland. This species, together with another two species Pale Palm Dart and Danaid Egg-fly are species of conservation interest. Other uncommon species found in the site include Grass Demon in Loi Tung freshwater wetland, Painted Jezebel, Chocolate Pansy, Bush Hopper and White Commodore.

Table 9.28: Butterfly Species recorded from Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern^(2)	Drainage Improvement in NNT – Package C EIA^(3)	AFCD’s un-published data^(4)	Current Survey
Common Mime	Chilasa clytia clytia	Common	-			ü
Tailed Jay	Graphium agamemnon agamemnon	Very common	-	ü		ü
Common Jay	Graphium doson axion	Uncommon	-		ü
Common Bluebottle	Graphium sarpedon sarpedon	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
Chinese Peacock	Papilio bianor bianor	Common	-	ü		ü
Lime Butterfly	Papilio demoleus demoleus	Common	-			ü
Red Helen	Papilio helenus helenus	Very common	-	ü		ü
Great Mormon	Papilio memnon agenor	Very common	-	ü		ü
Paris Peacock	Papilio paris paris	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
Common Mormon	Papilio polytes polytes	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
Spangle	Papilio protenor protenor	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
Lemon Emigrant	Catopsilia pomona pomona	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Mottled Emigrant	Catopsilia pyranthe pyranthe	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Painted Jezebel	Delias hyparete hierte	Uncommon	-			ü
Red-base Jezebel	Delias pasithoe pasithoe	Very common	-			ü
Common Grass Yellow	Eurema hecabe hecabe	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
Spotless Grass Yellow	Eurema laeta betheseba	Uncommon	-	ü
Great Orange Tip	Hebomoia glaucippe glaucippe	Common	-	ü		ü
Yellow Orange Tip	Ixias pyrene pyrene	Uncommon	-	ü		ü
Indian Cabbage White	Pieris canidia canidia	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
Plain Tiger	Danaus chrysippus chrysippus	Uncommon	-			ü
Common Tiger	Danaus genutia genutia	Very common	-			ü
Common Indian Crow	Euploea core	Very common	-	ü	ü
Blue-spotted Crow	Euploea midamus midamus	Very common	-		ü	ü
Large Faun	Faunis eumeus eumeus	Common	-			ü
Common Palmfly	Elymnias hypermnestra hainana	Common	-			ü
Banded Tree Brown	Lethe confusa confusa	Very Common	-	ü		ü
Bamboo Tree Brown	Lethe europa beroe	Common	-	ü
Common Evening Brown	Melanitis leda leda	Very Common	-	ü
Dark Evening Brown	Melanitis phedima muskata	Common	-	ü		ü
Dark-brand Bush Brown	Mycalesis mineus mineus	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
South China Bush Brown	Mycalesis zonata	Common	-	ü
Common Five-ring	Ypthima baldus baldus	Very common	-	ü		ü
Indian Fritillary	Argyreus hyperbius hyperbius	Common	-	ü
Angled Castor	Ariadne ariadne alterna	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Staff Sergeant	Athyma selenophora leucophryne	Common	-	ü
Tawny Rajah	Charaxes bernardus bernardus	Common	-		ü	ü
Rustic	Cupha erymanthis erymanthis	Very Common	-	ü
Common Mapwing	Cyrestis thyodamas chinensis	Common	-	ü		ü
White-edged Blue Baron	Euthalia phemius seitzi	Common	-	ü		ü
Red Ring Skirt	Hestina assimilis assimilis	Common	-			ü
Danaid Egg-fly	Hypolimnas misippus	Uncommon	LC	ü
Great Egg-fly	Hypolimnas bolina kezia	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
Peacock Pansy	Junonia almana almana	Common	-	ü		ü
Grey Pansy	Junonia atlites atlites	Common	-	ü
Chocolate Pansy	Junonia iphita iphita	Uncommon	-	ü		ü
Blue Admiral	Kaniska canace canace	Common	-	ü	ü
Common Sailer	Neptis hylas hylas	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
White Commodore	Parasarpa dudu hainanensis	Uncommon	-			ü
Common Nawab	Polyura athamas athamas	Uncommon	-	ü
Black Prince	Rohana parisatis staurakius	Common	-			ü
Short-banded Sailer	Phaedyma columella columella	Uncommon	-		ü
Common Jester	Symbrenthia lilaea lunica	Common	-	ü
Plum Judy	Abisara echerius echerius	Very Common	-	ü		ü
Punchinello	Zemeros flegyas flegyas	Common	-	ü		ü
Common Hedge Blue	Acytolepis puspa gisca	Common	-	ü
Toothed Sunbeam	Curetis dentata denta	Common	-	ü
Tailed Cupid	Everes lacturnus rileyi	Common	-	ü
Purple Sapphire	Heliophorus epicles phoenicoparyphus	Common	-		ü	ü
Dark Cerulean	Jamides bochus bochus	Common	-	ü
Long-tailed Blue, Pea Blue	Lampides boeticus	Common	-	ü
Transparent six-line Blue	Nacaduba kurava euplea	Common	-			ü
Slate Flash	Rapala manea schistacea	Common	-	ü
Lesser Forest Blue	Taraka hamada isona	Rare	LC			ü
Pale Grass Blue	Zizeeria maha serica	Very common	-	ü	ü	ü
Lesser Grass Blue	Zizina otis otis	Common	-	ü
Bush Hopper	Ampittia dioscorides etura	Uncommon	-	ü	ü	ü
Forest Hopper	Astictopterus jama chinensis	Common	-		ü
Formosan Swift	Borbo cinnara	Common	-		ü
Chestnut Angle	Odontoptilum angulatum angulatum	Common	-	ü
Common Straight Swift	Parnara guttata	Common	-	ü	ü
Conjoined Swift	Pelopidas conjunctus conjunctus	Uncommon	-			ü
Chinese Dart	Potanthus confucius confucius	Common	-	ü		ü
Pale Palm Dart	Telicota colon stinga	Common	LC	ü
Grass Demon	Udaspes folus	Uncommon	-	ü		ü

Note:

(1) Young and Yiu (2002).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) B&V (2007).

(4) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Section 6 – South Tunnel (Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Areas)

A total of 59 species was recorded in this section of which Dark Brown Ace recorded from monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD is identified as species of conservation interest. Including the 17 species in Cloudy Hill and Hok Tau recorded in Young and Yiu (2002), a total of 76 species was recorded in this area. Amongst the 17 species listed in Young and Yiu (2002), 9 species are of conservation interest including Brown Awl, Broadtail Royal, Peacock Royal, Common Dart, Glassy Bluebottle, Common Brownie, Blackvein Sergeant, Colon Swift and Yellow Rajah.

Table 9.29: Butterfly Species recorded from Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Areas

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern ^(2)	AFCD’s un-published data^(3)	Young and Yiu 2002^(1)	Current Survey
Tailed Jay	Graphium agamemnon agamemnon	Very common	-			ü
Common Jay	Graphium doson axion	Uncommon	-	ü		ü
Common Bluebottle	Graphium sarpedon sarpedon	Very common	-			ü
Red Helen	Papilio helenus helenus	Very common	-	ü		ü
Great Mormon	Papilio memnon agenor	Very common	-			ü
Paris Peacock	Papilio paris paris	Very common	-	ü		ü
Common Mormon	Papilio polytes polytes	Very common	-	ü		ü
Spangle	Papilio protenor protenor	Very common	-	ü		ü
Lemon Emigrant	Catopsilia pomona pomona	Common	-			ü
Mottled Emigrant	Catopsilia pyranthe pyranthe	Common	-	ü
Common Grass Yellow	Eurema hecabe hecabe	Very common	-	ü		ü
Great Orange Tip	Hebomoia glaucippe glaucippe	Common	-			ü
Yellow Orange Tip	Ixias pyrene pyrene	Uncommon	-			ü
Indian Cabbage White	Pieris canidia canidia	Very common	-	ü		ü
Common Tiger	Danaus genutia genutia	Very common	-			ü
Common Indian Crow	Euploea core	Very common	-	ü
Blue-spotted Crow	Euploea midamus midamus	Very common	-	ü		ü
Ceylon Blue Glassy Tiger	Ideopsis similis similis	Very common	-			ü
Glassy Tiger	Parantica aglea melanoides	Very common	-			ü
Common Duffer	Discophora sondaica tulliana	Common	-			ü
Large Faun	Faunis eumeus eumeus	Common	-			ü
Common Palmfly	Elymnias hypermnestra hainana	Common	-			ü
Banded Tree Brown	Lethe confusa confusa	Very common	-			ü
Dark Evening Brown	Melanitis phedima muskata	Common	-			ü
Dark-brand Bush Brown	Mycalesis mineus mineus	Very common	-			ü
Common Five-ring	Ypthima baldus baldus	Very common	-	ü		ü
Angled Castor	Ariadne ariadne alterna	Common	-	ü
Colour Sergeant	Athyma nefte seitzi	Common	-			ü
Common Sergeant	Athyma perius perius	Common	-			ü
Tawny Rajah	Charaxes bernardus bernardus	Common	-			ü
Rustic	Cupha erymanthis erymanthis	Very common	-			ü
Common Mapwing	Cyrestis thyodamas chinensis	Common	-			ü
Gaudy Baron	Euthalia lubentina lubentina	Uncommon	-			ü
Great Egg-fly	Hypolimnas bolina kezia	Very common	-			ü
Grey Pansy	Junonia atlites atlites	Common	-			ü
Yellow Pansy	Junonia hierta hierta	Uncommon	-			ü
Lemon Pansy	Junonia lemonias lemonias	Uncommon	-			ü
Blue Admiral	Kaniska canace canace	Common	-			ü
Common Sailer	Neptis hylas hylas	Very common	-	ü		ü
Short-banded Sailer	Phaedyma columella columella	Uncommon	-			ü
Black Prince	Rohana parisatis staurakius	Common	-			ü
Common Jester	Symbrenthia lilaea lunica	Common	-	ü
Plum Judy	Abisara echerius echerius	Very common	-	ü		ü
Punchinello	Zemeros flegyas flegyas	Common	-			ü
“Gram Blue, Cupid”	Euchrysops cnejus cnejus	Common	-			ü
Tailed Cupid	Everes lacturnus rileyi	Common	-			ü
Purple Sapphire	Heliophorus epicles phoenicoparyphus	Common	-	ü		ü
Long-tailed Blue, Pea Blue	Lampides boeticus	Common	-			ü
Transparent Six-line Blue	Nacaduba kurava euplea	Common	-	ü
Pale Grass Blue	Zizeeria maha serica	Very common	-	ü		ü
Bush Hopper	Ampittia dioscorides etura	Uncommon	-	ü
Forest Hopper	Astictopterus jama chinensis	Common	-	ü
Dark Brown Ace	Halpe porus	Rare	LC	ü
Oriental Straight Swift	Parnara bada bada	Common	-			ü
Common Straight Swift	Parnara guttata	Common	-	ü
Chinese Dart	Potanthus confucius confucius	Common	-	ü		ü
Water Snow Flat	Tagiades litigiosus litigiosus	Common	-			ü
Grass Demon	Udaspes folus	Uncommon	-			ü
Yellow Coster	Acraea issoria	Rare	-	ü
Glassy Bluebottle	Graphium cloanthus clymenus	Rare	LC		ü
Tailed Sulphur	Dercas verhuelli verhuelli	Uncommon			ü
Spotless Grass Yellow	Eurema laeta betheseba	Uncommon			ü
Striped Blue Crow	Euploea mulciber mulciber	Uncommon			ü
Blackvein Sergeant	Athyma ranga serica	Uncommon	LC		ü
Yellow Rajah	Charaxes marmax	Uncommon	LC		ü
Chocolate Pansy	Junonia iphita iphita	Uncommon			ü
White Commodore	Parasarpa dudu hainanensis	Uncommon			ü
Common Nawab	Polyura athamas athamas	Uncommon			ü
Broadtail Royal	Creon cleobis cleobis	Rare	LC		ü
Common Brownie	Miletus chinensis chinensis	Rare	LC		ü
Chocolate Royal	Remelana jangala mudra	Uncommon			ü
Peacock Royal	Tajuria cippus malcolmi	Uncommon	LC		ü
Brown Awl	Badamia exclamationis	Rare	LC		ü
Colon Swift	Caltoris bromus bromus	Rare			ü
Small Branded Swift	Pelopidas mathias oberthueri	Uncommon			ü
Common Dart	Potanthus pseudomaesa clio	Rare	LC		ü

Note:

(1) Young and Yiu (2002).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Section 7 – Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas)

A total of 44 species was recorded in this section of which Peacock Royal is considered as species of conservation interest. Other uncommon species including Yellow Orange Tip and Tree Flitter were also recorded under the study. The mixture of plantation, woodland and shrubland habitat with drainage channels present in this Section was used by butterflies in an inter-dependent manner.

Table 9.30: Butterfly Species recorded from Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern^(2)	Wo Hop Shek Crematorium EIA^(3)	Current Survey
Common Mime	Chilasa clytia clytia	Common	-		ü
Tailed Jay	Graphium agamemnon agamemnon	Very common	-		ü
Common Bluebottle	Graphium sarpedon sarpedon	Very common	-		ü
Red Helen	Papilio helenus helenus	Very common	-		ü
Great Mormon	Papilio memnon agenor	Very common	-		ü
Paris Peacock	Papilio paris paris	Very common	-		ü
Common Mormon	Papilio polytes polytes	Very common	-	ü	ü
Spangle	Papilio protenor protenor	Very common	-		ü
Five-bar Swordtail	Pathysa antiphates antiphates	Common	-		ü
Lemon Emigrant	Catopsilia pomona pomona	Common	-		ü
Red-base Jezebel	Delias pasithoe pasithoe	Very common	-		ü
Common Grass Yellow	Eurema hecabe hecabe	Very common	-	ü	ü
Great Orange Tip	Hebomoia glaucippe glaucippe	Common	-		ü
Yellow Orange Tip	Ixias pyrene pyrene	Uncommon	-		ü
Indian Cabbage White	Pieris canidia canidia	Very common	-	ü	ü
Common Tiger	Danaus genutia genutia	Very common	-		ü
Common Indian Crow	Euploea core	Very common	-		ü
Blue-spotted Crow	Euploea midamus midamus	Very common	-		ü
Ceylon Blue Glassy Tiger	Ideopsis similis similis	Very common	-		ü
Glassy Tiger	Parantica aglea melanoides	Very common	-		ü
Blue Tiger	Tirumala limniace limniace	Common	-		ü
Large Faun	Faunis eumeus eumeus	Common	-	ü	ü
Banded Tree Brown	Lethe confusa confusa	Very Common	-	ü	ü
Dark-brand Bush Brown	Mycalesis mineus mineus	Very common	-		ü
Common Five-ring	Ypthima baldus baldus	Very common	-		ü
Colour Sergeant	Athyma nefte seitzi	Common	-		ü
Common Sergeant	Athyma perius perius	Common	-		ü
Tawny Rajah	Charaxes bernardus bernardus	Common	-		ü
Rustic	Cupha erymanthis erymanthis	Very Common	-		ü
Red Ring Skirt	Hestina assimilis assimilis	Common	-		ü
Great Egg-fly	Hypolimnas bolina kezia	Very common	-		ü
Grey Pansy	Junonia atlites atlites	Common	-		ü
Common Sailer	Neptis hylas hylas	Very common	-		ü
Black Prince	Rohana parisatis staurakius	Common	-		ü
Plum Judy	Abisara echerius echerius	Very Common	-	ü	ü
Punchinello	Zemeros flegyas flegyas	Common	-		ü
Lime Blue	Chilades lajus leucofasciatus	Very common	-		ü
Purple Sapphire	Heliophorus epicles phoenicoparyphus	Common	-		ü
Peacock Royal	Tajuria cippus malcolmi	Uncommon	LC		ü
Pale Grass Blue	Zizeeria maha serica	Very common	-		ü
Formosan Swift	Borbo cinnara	Common	-		ü
Tree Flitter	Hyarotis adrastus praba	Uncommon	-		ü
Contiguous Swift	Polytremis lubricans lubricans	Common	-		ü
Water Snow Flat	Tagliades litigiosus litigiosus	Common	-		ü

Note:

(1) Young and Yiu (2002).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) Hyder (2008).

9.5.5.5 Dragonflies

In a report reviewing the dragonflies of Hong Kong, a few dragonfly hotspots were identified in the northeast New Territories which included Tan Shan River and Pat Sin Leng marsh (Tam et al 2008). The hill streams in this territory are particularly good for dragonfly communities. Dragonfly community in other lowland rivers subject to certain level of human disturbance and channelization works so that the dragonfly community is relatively impoverished.

Literature Review

In the Feasibility Study, only common dragonfly species were recorded at the proposed BCP, Heung Yuen Wai and Chuk Yuen Area. No species of conservation interest was sighted (Ove Arup 2008). The EIA study for the Regulation of Shenzhen River Phase IV recorded a total of 26 dragonfly species in the Assessment Area, which included three species of conservation interest Little Dusk-Hawker, Emerald Cascader and Club-tailed Cruiser (ERM 2010).

Tan Shan River and Kwan Tei River within the Assessment Area are identified as important sites for dragonflies. Main part of the Tan Shan River is registered as Ecologically Important Stream, which supports diverse dragonfly species including Brook Sprite, Dog-legged Clubtail, Marauder Clubtail, Emerald Dwarf, Dusky Lilysquatter and Blue Sprite of conservation interest (Ove Arup 2008; Tam et al 2008).

In the Lau Shui Heung Reservoir and the catchment area inside Pat Sin Leng CP, the diverse wetland habitat provides a suitable habitat for various dragonfly species including Indochinese Copperwing of conservation interest (AFCD 2009a).

Field Survey Summary

The dragonfly species recorded in the channelized rivers and irrigation ditches in agricultural land are all common species. Amongst the dragonfly record, Eastern Lilysquatter, Dusky Lilysquatter recorded in Tan Shan River and Ma Wat Channel are species of conservation interest (refer to Plates 16 to 18 in Appendix 9.2). In River Ganges, the section near the footprint of the proposed connecting road in Nga Yiu Ha village was found to be semi-natural. For the sections near the eastern and western side of the Nga Yiu Ha village agriculture activities incurred a certain level of disturbance to the river which limited the diversity of aquatic community therein. Dragonfly species found in the upper stream section are dominated by common species such as Common Flangetail, Black Threadtail and Yellow Featherlegs. In Loi Tung, a ditch was identified in the western side of the freshwater wetland in which a few stream associated species was recorded including a species of conservation interest, Dingy Dusk-hawker. These stream species are confined to the stream section running alongside the woodland edge, which provide a dense canopy cover over the ditch. In the freshwater wetland, the dragonfly community is dominated by common marsh species such as Marsh Skimmer, Common Red Skimmer, Pied Percher and Blue Dasher.

Moreover, three immature Elusive Adjutants of conservation interest, were found roosting in the woodland in Chuk Yuen (refer to Plate 19 in Appendix 9.2). This species is widespread in Southeast Asia usually associated with weed covered ponds, tanks and ditches, and was first recorded in static pond of the Hong Kong Wetland Park (HKWP) in 2008. It is believed that the woodland where the species was recorded is not an optimal habitat for the species. Moreover, given the availability of similar habitats in Hong Kong, it is thought that the species is not highly restricted in a particular location in Hong Kong. A checklist of dragonfly species recorded from field survey is presented in Appendix 9.5a to 9.5g. Summaries of dragonfly record in each section are presented in Tables 9.31 to 9.37.

Study Findings

Section 1 – BCP Area

A total of 13 dragonfly species was found within the BCP boundary. The dragonfly species are mainly found in the Kong Yiu Channel. Owing to the artificial nature of the river channels, all dragonflies recorded are of common species.

Table 9.31: Dragonfly Species recorded from BCP Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern^(2)	AFCD’s un-published data^(3)	Current Survey
Yellow Featherlegs	Copera marginipes	Abundant	-		ü
Black Threadtail	Prodasineura autumnalis	Abundant	-		ü
Lesser Emperor	Anax parthenope julius	Common	-		ü
Asian Amberwing	Brachythemis contaminata	Abundant	-		ü
Crimson Darter	Crocothemis servilia servilia	Abundant	-		ü
Common Blue Skimmer	Orthetrum glaucum	Abundant	-		ü
Marsh Skimmer	Orthetrum luzonicum	Abundant	-		ü
Common Red Skimmer	Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum	Abundant	-		ü
Green Skimmer	Orthetrum sabina sabina	Common	-		ü
Wandering Glider	Pantala flavescens	Abundant	-	ü	ü
Saddlebag Glider	Tramea virginia	Common	-		ü
Crimson Dropwing	Trithemis aurora	Abundant	-	ü	ü
Indigo Dropwing	Trithemis festiva	Abundant	-		ü

Note:

(1) Wilson et al. (2004).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Sections 2 & 3 – Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

A variety of dragonfly species was recorded in the FCA, which included Little Dusk-hawker, Club-tailed Cruiser, Scarlet Basker, Elusive Adjutant and Emerald Cascader of conservation interest.

Near Nga Yiu Ha and Wo Keng Shan section, a variety of dragonfly species was recorded associated with the River Ganges including the Blue Chaser of conservation interest. The dragonfly community recorded under Section 3 comprises predominately common stream associated species and species with high adaptability to artificial habitat. Small number of dragonfly was found in the freshwater wetland near Wo Keng Shan which included Pied Percher and Marsh Skimmer.

Table 9.32: Dragonfly Species recorded from Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern ^(2)	Regulation of SZ River Stage IV EIA^(3)	Secondary Boundary Fence EIA^(4)	AFCD’s un-published data^(6)	Current Survey
Orange-tailed Midget	Agriocnemis femina oryzae	Abundant	-		ü
Orange-tailed Sprite	Ceriagrion auranticum ryukyuanum	Abundant	-				ü
Common Bluetail	Ischnura senegalensis	Abundant	-	ü	ü		ü
Ferruginous-faced Sprite	Pseudagrion pruinosum fraseri	Uncommon^(5)	-	ü
Orange-faced Sprite	Pseudagrion rubriceps rubriceps	Common	-	ü		ü	ü
Black-kneed Featherlegs	Copera ciliata	Abundant	-				ü
Yellow Featherlegs	Copera marginipes	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Black Threadtail	Prodasineura autumnalis	Abundant	-				ü
Pale-spotted Emperor	Anax guttatus	Abundant	-	ü			ü
Lesser Emperor	Anax parthenope julius	Common	-				ü
Little Dusk-hawker	Gynacantha saltatrix	Uncommon	LC	ü
Hyaline Dusk-hawker	Gynacantha hyalina	Potential Species	-	ü
Common Flangetail	Ictinogomphus pertinax	Abundant	-	ü		ü	ü
Club-tailed Cruiser	Macromia urania	Common^(5)	GC	ü
Asian Pintail	Acisoma panorpoides	Common	-	ü
Blue Dasher	Brachydiplax chalybea flavovittata	Common	-	ü
Asian Amberwing	Brachythemis contaminata	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Crimson Darter	Crocothemis servilia servilia	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Blue Percher	Diplacodes trivialis	Abundant					ü
Forest Chaser	Lyriothemis elegantissima	Common	-	ü			ü
Russet Percher	Neurothemis fluvia	Abundant	-	ü			ü
Pied Percher	Neurothemis tullia tullia	Common	-	ü			ü
Red-faced Skimmer	Orthetrum chrysis	Common	-		ü		ü
Common Blue Skimmer	Orthetrum glaucum	Abundant	-	ü	ü		ü
Marsh Skimmer	Orthetrum luzonicum	Abundant	-				ü
Common Red Skimmer	Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Green Skimmer	Orthetrum sabina sabina	Common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Lesser Blue Skimmer	Orthetrum triangulare triangulare	Common	-				ü
Wandering Glider	Pantala flavescens	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Pied Skimmer	Pseudothemis zonata	Common	-				ü
Variegated Flutterer	Rhyothemis variegata aria	Common	-	ü	ü		ü
Saddlebag Glider	Tramea virginia	Common	-	ü			ü
Crimson Dropwing	Trithemis aurora	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Indigo Dropwing	Trithemis festiva	Abundant	-	ü			ü
Emerald Cascader	Zygonyx iris insignis	Abundant	PGC	ü			ü
Dingy Dusk-darter	Zyxomma petiolatum	Common					ü
Elusive Adjutant	Aethriamanta brevipennis brevipennis	Rare^(5)	-				ü

Note:

(1) Wilson et al. (2004).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) ERM (2010).

(4) Mott MacDonald (2008).

(5) Tam et al. (2008).

(6) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Table 9.33: Dragonfly Species recorded from Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern ^(2)	NENT Landfill Extension EIA^(3)	AFCD’s un-published data^(4)	Current Survey
Chinese Greenwing	Neurobasis chinensis chinensis	Common	-			ü
Common Blue Jewel	Rhinocypha perforata perforata	Abundant	-			ü
Black-banded Gossamerwing	Euphaea decorata	Abundant	-	ü		ü
Orange-tailed Midget	Agriocnemis femina oryzae	Abundant	-	ü		ü
Orange-tailed Sprite	Ceriagrion auranticum ryukyuanum	Abundant	-	ü		ü
Common Bluetail	Ischnura senegalensis	Abundant	-	ü
Orange-faced Sprite	Pseudagrion rubriceps rubriceps	Common	-			ü
Blue Forest Damsel	Coeliccia cyanomelas	Abundant	-	ü
Yellow Featherlegs	Copera marginipes	Abundant	-	ü		ü
Black Threadtail	Prodasineura autumnalis	Abundant	-			ü
Pale-spotted Emperor	Anax guttatus	Abundant	-			ü
Fiery Emperor	Anax immaculifrons	Common	-	ü
Common Flangetail	Ictinogomphus pertinax	Abundant	-			ü
Asian Pintail	Acisoma panorpoides	Common	-	ü
Blue Dasher	Brachydiplax chalybea flavovittata	Common	-	ü
Asian Amberwing	Brachythemis contaminata	Abundant	-	ü
Crimson Darter	Crocothemis servilia servilia	Abundant	-			ü
Forest Chaser	Lyriothemis elegantissima	Common	-	ü
Russet Percher	Neurothemis fluvia	Abundant	-		ü
Pied Percher	Neurothemis tullia tullia	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Red-faced Skimmer	Orthetrum chrysis	Common	-	ü		ü
Common Blue Skimmer	Orthetrum glaucum	Abundant	-	ü		ü
Marsh Skimmer	Orthetrum luzonicum	Abundant	-	ü		ü
Common Red Skimmer	Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Green Skimmer	Orthetrum sabina sabina	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Lesser Blue Skimmer	Orthetrum triangulare triangulare	Common	-			ü
Wandering Glider	Pantala flavescens	Abundant	-	ü		ü
Blue Chaser	Potamarcha congener	Common	LC	ü
Pied Skimmer	Pseudothemis zonata	Common	-	ü		ü
Variegated Flutterer	Rhyothemis variegata aria	Common	-	ü		ü
Saddlebag Glider	Tramea virginia	Common	-			ü
Crimson Dropwing	Trithemis aurora	Abundant	-	ü		ü
Indigo Dropwing	Trithemis festiva	Abundant	-	ü		ü
Dingy Dusk-darter	Zyxomma petiolatum	Common	-			ü

Note:

(1) Wilson et al. (2004).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) Ove Arup (2007).

(4) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Section 4 – North Tunnel (Cheung Shan)

A total of 8 dragonfly species was found in this section which were mostly found gliding over the wooded habitat or associated with ditches. Emerald Cascader of conservation interest is usually found gliding high over hillstream and vegetated area.

Table 9.34: Dragonfly Species recorded from the North Tunnel Aboveground Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern^(2)	Current Survey
Amber-winged Glider	Hydrobasileus croceus	Common	-	ü
Russet Percher	Neurothemis fulvia	Abundant	-	ü
Common Blue Skimmer	Orthetrum glaucum	Abundant	-	ü
Wandering Glider	Pantala flavescens	Abundant	-	ü
Saddlebag Glider	Tramea virginia	Common	-	ü
Crimson Dropwing	Trithemis aurora	Abundant	-	ü
Indigo Dropwing	Trithemis festiva	Abundant	-	ü
Emerald Cascader	Zygonyx iris insignis	Abundant	PGC	ü

Note:

(1) Wilson et al. (2004).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

Section 5 – Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas)

Different types of wetland including river channel, ditch and freshwater wetland were found in this section. In River Indus, stream associated species assemblage was found, but not of particular high in diversity and abundance. In Loi Tung freshwater wetland, the species assemblage recorded during the current survey is all common marsh species such as Marsh Dancer, Asian Pintail, Pied Percher and Marsh Skimmer. In the ditch near the freshwater wetland in Loi Tung, a few hillstream associated dragonfly species were found of which Emerald Cascader and Dingy Dusk-hawker are species of conservation interest. Outside the Loi Tung freshwater wetland area, nine species of conservation interest were recorded in AFCD biodiversity survey including Indochinese Copperwing, Dusky Lilysquatter, Blue Sprite, Orange-backed Threadtail, Dog-legged Clubtail, Club-tailed Cruiser, Ruby Darter, Scarlet Basker and Emerald Cascader, which are mostly associated with stream habitat.

Table 9.35: Dragonfly Species recorded from Sha Tau Kok Road (Shan Tong, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern ^(2)	Drainage Improvement in NNT – Package C EIA^(3)	AFCD’s un-published data^(4)	Current Survey
Indochinese Copperwing	Mnais mneme	Common	LC		ü
Chinese Greenwing	Neurobasis chinensis chinensis	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Common Blue Jewel	Rhinocypha perforata perforata	Abundant	-	ü	ü
Black-banded Gossamerwing	Euphaea decorata	Abundant	-	ü	ü
Orange-tailed Midget	Agriocnemis femina oryzae	Abundant	-	ü	ü
Wandering Midget	Agriocnemis pygmaea	Common	-	ü	ü
Dusky Lilysquatter	Paracercion calamorum dyeri	Uncommon	LC		ü
Orange-tailed Sprite	Ceriagrion auranticum ryukyuanum	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Common Bluetail	Ischnura senegalensis	Abundant	-	ü
Marsh Dancer	Onychargia atrocyana	Common	-			ü
Blue Sprite	Pseudagrion microcephalum	Uncommon	LC		ü
Ferruginous-faced Sprite	Pseudagrion pruinosum fraseri	Uncommon^(5)	-		ü
Orange-faced Sprite	Pseudagrion rubriceps rubriceps	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Black-kneed Featherlegs	Copera ciliata	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Yellow Featherlegs	Copera marginipes	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Black Threadtail	Prodasineura autumnalis	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Orange-backed Threadtail	Prodasineura croconota	Common	LC		ü
Pale-spotted Emperor	Anax guttatus	Abundant	-	ü	ü
Lesser Emperor	Anax parthenope julius	Common	-		ü
Dingy Dusk-hawker	Gynacantha subinterrupta	Uncommon	LC			ü
Giant River Hawker	Tetracanthagyna waterhousei	Common	-			ü
Dog-legged Clubtail	Burmagomphus vermicularis	Uncommon	LC		ü
Common Flangetail	Ictinogomphus pertinax	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Golden Flangetail	Sinictinogomphus clavatus	Common	-	ü
Regal Pond Cruiser	Epophthalmia elegans	Common	-		ü
Club-tailed Cruiser	Macromia urania	Common^(5)	GC		ü
Asian Pintail	Acisoma panorpoides	Common	-	ü
Blue Dasher	Brachydiplax chalybea flavovittata	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Asian Amberwing	Brachythemis contaminata	Abundant	-	ü
Crimson Darter	Crocothemis servilia servilia	Abundant	-	ü	ü
Blue Percher	Diplacodes trivialis	Abundant	-	ü		ü
Amber-winged Glider	Hydrobasileus croceus	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Forest Chaser	Lyriothemis elegantissima	Common	-	ü		ü
Russet Percher	Neurothemis fluvia	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Pied Percher	Neurothemis tullia tullia	Common	-	ü		ü
Red-faced Skimmer	Orthetrum chrysis	Common	-	ü	ü
Common Blue Skimmer	Orthetrum glaucum	Abundant	-	ü	ü
Marsh Skimmer	Orthetrum luzonicum	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Common Red Skimmer	Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Green Skimmer	Orthetrum sabina sabina	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Wandering Glider	Pantala flavescens	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Pied Skimmer	Pseudothemis zonata	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Ruby Darter	Rhodothemis rufa	Common	LC		ü
Variegated Flutterer	Rhyothemis variegata aria	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Saddlebag Glider	Tramea virginia	Common	-	ü	ü
Crimson Dropwing	Trithemis aurora	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Indigo Dropwing	Trithemis festiva	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Scarlet Basker	Urothemis signata signata	Common	LC		ü
Emerald Cascader	Zygonyx iris insignis	Abundant	PGC	ü	ü	ü

Note:

(1) Wilson et al. (2004).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) B&V (2007).

(4) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

(5) Tam et al. (2008)

Section 6 – South Tunnel (Tan Shan River and Lau Shui Heung Reservoir Areas)

In this identified dragonfly hotspot, a variety of species was found, primarily along the Tan Shan River. The river is high in dragonfly species diversity with at least 11 dragonfly species of conservation interest recorded. In Lau Shui Heung Reservoir, common pond associated species such as Pale-spotted Emperor and Lesser Emperor were found in the current field survey.

Near Tan Shan River and Lau Shui Heung Reservoir areas, some rare and uncommon dragonfly species of conservation interest were recorded at Pat Sin Leng, Hok Tau and Cloudy Hill including Spangled Shadow-emerald, Whitetip Clubtail and Angle-winged Cruiser in Hok Tau; Wandering Spreadwing, Scarlet Dwarf and Violet Midget in Pat Sin Leng; Chinese Tiger in Sha Lo Tung basin above Hok Tau Reservoir and Chinese Cascader in Cloudy Hill (Sha Lo Tung) (Wilson et al 2004 & Tam et al 2008).

Table 9.36: Dragonfly Species recorded from Tan Shan River and Lau Shui Heung Reservoir Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern^(2)	Wilson et al 2004; AFCD Newsletter & website ^(3, 4)	AFCD’s un-published data^(5)	Current Survey
Spangled Shadow-emerald	Macromidia ellenae	Uncommon	GC	ü
Wandering Spreadwing	Lestes nodalis	Rare	LC	ü
Violet Midget	Aciagrion tillyardi	Rare	LC	ü
Angle-winged Cruiser	Macromia berlandi	Uncommon	LC	ü
Club-tailed Cruiser	Macromia urania	Common^(3)	GC	ü
Whitetip Clubtail	Anisogomphus koxingai	Uncommon	LC	ü
Chinese Tiger	Gomphidia kelloggi	Uncommon	GC	ü
Scarlet Dwarf	Nannophya pygmaea	Uncommon	LC	ü
Chinese Cascader	Zygonyx asahinai	Uncommon	LC	ü
Indochinese Copperwing	Mnais mneme	Common	LC	ü
Chinese Greenwing	Neurobasis chinensis chinensis	Common	-		ü	ü
Common Blue Jewel	Rhinocypha perforata perforata	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Black-banded Gossamerwing	Euphaea decorata	Abundant	-		ü
Orange-tailed Midget	Agriocnemis femina oryzae	Abundant	-		ü
Wandering Midget	Agriocnemis pygmaea	Common	-		ü	ü
Dusky Lilysquatter	Paracercion calamorum dyeri	Uncommon	LC	ü	ü	ü
Eastern Lilysquatter	Paracercion melanotum	Uncommon	LC			ü
Orange-tailed Sprite	Ceriagrion auranticum ryukyuanum	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Common Bluetail	Ischnura senegalensis	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Blue Sprite	Pseudagrion microcephalum	Uncommon	LC	ü	ü
Ferruginous-faced Sprite	Pseudagrion pruinosum fraseri	Uncommon^(3)	-	ü	ü	ü
Orange-faced Sprite	Pseudagrion rubriceps rubriceps	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Brook Sprite	Pseudagrion spencei	Rare	LC	ü	ü
Black-kneed Featherlegs	Copera ciliata	Abundant	-		ü
Yellow Featherlegs	Copera marginipes	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Black Threadtail	Prodasineura autumnalis	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Pale-spotted Emperor	Anax guttatus	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Lesser Emperor	Anax parthenope julius	Common	-		ü	ü
Dog-legged Clubtail	Burmagomphus vermicularis	Uncommon	LC	ü	ü
Common Flangetail	Ictinogomphus pertinax	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Marauder Clubtail	Labrogomphus torvus	Uncommon^(3)	LC	ü
Regal Pond Cruiser	Epophthalmia elegans	Common	-		ü	ü
Blue Dasher	Brachydiplax chalybea flavovittata	Common	-		ü	ü
Asian Amberwing	Brachythemis contaminata	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Crimson Darter	Crocothemis servilia servilia	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Amber-winged Glider	Hydrobasileus croceus	Common	-		ü
Emerald Dwarf	Nannophyopsis clara	Uncommon	LC	ü
Russet Percher	Neurothemis fluvia	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Pied Percher	Neurothemis tullia tullia	Common	-		ü	ü
Red-faced Skimmer	Orthetrum chrysis	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Common Blue Skimmer	Orthetrum glaucum	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Marsh Skimmer	Orthetrum luzonicum	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Common Red Skimmer	Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Green Skimmer	Orthetrum sabina sabina	Common	-		ü	ü
Lesser Blue Skimmer	Orthetrum triangulare triangulare	Common	-			ü
Wandering Glider	Pantala flavescens	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Pied Skimmer	Pseudothemis zonata	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Ruby Darter	Rhodothemis rufa	Common	LC		ü	ü
Variegated Flutterer	Rhyothemis variegata aria	Common	-		ü	ü
Saddlebag Glider	Tramea virginia	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Crimson Dropwing	Trithemis aurora	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Indigo Dropwing	Trithemis festiva	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Scarlet Basker	Urothemis signata signata	Common	LC		ü	ü
Emerald Cascader	Zygonyx iris insignis	Abundant	PGC		ü	ü

Note:

(1) Wilson et al. (2004).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) Tam et al. (2008).

(4) AFCD (2009a).

(5) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Section 7 - Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas)

In this section, dragonfly species was mostly found in the Ma Wat Channel. In the current survey, a total of three species of conservation interest was found associated with the channel area which included Eastern Lilysquatter, Ruby Darter and Emerald Cascader.

Table 9.37: Dragonfly Species recorded from Fanling (Wo Hop Shek and Yuen Leng Areas)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of Concern ^(2)	Wo Hop Shek Crematorium EIA^(3)	AFCD’s un-published data^(4)	Current Survey
Indochinese Copperwing	Mnais mneme	Common	LC		ü
Chinese Greenwing	Neurobasis chinensis chinensis	Common	-		ü	ü
Common Blue Jewel	Rhinocypha perforata perforata	Abundant	-		ü
Black-banded Gossamerwing	Euphaea decorata	Abundant	-		ü
Orange-tailed Midget	Agriocnemis femina oryzae	Abundant	-			ü
Eastern Lilysquatter	Paracercion melanotum	Uncommon	LC			ü
Orange-tailed Sprite	Ceriagrion auranticum ryukyuanum	Abundant	-		ü
Common Bluetail	Ischnura senegalensis	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Orange-faced Sprite	Pseudagrion rubriceps rubriceps	Common	-			ü
Yellow Featherlegs	Copera marginipes	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Black Threadtail	Prodasineura autumnalis	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Pale-spotted Emperor	Anax guttatus	Abundant	-		ü
Lesser Emperor	Anax parthenope julius	Common	-			ü
Common Flangetail	Ictinogomphus pertinax	Abundant	-		ü
Asian Amberwing	Brachythemis contaminata	Abundant	-		ü
Russet Percher	Neurothemis fluvia	Abundant	-			ü
Red-faced Skimmer	Orthetrum chrysis	Common	-			ü
Common Blue Skimmer	Orthetrum glaucum	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Common Red Skimmer	Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Green Skimmer	Orthetrum sabina sabina	Common	-		ü	ü
Wandering Glider	Pantala flavescens	Abundant	-	ü	ü	ü
Pied Skimmer	Pseudothemis zonata	Common	-		ü	ü
Ruby Darter	Rhodothemis rufa	Common	LC			ü
Variegated Flutterer	Rhyothemis variegata aria	Common	-		ü	ü
Saddlebag Glider	Tramea virginia	Common	-			ü
Crimson Dropwing	Trithemis aurora	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Indigo Dropwing	Trithemis festiva	Abundant	-		ü	ü
Emerald Cascader	Zygonyx iris insignis	Abundant	PGC		ü	ü

Note:

(1) Wilson et al. (2004).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002). RC = Regional Concern; PRC = Potential Regional Concern; LC = Local Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence.

(3) Hyder (2008).

(4) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

9.5.5.6 Freshwater Stream Community

The rivers and streams within the Assessment Area have experienced various levels of modification and channelization works to enhance water flow and minimize flooding potential. The rivers are also receiving pollution disturbance from rural, domestic and industrial sources. As a result, the lowland stream contiguous to local village with disturbed river bed and water quality is not regarded as an optimal habitat for native freshwater fishes. Nonetheless, a few species of conservation interest were identified in the less disturbed streams in rural area.

Literature Review

Survey conducted for the EIA of North East New Territories (NENT) Landfill Extension in 2005 reported the presence of freshwater crab Somanniathelphusa zanklon, Atyid shrimp and common exotic fish species such as Mosquito Fish, Guppy and Swordtail in River Ganges. Somanniathelphusa zanklon is a species of conservation interest favours habitats of rice fields, ditches, flooded furrows and slow-flowing stream and rivers (Ove Arup 2007). In the EIA Study for the Drainage Improvement in the Northern New Territories, field survey conducted at Man Uk Pin streams in 2005 recorded an uncommon Small Snakehead of conservation interest and an introduced Snakehead Murrel (B&V 2007).

The aquatic fauna community in the stream traversing the agricultural land in Loi Tung has also been surveyed in the EIA Study for the Drainage Improvement in Northern New Territories – Package C (B&V 2007) with record of 6 freshwater fish species. Together with four species recorded from previous literature, a total of 10 freshwater fish species was recorded in the Loi Tung Stream. Other than the Small Snakehead identified as species of conservation interest, the fish community in the stream is dominated by high abundance of exotic species Guppy. Besides, aquatic invertebrate sampling was conducted in the field study. A total of 8 species of aquatic invertebrates were recorded at Loi Tung Stream. Taxonomic composition was typical of degraded lowland streams. In the EIA Report, the lower course of the stream was evaluated as very low in ecological value whilst the upper course of the stream was evaluated as moderately low in ecological value in consideration of the moderate species diversity and structural complexity but very small in habitat size.

In the same EIA Study, the River Indus section at the southwest of Loi Tung Village running along the northern verge of Sha Tau Kok Road were also surveyed. The river section is located within the Works Area and the ecological information is considered as relevant to this Project. The EIA Report recorded a total of 7 freshwater fish species including a high abundance of Freshwater Minnow and a species of conservation interest Small Snakehead. The aquatic invertebrate sampling survey was also undertaken in this river section. A total of 8 species of aquatic invertebrates was recorded with a dominant species of Chironomid midge larvae. The river section is evaluated as moderate in ecological value in consideration of the moderate species diversity.

Lau Shui Heung Reservoir is located in Pat Sin Leng CP and consists of various water depth and bottom sediment made up of particles of different sizes providing suitable habitats to diverse fish species. Species of conservation interest included Rice Fish and Predaceous Chub, which is listed as “Vulnerable” in China Red Data Book. With reference to Lee et al. (2004), species of global concern including Hong Kong Paradise Fish was recorded in Sha Lo Tung, Pat Sin Leng Country Park and Plover Cove Country Park in the northern New Territories.

Field Survey Summary

Since most of the rivers within the Assessment Area are channelized and receiving a certain level of disturbance from adjacent residential villages, the freshwater fish communities found in the field surveys are relatively common or tolerant to highly polluted environment. In Kong Yiu Channel (in Section 1), only Whitespotted Walking Catfish, Spotted Snakehead and Nile Tilapia were found. In the upstream part of the same channel (in Section 2), similar fish community was found. In River Ganges, the river profile at the section near Nga Yiu Ha is highly modified and receiving disturbance from adjacent village. Common freshwater fish species Chinese Barb was found in the river. At the upper stream section located near Wo Keng Shan, freshwater crab Somanniathelphusa zanklon of conservation interest, was found in a low-gradient and slow water flowing lowland stream. This species is usually found in irrigation ditch and slow-flowing stream and river. They had been recorded in artificial channel in the northeast New Territories and are tolerant to organic pollution (Esser and Cumberlidge 2008).

In River Indus, the section running alongside the Sha Tau Kok Road has been modified and received disturbance from anthropogenic activities in close proximity. Other than the Predaceous Chub identified as species of conservation interest, the freshwater fish community is very limited and dominated by common fish species including Mosquito Fish and Chinese Barb.

In Loi Tung, an irrigation ditch was identified traversing the freshwater wetland and abandoned agricultural land and connecting to River Indus. A large section of the ditch is fused with the freshwater wetland which is difficult to be traced, but the upper stream section, which runs alongside the edge of Loi Tung woodland, is kept in a relatively natural condition. In that ditch section, Small Snakehead of conservation interest and a low number of common Guppy and Chinese Barb were found. Small Snakehead is cultivated in some fish farms and available from fish market.

Tan Shan River is relatively natural in respect of riverbed and riparian condition. However, it has been modified to various extents due to the river bank enhancement. A juvenile Paradise Fish of conservation interest was caught by pot trapping at the lower course of the river (refer to Plate 15 in Appendix 9.2). In the river section near Tan Chuk Hang, Rhinogobius duospilus and Broken-band Hillstream Loach were recorded. Both species are common in lowland stream in Hong Kong. The mid and lower section of Kwan Tei River is also highly disturbed, in which Small Snakehead and Acrossocheilus parallens of conservation interest were recorded. Record of Acrossocheilus parallens is unusual given the highly disturbed environment and its close proximity to residential village. Moreover, a freshwater crab Cryptopotamon anacoluthon, species of conservation interest, was found in Kwan Tei River. It has been reported that this species was relatively stenotopic and never found in polluted waters (Ng & Dudgeon, 1992). Ma Wat Channel has been constructed recently with concreted river bed, in which Nile Tilapia was commonly seen. A checklist of freshwater fish species recorded from field survey is presented in Appendix 9.5a to 9.5g and summaries of freshwater fish record in each section are presented in Tables 9.38 to 9.43.

Study Findings

Section 1 – BCP Area

From the territory-wide monitoring survey for freshwater fish undertaken by AFCD, freshwater fish found in the BCP area are either introduced species or species with high tolerance to the artificial environment.

Table 9.38: Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from BCP Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of concern^/ Protection Status^(2)	AFCD’s un-published data^(3)
Dwarf Snakehead	Channa gachua	Probably an introduced species. Records from a few streams in North District	-	ü
Whitespotted Walking Catfish	Clarias fuscus	Common	-	ü
Nile Tilapia	Oreochromis niloticus	Common	-	ü

Note:

(1) Lee et al. (2004).

(2) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Pisces (Yue & Chen 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Sections 2 & 3 – Frontier Closed Area, River Ganges.

Other than the Common Carp of conservation interest, freshwater fish community found in the channel and ditch are mostly introduced species or species which is highly tolerant to artificial environment. Tilapia and Whitespotted Walking Catfish Clarias fuscus are very common in these areas. A freshwater crab species of conservation interest Somanniathelphusa zanklon was found at the upper stream section of River Ganges near Wo Keng Shan.

Table 9.39: Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from the channels at Frontier Closed Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of concern/ Protection Status^(2)	Regulation of SZ River Stage IV EIA^(3)	Secondary Boundary Fence EIA^(4)	AFCD’s un-published data^(5)	Current Survey
Dwarf Snakehead	Channa gachua	Probably an introduced species. Records from a few streams in North District	-			ü
Spotted Snakehead	Channa maculata	Uncommon in wild, cultivated	-				ü
Mud Carp	Cirrhinus molitorella	Not common in streams, cultivated	-	ü
Whitespotted Walking Catfish	Clarias fuscus	Common	-	ü		ü	ü
Common Carp	Cyprinus carpio	Not common in streams, cultivated	IUCN (VU)	ü
Mosquito Fish	Gambusia affinis	Common	-	ü			ü
Nile Tilapia	Oreochromis niloticus	Common	-	ü	ü	ü	ü
Chinese Barb	Puntius semifasciolatus	Common	-	ü		ü	ü

Note:

(1) Lee et al. (2004).

(2) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Pisces (Yue & Chen 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) ERM (2010).

(4) Mott MacDonald (2008).

(5) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Table 9.40: Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from branches of River Ganges at Wo Keng Shan Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of concern/ Protection Status^(2)	NENT Landfill Extension EIA^(3)	AFCD’s un-published data^(4)	Current Survey
Whitespotted Walking Catfish	Clarias fuscus	Common	-			ü
Mosquito Fish	Gambusia affinis	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Nile Tilapia	Oreochromis niloticus	Common	-			ü
Predaceous Chub	Parazacco spilurus	Common	CRDB (V)			ü
Guppy	Poecilia reticulata	Common	-	ü
Chinese Barb	Puntius semifasciolatus	Common	-		ü	ü
Swordtail	Xiphophorus hellerii	Common	-	ü
Freshwater Crab	Somanniathelphusa zanklon	Records from lower course of Lam Tsuen River and Su Kwun^(5)	GC; IUCN (EN)	ü		ü

Note:

(1) Lee et al. (2004).

(2) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Pisces (Yue & Chen 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) Ove Arup (2007).

(4) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

(5) Distribution refers to IUCN (2010).

Section 4 – North Tunnel (Cheung Shan)

Assessment area of the aboveground works area under Section 4 is overlapped with other sections and therefore presented in Section 3 and Section 5.

Section 5 – Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Areas

A total of 19 freshwater fish species was recorded in this section. Owing to the high human disturbance of the area, the freshwater fish community are dominated by species with high adaptability. In the ditch near the Loi Tung freshwater wetland, a species of conservation interest Small Snakehead was found during the current survey. Other species of conservation interest including Common Carp and Predaceous Chub are also recorded.

Table 9.41: Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from streams and channels at Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of concern/ Protection Status^(2)	Drainage Improvement in NNT – Package C EIA^(3)	AFCD’s un-published data^(4)	Current Survey
Japanese eel	Anguilla japonica	Uncommon	-		ü
Small Snakehead	Channa asiatica	Uncommon in wild, cultivated	LC		ü	ü
Spotted Snakehead	Channa maculata	Uncommon in wild, cultivated	-		ü
Snakehead Murrel	Channa striata	Uncommon in wild, introduced species	-	ü
Whitespotted Walking Catfish	Clarias fuscus	Common	-			ü
Common Carp	Cyprinus carpio	Not common in streams, cultivated	IUCN (VU)		ü
Mosquito Fish	Gambusia affinis	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Wild Carp	Hemiculter leucisculus	Uncommon	-		ü
Oriental Weatherfish	Misgurnus anguillicaudatus	Common	-	ü
Mozambique Tilapia	Oreochromis mossambicus	Common	-	ü
Nile Tilapia	Oreochromis niloticus	Common	-		ü	ü
Predaceous Chub	Parazacco spilurus	Common	CRDB (V)		ü	ü
Guppy	Poecilia reticulata	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Chinese Barb	Puntius semifasciolatus	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Goby	Rhinogobius duospilus	Common	-		ü
Barcheek goby	Rhinogobius giurinus	Common	-		ü
Redbelly tilapia	Tilapia zillii	Common	-		ü
Variable Platyfish	Xiphophorus variatus	Common	-			ü
Freshwater Minnow	Zacco platypus	Common	-	ü	ü

Note:

(1) Lee et al. (2004).

(2) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Pisces (Yue & Chen 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) B&V (2007).

(4) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

Section 6 – Tan Shan River, Kwan Tei River and Lau Shui Heung Reservoir

A variety of freshwater fish species was found in this section including both exotic and native species. Species of conservation interest include fishes Acrossocheilus parallens and Small Snakehead in Kwan Tei River and a freshwater crab Cryptopotamon anacoluthon in Kwan Tei River. Hong Kong Paradise Fish and Rice Fish in Tan Shan River were recorded under AFCD’s biodiversity survey.

Table 9.42: Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from Tan Shan River, Kwan Tei River and Lau Shui Heung Reservoir

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of concern/ Protection Status^(2)	AFCD’s survey^(3)	AFCD’s un-published data^(4)	Current Survey
-	Acrossocheilus parallens	Rare	-		ü	ü
Small Snakehead	Channa asiatica	Uncommon in wild, cultivated	LC	ü	ü	ü
Spotted Snakehead	Channa maculata	Uncommon in wild, cultivated	-	ü	ü
Whitespotted Walking Catfish	Clarias fuscus	Common	-			ü
Common Carp	Cyprinus carpio	Not common in streams, cultivated	IUCN (VU)		ü	ü
Mosquito Fish	Gambusia affinis	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Wild Carp	Hemiculter leucisculus	Uncommon	-	ü	ü
Broken-band Hillstream Loach	Liniparhomaloptera disparis	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Hong Kong Paradise Fish	Macropodus hongkongensis	Uncommon	GC		ü
Paradise Fish	Macropodus opercularis	Common	-		ü	ü
Spiny eel	Mastacembelus armatus	Rare	LC		ü
Large Mouth Bass	Micropterus salmoides	-	-		ü
Oriental Weatherfish	Misgurnus anguillicaudatus	Common	-		ü
Swampy eel	Monopterus albus	Common	-	ü	ü
Nile Tilapia	Oreochromis niloticus	Common	-		ü	ü
Rice Fish	Oryzias curvinotus	Uncommon	GC	ü	ü
Predaceous Chub	Parazacco spilurus	Common	CRDB (V)	ü	ü	ü
Guppy	Poecilia reticulata	Common	-		ü	ü
Chinese Barb	Puntius semifasciolatus	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Goby	Rhinogobius duospilus	Common	-	ü	ü	ü
Barcheek goby	Rhinogobius giurinus	Common	-		ü
Redbelly tilapia	Tilapia zillii	Common	-	ü	ü
Swordtail	Xiphophorus hellerii	Common	-		ü
Variable Platyfish	Xiphophorus variatus	Common	-		ü	ü
Freshwater Minnow	Zacco platypus	Common	-		ü	ü
Common Freshwater Crab	Cryptopotamon anacoluthon	Records from stream at Wu Kwai Sha, Kwun Yum Shan stream, Tai Po Kau Forest Reserve, The Peak ^(5)	PGC; IUCN (VU)			ü
Canton Beeshrimp	Caridina cantonensis	Common and widespread	-			ü

Note:

(1) Lee et al. (2004).

(2) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Pisces (Yue & Chen 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) AFCD (2009b).

(4) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

(5) Distribution refers to IUCN (2010).

Section 7 – Ma Wat Channel

In the artificial river channel, two freshwater fish species Small Snakehead and Common Carp were found over the course of field survey. All are highly adaptable to artificial channel. Species of conservation interest including Small Snakehead, Common Carp and Acrossocheilus parallens are recorded under AFCD’s biodiversity survey.

Table 9.43: Freshwater Fish and Crustacean Species recorded from Fanling Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution in Hong Kong^(1)	Level of concern/ Protection Status^(2)	AFCD’s un-published data^(3)	Current Survey at Ma Wat Channel
-	Acrossocheilus parallens	Rare	-	ü
Tinfoil Barb	Barbus schwanenfeldii	Occurs in a few local reservoirs on Hong Kong Island and Tsuen Wan	-	ü
Small Snakehead	Channa asiatica	Uncommon in wild, cultivated	LC	ü
Whitespotted Walking Catfish	Clarias fuscus	Common	-		ü
Common Carp	Cyprinus carpio	Not common in streams, cultivated	IUCN (VU)	ü
Mosquito Fish	Gambusia affinis	Common	-	ü
Broken-band Hillstream Loach	Liniparhomaloptera disparis	Common	-	ü
Oriental Weatherfish	Misgurnus anguillicaudatus	Common	-	ü
Swampy eel	Monopterus albus	Common	-	ü
Nile Tilapia	Oreochromis niloticus	Common	-	ü	ü
Guppy	Poecilia reticulata	Common	-	ü
Sucker-belly loach	Pseudogastromyzon myersi	Common	-	ü
Vietnam catfish	Pterocryptis cochinchinensis	Common	-	ü
Chinese Barb	Puntius semifasciolatus	Common	-	ü
Goby	Rhinogobius duospilus	Common	-	ü
Redbelly tilapia	Tilapia zillii	Common	-	ü
Swordtail	Xiphophorus hellerii	Common	-	ü
Variable Platyfish	Xiphophorus variatus	Common	-	ü

Note:

(1) Lee et al. (2004).

(2) Abbreviations for Level of Concern/ Protection Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

CITES – Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); Letters in parentheses: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Pisces (Yue & Chen 1998); Letters in parentheses: E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) Unpublished data collected in the territory-wide long-term monitoring survey undertaken by AFCD from 2002 to 2010.

9.6 Habitat and Species Evaluation

Habitats identified within the Ecological Assessment Area have been evaluated in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Annex 8 of the EIAO-TM. Overall ecological values for each habitat type were ranked as follows:

¡ High

¡ High-Moderate

¡ Moderate

¡ Moderate-low

¡ Low

¡ Very Low

9.6.1 Evaluation of Habitats within the Assessment Area

The details of the habitats within the Assessment Area are presented in Section 9.5.3. Evaluation of these habitats is given in the following tables. Each habitat is evaluated in accordance with requirements stipulated in Annex 8, Table (2) of the EIAO-TM. Should significant variation is identified among same habitat type, a respective column is provided for individual evaluation. Evaluations of the habitats are presented in Tables 9.44 to 9.59.

Table 9.44: Ecological Evaluation of Woodland (1) – Fung Shui Wood

Criteria	Kan Tau Wai Fung Shui Wood	Fung Shui Wood (Heung Yuen Wai, Tsung Yuen Ha, Man Uk Pin, Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai, Loi Tung)
Naturalness	Largely native, with small scale of human modification	Largely native, with small scale of human modification
Size	Small in size, approx 0.4 ha	Small in size, ranging from 0.9 ha to 1.5 ha
Diversity	Low in flora species; Low in fauna species	Moderate-high in flora species; Low in fauna species
Rarity	Rare habitat; No floral or fauna species of conservation interest were recorded	Rare habitat; Four floral species of conservation interest including Aquilaria sinensis, Xylosma longifolium, Pavetta hongkongensis and Cleisostoma simondii were recorded, of which Xylosma longifolium recorded in Tsung Yuen Ha, Loi Tung and Man Uk Pin fung shui woods is a rare tree species; Three bird species of conservation interest including Grey Treepie in Loi Tung and Rufous-capped Babbler in Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai were recorded; One reptile species of conservation interest Indian Forest Skink was recorded
Re-creatability	Difficult to be re-created	Difficult to be re-created
Fragmentation	No significant fragmentation for these isolated sites	No significant fragmentation within each woodland
Ecological linkage	Surrounded by village, active and inactive agricultural land	Ecologically connected to adjacent hillside habitats
Potential value	This site is characterized by a group of old Cinnamomum camphora which has high conservation value	These are recognised sites of high conservation value
Nursery/ breeding ground	Potential breeding ground for birds, herpetofauna and insects, but no significant record	Potential breeding ground for birds, herpetofauna and insects, but no significant record
Age	Over 100 years	Over 100 years
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low, due to their small habitat size	Moderate
Overall Ecological Value	High-moderate	High

Table 9.45: Ecological Evaluation of Woodland (2) – Secondary Woodland

Criteria	Secondary Woodland at Loi Tung Area (western woodland portion at Princess Hill)	Secondary Woodland at Loi Tung Area (eastern woodland portion adjoining Loi Tung fung shui wood)
Naturalness	Secondary habitat derives from modified habitat, while the connected Pak Kung wooded area preserved for fung shui belief by the villagers	Secondary habitat derives from modified habitat
Size	approx 13.6 ha (including 0.4 ha of Pak Kung woodland)	approx 26.9 ha
Diversity	moderate in both flora and fauna species	moderate in both flora and fauna species
Rarity	Common habitat; Four floral species of conservation interest including Aquilaria sinensis, Cibotium barometz, Euonymus kwangtungensis and Pavetta hongkongensis were recorded, of which Euonymus kwangtungensis is a rare shrub species; Two mammal species of conservation interest including Malayan Porcupine and Red Muntjac were recorded; One bird species of conservation interest Rufous-capped Babbler was recorded	Common habitat; Five floral species of conservation interest including Aquilaria sinensis, Cibotium barometz, Euonymus kwangtungensis, Pavetta hongkongensis and Xylosma longifolium were recorded, of which Euonymus kwangtungensis and Xylosma longifolium are rare species; One mammal species of conservation interest Leopard Cat was recorded; Three bird species of conservation interest including Crested Serpent Eagle and Grey Treepie were recorded; One reptile species of conservation interest Indian Forest Skink was recorded; One butterfly species of conservation interest Lesser Forest Blue was recorded
Re-creatability	Re-creatable through re-planting but require longer duration; The portion around Pak Kung is difficult to be re-created for its fung shui history	Re-creatable through re-planting but require longer duration; but its location in which directly connected to a mature fung shui wood is difficult to be replicated
Fragmentation	No significant fragmentation	No significant fragmentation
Ecological linkage	Ecologically connected to the eastern portion of the Loi Tung secondary woodland, shrublands, hillside grasslands and freshwater wetland	Direct physical and ecological linkage with Loi Tung fung shui wood; Ecologically connected to adjacent shrublands, hillside grasslands, freshwater wetland and watercourse
Potential value	The habitat value could be enhanced with increase in maturity	The habitat value could be enhanced with increase in maturity
Nursery/ breeding ground	Potential breeding ground for mammals, birds, herpetofauna and insects, but no significant record	Potential breeding ground for mammals, birds, herpetofauna and insects, but no significant record
Age	Around 50 years; The Pak Kung portion is over 100years	over 50 years
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	moderate abundance of wildlife for its significantly larger habitat size	moderate abundance of wildlife for its significantly larger habitat size
Overall Ecological Value	High-moderate	High

Table 9.46: Ecological Evaluation of Woodland (3) – Secondary Woodland

Criteria	Secondary Woodland at Cheung Shan	Secondary Woodland at Shan Tong	Secondary Woodland at Lung Shan
Naturalness	Secondary habitat derives from modified habitat	Secondary habitat derives from modified habitat	Secondary habitat derives from modified habitat
Size	approx 21.2 ha	approx 15.6 ha	approx 5.2 ha
Diversity	moderate in flora species and moderate-low in fauna species	moderate-low in both flora and fauna species	moderate-low in both flora and fauna species
Rarity	Common habitat; Three floral species of conservation interest including Aquilaria sinensis, Cibotium barometz and Pavetta hongkongensis were recorded One mammal species of conservation interest Red Muntjac was recorded	Common habitat; One floral species of conservation interest Aquilaria sinensis was recorded.	Common habitat; One floral species of conservation interest Aquilaria sinensis was recorded. One mammal species of conservation interest Leopard Cat was recorded; One reptile species of conservation interest Indian Forest Skink was recorded; One dragonfly species of conservation interest Emerald Cascader was recorded
Re-creatability	Re-creatable through re-planting but requires longer duration	Re-creatable through re-planting but requires longer duration	Re-creatable through re-planting but requires longer duration
Fragmentation	No significant fragmentation	No significant fragmentation	No significant fragmentation
Ecological linkage	Ecologically connected to adjacent shrublands	Ecologically connected to adjacent shrublands, hillside grasslands and abandoned agricultural land	Ecologically connected to adjacent shrublands and hillside grasslands
Potential value	The habitat value could be enhanced with increase in maturity	The habitat value could be enhanced with increase in maturity	The habitat value could be enhanced with increase in maturity
Nursery/ breeding ground	Potential breeding ground for mammals, birds, herpetofauna and insects, but no significant record	Potential breeding ground for mammals, birds, herpetofauna and insects, but no significant record	Potential breeding ground for mammals, birds, herpetofauna and insects, but no significant record
Age	Around 40 years	Around 40 years	Around 40 years
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low	Low	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Moderate	Moderate-low	Moderate-low

Table 9.47: Ecological Evaluation of Woodland (4) – Secondary Woodland

Criteria	Secondary Woodland (Others within Assessment Area)
Naturalness	Secondary habitat derives from modified habitat
Size	Various in size, ranging from 0.2 ha to over 8 ha; large in total size, about 110 ha
Diversity	Ranging from moderate to moderate-low in both flora and fauna species
Rarity	Common habitat; Two floral species of conservation interest including Aquilaria sinensis and Pavetta hongkongensis were recorded, and both are common species; Three mammal species of conservation interest including Masked Palm Civet, Red Muntjac and Malayan Porcupine in Chuk Yuen and Heung Yuen Wai were recorded; Seven bird species of conservation interest including Crested Serpent Eagle in Tsung Yuen Ha and Lau Shui Heung, Black-naped Oriole and Emerald Dove in Nga Yiu Ha were recorded; Two dragonfly species of conservation interest including Elusive Adjutant in Tsung Yuen Ha were recorded
Re-creatability	Re-creatable through re-planting but requires longer duration
Fragmentation	No significant fragmentation
Ecological linkage	Ecologically connected to adjacent shrublands, plantations and hillside grasslands
Potential value	The habitat value could be enhanced with increase in maturity
Nursery/ breeding ground	Potential breeding records for mammals, birds, herpetofauna and insects, but no significant record
Age	Around 40 years
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low, except in Lau Shui Heung woodland area, which is of moderate abundance of wildlife for their significant large and continuous habitat size
Overall Ecological Value	Moderate for Lau Shui Heung area inside or in the vicinity of the Pat Sin Leng CP; but moderate-low for other secondary woodlands

Table 9.48: Ecological Evaluation of Shrubland

Criteria	Shrubland
Naturalness	Modified habitats associated with hill fires
Size	Various in size throughout the assessment area; large in total area of over 180 ha
Diversity	Moderate-low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Common Habitat; Two floral species of conservation interest including Aquilaria sinensis and Pavetta hongkongensis were recorded, and both are common species; Seven bird species of conservation interest including Bright-capped Cisticola in Nga Yiu Ha, Grey Treepie and Asian Paradise Flycatcher in Lau Shui Heung and Greater Coucal were recorded Two reptile species of conservation interest including Copperhead Racer in Fanling were recorded; One butterfly species of conservation interest Peacock Royal in Fanling was recorded
Re-creatability	Re-creatable through re-planting and natural regeneration
Fragmentation	The shrubland along the alignment at Section 6 is continuous; others are scattered around the hillside area
Ecological linkage	Ecologically connected to adjacent hillside grassland and woodland
Potential value	The habitat value could be enhanced through natural succession if hill fires are under control
Nursery/ breeding ground	Potential breeding habitats for birds, herpetofauna and insects, but no significant record
Age	N/A
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Moderate-low, to Low

Table 9.49: Ecological Evaluation of Plantation

Criteria	Plantation
Naturalness	Wholly man-made habitat
Size	Large, total area of over 99 ha
Diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Common habitat; Three bird species of conservation interest including Yellow-billed Grosbeak in Tsung Yuen Ha were recorded; One butterfly species of conservation interest Danaid Eggfly in Wo Keng Shan Road was recorded; One dragonfly species of conservation interest Emerald Cascader in Wo Keng Shan Road was recorded
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	These habitats are patchily created / modified around hillside and urban land use
Ecological linkage	Ecologically linked with woodland and shrubland (except plantation located around Ma Wat Channel which is segregated by channel and highway)
Potential value	Low potential value as the habitat is being maintained for crop production or urban landscaping
Nursery/ breeding ground	Not significant nursery / breeding ground
Age	5 years to over 20 years
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Low

Table 9.50: Ecological Evaluation of Freshwater Wetland

Criteria	Freshwater Wetland (at Loi Tung)	Freshwater Wetland (Others)
Naturalness	Semi-natural habitat developed from abandoned agricultural land	Semi-natural habitat developed from abandoned agricultural land
Size	approx 2.2 ha	Various in size, ranging from 0.2 ha to 2.6 ha due to scattered distribution; Total area of approx. 11.6 ha
Diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Habitat not rare; One butterfly species of conservation interest Lesser Forest Blue was recorded	Habitat not rare; Four bird species of conservation interest including White-throated Kingfisher were recorded; One butterfly species of conservation interest Great Swift in Nga Yiu Ha was recorded; One amphibian species of conservation interest Chinese Bullfrog in Chow Tin Tsuen was recorded
Re-creatability	Re-creatable if hydrological condition is available	Re-creatable if hydrological condition is available
Fragmentation	No fragmentation	These isolated habitats are not continuous
Ecological linkage	Ecologically linked with surrounding woodlands and ditch	Linkage with lowland watercourse
Potential value	The eastern side of the freshwater wetland which is contiguous with a ditch and mature woodland has potential to establish higher ecological value habitat.	Potential value is limited by their small size and fragmented habitat
Nursery/ breeding ground	The Hedychium coronarium infected with alphid are potential nursery ground for rare butterfly species Lesser Forest Blue Taraka hamada isona. The Hedychium coronarium in the freshwater wetland is an identified breeding ground for uncommon butterfly species Grass Demon Udaspes folus	The Hedychium coronarium in the freshwater wetland is an identified breeding ground for uncommon butterfly species Grass Demon Udaspes folus
Age	Developed recently	Developed recently
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Moderate	Moderate-low to Low

Table 9.51: Ecological Evaluation of Active Agricultural Land

Criteria	Active Agricultural Land
Naturalness	Wholly man-made habitat
Size	Total area of approx. 73 ha
Diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Habitat not rare; One mammal species of conservation interest Short-nosed Fruit Bat in Chuk Yuen was recorded; Five bird species of conservation interest including Chinese Pond Heron were recorded; One amphibian species of conservation interest Chinese Bullfrog in Fanling was recorded; One butterfly species of conservation interest Painted Lady in Chuk Yuen was recorded
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	Heavily fragmented by various land uses
Ecological linkage	Low ecological linkage with other habitats
Potential value	Low potential value as the habitat is being maintained for crop production
Nursery/ breeding ground	Breeding habitat for various amphibian species
Age	N/A
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Low

Table 9.52: Ecological Evaluation of Abandoned Agricultural Land

Criteria	Abandoned Agricultural Land (Sections 2 & 3)	Abandoned Agricultural Land (Other Sections excluding Sections 2 & 3)
Naturalness	Man-made habitat after abandonment	Man-made habitat after abandonment
Size	Large, total area of approx. 201 ha	Large, total area of approx. 83.2 ha
Diversity	Low in flora diversity, moderate-low in fauna diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Habitat not rare; Two mammal species of conservation interest including Red Muntjac and Malayan Porcupine were recorded; Thirteen bird species of conservation interest including White-cheeked Starling, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, Peregrine Falcon, White-shouldered Starling were recorded; Two reptile species of conservation interest including Chinese Cobra were recorded	Habitat not rare; One mammal species of conservation interest Red Muntjac was recorded; Nine bird species of conservation interest including Emerald Dove, Black Kite and Red-breasted Flycatcher in Tan Chuk Hang were recorded; One amphibian species of conservation interest Chinese Bullfrog in Fanling was recorded;
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	Habitats are generally contiguous;	Habitats are lightly fragmented by some rural land uses such as villages and footpaths
Ecological linkage	Ecological linkage with adjoining vegetated habitats	Ecological linkage with other vegetated habitats
Potential value	Potential value can be improved if human disturbance cease for long period	Potential value can be improved if human disturbance cease for long period
Nursery/ breeding ground	Potential breeding habitats for birds, herpetofauna and insects, but no significant record	Potential breeding habitats for birds, herpetofauna and insects, but no significant record.
Age	N/A	N/A
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Moderate-low, to Low	Low

Table 9.53: Ecological Evaluation of Hillside Grassland

Criteria	Hillside Grassland
Naturalness	Modified habitat disturbed by hill fires
Size	Large, total area of approx. 328 ha
Diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Habitat not rare; One mammal species of conservation interest Lesser Bamboo Bat in Wo Keng Shan was recorded; Six bird species of conservation interest including Bright-capped Cisticola and White-shouldered Starling in Nga Yiu Ha, Crested Serpent Eagle and Black Kite soaring over Tsung Yuen Ha, Nga Yiu Ha and Lung Shan were recorded; Two butterfly species of conservation interest including Small Three-ring in Nga Yiu Ha were recorded
Re-creatability	Maintained by hill fires
Fragmentation	Mostly contiguous on hillside areas
Ecological linkage	Generally connected to adjacent shrublands and woodlands
Potential value	Potential value can be enhanced through habitat enhancement but most of the hillside falls within permitted burial ground which limit the potential
Nursery/ breeding ground	This habitat is potential nursery/ breeding ground for Bright-capped Cisticola
Age	Long history of hill fire disturbance
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Low

Table 9.54: Ecological Evaluation of Pond

Criteria	Pond
Naturalness	Man-made habitat
Size	Total area of approx 3 ha
Diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Habitat not rare One bird species of conservation interest Chinese Pond Heron was recorded
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	These isolated habitats are not contiguous
Ecological linkage	Low ecological linkage with other habitats
Potential value	Low potential value due to their isolated location and small size
Nursery/ breeding ground	Potential nursery ground for fish and dragonfly species, but no significant record
Age	Over 40 years
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Low

Table 9.55: Ecological Evaluation of Drainage Channel (1)

Criteria	Drainage Channel (River Ganges)	Drainage Channel (Kong Yiu Channel)
Naturalness	Wholly man-made habitat	Wholly man-made habitat
Size	Over 1km in total length (approx 4.5 ha)	Over 1.9 km in total length (approx1.1 ha)
Diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Habitat not rare; Eight bird species of conservation interest including White-throated Kingfisher, Little Egret and White-shouldered Starling were recorded; One freshwater fauna species of conservation interest Predaceous Chub was recorded	Habitat not rare One bird species of conservation interest Little Egret was recorded; One dragonfly species of conservation interest Emerald Cascader was recorded
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	N/A	N/A
Ecological linkage	Lower course ultimately link to upper Shenzhen river, upper course link to channel/watercourse	Lower course ultimately link to upper Shenzhen river, upper course link to channel / watercourse
Potential value	Low potential value for concrete channel	Low potential value for concrete channel
Nursery/ breeding ground	Potential nursery ground for some amphibian, fish and dragonfly species but no significant record	Potential nursery ground for some amphibian, fish and dragonfly species but no significant record
Age	N/A	N/A
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Moderate-low	Low

Table 9.56: Ecological Evaluation of Drainage Channel (2)

Criteria	Drainage Channel (Ma Wat Channel)	Drainage Channel (Others)
Naturalness	Wholly man-made habitat	Wholly man-made habitat
Size	Over 2.4 km in total length (approx.3.3 ha)	Over 5 km in total length (approx 3.5 ha)
Diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Habitat not rare; Three bird species of conservation interest including Grey Heron were recorded; Two dragonfly species of conservation interest including Eastern Lilysquatter and Ruby Darter were recorded; One amphibian species of conservation interest Chinese Bullfrog was recorded;	Habitat not rare; One bird species of conservation interest Little Egret was recorded; Four freshwater fauna species of conservation interest Acrossocheilus parallens, Small Snakehead and Cryptopotamon anacoluthon were recorded
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	N/A	N/A
Ecological linkage	Lower course link to River Indus and upper course link to Kau Lung Hang watercourse	Link to upper and lower course of the watercourse/channel
Potential value	Low potential value for concrete channel	Low potential value for concrete channel
Nursery/ breeding ground	Potential nursery ground for some amphibian, fish and dragonfly species but no significant record	Potential nursery ground for some amphibian, fish and dragonfly species but no significant record
Age	N/A	N/A
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Low	Moderate-low to Low

Table 9.57: Ecological Evaluation of Watercourse

Criteria	Ecological Important Streams (Man Uk Pin, Tan Shan River (River Jhelum) and Kau Lung Hang)	Watercourse (River Ganges)	Watercourse (Others excluding Ecologically Important Streams and River Ganges)
Naturalness	Semi-natural, modified for agricultural drainage	Semi-natural, modified for agricultural drainage	Semi-natural, modified for agricultural drainage
Size	Approx 3 km in total length (approx 1.8 ha)	2 km in total length (approx 2.1 ha)	Over 4 km in total length (approx. 7.7 ha)
Diversity	Moderate in fauna species diversity	Moderate-low for fauna species; low for flora species	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Not rare in habitat type; Two bird species of conservation interest including Little Egret were recorded; Five dragonfly species of conservation interest including Dusky Lilysquatter ,Eastern Lilysquatter, Ruby Darter, Scarlet Basker and Emerald Cascader were recorded; Two freshwater fauna species of conservation interest including Predaceous Chub were recorded	Not rare in habitat type; One freshwater crab species of conservation interest Somanniathelphusa zanklon was recorded;	Not rare in habitat type; One bird species of conservation interest Chinese Pond Heron was recorded; One butterfly species of conservation interest Lesser Forest Blue was recorded; Two dragonfly species of conservation interest including Dingy Dusk-hawker were recorded; One freshwater fauna species of conservation interest Small Snakehead was recorded
Re-creatability	Re-creatable through stream restoration	Re-creatable through stream restoration	Re-creatable through stream restoration
Fragmentation	The stream is continuous	Fragmented by sections of drainage channel	largely continuous
Ecological linkage	Ecological linkage with hill stream at upper course of the river and wetland at lower course of the river and the vegetation at riparian zone	Potential ecological linkage with adjacent active and abandoned agricultural land	Ecological linkage with hill stream at upper and lower course of the river and the vegetation at the riparian zone
Potential value	High potential value if human disturbance and pollution ceases	Potential value can be enhanced if human disturbance and pollution ceases	Potential value can be enhanced if human disturbance and pollution ceases
Nursery/ breeding ground	Nursery ground for rare fish and dragonfly species.	Nursery ground for a freshwater crab species of conservation interest Somanniathelphusa zanklon	Potential nursery ground for amphibian, fish and dragonfly species, but no significant record
Age	Over 50 years	Over 50 years	Over 50 years
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Moderate-low	Moderate-low	Moderate-low
Overall Ecological Value	High-moderate	Moderate	Moderate-low

Table 9.58: Ecological Evaluation of Open Field

Criteria	Open Field
Naturalness	Wholly man-made habitat
Size	Total area of approx 12 ha
Diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Habitat not rare; One bird species of conservation interest White-shouldered Starling in Wo Keng Shan Tsuen was recorded
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	N/A
Ecological linkage	Low ecological linkage with other habitats
Potential value	Low potential value
Nursery/ breeding ground	Not significant nursery / breeding ground
Age	N/A
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Very Low

Table 9.59: Ecological Evaluation of Developed Area

Criteria	Developed Area
Naturalness	Wholly man-made habitat
Size	Large, total area of over 216 ha
Diversity	Low in both fauna and flora species diversity
Rarity	Habitat not rare; Two bird species of conservation interest including Little Egret were recorded; Two reptile species of conservation interest including Many-banded Krait in Leng Pei Tsuen was recorded
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	N/A
Ecological linkage	Low ecological linkage with other habitats
Potential value	Low potential value
Nursery/ breeding ground	Not significant nursery / breeding ground
Age	N/A
Abundance/ Richness of wildlife	Low
Overall Ecological Value	Very Low

9.6.2 Identification of Floral Species of Conservation Interest within Assessment Area

All the plant species of conservation interest recorded within the Ecological Assessment Area are listed out in Table 9.60 in accordance with the criteria set forth in Annex 8, Table (3) of the EIAO-TM.

Table 9.60: Ecological Evaluation of Floral Species of Conservation Interest within Assessment Area

Species	Location	Protection Status	Distribution	Rarity
Aquilaria sinensis	Onsite (within Works Area): - two woodlands west of Wo Keng Shan (Section 3); - woodland at Shan Tong area (Section 5); - woodland on Princess Hill (Section 5); - woodland on Lung Shan (Section 7) Offsite (outside Works Area): Widely distributed in woodlands and shrublands	Listed under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586); Status of Near Threatened (NT) in China (3)	Distributed widely in Hong Kong. (2)	Common (1)
Cibotium barometz	Onsite (within Works Area): - woodland on Cheung Shan (Section 3); - woodland on Princess Hill (Section 5) Offsite (outside Works Area): Widely distributed in woodlands	Listed under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586); Status of Vulnerable (VU) in China (3)	Distributed widely in Hong Kong. (3)	Very Common (1)
Pavetta hongkongensis	Onsite (within Works Area): - woodland on Princess Hill (Section 5) Offsite (outside Works Area): Widely distributed in woodlands and shrublands	Listed under the Forestry Regulations (Cap. 96 sub. Leg.).	Distributed widely in Hong Kong. (2)	Common (1)
Euonymus kwangtungensis	Onsite (within Works Area): - woodland on Princess Hill (Section 5) Offsite (outside Works Area): Loi Tung secondary woodland	Status of Endangered (EN) in China (3)	Wang Shan Keuk, Wong Chuk Yeung, Mui Tsz Lam, Wu Kau Tang (1)	Rare (1)
Cleisostoma simondii	No individuals were recorded within the Works Area; But have records in Man Uk Pin fung shui wood and Loi Tung fung shui wood	Listed under the Forestry Regulations (Cap. 96 sub. Leg.).	Distributed widely in Hong Kong. (2)	Very Common (1)
Xylosma longifolium	No individuals were recorded within the Works Area; But have records in Tsung Yuen Ha fung shui wood, Man Uk Pin fung shui wood and Loi Tung fung shui wood	No protection status in Hong Kong and Mainland China	Mui Tsz Lam (Ma On Shan), Sha Tau Kok, Loi Tung, and Lam Tsuen (1)	Rare (1)

Reference source:

(1) Hong Kong Vascular Plants: Distribution and Status;

(2) Hong Kong Plant Check List 2001;

(3) Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong

9.6.3 Identification of Fauna Species of Conservation Interest within Assessment Area

Fauna species of conservation interest within the Assessment Area were listed out in Tables 9.61 to 9.66 in accordance with the criteria set forth in Annex 8, Table (3) of the EIAO-TM.

Table 9.61: Mammal Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Section (S)/ Location	Distribution in Hong Kong	Rarity	Protection and Conservation Status
Non-flying Mammals
Crab-eating Mongoose	Herpestes urva	Outside Assessment Area of S2 (Lin Ma Hang), S5 and S6 (Pat Sin Leng CP)	Records restricted in northern part of Hong Kong, such as Lin Ma Hang, Plover Cove and Pat Sin Leng CP	Rare	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC
Yellow-bellied Weasel	Mustela kathiah	Outside Assessment Area of S2 (Lin Ma Hang), S5 and S6 (Pat Sin Leng CP)	Recent records have been found at Pat Sin Leng, Plover Cove, Lin Ma Hang and Sha Tau Kok	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Masked Palm Civet	Paguma larvata	S1: BCP; S2: opposite to Chuk Yuen, Heung Yuen Wai; S3; S6; S7	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong, except Lantau Island and Northwest N.T.	Common	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: PRC
Red Muntjac	Muntiacus muntjak	S1: BCP; S2: opposite to Chuk Yuen; S3; S4; S5: Loi Tung; S6; S7	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Very common	· Level of Concern: PRC
Malayan Porcupine	Hystrix brachyura	S1: BCP; S2: opposite to Chuk Yuen, Heung Yuen Wai; S3; S5: Loi Tung; S6; S7	Widespread throughout most of Hong Kong, but no record was found on Lantau Island.	Very common	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: PGC
Leopard Cat	Prionailurus bengalensis	S1: BCP; S2: opposite to Chuk Yuen, Pak Fu Shan, Ta Kwu Ling; S3; S4; S5: Loi Tung; S6; S7: Fanling	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong, except Lantau Island	Uncommon	· Cap. 170 · Cap. 586 · CITES: Appendix II · CRDB: V
Bats
Short-nosed Fruit Bat	Cynopterus sphinx	S1: BCP; S6: Pat Sin Leng CP, Lau Shui Heung	Widely distributed in urban and forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Very common	· Cap. 170 · CRDB: I
Himalayan Leaf-nosed Bat	Hipposideros armiger	S5; S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Very common	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Pomona Leaf-nosed Bat	Hipposideros pomona	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong, except Hong Kong Island	Very common	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Greater Bent-winged Bat	Miniopterus magnater	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Fairly widespread in Hong Kong	Common	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: PRC (RC)
Lesser Bent-winged Bat	Miniopterus pusillus	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Chinese Myotis	Myotis chinensis	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Fairly widespread in forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC) · CRDB: V
Horsfield’s Bat	Myotis horsfieldii	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Recent records found in Shek Kong, Fung Yuen and Nam Chung	Rare	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: PRC (RC)
Rickett's Big-footed Bat	Myotis ricketti	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Fairly widespread in forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC) · IUCN: NT
Brown Noctule	Nyctalus noctula	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Common	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: PRC (RC)
Intermediate Horseshoe Bat	Rhinolophus affinis	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Least Horseshoe Bat	Rhinolophus pusillus	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: PRC (RC)
Leschenault’s Rousette	Rousettus leschenaulti	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Common	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Lesser Yellow Bat	Scotophilus kuhlii	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Lesser Bamboo Bat	Tylonycteris pachypus	S3: Wo Keng Shan; S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Widely distributed in forested areas throughout Hong Kong	Very common	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC) · CRDB: R
Unidentified Pipistrelle	Pipistrellus sp.	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Restricted distribution	Rare	· Cap.170
Least Pipistrelle	Pipistrellus tenuis	S6: Pat Sin Leng CP	Fairly wide distribution in Hong Kong	Uncommon	· Cap.170

Note:

(1) Rarity of non-flying mammals refers to Shek et al. (2007); Rarity of bats refers to Shek (2006).

(2) Abbreviations for Protection and Conservation Status:

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

CITES = Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Mammalia (Wang, 1998); E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

Table 9.62: Bird Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Section (S)/ Location	Distribution in Hong Kong	Rarity	Protection and Conservation Status
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	S2: Tsung Yuen Ha, Ta Kwu Ling; S7: Fanling	Common in wetland habitat	Common winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: PRC
Great Egret	Egretta alba	S2: Ta Kwu Ling	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Common resident and winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: PRC(RC)
Intermediate Egret	Egretta intermedia	S2: FCA	Found in Deep Bay area, Starling Inlet	Common migrant	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: RC
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	S1: BCP; S2: Chuk Yuen, Ta Kwu Ling, Pak Fu Shan; S3: River Ganges, Nga Yiu Ha, Wo Keng Shan; S5; S6: Lau Shui Heung; S7: Fanling	Widely distributed in coastal area throughout Hong Kong	Common winter visitor and resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: PRC(RC)
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	S2: Chuk Yuen, Ta Kwu Ling; S3	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Common winter visitor and resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	S1: BCP; S2: Chuk Yuen, Ta Kwu Ling, Pak Fu Shan; S3: River Ganges, Ping Yeung, Wo Keng Shan; S5: Loi Tung; S6: Lau Shui Heung; S7: Fanling	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Common winter visitor and resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: PRC(RC)
Striated Heron	Butorides striatus	S2: FCA	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Uncommon summer visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	S2: Ta Kwu Ling; S3; S6: Lau Shui Heung	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Common winter visitor and resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Common Teal	Anas crecca	S2: FCA	Found in Deep Bay area, Shuen Wan, Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, Victoria Harbour, Urban Park	Common winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: RC
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	S1: BCP; S2: Chuk Yuen, Ping Yeung, Ta Kwu Ling, Pak Fu Shan, Shenzhen River; S3: River Ganges, Nga Yiu Ha; S6: Sze Tei Shan; S7: Fanling	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Common resident and winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Cap. 586 · Level of Concern: (RC)
Crested Serpent Eagle	Spilornis cheela	S2: Tsung Yuen Ha, Chuk Yuen, Ta Kwu Ling; S3: Nga Yiu Ha; S5: Loi Tung; S6: Lau Shui Heung; S7: Fanling	Widely distributed in shrublands on hillsides throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon resident	· Cap. 170 · Cap. 586 · Level of Concern: (LC) · CRDB: V
Crested Goshawk	Accipiter trivirgatus	S2; S3: Nga Yiu Ha; S6: Lau Shui Heung	Widely distributed in woodlands and shrublands throughout Hong Kong.	Common Resident	· Cap. 170 · Cap. 586 · CRDB: R
Greater Spotted Eagle	Aquila clanga	S2: River Ganges	Mainly in Deep Bay area	Scarce winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Cap. 586 · Level of Concern: GC · IUCN: VU · CRDB: R
Bonelli’s Eagle	Hieraaetus fasciatus	S2: River Ganges	Found in Deep Bay area, Hong Kong Island, Lamma Island, Lantau Island, Castle Peak, Sha Lo Tung	Uncommon resident	· Cap. 170 · Cap. 586 · Level of Concern: (RC) · CRDB: R
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus	S2: Chuk Yuen, Shenzhen River	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Uncommon visitor	· Cap. 170 · Cap. 586 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Japanese Quail	Coturnix japonica	S2: FCA; S6: Pat Sin Leng	Found in Long Valley, Mai Po, Kam Tin, Lam Tsuen, Tin Shui Wai	Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC · IUCN: NT
Greater Painted-snipe	Rostratula benghalensis	S2: River Ganges	Found in Ha Tsuen, Lok Ma Chau, Kam Tin, Long Valley, Hong Kong Wetland Park	Uncommon migrant and resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC
Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius	S2: Ta Kwu Ling, River Ganges	Widely distributed in freshwater areas throughout Hong Kong	Common winter visitor and resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola	S2: Ta Kwu Ling	Widely distributed in wetland area throughout Hong Kong	Common winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC
Emerald Dove	Chalcophaps indica	S2; S3: Ping Yeung, Nga Yiu Ha; S6: Tan Chuk Hang	Widely distributed in woodland throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon resident	· Cap. 170 · CRDB: V
Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis	S1: BCP; S2: Chuk Yuen, Pak Fu Shan, Tsung Yuen Ha, Ping Yuen Channel, Shenzhen River; S3: Wo Keng Shan; S5; S6; S7	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Common resident	· Cap. 170 · CRDB: V
Lesser Coucal	Centropus bengalensis	S2: Tsung Yuen Ha, Kong Yiu Channel, Pak Fu Shan, Ta Kwu Ling; S3: Wo Keng Shan; S6; S7	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Common resident	· Cap. 170 · CRDB: V
Eurasian Eagle Owl	Bubo bubo	S2: FCA	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Scarce resident	· Cap. 170 · Cap. 586 · Level of Concern: RC · CRDB: R
Pacific Swift	Apus pacificus	S2: FCA	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Common spring migrant and summer visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis	S2: FCA	Widely distributed in ponds throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis	S2: Ta Kwu Ling; S3: Nga Yiu Ha; S6: Hok Tau	Widely distributed in coastal areas throughout Hong Kong.	Common resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Grey-chinned Minivet	Pericrocotus solaris	S3: North of Wo Keng Shan	Found in Tai Po Kau, Shing Mun, Ho Chung, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Tung Ping Chau	Uncommon winter visitor and resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC
Rufous-capped Babbler	Stachyris ruficeps	S5; S6: Tan Chuk Hang;	Found in woodland, mainly in central New Territories	Uncommon resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC
Zitting Cisticola	Cisticola juncidis	S2: River Ganges; S6: Hok Tau	Widely distributed in grassland throughout Hong Kong	Common winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC
Bright-capped Cisticola	Cisticola exilis	S3: Ping Yeung, Nga Yiu Ha, Wo Keng Shan	Widely distributed in grassland throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC
Asian Paradise Flycatcher	Terpsiphone paradisi	S6: Lau Shui Heung	Mainly in woodland, recorded in widespread locations	Uncommon winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC
Yellow-billed Grosbeak	Eophona migratoria	S2: Tsung Yuen Ha	Mainly in open area in the New Territories	Uncommon winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC
Red-billed Starling	Sturnus sericeus	S2	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Uncommon winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: GC
White-cheeked Starling	Sturnus cineraceus	S2: Tsung Yuen Ha	Mainly in the northwest New Territories	Uncommon winter visitor	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: PRC
White-shouldered Starling	Sturnus sinensis	S2: Lin Ma Hang Road; S3: Nga Yiu Ha, Wo Keng Shan Tsuen	Mainly in the northern New Territories	Uncommon winter visitor and resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: (LC)
Black-naped Oriole	Oriolus chinensis	S3: Nga Yiu Ha	Recorded in widespread locations in migratory season	Uncommon passage migrant	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC
Grey Treepie	Dendrocitta formosae	S2; S5: Loi Tung; S6: Lau Shui Heung	Mainly in woodland, recorded in widespread locations	Uncommon resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC
Collared Crow	Corvus torquatus	S2: Ta Kwu Ling	Found in Inner Deep Bay area, Nam Chung, Kei Ling Ha, Tai Mei Tuk, Pok Fu Lam, Chek Lap Kok, Shuen Wan, Lam Tsuen	Uncommon resident	· Cap. 170 · Level of Concern: LC · IUCN: NT
Red-breasted Flycatcher	Ficedula parva	S6: Tan Chuk Hang	Recorded in Po Toi and Shek Kong	Rare winter visitor	· Cap. 170 ·

Note:

(1) Abbreviations for Protection and Conservation Status:

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Aves (Zheng & Wang 1998); E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

Table 9.63: Amphibian and Reptile Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Section (S)/ Location	Distribution in Hong Kong	Rarity	Protection and Conservation Status
Amphibians
Chinese Bullfrog	Hoplobatrachus chinensis	S1. BCP; S2: Ta Kwu Lingl; S3; S7: Fanling	Fairly common and widespread throughout the New Territories and Lantau Island	Fairly common	· Level of Concern: PRC
Hong Kong Newt	Paramesotriton hongkongensis	S6	Widely distributed in Hong Kong	Common	· Level of Concern: PGC · IUCN: NT · Cap.170
Short-legged Toad	Xenophrys brachykolos	S7: Wo Hop Shek	Widespread on Hong Kong Island. Also reported from a few localities in the New Territories and on Lantau Island	Common	· Level of Concern: PGC · IUCN: EN
Reptiles
Many-banded Krait	Bungarus multicinctus multicinctus	S6: Leng Pei Tsuen	Widely distributed in New Territories, Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island	Common	· Level of Concern: PRC · CRDB: V
Copperhead Racer	Elaphe radiata	S7: Fanling	Widely distributed throughout Hong Kong	Common	· Level of Concern: PRC · CRDB: E
Chinese Cobra	Naja atra	S3: Nga Yiu Ha	Widely distributed throughout Hong Kong	Common	· Cap. 586 · Level of Concern: PRC · CRDB: V · CITES: Appendix II
Banded Stream Snake	Opisthotropis balteata	S6: Kwan Tei River; S7	Recorded from Shuen Wan, Ping Shan Chai, Pat Sin Range, Bride’s Pool, Tai Long Wan, Wong Chuk Yeung, Sha Tau Kok and Lam Tsuen River.	Rare	· -
Common Rat Snake	Ptyas mucosus	S1: BCP; S5: Loi Tung, Man Uk Pin	Widely distributed throughout Hong Kong	Common	· Cap. 586 · Level of Concern: PRC · CRDB: E
Indian Forest Skink	Sphenomorphus indicus	S2: Chuk Yuen; S3: Nga Yiu Ha; S5: Loi Tung; S6: Lau Shui Heung; S7: Fanling	Occurs in woodlands in the eastern and central New Territories	Common	· Level of Concern: LC

Note:

(1) Distribution and Rarity of Amphibians refer to Chan et al. (2005a);

Distribution and Rarity of Skinks refer to Chan et al. (2009).

(2) Abbreviations for Protection and Conservation Status:

Cap. 170 – Listed in Wild Animals Protection Ordinance;

Cap. 586 – Listed in Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Amphibia and Reptilia (Zhao 1998); E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

CITES = Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

Table 9.64: Butterfly Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Section (S)/ Location	Distribution in Hong Kong	Rarity	Protection and Conservation Status
Glassy Bluebottle	Graphium cloanthus clymenus	S6: Cloudy Hill	Records from Tai Po Kau, Shing Mun, Cloudy Hill, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Lam Tsuen, Lai Chi Hang, Tai Lam Wu	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Small Three-ring	Ypthima norma norma	S3: Nga Yiu Ha	Records from Pak Tam Chung, Ngau Kwo Lo	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Blackvein Sergeant	Athyma ranga serica	S6: Cloudy Hill	Records from Shing Mun, Ngau Ngak Shan, Tai Mong Tsai, Tai Mo Shan, Tai Po Kau, Cloudy Hill	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Yellow Rajah	Charaxes marmax	S6: Cloudy Hill	Records from Cloudy Hill, Ma On Shan, Shing Mun, Yung Shue O, Fung Yuen, Ngong Ping	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Danaid Eggfly	Hypolimnas misippus	S2: Pak Fu Shan; S4: Wo Keng Shan Road; S5	Records from Ngau Ngak Shan, Lung Kwu Tan, Wetland Park, Mount Parker, Cloudy Hill, Lin Ma Hang	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Painted Lady	Vanessa cardui	S1: Chuk Yuen	Widely distributed throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Broadtail Royal	Creon cleobis cleobis	S6: Hok Tau	Records from Hok Tau, Wu Kau Tang, Lai Chi Wo, Cloudy Hill	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Common Brownie	Miletus chinensis chinensis	S6: Cloudy Hill	Records from Sham Wat, Ma On Shan, Tai Lam, Cloudy Hill, Ping Shan Tsai	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Peacock Royal	Tajuria cippus malcolmi	S6: Cloudy Hill; S7: Fanling	Records from Ma On Shan, Wu Kau Tang, Tai Po Kau, Mount Nicholson, Victoria Peak, Cloudy Hill	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Lesser Forest Blue	Taraka hamada isona	S5: Loi Tung	Records from Tai Po Kau, Tai Mo Shan, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Tai Tan	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Brown Awl	Badamia exclamationis	S6: Hok Tau Reservoir	Records from Lung Kwu Tan, Nam Chung , Wu Kau Tang, Hok Tau	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Great Swift	Pelopidas assamensis	S3: Nga Yiu Ha	Records from Shan Liu, Fung Yuen, Tai Lam Wu, Sam A Chung	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Common Dart	Potanthus pseudomaesa clio	S6: Hok Tau	Record from Hok Tau	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Pale Palm Dart	Telicota colon stinga	S5: Man Uk Pin	Widely distributed throughout Hong Kong	Common	· Level of Concern: LC
Yellow Coster	Acraea issoria	S6	First recorded in Hong Kong in 2002. Subsequent records from Tai Lam Wu, A Ma Wat, Hok Tau, Chuen Lung	Rare	· -
Dark Brown Ace	Halpe porus	S6	Records from Lam Tsuen, Tsiu Hang, Lung Kwu Tan	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Colon Swift	Caltoris bromus bromus	S6	Records from Wong Lung Hang and Hok Tau	Rare	· -
Courtesan	Euripus nyctelius	S2	Record from Ng Tung Chai	Rare	· -

Note:

(1) Rarity refers to Yiu & Young (2002).

(2) Abbreviations for Protection and Conservation Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Table 9.65: Dragonfly Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Section (S)/ Location	Distribution in Hong Kong	Rarity	Protection and Conservation Status
Indochinese Copperwing	Mnais mneme	S5; S6: Lau Shui Heung Reservoir; S7	Widely distribute in woodland streams throughout the New Territories	Common	· Level of Concern: LC
Wandering Spreadwing	Lestes nodalis	S6: Pat Sin Leng	Record from Pat Sin Leng	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Violet Midget	Aciagrion tillyardi	S6: Pat Sin Leng	Record from Pat Sin Leng	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Dusky Lilysquatter	Paracercion calamorum dyeri	S5; S6: Tan Shan River	Records from Kai Kuk Shue Ha, Kang Mun Tsui, Kwan Tei River, Lung Tsai Ng Yuen, Tan Shan River, Tai Tong and Wu Kau Tang	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Eastern Lilysquatter	Paracercion melanotum	S6: Tan Shan River; S7: Ma Wat Channel	Records from Hong Kong Wetland Park, Lai Chi Wo, Luk Keng and Shek Kwu Chau	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Blue Sprite	Pseudagrion microcephalum	S5; S6: Tan Shan River	Records from Kai Kuk Shue Ha, Kau Sai Chau, Lai Chi Wo, Mai Po, Mui Wo, Tan Shan River and Tung Ping Chau	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Brook Sprite	Pseudagrion spencei	S6: Tan Shan River	Records from Tan Shan River and Tai Tong	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Orange-backed Threadtail	Prodasineura croconota	S5	Widely distributed in well wooded streams throughout Hong Kong	Common	· Level of Concern: LC
Little Dusk-hawker	Gynacantha saltatrix	S2: FCA	Records from Kau Sai Chai, Ping Yeung, Tai Po Kau, Tsim Sha Tsui and Yeung Ka Tsuen	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Dingy Dusk-hawker	Gynacantha subinterrupta	S5: Loi Tung	Records from Hong Kong Wetland Park (Tin Shui Wai), Lantau, Ping Shan Chai, Sha Lo Tung and Tai Mo Shan	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Whitetip Clubtail	Anisogomphus koxingai	S6: Hok Tau Reservoir, Lau Shui Heung Reservoir	Records from Cloudy Hill, Hok Tau Reservoir, Lau Shui Heung Reservoir, Ping Shan Chai and Sha Lo Tung	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Dog-legged Clubtail	Burmagomphus vermicularis	S5; S6: Tan Shan River	Records from Tan Shan River, Sha Lo Tung, She Shan (Lam Tsuen Valley), Tai Lam Country Park and Tai Tong	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Chinese Tiger	Gomphidia kelloggi	S6: Hok Tau	Records from several streams within the Sha Lo Tung basin and Luk Keng	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: GC
Marauder Clubtail	Labrogomphus torvus	S6: Tan Shan River	Records from Tan Shan River and She Shan	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Angle-winged Cruiser	Macromia berlandi	S6: Hok Tau	Records from Hok Tau, Sha Lo Tung and Sham Tseng Settlement Basin	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Club-tailed Cruiser	Macromia urania	S2; S5; S6: Pat Sin Leng	Records from Lion Rock Country Park, Pat Sin Leng, Ping Yeung, Sha Lo Tung, She Shan Tsuen, Tai Lam Country Park, Tai Tong, Wu Kau Tang and Yeung Ka Tsuen	Common	· Level of Concern: GC
Spangled Shadow-emerald	Macromidia ellenae	S6: Hok Tau	Records from Double Island, Hok Tau, Hong Kong Island, Luk Keng, Sam Tam Lo (Wu Kau Tang) and Sha Lo Tung	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: GC
Elusive Adjutant	Aethriamanta brevipennis brevipennis	S2: Tsung Yuen Ha	Record from Hong Kong Wetland Park (Tin Shui Wai)	Rare	· -
Scarlet Dwarf	Nannophya pygmaea	S6: Pat Sin Leng	Records from Cheung Sheung, Kai Kuk Shue Ha, Kau Sai Chau, Pat Sin Leng, Tai Lam Country Park, Tai Tong and Yung Shue O	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Emerald Dwarf	Nannophyopsis clara	S6: Tan Shan River	Records from Kai Kuk Shue Ha, Kang Mun Tsui, Luk Keng, Tan Shan River, Sham Tseng Settlement Basin and Tai Tong	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: LC
Blue Chaser	Potamarcha congener	S3: Wo Keng Shan area	Widely distributed in marsh throughout Hong Kong	Common	· Level of Concern: LC
Ruby Darter	Rhodothemis rufa	S5; S6: Tan Shan River; S7: Ma Wat Channel	Widely distribute in ponds and marshes throughout Hong Kong	Common	· Level of Concern: LC
Scarlet Basker	Urothemis signata signata	S5; S6: Tan Shan River	Common in areas containing abandoned fish ponds throughout Hong Kong	Common	· Level of Concern: LC
Chinese Cascader	Zygonyx asahinai	S6: Cloudy Hill	Records from Lam Tsuen Valley, Ng Tung Chai, Sha Lo Tung, Tai Lam Country Park, Tai Mo Shan and Tai Po Kau	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: GC
Emerald Cascader	Zygonyx iris insignis	S2: Chuk Yuen; S4: Wo Keng Shan Road; S5; S6: Tan Shan River, Hok Tau Reservoir; S7: Fanling	Widely distributed in moderately clean, rapidly flowing forested streams throughout Hong Kong	Abundant	· Level of Concern: PGC

Note:

(1) Rarity refers to Tam et al. (2008) and Wilson et al. (2004).

(2) Abbreviations for Protection and Conservation Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

Table 9.66: Freshwater Fauna Species of Conservation Interest identified within Assessment Area

Common Name	Scientific Name	Section (S)/ Location	Distribution in Hong Kong	Rarity	Protection and Conservation Status
Freshwater Fish
-	Acrossocheilus parallens	S6: Kwan Tei River; S7	Records from reservoir catchments on Hong Kong Island, Tuen Mun and Tai Po	Rare	· -
Small Snakehead	Channa asiatica	S5: streams in Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung; S6: Kwan Tei River; S7	Records from a few streams in North district and on Lantau Island. Cultivated in some fish farms.	Uncommon in the wild	· Level of Concern: LC
Common Carp	Cyprinus carpio	S2; S5; S6: Tan Shan River; S7	Not common in streams but occurs in many reservoirs and cultivated in fishponds	Not common in streams	· IUCN: VU
Hong Kong Paradise Fish	Macropodus hongkongensis	S6: Tan Shan River	Records from northern New Territories, Tai Po and Sai Kung	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: GC
Spiny Eel	Mastacembelus armatus	S6: Tan Shan River	Records from Lin Ma Hang Stream, Tan Shan River and Hok Tau Reservoir	Rare	· Level of Concern: LC
Rice Fish	Oryzias curvinotus	S6: Tan Shan River	Records from few streams in North District, Sai Kung and on Lantau Island as well as some reservoirs in North District and Tuen Mun	Uncommon	· Level of Concern: GC
Predaceous Chub	Parazacco spilurus	S3: River Ganges; S5: River Indus; S6: Kwan Tei River, Tan Shan River, Lau Shui Heung Reservoir	A widespread species occurring in most unpolluted hill streams in both upper and lower courses	Common	· CRDB: V
Freshwater Crab
Common Freshwater Crab	Cryptopotamon anacoluthon	S6: Kwan Tei River	Records from stream at Wu Kwai Sha, Kwun Yum Shan stream, Tai Po Kau Forest Reserve, The Peak ^(3)	Endemic	· Level of Concern: PGC · IUCN: VU
Freshwater Crab	Somanniathel-phusa zanklon	S3: River Ganges	Records from lower course of Lam Tsuen River and Su Kwun ^(3)	Endemic	· Level of Concern: GC · IUCN: EN

Note:

(1) Rarity of refers to Lee et al. (2004);

(2) Abbreviations for Protection and Conservation Status:

Level of Concern – LC = Local Concern, RC = Regional Concern, PRC = Potential Regional Concern, PGC = Potential Global Concern, GC = Global Concern. Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)

IUCN – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2010.4); EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened

CRDB – China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Pisces (Yue & Chen 1998); E = Endangered, V = Vulnerable, R = Rare, I = Indeterminate

(3) Distribution refers to IUCN (2010).

9.7 Identification and Evaluation of Environmental Impact

In view of the construction activities proposed in Section 2, ecological impacts on habitat, flora and fauna species are anticipated. In accordance with Annex 16 of the EIAO-TM and the criteria set forth in Annex 8 of the EIAO-TM, any direct, on-site, off-site primary and secondary ecological impact are identified and evaluated in following section.

Ecological impacts were ranked as follows:

¡ High

¡ High-moderate

¡ Moderate

¡ Moderate-minor

¡ Minor

¡ Negligible

9.7.1 Direct Impact

Identified direct ecological impacts include: habitat loss, impact on floral species of conservation interest, impact on fauna species of conservation interest, impact of habitat fragmentation/ loss of feeding grounds/ reduction of species abundance or diversity/ ecological carrying capacity, loss of ecologically sensitive wetland and disturbance to sites of conservation interest. Detailed discussion of these direct potential impacts is presented in the following sections (Sections 9.7.2 to 9.7.7):

9.7.2 Habitat Loss

The construction of the BCP and associated structures of the Project would cause some loss of habitat within the proposed Works Area (i.e. areas within the Project boundary).

According to the proposed construction works, all the watercourses within the Works Areas can be avoided (but termed as “temporarily affected” in Table 9.67) during both the construction and operation phases.

All the habitats within the construction works footprint (i.e. land required for permanent structures such as portals, connecting roads, ventilation buildings, administration buildings, slope works and other associated facilities) will be lost permanently (Figures 9.15 to 9.25).

Habitats of woodland, shrubland, plantation and hillside grassland located outside the construction works footprint but within the Works Area will be retained during both the construction and operation phases. However, all other habitats with lower ecological value within the Works Area even outside the construction works footprint are assumed to be lost permanently for construction activities and storage.

No drainage channel will be permanently lost as any affected portions of channel within the Works Area shall be maintained for drainage function of the area.

Potential impact on all those retained habitats within the Works Area is termed as “temporarily affected” during the construction phase. Clear demarcation of construction areas will be provided to avoid damage and disturbance to the retained habitats during the construction period.

Size of each habitat type potentially to be affected is presented in Table 9.67:

Table 9.67: Habitat Loss in Works Area

Habitat	Permanent Loss (ha)	Temporarily Affected (ha)	Sub-total (ha)
Woodland	6.2	4.6	10.8
Shrubland	1.5	1.9	3.4
Plantation	5.9	5.0	10.9
Freshwater Wetland	1.4	0.0	1.4
Active Agricultural Land	13.2	0.0	13.2
Abandoned Agricultural Land	29.9	0.0	29.9
Hillside Grassland	4.5	2.1	6.6
Pond*	< 0.1	0.0	< 0.1
Drainage Channel	0.0	1.9	1.9
Watercourse	0.0	0.4	0.4
Open Field	0.9	0.0	0.9
Developed Area	18.6	0.0	18.6
Total	82.1	15.9	98.0

* an abandoned amenity pond in very small size (419 m²) is identified within the Works Area.

The assessment of habitat loss in each section of the alignment is discussed below.

9.7.2.1 Works Area of Section 1 - BCP

In this Section, construction of the proposed BCP site will cause permanent loss of shrubland, plantation, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land and developed area. No ecologically sensitive habitats and no plants of conservation interest were identified. Major land uses of the area are rural residential village and dry agricultural land. Owing to the highly anthropogenic activities and lack of suitable wetland habitat in this area, the fauna species inhabitating this area are mostly common species adaptable to a certain level of disturbance. Therefore, no significant breeding or roosting ground for fauna species was identified in this area. With reference to Section 9.5.5.1, a few mammal species were recorded in the village side but not considered as local breeder in the agricultural land. Carcasses of Short-nosed Fruit Bat were found in the agricultural land, indicating this species may use this habitat as foraging ground. Bird species assemblages are mostly common, although migratory species was included. A common Greater Coucal was recorded in shrubland. This species was found widespread in the lowland habitat in FCA. Except some generalist species such as Black-collared Starling, Red-whiskered Bulbul and Oriental Magpie Robin, all other species are not considered as localized breeder in the BCP area. Lowland agricultural land is a potential breeding ground for amphibian species but no rare species was recorded. Concerning insect fauna, butterfly species Painted Lady of conservation interest was found in agricultural land. The impact of loss of habitat for fauna species in BCP is minor, owing to the relatively low abundance of fauna species in the habitat and relative high anthropogenic activities. Impact on the locally bred Greater Coucal is minor because similar habitat is largely available in adjacent FCA.

Due to the channelized nature of the Kong Yiu Channel, the freshwater fish communities are dominated by exotic species. Nonetheless, the downstream section of the Kong Yiu Channel within the proposed Works Area will be kept intact during the construction and operation stages.

As only habitats of moderate-low / low ecological value will be impacted, the ecological impact of habitat loss in this Section is evaluated as either minor or negligible as shown in Tables 9.68 to 9.69.

9.7.2.2 Works Area of Sections 2 & 3 - Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

In this Section, habitats covered by the proposed Works Area include woodland, shrubland, plantation, freshwater wetland, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, hillside grassland, pond, drainage channel, watercourse, open field and developed area.

As illustrated in Figures 9.3, 9.5 to 9.7, the dominant habitat is abandoned agricultural land. As evaluated in Section 9.6, apart from woodlands, most of these habitats within the Works Area are of ecological values ranging from moderate-low to low / very low, and also comparatively small in size. The impact severity to these habitats is hence considered to be minor. Given the affected abandoned agricultural land is comparatively fragmented and the habitat is common in the FCA, level of impact on the loss of abandoned agricultural land is evaluated as minor. All sections of the water course (upstream sections of untrained River Ganges) within the Works Area will not be affected by the Project.

The large woodland area located at Cheung Shan west of Wo Keng Shan Road for the portal construction is considered as the ecologically sensitive receiver in Section 3 of the Works Area (Figure 9.7) due to its larger size, less fragmented nature, and the presence of a number of individuals of the floral species of conservation interest Aquilaria sinensis. Although the woodland area is a young aged secondary woodland, its ecological value could be enhanced with increase of maturity. The unmitigated impact is considered moderate and mitigation is considered necessary.

Other woodland patches located within the Works Area are of lower ecological value for their fragmented condition and small size. All of these woodland areas are village secondary woodlands, sharing similar vegetation structure.

In respect of fauna species, non-flying mammals including Masked Palm Civet and Leopard Cat and dragonfly species Elusive Adjutant of conservation interest are recorded in the woodland. Elusive Adjutant is a lowland wetland associated species. Given that only a small fraction of the woodland fringe will be affected and that the woodland affected is not an optimal habitat for the above species, the level of impacts on the loss is considered minor. In the grassland on hillside and abandoned agricultural land, Bright-capped Cisticola and Chinese Pond Heron of conservation interest are recorded. In Nga Yiu Ha freshwater wetland, Great Swift and Greater Coucal of conservation interest are recorded. Little Egret and White-throated Kingfisher were also recorded at the drainage channel section of River Ganges. For the grassland associated species, their preferred habitat is largely available in adjacent hillside area, such as Wo Keng Shan and Robin’s Nest, therefore the impact on this fauna group is minor.

In general, potential impact on the fauna species is predicted to be minor, owing to the relatively low density of fauna species in the area.

With regard to the impact due to loss of feeding ground, the impact is evaluated to be insignificant given that none of the habitat within the Works Area is identified as important feeding ground. According to the identification of habitat loss, the habitats to be lost mainly are abandoned agricultural land, developed area and active agricultural land. These types of habitat in the northeast New Territories are not regarded as optimal feeding ground for wildlife. Result from baseline survey and literature review indicated the relatively low abundance of wildlife in these types of habitat and relatively low importance as feeding ground for wildlife. For the woodland habitat, the area lost will be compensated by the establishment of a proposed woodland compensation area with a compensation ratio higher than 1:1. After implementation of the woodland compensation plan, the function of woodland for woodland associated species will be enhanced and therefore the impact due to loss of woodland habitat will be minimal in long term. Moreover, the compensation planting provided under landscape mitigation requirement will also provide habitat for wildlife. With regard to hillside grassland, this habitat is largely available in the New Territories, such as the hillside on Wo Keng Shan, Lung Shan and Robin’s Nest, therefore the loss of grassland habitat is not substantial to the ecology in a local context.

Evaluations of habitat loss impact in Sections 2 & 3 are presented in Tables 9.70 to 9.72. The ecological impact on freshwater wetland of the Project is evaluated in respective Section 9.7.6.4.

Details of recommended mitigation measures for woodland and wetland loss are provided in Section 9.8.

The North Tunnel North Portal (Cheung Shan) is located on the northwestern face of Cheung Shan, which is a woodland assessed to be of moderate ecological value. Further refinement of this alignment section has been considered to determine if encroachment onto the portion of woodland by the north portal could be avoided. After consideration of road safety, the alternative locations of North Tunnel North Portal are considered undesirable in overall terms and hence the adoption of the current option and encroachment onto the portion of woodland by the portal would be deemed as unavoidable. Alternative portal locations considered for woodland avoidance is presented in Appendix 9.7.

9.7.2.3 Works Area of Section 4 - North Tunnel (Cheung Shan tunnel section)

The proposed North Tunnel will be wholly underground. No habitat loss will be resulted in this Section.

9.7.2.4 Works Area of Section 5 - Sha Tau Kok Road (between North and South Tunnel)

The construction of the proposed portals, connecting roads, ventilation/ administration buildings and roundabout will cause habitat loss of woodland, shrubland, plantation, freshwater wetland, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, hillside grassland, drainage channel, pond, open field and developed area.

Description of different habitats within this Section of Works Area is detailed in Section 9.5.4.4. In terms of impact of habitat loss, woodland at Princess Hill and freshwater wetland at Loi Tung are considered as ecologically sensitive receivers in this Section. The Princess Hill woodland (Figures 9.8 and 9.9) is a semi-mature woodland ecologically linked with a large area of offsite hillside habitats. It is also a part of the habitat for a rare shrub species Euonymus kwangtungensis. Inside the affected portion, two individuals of this rare shrub were identified. A bird species Rufous-capped Babbler of conservation interest was also found in the woodland. The unmitigated impact level of the permanent loss of this portion of woodland area (about 2.1ha) is considered to be high-moderate and mitigation measure should be provided to minimise the impact to an acceptable level. Another affected woodland is located at the Works Area near Shan Tong (Figure 9.8) which is a young and edge habitat. The unmitigated impact level is considered moderate-minor for its small size and its marginal location of the hillside woodland.

Another sensitive area is the Loi Tung freshwater wetland (Figures 9.8 and 9.9), however, most of the habitat is located outside the Works Area of the Project and will be avoided by the proposed construction works. Only a small part of the wetland habitat (0.3ha) will be impacted by the works. Literature record revealed the presence of two species of conservation interest Common Rat Snake and Small Snakehead in the area whilst all the amphibians recorded are common species in lowland habitat. With reference to the field survey result, most of the dragonfly species are common marsh associated species. Loss of small portion of the wetland habitat would cause only minor impact on the fauna species. The ecological impact on freshwater wetland of the Project is evaluated in respective Section 9.7.6.4. A short section of the ditch at downstream before joining the watercourse to be channelized falls within the boundary of the Works Area, however, it will not be affected by the project and will be retained onsite.

Except woodland and freshwater wetland, all other habitats are of ecological values ranging from moderate-low to low / very low, as detailed in Section 9.6. Although a pond is identified within the Works Area, it is an abandoned amenity pond of very small size and of low ecological importance. The removal of this small artificial pond will not contribute significant adverse ecological impact. The impact level to such habitats is considered to be minor. The evaluation of habitat loss impact in this Section is presented in Tables 9.73 to 9.74. Evaluation on alignment option selection for this section is presented in Appendix 9.7.

Details of recommended mitigation measures for woodland and wetland loss are provided in Section 9.8.

For the South Tunnel, its north portal needs to be located at an area near the Sha Tau Kok Road for connection to the future Sha Tau Kok Road Interchange. Refinement of the portal location to avoid direct impact on woodland habitat on Princess Hill has been considered but after balancing the ecological considerations with the potential safety issue and other environmental concerns, it has been assessed that the current portal location offers the best overall compromise among all considerations. Alternative portal locations considered for woodland avoidance is presented in Appendix 9.7.

9.7.2.5 Works Area of Section 6 - South Tunnel (Lau Shui Heung tunnel section)

The proposed South Tunnel will be wholly underground. However, a ventilation building would be installed at a developed area in Po Kat Tsai, which is currently used as industrial storage. The impact severity due to loss of this urbanised habitat of very low ecological value is considered to be negligible as evaluated in Table 9.75.

9.7.2.6 Works Area of Section 7 - Fanling

The construction of the proposed portal at Lung Shan and the Connecting Road at Fanling would cause impact on woodland, shrubland, plantation, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, drainage channel and developed area (Figures 9.13 and 9.14).

Although the plantation habitat within this Section is large in size, ecological impact of habitat loss is not significant as this habitat is wholly man-made which is planted with mainly exotic species for urban landscape. Either permanent loss or temporarily affected impact is considered to be of minor ecological significance.

The drainage channel running alongside the Tolo Highway is a recently trained structure (i.e. Ma Wat Channel) for drainage purpose. Fauna species recorded in the channel include wetland-dependent bird species Grey Heron, Little Egret, Chinese Pond Heron, dragonfly species Ruby Darter and Eastern Lilysquatter of conservation interest. The grasscrete also provides suitable habitat for pioneer dragonfly species, but in overall it is of low ecological value for its low diversity of wildlife. Impact on the wetland associated fauna is regarded as minor because the fauna species associated with the artificial habitat are adaptive to disturbance and able to forage and roost in other sections of the drainage channel.

The ecologically sensitive receiver identified in this Section is considered to be the woodland area at Lung Shan for their comparatively remote location from the busy traffic and better establishment of vegetation. However, human disturbance was still observed, which includes vegetation clearance for access to graves and maintenance of power line facilities. Like other similar secondary woodland behind villages, large number of planted fruit trees was identified along the foot of the hill. Aquilaria sinensis of conservation interest was identified in the woodland within the Works Area while occasional records were made in the vicinity offsite. The impact of loss of the woodland habitat is considered to be moderate-minor since only a small area is involved.

In the abandoned agricultural land, Lesser Coucal of conservation interest was recorded. Impact on the fauna species due to loss of abandoned agricultural land is minor because the area is not identified as important to fauna species and relatively low abundance of wildlife was recorded in the abandoned agricultural land.

Vegetation of the uphill shrubland is sparse. All the plant species are common and typical species of this habitat type. Although a few fauna species of conservation interest, including a reptile species Copperhead Racer and a butterfly species Peacock Royal were recorded in the shrubland, the impact of habitat loss is minor because only a relatively small area was affected and similar habitat is available in adjoining area.

Other habitats are of ecological value ranging from low to very low. The ecological impacts on such habitats are considered to be minor. The loss of the woodland habitat at the proposed portal at Lung Shan is of moderate-low ecological value. In view of the size and ecological value of the habitat to be affected, the impact level is considered to be moderate-minor. The evaluation of habitat loss impact in this Section is presented in Tables 9.76 to 9.77.

Details of recommended mitigation measures for woodland loss are provided in Section 9.8.

Table 9.68: Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 1 – BCP (1)

Criteria	Shrubland	Plantation	Active Agricultural Land
Receivers	Habitat of moderate-low ecological value One bird species of conservation interest Greater Coucal was recorded	Habitat of low ecological value	Habitat of low ecological value; One butterfly species Painted Lady and one bat species Short-nosed Fruit Bat of conservation interest were recorded
Size	Permanent Loss: 0.3 ha	Permanent Loss: 0.3 ha	Permanent Loss: 7.0 ha
Duration	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Irreversible	Irreversible	Irreversible
Magnitude	Low	Low	Moderate-low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Minor	Minor	Minor

Table 9.69: Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 1 – BCP (2)

Criteria	Abandoned Agricultural Land	Drainage Channel (the short downstream section of Kong Yiu Channel)	Developed Area
Receivers	Habitat of moderate-low ecological value One bird species of conservation interest Black Kite was recorded	Habitat of low ecological value	Habitat of very low ecological value
Size	Permanent Loss: 15.3 ha	Temporarily Affected Habitat: 0.1 ha	Permanent Loss: 3.4 ha
Duration	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction	During the construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Irreversible	reversible	Irreversible
Magnitude	Moderate	Low	Moderate-low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Minor	Minor	Negligible

Table 9.70: Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Sections 2 & 3 – Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan (1)

Criteria	Woodland in Section 2 ( edge of woodland south of Chuk Yuen)	Woodland in Section 3 (two woodland portions west of Wo Keng Shan Road)	Shrubland	Plantation	Freshwater Wetland
Receivers	Habitat of moderate-low ecological value;	Habitat of moderate ecological value; Two floral species of conservation interest including Aquilaria sinensis and Cibotium barometz were recorded. Both are locally common species.	Habitat of moderate-low ecological value	Habitat of low ecological value	Habitat of low ecological value
Size	Permanent Loss: 0.2 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 0.3 ha	Permanent Loss: 2.5 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 1.5 ha	Temporarily Affected Habitat: 1.0 ha	Permanent Loss: 1.1 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 0.9 ha	Permanent Loss: 1.1 ha
Duration	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction phase	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	The temporary impact is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible
Magnitude	Moderate-low	Moderate	Low	Moderate-low	Moderate-low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Moderate-minor	Moderate	Minor	Minor	Moderate-minor

Table 9.71: Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Sections 2 & 3 – Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan (2)

Criteria	Active Agricultural Land	Abandoned Agricultural Land	Hillside Grassland	Drainage Channel
Receivers	Habitat of low ecological value One bird species of conservation interest Chinese Pond Heron was recorded	Habitats of moderate-low to low ecological value	Habitat of low ecological value; Two bird species of conservation interest including Black Kite and Bright-capped Cisticola were recorded	Habitat of low ecological value Two bird species of conservation interest Little Egret and White-throated Kingfisher were recorded
Size	Permanent Loss: 4.8 ha	Permanent Loss: 9.7 ha	Permanent Loss: 1.3 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 1.1 ha	Temporarily Affected Habitat: 0.5 ha
Duration	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction phase
Reversibility	Permanent loss is not reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	The temporary impact is reversible
Magnitude	Moderate-low	Moderate-low	Low	Low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Minor	Minor	Minor	Minor

Table 9.72: Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Sections 2 & 3 – Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary and Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan (3)

Criteria	Watercourse	Open Field	Developed Area
Receivers	Habitat of moderate-low ecological value	Habitat of very low ecological value	Habitat of very low ecological value
Size	Temporarily Affected Habitat: 0.4 ha	Permanent Loss: 0.6 ha	Permanent Loss: 3.9 ha
Duration	During the construction phase	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases
Reversibility	The temporary impact is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible
Magnitude	Low	Low	Moderate-low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Minor	Negligible	Negligible

Table 9.73: Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 5 – Sha Tau Kok Road (between North and South Tunnel) (1)

Criteria	Woodland (at Shan Tong)	Woodland (west of Loi Tung village)	Shrubland	Plantation	Freshwater Wetland	Active Agricultural Land
Receivers	Habitat of moderate-low ecological value; One floral species of conservation interest Aquilaria sinensis was recorded	Habitat of high-moderate ecological value; Four floral species of conservation interest including Aquilaria sinensis, Cibotium barometz, Euonymus kwangtungensis and Pavetta hongkongensis were recorded; One bird species of conservation interest, Rufous-capped Babbler was recorded	Habitat of moderate-low ecological value	Habitat of low ecological value	Habitat of moderate ecological value	Habitat of low ecological value
Size	Permanent Loss: 0.3 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 0.1 ha	Permanent Loss: 2.1 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 2.2 ha	Permanent Loss: 1.0 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 0.7 ha	Permanent Loss: 0.6 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 1.7 ha	Permanent Loss: 0.3 ha	Permanent Loss: 1.3 ha
Duration	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible
Magnitude	Moderate-low	Moderate	Low	Low	Moderate-low	Moderate-low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Moderate-minor	High-moderate	Minor	Minor	Moderate-minor	Minor

Table 9.74: Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 5 – Sha Tau Kok Road (between North and South Tunnel) (2)

Criteria	Abandoned Agricultural Land	Hillside Grassland	Pond	Drainage Channel	Watercourse	Open Field	Developed Area
Receivers	Habitat of low ecological value	Habitat of low ecological value	Habitat of low ecological value	Habitat of low ecological value	Habitat of moderate-low value	Habitat of very low ecological value	Habitat of very low ecological value
Size	Permanent Loss: 3.4 ha	Permanent Loss: 3.2 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 1.0 ha	Permanent Loss: < 0.1 ha (419 m^2)	Temporarily Affected Habitat: 0.4 ha	Temporarily Affected Habitat: < 0.1 ha (37.5 m^2)	Permanent Loss: 0.3 ha	Permanent Loss: 5.1 ha
Duration	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction phase	During the construction phase	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Permanent loss is not reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible	The temporary impact is reversible	The temporary impact is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible
Magnitude	Moderate -Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Moderate - Low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Minor	Minor	Negligible	Minor	Minor	Negligible	Negligible

Table 9.75: Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 6

Criteria	Developed Area
Receivers	Habitats of very low ecological value
Size	Permanent Loss: Developed Area 1.2 ha
Duration	During the construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Not reversible
Magnitude	Low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Negligible

Table 9.76: Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss at Works Area in Section 7- Fanling (1)

Criteria	Woodland	Shrubland	Plantation	Active Agricultural Land
Receivers	Habitat of moderate-low ecological value; One floral species of conservation interest Aquilaria sinensis was recorded	Habitat of moderate-low ecological value; One butterfly species of conservation interest Peacock Royal was recorded	Habitat of low ecological value	Habitat of low ecological value
Size	Permanent Loss: 1.1 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 0.5 ha	Permanent Loss: 0.2 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 0.2 ha	Permanent Loss: 3.9 ha Temporarily Affected Habitat: 2.4 ha	Permanent Loss: 0.1 ha
Duration	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible; temporarily affected area is reversible	Permanent loss is not reversible
Magnitude	Moderate	Low	Moderate	Low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Moderate-minor	Minor	Minor	Minor

Table 9.77: Ecological Evaluation of Works Area in Section 7- Fanling (2)

Criteria	Abandoned Agricultural Land	Drainage Channel	Developed Area
Receivers	Habitat of low ecological value One bird species of conservation interest Lesser Coucal was recorded	Habitat of low ecological value; Two dragonfly species (including Eastern Lilysquatter) and three bird species of conservation interest including Grey Heron were recorded	Habitats of very low ecological value
Size	Permanent Loss: 1.5 ha	Temporarily Affected Habitat: 0.9 ha	Permanent Loss: Developed Area 5.0 ha
Duration	During the construction and operation phases	During the construction phase	During the construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Permanent loss is not reversible	The temporary impact is reversible	Not reversible
Magnitude	Moderate - Low	Low	Moderate-Low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Minor	Minor	Negligible

9.7.3 Impact on Floral Species of Conservation Interest

Site formation and the subsequent construction works would impact four floral species of conservation interest: Aquilaria sinensis, Cibotium barometz, Euonymus kwangtungensis and Pavetta hongkongensis. No impacts on the other two identified floral species of conservation interest Cleisostoma simondii and Xylosma longifolium are anticipated as all individuals of these two species are located outside the project limit as presented in Table 9.60.

As discussed in Section 9.6, despite of the protected status, all the three species Aquilaria sinensis, Cibotium barometz and Pavetta hongkongensis are common plants with widespread distribution in the territory. Their associated habitats (i.e. woodland and shrubland) to be affected by the Project are only part of the whole habitat, and there are extensive similar habitats in proximity (i.e. large offsite woodland and shrubland areas on Cheung Shan and Princess Hill). In view of the commonness and widespread distribution of the species, the unmitigated impact of removing these species is considered to be moderate (for Aquilaria sinensis) to minor (for Cibotium barometz and Pavetta hongkongensis).

Tree transplanting on slope is not recommended due to the anticipated low survival rate and difficulty in rootball preparation on uneven slope terrain and their transport. Most of the affected individuals of the tree species Aquilaria sinensis are recorded on hillside woodland and of semi-mature sizes of trunk diameter ranging 200-300mm which are not suitable for transplanting. However, healthy and young individuals of small size as well as seedlings will be considered for transplanting to minimize the impact on this species.

As only limited number of individuals of Cibotium barometz and Pavetta hongkongensis will be affected, the ecological impact is anticipated to be insignificant. No specific ecological mitigation measures are recommended.

In contrast, the direct removal impact on the small shrub Euonymus kwangtungensis is considered to be of moderate adverse for its local (rare plant) rarity status and regional (endangered species in China) conservation status, although their records are small in number. Only two individuals were recorded. Mitigation measure should be provided to alleviate the impact to acceptable level. As both individuals are young and small in size, and located on gentle ground, transplanting the affected plants are recommended to preserve this species of conservation interest.

As the condition (such as health and abundance) of plants recorded in this EIA stage may be varied in the detailed design stage, conducting a vegetation survey to confirm the locations and conditions of the affected plants prior to the commencement of the construction works is recommended. Suitable reception sites shall also be identified in the vegetation survey report for review by EPD and AFCD.

Table 9.78 summarizes the potential ecological impacts on the floral species of conservation interest.

Table 9.78: Potential Ecological Impact on Floral Species of Conservation interest

Criteria
Receivers	Aquilaria sinensis – a common tree species	Cibotium barometz – a common fern species; Pavetta hongkongensis – a common shrub species	Euonymus kwangtungensis – a rare shrub species	Cleisostoma simondii -– a common orchid species	Xylosma longifolium -– a rare tree species
Abundance	About 85 trees in 4 localities	Small number of individuals	Two individuals	No individuals were identified within Works Area	No individuals were identified within Works Area
Duration	During construction	During construction	During construction	N/A	N/A
Reversibility	Not reversible	Not reversible	Not reversible	N/A	N/A
Magnitude	Moderate	Low	Low	N/A	N/A
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Moderate	Minor	Moderate	Negligible	Negligible

9.7.4 Impact on Fauna Species of Conservation Interest

9.7.4.1 Potential Impact on Mammal Species of Conservation Interest

With reference to literature record, Crab-eating Mongoose and Yellow-bellied Weasel (Shek et al. 2007) have been recorded in Lin Ma Hang, east of the Assessment Area. Yellow-bellied Weasel, which is rare in Hong Kong, is of doubtful origin given that individuals are known to have been used as biological control for agricultural pests and they have been recorded only recently (Shek 2006).

Other non-flying mammal species of conservation interest recorded within the Assessment Area included Red Muntjac, Masked Palm Civet, Leopard Cat and Malayan Porcupine (Shek 2006). The habitat adjacent to Heung Yuen Wai and Lin Ma Hang (to the east of Tsung Yuen Ha) is considered to be more optimal for these mammals given the larger cover of wooded area and abandoned agricultural land. These locations are far (approximately 1 km) from the BCP so that no significant impact on these two species of conservation interest is expected. Aside from BCP, the Connecting Road proposed on the western side of the BCP will drive further away from the identified mammal hotspot in east Heung Yuen Wai and therefore the potential impact will further diminish.

During the planning stage, the principle of minimising impact on natural habitat was pursued in BCP location option selection. The option that involves slope cutting at Pak Fu Shan foothill was discarded so that direct impact on the habitat in proximity to the distribution range of mammal species of conservation interest was avoided.

Masked Palm Civet, Red Muntjac, Leopard Cat and Malayan Porcupine are comparatively widely distributed in the New Territories, including the Assessment Area peripheral. Loss of woodland and shrubland habitat arising from the project, noticeably at the portal locations for the two tunnels would reduce suitable habitat for these species. Impact of woodland loss would be mitigated by compensation woodland with a compensation ratio higher than 1:1 in area. With the provision of compensation woodland and availability of suitable habitat nearby, the potential impact for the large non-flying mammal species is regarded as minor.

No direct impact on important bat habitats is identified under the study. Although the lost of habitats including wetland and woodland under the project may potentially reduce bat habitats, similar habitats are abundant and available nearby the project areas. With the implementation of proposed mitigation measures including the reprovision of compensation habitats under the Project, potential impact on bats is anticipated to be minor.

Concerning the impact on species abundance and diversity, it could be affected by a number of factors including both biotic and abiotic factors. Density dependent forces, for instance, competition between crowded individuals for limited resources, are the major factors to be considered when evaluating the population stability. Intense species competition would induce reduction of species abundance/diversity. On the basis of field observation, the habitat within the Assessment Area is not identified fully utilized by wildlife. For instance, the active and abandoned agricultural land is relatively low in species abundance.

During the construction phase, the affected wildlife would retreat to adjacent similar habitat. Given the relatively low density of wildlife in the area, the density dependent inter-species competition will not be significantly intensified. Without intense species competition, the potential of reduction of species abundance/ diversity is minor.

9.7.4.2 Potential Impact on Bird Species of Conservation Interest

The bird species of conservation interest can be broadly divided into wetland-dependent bird species and non-wetland dependent birds. Wetland-dependent bird species recorded in the Assessment Area including Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Grey Heron, Chinese Pond Heron, Striated Heron, Common Teal, Japanese Quail, Little Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Red-billed Starling and Collared Crow are identified as species of conservation interest. The proposed Project would potentially affect the wetland-dependent bird species through disturbance from construction activities and reduction in suitable wetland habitats for foraging. However, with reference to the field survey data, only low number and sparsely distributed wetland-dependent bird species was recorded in the wetland habitat. This is a general situation of inland part of the northeast New Territories. No particular habitat within the Assessment Area is identified as of high importance for the birds. From a broader view of the northeastern New Territories, the coastline of Starling Inlet to the east of the Works Area (approximately 2.5 km in closest distance) is generally perceived as important wetland with high number of wetland-dependent bird species. The recently colonized egretries in Ping Che and Man Kam To (Anon 2010) are the two identified hotspots for wetland-dependent birds in the lowland habitat, both are outside of 500 m Assessment Area. Therefore, the potential impact on wetland-dependent bird species of conservation interest is regarded as minor, in view of the low abundance of wetland bird species in a local context. Moreover, a patch of freshwater wetland adjacent to Chow Tin Tsuen was recorded with a few species of wetland-dependent bird including a literature record of Greater Painted Snipe, but the area is at the verge of the 500 m Assessment Area boundary that will be unaffected by the proposed construction activities.

For the non-wetland dependent bird species, Pacific Swift, Greater Coucal, Lesser Coucal, Emerald Dove and Eurasian Eagle Owl of conservation interest, were recorded near the Frontier Closed Area. Pacific Swift is an uncommon species to Hong Kong but found in widespread locations. Their breeding location is confined to sea cave in remote outlying islands in Hong Kong. Impact on this species due to the construction works is minimal. Eurasian Eagle Owl is a scarce resident but widely distributed in Hong Kong. It has been recorded in widespread locations such as Tsim Bei Tsui, Po Toi, Sunset Peak, Chung Hom Kok and Lai Chi Kok Park and uses the hillside cliff at remote area for breeding habitat. Since this species was not recorded in further night survey, it is difficult to assess its status in the area. Nonetheless, the lowland habitat in BCP and the Works Area along the Lin Ma Hang Road is not an optimal breeding habitat for this species and the potential impact on this species is limited. Greater Coucal and Lesser Coucal are listed as vulnerable in China Red Data Book but widely distributed in Hong Kong. Within the Assessment Area, both species are fond of grassland and abandoned agricultural land habitats. Since the preferred habitats are extensively available in the Frontier Closed Area, impact on both species is regarded as insignificant. Emerald Dove is an uncommon resident to woodland habitat and rather widespread in Hong Kong. It has been recorded in Section 2 Nga Yiu Ha lowland woodland. The impact on this type of habitat in Section 2 is rather minor (0.2 ha), therefore the impact on this woodland associated species is also minor.

Grey-chinned Minivet was recorded in the Study Area of NENT Landfill Extension, to the north of Wo Keng Shan. Zitting Citiscola, Rufous-capped Babbler, Grey Treepie and Asian Paradise Flycatcher were recorded over the course of field survey in Tan Chuk Hang and Lau Shui Heung Reservoir areas where the alignment will lay underground, so that the impact on these species are negligible. Grey Treepie was also recorded in the woodland behind Loi Tung. The proposed portal construction may reduce the wooded area for the use this species. The loss of 2.1 ha woodland habitat is relatively small compared with the overall woodland habitat in Loi Tung and adjoining woodland at Kwai Tau Leng hillside which is not regarded to be causative to significant reduction in foraging and roosting grounds. Nonetheless, the loss of woodland will be mitigated by provision of compensatory woodland of similar ecological function. As a result, the potential impact is regarded to be of minor significance.

For the Black-naped Oriole recorded in the woodland behind Nga Yiu Ha, no significant impact is expected in view of the limited size of woodland to be affected in this area. For the White-cheeked Starling, White-shouldered Starling and Yellow-billed Grosbeak that are fond of open area with sparse trees, they will be affected through reduction of available habitat. However, since they are not common to the territories and large areas of similar habitat are available in adjacent areas, the potential impacts to these three species are minor. In respect of open country bird species, it is concerned that the proposed connecting road would cause physical barrier hindering free movement of the species around the area. Although heavy traffic road or viaduct is not common in the northern part of the Assessment Area, it was observed in the other part of the New Territories that the traffic roads do not cause any significant impact on their flight movement particularly for starlings, which sometimes even form a flock in urban area in winter.

White-shouldered Starling is also a local breeding resident in Hong Kong using artificial electric box for nesting. Stable breeding population was found in the northwest New Territories such as Kam Tin and Ma Tso Lung in summer. In contrast to the breeding population in the northwest New Territories, the individual found within the Assessment Area in summer are mostly solitary without pair-up behaviour sighted. On the basis of field observation, it is thought that the population found within Assessment Area involved only a few individuals. Since only a very low density of population was found within the Assessment Area and no confirmed breeding record during breeding season field survey, the potential impact on the breeding population of this species is minor. Besides, the construction of viaduct encroaching on the hillside grassland near Ping Yeung and Nga Yiu Ha would reduce suitable habitat for Bright-capped Cisticola. The hillside grassland and the tall grass generated from the abandoned agricultural land near Wo Keng Shan is regarded as a suitable wintering ground for this grassland associated species. Such habitat is extensively available in adjoining Ta Kwu Lang, Wo Keng Shan, Lung Mei Teng and Wong Mau Hang Shan extending to FCA. Indeed, on the basis of previous record, this species was more often recorded in upland grassland than in lowland. The loss of the 1.8 ha hillside grassland in this Section is regarded as minor in a local context and not causative to significant impact on this species.

The recorded Red-breasted Flycatcher was found in the abandoned agricultural land in Tan Chuk Hang area, where the construction works will be conducted underground without direct impact on the species and its habitat.

Six raptors species of conservation interest were identified within the Assessment Area from both field survey and past literature, of which Peregrine Falcon, Greater Spotted Eagle and Bonelli’s Eagle are nomadic to the area since they were not consistently recorded. Impact on these three species is very limited owing to their nomadic habits so that they seldom confine to a particular area. A few individuals of Black Kite were regularly recorded soaring over the hillside grassland at the north of Nga Yiu Ha. This species is very common and widely distributed in Hong Kong and not expected to be affected due to habitat loss. On the other hand, the Crested Serpent Eagle pair present in the Assessment Area is sedentary to the territory. This species usually inhabits in woodland but would also wander off open area. This pair is residing in or near the Pat Sin Leng CP where the woodland is larger, contiguous and more suitable for them. Disturbance on the lowland habitat will only have minor impact on this species. Crested Goshawk is a common resident in Hong Kong primarily uses woodland but also occurs in open area. The impact on the lowland habitat would only have minor effect on the local population of this species. The lowland habitat is regarded as potential foraging site for the raptors and loss of feeding ground may arise if large area of lowland habitat is affected. The proposed Project would reduce a small portion of suitable feeding habitat for these species but the impact is not considered as significant in view of the low density of raptor species of conservation concern in the area and high mobility of these species. Such raptors species with high mobility can cover a large foraging range so that the impact occurring only in a small portion of their wide foraging range would not constitute significant impact on them.

Impact on Egretry in Ping Che

With reference to previous literature and field observation, an egretry comprising 16 Chinese Pond Heron’s nests (Anon 2010) was located in Ping Che Village. Although the egretry is not located within the Assessment Area, breeding ardeid could cover a wide foraging range and therefore the potential impact is assessed only for precautionary purposes. Barrier hindering the breeding herons from travelling between breeding and foraging site would require them habituating the barrier by adjusting their flight altitude, distance or direction, which would demand higher energy consumption and may indirectly affect the breeding successful rate.

The major foraging habitat for Chinese Pond Heron is inland pond and marsh. A flight line study for locally breeding Chinese Pond Heron revealed that 72% landed around fish ponds (Young 1998). Fish ponds or similar habitat are rare in the Assessment Area. It was observed in the field that fairly low number of Chinese Pond Heron was found throughout the Assessment Area in widespread locations during breeding season. The observation is consistent with the flight-line surveys conducted at the egretry which observed most birds (72%) leaving west or southwest (Ove Arup 2009). Nonetheless, the fragmented wetland in the Assessment Area of this Project is not regarded as main foraging site for the breeding ardeid because only a small number of Chinese Pond Heron was recorded in breeding season under the study. In view of low number of breeding ardeid found within the Assessment Area, the potential impact on loss of foraging habitat and impediment of flight path arising from the Project is predicted to be minor.

Incidentally, a relatively high density of Chinese Pond Heron in breeding plumage (three individuals in one agriculture field) was found in the wet agricultural land in Chow Tin Tsuen and adjacent channel. The area is marginally outside Assessment Area and the flight path between the agricultural land and the egretry is totally unobstructed and unaffected by the proposed Project.

Loss of Feeding and Breeding Ground

Impact on feeding and breeding ground to species of conservation concern is evaluated with reference of the size of the population recorded in the Assessment Area and the importance of the affected habitat and species population in a local context.

In general, the loss of feeding and breeding ground for wetland-dependent bird species is minimal because only small wetland areas are affected and the density of wetland-dependent bird in the affected area is relatively low. The affected wetland area in Loi Tung, Wo Keng Shan and Nga Yiu Ha were recorded with low number of wetland-dependent birds. Besides, no decking over is required for the sections overlaying watercourse and drainage channel because most of the Connecting Road are built over viaduct. The affected watercourse and drainage channel are not identified as of high importance of wetland-dependent bird habitat although low density of wetland-dependent birds was regularly recorded in the area. On this basis, the impact due to loss of feeding and breeding ground for the wetland-dependent birds identified in Assessment Area is regarded to be minor.

Amongst the six raptor species of conservation interest recorded, none are thought to be local breeder. Only Crested Serpent Eagle would have the potential to breed in mature woodland, presumably at Pat Sin Leng CP area, so that there is no concern on loss of breeding habitat for raptor species. The six raptor species generally have wide foraging range covering various types of habitat. Loss of the lowland habitat due to the Project would reduce suitable foraging ground for the raptor species, but the significance of the impact is considered as minor in view of the large foraging range of these raptors species while the Works Area contribute only a small portion of their foraging range.

The lowland is favourable to open country bird species including a few species of conservation interest such as Zitting Cisticola, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, White-cheeked Starling and White-shouldered Starling. These species are mainly winter visitors not breeding locally, except White-shouldered Starling. Amongst the open country species of conservation interest, all of them are fairly widespread in the northwest New Territories but less common in the northeast New Territories. The impact of loss of lowland habitat due to this project is considered as minor in view of the relatively low density of open country bird in the area and large area of similar habitat available in adjacent FCA.

Regarding the impact on breeding ground, the local breeders Greater Coucal and Lesser Coucal identified as species of conservation interest are fairly common in the abandoned field in the FCA. They are highly widespread in Hong Kong and considered as stable breeder in the area using the tall grasses in the abandoned field as breeding habitat. Both species are not of conservation interest in global context and assessed to be “Least Concern” under IUCN Red List 2010 but listed in China Red Data Book (Zheng & Wang 1998) as “Vulnerable”. Globally, both species have a large range, stable population trend and been reported as common, hence both are not considered as species of ecological significant or globally threatened species. Both species can be found from lowland to uphill tall grass, e.g. Tai Mo Shan. Given the commonness of the above habitats, significance of the impact is regarded as minor.

Bright-capped Cisticola of conservation interest was also considered as local breeder in the EIA Study for the North East New Territories New Development Areas Planning and Engineering Study. Individual with breeding plumage was also sighted in early spring but not found again in breeding season, late spring and summer. Although a stable population was recorded in Ping Yeung area, no confirmed breeding record was derived. Bright-capped Cisticola was uncommon in Hong Kong but has been recently recorded in widespread locations, particularly in uphill grassland such as Ngong Ping in Lantau and Kai Shan in the northwest New Territories. This type of grassland on Ping Yeung and Nga Yiu Ha hillside slope is highly common in adjoining Wo Keng Shan and further northeast Robin’s Nest. Therefore, the potential impact due to loss of hillside grassland to these species is regarded to be minor in view of the high availability of the same habitat type in Hong Kong. Over the course of bird survey in woodland habitat, e.g. Loi Tung and Pat Sin Leng CP, woodland associated birds are regularly seen. Except true woodland species, some less habitat specific wintering birds such as thrush species are also use the woodland habitat. Loss of woodland mainly occurs at the portal areas, particularly South Tunnel North Portal. Although the affected areas are mainly located at the fringe of the woodland, the loss of woodland habitat would lead to a minor reduction of suitable foraging and breeding ground for woodland species and the impact is evaluated to be of minor significance. With the proposed compensatory woodland, the impact of loss of foraging and breeding ground for bird species is regarded to be minor.

Reduction of Ecological Carrying Capacity

Carrying capacity of an environment is the population size of the wildlife that the environment can sustain indefinitely. The capacity would change if the natural resources that wildlife relies on are unacceptably affected. Destruction of natural habitat may reduce the habitat available for wildlife foraging and roosting which in turn constitute an impact on the capacity of a habitat on sustaining a species population or an ecosystem. Direct habitat loss for the footprint of the proposed construction activities would affect the natural resource available for the fauna species. None of the habitat identified in the Works Area is vital for a particular fauna population or a particular taxonomic group. In fact, most of the natural habitat identified in the Assessment Area is relatively low in fauna density even in the habitat with moderate species diversity such as secondary woodland in Sections 2, 3 and 5. For instance, the bird community comprises low number of wetland species and the open country species abundance is relatively low compared to those in northwest New Territories. Moreover, most of the affected woodland identified is patchily located with less dense bird population. Given that the natural resources in the territory, i.e. habitat, has not been fully or only sparsely utilized by wildlife species, the loss of habitat due to the construction works would not significantly reduce the ecological carrying capacity of the territory. On the other hand, the habitat identified as important to a species community, such as Pat Sin Leng Country Park will not be directly impacted, and therefore the carrying capacity of these sites of high ecological importance will not be affected.

Impediment to Flight Path

Bird flight path refers to the regular and repeated flight movement practices by birds. The presence of flight path is mainly due to regular travelling between roosting and foraging sites and, in case of breeding, between breeding site and foraging site. Flight path is also used to describe the migratory flight route that the migratory birds follow, however, it concerns more on global level than local level. In Hong Kong, a study has been conducted to investigate the bird collision to man-made structures (Ove Arup 2002). No bird collision with a bridge was observed during the study. All birds reacted to flyovers by changing altitude and reacted to vehicles on bridges by changing flight direction or altitude. In fact, no bird kills due to collisions with flyovers have ever been reported in Hong Kong. On this basis, it is considered that the proposed Connecting Road would not impose significant impediment to the irregular or infrequent flight movement. The only concern is the impediment to the regular flight route in local level which requires higher energy demand to habituate the presence of the obstruction.

Evaluation of the flight path impact is based on the observation of flight path in the field. As indicated in previous EIA Study, the flight path for the Ping Che egretry mainly head toward southwest direction (Ove Arup 2009) which is opposite to the Works Area direction. Therefore, the main flight of the breeding ardeid in Ping Che egretry will not be affected due to this proposed project. Aside from the ardeid flight route, another noticeable flight movement was observed, that is a gathering of several hundreds of Crested Myna at FCA area flying to Shenzhen River direction for night roosting. Crested Myna is a common species highly adaptive to anthropogenic activity. Flocking of Crested Myna is mainly found in open area but also in urban area. The presence of the Connecting Road and viaduct would potentially affect the regular flight movement of the bird but no significant impact is predicted. Another species of concern is the starling species which move around in a flock. Flocking behaviour is common for White-cheeked Starling and White-shouldered Starling although it was sighted in two occasions only in the field survey. The presence of the BCP and Connecting Road would potentially affect the movement of starling over the lowland area. Starling flock is regularly seen in the northwest New Territories during winter which shows a moderate level of adaptation to the artificial structure, for example gathering of starling on overhanging wire is often seen. With the adaptability shown, the impediment of flight movement of flocking starling due to the proposed Connecting Road is not considered to be significant or impassable.

Collision with Noise Barrier

The noise barrier proposed on sections of the Connecting Roads for mitigation of traffic noise during the operation phase (refer to Section 4.5.1.5) may bring a concern of bird collision. Transparent panels of noise barrier which appears invisible to birds could result in bird-panel collision and bird mortality. This potential hazard to bird has been taken into account in the noise barrier design and therefore bird-friendly design of noise barrier panels is recommended. The design for preventing bird collision and its effectiveness is presented in Section 9.8.4.

9.7.4.3 Potential Impact on Amphibian and Reptile Species of Conservation Interest

A total of 6 reptile species of conservation interest was recorded in the study including Many-banded Krait, Copperhead Racer, Chinese Cobra, Common Rat Snake, Banded Stream Snake and Indian Forest Skink. Disturbance to the Many-banded Krait in Leng Pei Tsuen is not expected because the construction work would not be carried out at the ground level in the region. The Chinese Cobra, Common Rat Snake and Indian Forest Skink were found within or in close proximity to Works Area so that potential direct impact on the fauna individual and their habitat may be arisen. All these four species are common in dense vegetation in the suburban area. Disturbance to the individuals would not constitute significant impact on their population in Hong Kong and therefore the potential impact on these species is predicted to be minor. Since the Copperhead Racer was found at the tunnel portal at Lung Shan, impact on this species and its habitat will arise. This species is common in widespread locations of open habitats, mixed grassland and shrubland in Hong Kong (Karsen et al. 1998). Given its wide distribution range and habitat in Hong Kong, the impact on this species in a local context is considered as minor. The rare reptile species Banded Stream Snake was recorded at Kwan Tei River. As the Connecting Road will pass through the Kwan Tei River underground, i.e. Section 6, no potential impact on this rare species is anticipated.

Besides, an amphibian species of conservation interest Chinese Bullfrog was recorded in a few locations throughout the Assessment Area. This species, listed as China Class II Protected Animal, is native to Hong Kong but the origin of the wild population found near local village is doubtful given that they are available in local market sold for food delicacy. Nonetheless, in view of their wide distribution in Hong Kong the potential impact on this species due to the loss of habitat is predicted to be minor.

Other two amphibian species of conservation interest recorded from literature include Hong Kong Newt and Short-legged Toad. Hong Kong Newt was recorded in Section 6 where the works for the Project would be conducted underground. Although listed as Near Threatened in IUCN Red List, this species is widely distributed in Hong Kong and has been widely bred in captivity. Short-legged Toad was recorded near the stream in the semi-natural woodland at Wo Hop Shek, at the edge of the Assessment Area in Section 7 of which works would be on existing disturbed land and Fanling Highway. As the habitats of these two species were distant from works area, potential impact on these species is not anticipated.

9.7.4.4 Potential Impact on Butterfly Species of Conservation Interest

A total of 18 butterfly species of conservation interest (including 10 species recorded in Hok Tau and Cloudy Hill) was recorded throughout the Assessment Area including Great Swift in Nga Yiu Ha freshwater wetland, Peacock Royal in Lung Shan shrubland, Painted Lady in Chuk Yuen agricultural land, Small Three-ring in Nga Yiu Ha hillside grassland, Lesser Forest Blue in Loi Tung freshwater wetland and Danaid Egg-fly in Wo Keng Shan Road plantation. In fact, only the habitats for the uncommon species Great Swift, Peacock Royal and Painted Lady will be potentially subject to direct impact whilst the habitat for the very rare species Small Three-ring and uncommon species Danaid Egg-fly will remain unchanged, thus potential impact on these two species is not anticipated during both construction and operation phases. The species Great Swift, Peacock Royal and Painted Lady are uncommon but recorded in widespread locations in Hong Kong. Loss of the habitat for these species arisen from this Project would not constitute significant impact on its population in Hong Kong, in view of their wide distribution range in a local context. Lesser Forest Blue was found in the ditch at Loi Tung neighbouring a freshwater wetland. This species is usually associated with the plant species infected with alphids. The recorded individual was found associated with the Hedychium coronarium. Potential impact on this species in the habitat is regarded to be minimal because there will be no direct impact on the record location.

Another butterfly species of conservation interest recorded from literature includes Pale Palm Dart in Man Uk Pin stream. Potential impact on this concerned species is not anticipated as their habitats are not subject to any direct or indirect impact.

For the species of conservation interest recorded in literature at Hok Tau and Cloudy Hill including Brown Awl, Broadtail Royal, Common Dart, Yellow Coster, Dark Brown Ace, Colon Swift, Glassy Bluebottle, Common Brownie, Blackvein Sergeant and Yellow Rajah, their habitats falls into the edge of the Assessment Area of Section 6. Only underground works would be involved in Section 6 whilst the habitats of these rare and concerned species would have a certain distance from the footprint of the proposed works area, no potential impact on these species is therefore anticipated.

9.7.4.5 Potential Impact on Dragonfly Species of Conservation Interest

A total of 25 dragonfly species of conservation interest were recorded within the Assessment Area. Majority of them are confined to Tan Shan River, Lau Shui Heung Reservoir and Pat Sin Leng CP where no impact on the habitat will be arisen from this Project. Therefore, the potential impact on the dragonfly communities which consist of some species of conservation interest including Blue Sprite, Brook Sprite, Indochinese Copperwing, Wandering Spreadwing, Violet Midget, Whitetip Clubtail, Dog-legged Clubtail, Marauder Clubtail, Chinese Tiger, Angle-winged Cruiser, Club-tailed Cruiser, Spangled Shadow-emerald, Scarlet Dwarf, Emerald Dwarf, Eastern Lilysquatter, Dusky Lilysquatter, Scarlet Basker, Chinese Cascader and Emerald Cascader inhabiting these areas is insignificant.

Only two species of conservation interest, Dingy Dusk-hawker in the ditch near Loi Tung and Elusive Adjutant in Chuk Yuen woodland, were recorded exclusively outside of the Tan Shan River and Pat Sin Leng CP territories under the field survey. Other than Pat Sin Leng area, Eastern Lilysquatter and Ruby Darters were also recorded in Ma Wat Channel, and Emerald Cascader was recorded in Wo Keng Shan and Fanling. Potential impact on the drainage channel associated dragonfly Eastern Lilysquatter and Ruby Darters during construction period is negligible since the water flow and quality will not be significantly affected over the course of construction period and the dragonfly species can adapt to artificial channel in other unaffected area. After completion of the construction works, it is expected that they can readily re-colonize the channel and the impact is insignificant. Potential impact on Dingy Dusk-hawker is insignificant as its preferred habitat in the ditch shaded by the secondary woodland would not be affected. Impact on Emerald Cascader is also considered as insignificant in consideration of their high commonness and widespread distribution in Hong Kong. On the other hand, potential impact on the rare species Elusive Adjutant is not anticipated as the Chuk Yuen woodland subject to potential loss at its fringe is not considered as an essential habitat for this species.

Other three species of conservation interest recorded from literature include Orange-backed Threadtail in Section 5, Little Dusk-hawker near Shenzhen River and Blue Chaser in the north of Wo Keng Shan. Orange-backed Threadtail and Blue Chaser are common and widespread throughout Hong Kong, thereby the potential impact on their local population would be minor. On the other hand, the uncommon Little Dusk-hawker recorded in the Study Area of Regulation of Shenzhen River Stage IV EIA may be subject to potential direct impact by the proposed BCP. However, as its preferred habitat, thick scrub or woodland adjacent to marshy habitat, is readily available in the Frontier Closed Area, potential impact on this species is anticipated as minor.

9.7.4.6 Potential Impact on Aquatic fauna of Conservation Interest

A total of seven fish species of conservation interest was recorded within the Assessment Area including Hong Kong Paradise Fish and Rice Fish in Tan Shan River, Acrossocheilus parallens and Small Snakehead in Kwan Tei River, Man Uk Pin and Loi Tung. The Tan Shan River and Kwan Tei River would not be directly affected since the alignment would pass through the rivers underground so that the impact on the fish species Hong Kong Paradise Fish and Acrossocheilus parallens would be negligible. It is noted that a Small Snakehead was found during field survey and literature review in the ditch near Loi Tung freshwater wetland. The ditch lies on the eastern side of the freshwater wetland, it is expected that no direct impact on its habitat will be resulted. Also, the origin of this species is of doubtful because it is cultivated in some fish farms and available from fish market (Lee et al. 2004).

Two freshwater fish species of conservation interest Common Carp and Predaceous Chub, which are listed as vulnerable species under IUCN Red List and China Red Data Book respectively, were recorded in a few drainage channels throughout the Assessment Area. Common Carp can be readily found in many reservoirs and has been cultivated in fishponds, while Predaceous Chub is a common and widespread species found in lower watercourses. Potential disturbance impacts due to simple drainage channel works on these species and their local population are regarded to be minor in view of their wide distribution range in local context and the high availability of the same habitat type in Hong Kong.

In River Ganges near Wo Keng Shan, a freshwater crab species of conservation interest Somanniathelphusa zanklon was recorded. This species inhabited in lowland low-gradient stream can adapt to moderate level of disturbance (Ng & Dudgeon, 1992). Given that no channelization or river training works will be carried out in the river section, no significant impact on the freshwater crab species will be resulted.

Another freshwater crab species of conservation interest Cryptopotamon anacoluthon was recorded in Kwan Tei River over the course of field survey. This species inhabited in shaded shallow streams with clear, fast-flowing water, rocky substratum and accumulations of leaf-litter (Ng & Dudgeon, 1992). As Kwan Tei River would not be directly or indirectly affected because the alignment is underground, impact on this species is anticipated to be negligible.

Table 9.79 summarizes the potential ecological impacts on the fauna species of conservation interest.

Table 9.79: Potential Ecological Impact on Fauna Species of Conservation interest

Criteria	Mammal	Bird	Amphibian and Reptile	Butterfly	Dragonfly	Aquatic fauna
Receivers	Six large non-flying mammals (including two species are recorded outside Assessment Area) and 16 bat species	Sixteen wetland-dependent bird species, 17 non-wetland bird species, six raptor species and an egretry in Ping Che	Six reptile species and three amphibian species	Eighteen butterfly species including 10 species recorded in Cloudy Hill and Hok Tau	Eight damselfly species and 17 dragonfly species	Seven freshwater fish species and two freshwater crab species
Abundance	Low abundance	Low abundance of wetland and raptor bird species; Moderate-low abundance of non-wetland dependent bird species	Moderate-low abundance for Chinese Bullfrog; Others are of low abundance	Low abundance	Moderate abundance, mainly in Tan Shan River and Pat Sin Leng CP	Low abundance
Duration	Construction and operation phases	Construction and operation phases	Construction and operation phases	Construction and operation phases	Construction and operation phases	Construction phase
Reversibility	Not reversible	Not reversible	Not reversible	Not reversible	Reversible	Reversible
Magnitude	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Minor, the mammal species of conservation interest are not recorded within or in close proximity to Works Area	Minor; animals comparatively mobile; habitats affected is not optimal for birds and similar habitat is available in close vicinity	Minor; those amphibian and reptile recorded in proximity to Works Area are common and widely distributed. Similar habitat is available in close vicinity	Minor; species affected are widely distributed in Hong Kong and that similar habitats are available nearby the project area	Minor, because no aboveground works conducted at dragonfly hotspots Tan Shan River and Pat Sin Leng CP areas	Negligible, because no channelization or river training works are required

9.7.5 Impact of Habitat Fragmentation

Habitat fragmentation occurs when a continuous natural habitat is sectored or fragmented due to the presence of anthropogenic activities or artificial structure. Impassable physical barrier limits the free movement of wildlife within the continuous habitat, reduce interflow amongst population and increase in proportion of edge habitat. In extreme case, limitation on gene flow would lead to change on population genetic structure that is causative to local population extinction.

From an ecological perspective, agricultural habitat is also perceived as an intervention that causes fragmentation of natural habitat. However, after long history of habituation to human intervention, the wildlife that originally inhabit in undisturbed habitat also began adapting the agricultural land that was grown with thick vegetation cover. Therefore, agricultural land, especially those have been abandoned for a long period of time, is also perceived as natural feeding and breeding habitat for some taxonomic groups, especially bird and amphibian.

Habitat fragmentation is one of the ecological concerns for the proposed Connecting Road which lies from lowland at north to Kau Lung Shan hilly area at south. In general, the effect to the fauna species inhabiting the lowland dominated by abandoned agricultural land is of lower concern because this habitat type is widely available in the area and the associated fauna species (including the less mobile species of amphibian and reptile) are mostly common and widespread species. The relative mobile species such as birds, butterflies and dragonflies species associated with the lowland habitat are also of lower concern because they can readily move to adjacent habitat or fly across the artificial structure. Moreover, the viaduct structure would allow wildlife movement underneath which minimize the potential of habitat fragmentation. Habitat fragmentation could also occur in the woodland at Princess Hill and Lung Shan but the affected area are recorded with lower number of fauna species. Fragmentation of aquatic environment is not taken into consideration because there is no proposed dam structure on the existing river channels which causes sectoring. The potential of terrestrial habitat fragmentation in different sections is evaluated below.

Section 1 – BCP

The proposed BCP is located in FCA aside the Hong Kong-Shenzhen border. Geographically, it is located in a river loop virtually enclosed by Shenzhen River and Kong Yiu Channel. Dominant habitats are agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land and developed area. Interflow of wildlife within the BCP boundary is infrequent owing to relative high anthropogenic activities within the site and discontinuous habitat due to the presence of artificial river channel and traffic road. Therefore, the habitat fragmentation impact due to the presence of BCP is minor.

Amongst all the BCP options considered in the planning stage, the preferred option is the best available option from the aspect of minimising habitat fragmentation given that the other two alternative options would extend further to eastward direction. Since the proposed alignment has largely avoided encroaching on woodland areas and the woodlands recorded with large mammals species are located to the east of the alignment (including Chuk Yuen, Tsung Yuen Ha, Ha Heung Yuen, Heung Yuen Wai and Lin Ma Hang), the fragmentation effect to the mammal fauna of conservation interest in FCA is minor.

Section 2 – Lin Ma Hang Road to Frontier Closed Area Boundary

From BCP to Nga Yiu Ha, the Connecting Road is constructed on viaduct where it departs from existing Lin Ma Hang Road (viaduct section refers to Figures 2.1a to 2.1k). With reference to the baseline information presented in Section 9.5.5.1 and Table 9.5, no large mammal species of conservation concern was recorded in this area. Only an uncommon but widely distributed species Masked Palm Civet and common species such as Red Muntjac and Small-toothed Ferret Badger have been recorded in this area. Although it is concerned that the increase in edge area due to the presence of Connecting Road would disturb the terrestrial mammal species, it would unlikely obstruct the interflow movement given that the viaduct structure would allow space between bridge piers for wildlife crossing. The viaduct section between Nga Yiu Ha and Lin Ma Hang Road is elevated with a maximum height of approx. 10 m before it goes down to at-grade level when connecting to Lin Ma Hang Road. Moreover, as mentioned in the Landscape, Visual and Glare Impact Assessment Section 11.6.3, planters would be provided at the edges of the viaduct while shade-tolerant shrubs would be planted under viaducts. The shade tolerant shrub underneath the viaduct would provide vegetation shelters which allow wildlife crossing. Therefore, fragmentation of large mammal population due to physical obstruction to interflow movement among the population is regarded as minor.

In respect of bird species, it is concerned that flight path of locally bred ardeid and migratory species would be affected. With reference to the baseline information and field observation, no obvious flight path was identified. Flying routes of the ardeid are in irregular direction searching for foraging habitat. Mass movement or flocking was observed on Crested Myna when they gather and return to roosting ground in late evening. Crested Myna is a generalist species highly adaptive to developed area and artificial structure which is common in most of the urban area. Obstruction of flight movement of this common species is regarded as minor. Another obvious flight movement is the flocking of starling species (except Black-collared Starling). Migratory starlings in Hong Kong usually emerge as a flock which commonly occurs in the northwest New Territories lowland in winter. In view of their high adaptability to artificial structure, which was shown in the northwest New Territories, the relatively low density of starling species in the northeast New Territories would unlikely be significantly affected by the proposed Connecting Road.

Section 3 – Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan

This habitat in this section is a mix of agricultural land, woodland, freshwater wetland, hillside grassland, developed area, open field, shrubland and plantation. Similar to the setting in Section 2, the Connecting Road in this section is largely constructed over viaduct. The Works Area underneath the viaduct will be installed with shade-tolerant shrub which allows wildlife crossing. The elevated structure over the freshwater wetland and abandoned agricultural land is approx 10 m high which allow crossing of non-flying mammal species. The Connecting Road would be constructed at-grade when it lies on hill top. The impact of habitat fragmentation is minor because the affected hillside grassland and woodland in Ta Kwu Ling and Ping Yeung are patchily located which does not form a continuity of habitat. Relatively low density of bird was observed in this section and the impact of fragmentation is predicted to be insignificant. A relatively contiguous woodland is located in Cheung Shan. The impact of habitat fragmentation on the woodland in the northern Cheung Shan will be largely offset by the proposed woodland compensation plan in Cheung Shan (refers to Section 9.8.1 and Appendix 9.4)

Section 4 – North Tunnel

No habiat fragmentation will arise because the alignment lies underground in this section.

Section 5 – Sha Tau Kok Road

As the lowland area is traversed by existing Sha Tau Kok Road and Wo Keng Shan Road, the concern of habitat fragmentation in this section is relatively low. The concern of habitat fragmentation may arise at the South Tunnel North Portal which requires clearance of vegetation at hillside. Habitat fragmentation due to disconnection of woodland may arise between the north-facing woodland on Princess Hill. As part of the landscape mitigation measures, the cut slope of the tunnel portal will be replanted with shrub planting to minimise the fragmentation impact. Moreover, owing to its close proximity to high anthropogenic activities area, e.g. heavy traffic road and residential village, the woodland is less frequented by wildlife species. Isolation of small patch of woodland (approx 0.4 ha) would lead to discontinuous woodland but would not significantly compromise the ecological value in term of providing foraging and feeding habitats for wildlife. Also, it is expected that the isolation of the woodland would not cause total abandonment of the natural habitat by wildlife, as the patchily located woodland over local village area in the New Territories are often found utilized by various fauna species. Owing to the above, the fragmentation impact is predicted to be minor.

Section 6 – South Tunnel (Lau Shui Heung)

The tunnel section lies underneath the rich woodland and shrubland hillside. The originally proposed alignment also traverses the lowland and shrubland habitat in Tan Chuk Hang area. However, after adopting tunnelling option, the concern on habitat fragmentation can be disregarded.

Section 7 – Fanling

The South Tunnel South Portal is located at the shrubland and woodland fringe at the Lung Shan hill foot. The loss of wooded area may reduce the suitable habitat for wildlife but the potential impact on habitat fragmentation is minor because it occurs at the fringe area of continuous natural habitat.

In summary of above, owing to the viaduct design of the Connecting Road at the lowland area, wildlife crossing underneath the elevated Connecting Road is possible and the potential impact on wildlife corridor is regarded as minor. Given that interflow of wildlife population is not obstructed, fragmentation of local population would unlikely arise. Besides, the loss of habitat at portal location may also be causative to impediment of wildlife corridor. But the portals are located at the edge of continuous habitat and the associated impact on habitat fragmentation is regarded as minor.

Table 9.80 summarizes the potential ecological impact due to habitat fragmentation.

Table 9.80: Potential Ecological Impact of Habitat Fragmentation

Criteria
Receivers	Various wildlife fauna
Duration	During construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Not reversible
Magnitude	Low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Minor, owing to the viaduct design that allows movement of wildlife underneath the Connecting Road. Disconnected woodland on the north-facing hillside of Princess Hill are linked with shrubland habitat, therefore the impact of fragmentation is minor. Fragmentation of habitat may arise at a small patch of woodland at the northeast Princess Hill, but affected area is small which would not lead to fragmentation of fauna population and abandonment of the natural habitat

9.7.6 Impacts on Ecologically Sensitive Wetland

In accordance with the Condition (1.7)(iv)(a) set forth in EIA Study Brief No. ESB- 199/2008, the loss of ecologically sensitive wetland arising from the Project is evaluated as follows. With reference to Table 9.67, the wetland habitat to be lost as a result of this Project is identified as freshwater wetland (mainly the abandoned wet agricultural land) only. Unlike the wetland ecosystem in the northwest New Territories, the wetland habitat found within the Works Area comprises no fishpond or intertidal mudflat and therefore the inhabiting wetland community is less diverse and lower in fauna abundance. For the river crossing section, the Connecting Road is constructed in the form of viaduct so that no permanent deck over structure and no channelization and training works are required. Also, the proposed piers or abutments of the viaduct will not encroach on the existing watercourse.

The evaluation of the potential ecological impact is summarized in Table 9.81.

9.7.6.1 Watercourse/Channel in River Ganges

The River Ganges section overlaid by the proposed trunk road is located between Ping Yeung and Nga Yiu Ha Villages bordered by agricultural habitat and village development. To the east of Nga Yiu Ha Village, the river section is semi-natural bordered by agricultural habitat. To the west of Nga Yiu Ha Village, the river section is concreted and converted to drainage channel but at further downstream it resumes to semi-natural setting again. This river section was found to be fairly polluted and had little water flow during the dry season.

The river section was found associated with a few fauna species but generally in low abundance. The fish fauna is dominated by common fish species such as Chinese Barb and Predaceous Chub. A freshwater crab species of conservation interest Sommaniathelphusa zanklon was found in the section between Nga Yiu Ha and Wo Keng Shan Villages. Only a few wetland-dependent bird species were found using the drainage channel. From the field survey record, only a few wetland species including Little Egret, White-throated Kingfisher and Green Sandpiper were found and all the records only involve single individual. Owing to its small water flow and shallow water depth, the drainage was found used by common terrestrial birds such as Black Drongo and Red-whiskered Bulbul for bathing.

Construction of the Connecting Road will not require channelization work and no proposed piers or abutments will encroach on the existing watercourse. For the Connecting Road section overlaying the River, the proposed road level is approximately 10 m above ground level so that the shading effect is not significant. Given that the river hydrology and river profile will not be affected during the construction and operation phase and a certain section of the channel is channelized and artificially modified and colonized by low diversity of aquatic fauna species, the potential impact on the ecology of River Ganges is predicted to be minor.

9.7.6.2 River Indus

After completion of the project Drainage Improvement in Northern New Territories – Package C (hereinafter called Package C), the River Indus would be channelized. The widened area of channel floor will receive a covering of natural rock and fines to simulate as closely as possible natural stream conditions. The widened channel will then be contained within a gabion embankment, on top of which will be built a grasscrete access track (B&V 2007). The design has taken into account the protection of natural rivers and streams and represents a significant reduction in adverse ecological impact. Therefore, it is expected that an aquatic fauna community would re-colonize the channelized river section gradually. Given that the construction works are scheduled to be completed by mid 2011, the natural colonization of aquatic fauna is expected to begin at around that period of time.

Under this Project, a roundabout would be provided for connection between Sha Tau Kok Road and the Connecting Road. The proposed road level is approximately 31 mPD whilst the ground level is around 15-18 mPD. In both construction phase and operation phase of this Project, the gabion embankment and natural rocks and fines on the streambed of the channelized River Indus will not be affected and no piers or abutments will encroach on the existing river channel.

Although the channel work the Package C would constitute potential delay of establishment period of re-colonization of the aquatic community due to temporary disturbance impact on any re-colonized pioneer fauna, the potentially affected fauna are expected to be common species tolerant to moderate level of disturbance and with relatively low conservation value. Also, after completion of the construction works, the pioneer aquatic fauna are anticipated to re-colonize the affected river section readily. Since no channelisation works will be carried out under this LT/HYW Project, the potential impacts on the section of River Indus drainage channel wetland and its ecological re-establishment are predicted to be temporary and minor.

9.7.6.3 Ma Wat Channel

The construction of Ma Wat drainage channel was completed by end 2008 for alleviation of flooding problem at Kau Lung Hang and the area near Hong Lok Yuen. Although the natural river profile and benthic environment have been consequently modified, the riparian vegetation grown alongside the channel provides a habitat for wetland associated fauna community. As observed in field survey, the aquatic fauna community is dominated by exotic freshwater fish species Whitespotted Walking Catfish and Nile Tilapia. A low abundance of wetland-dependent birds including Grey Heron and Little Egret was also observed in wintering season. Besides, a rare freshwater crab species Somanniathelphusa zanklon was found at downstream of Ma Wat Channel from literature record.

The construction of tunnel portal and the associated connecting road would temporarily deck over a small section of the drainage channel and cause minor disturbance to the fauna species using the habitat. Despite of the potential adverse impact, it is not considered to be ecologically important given that only a low abundance of wetland-dependent birds were found using the artificially modified habitat. In respect of aquatic fauna, Nile Tilapia is highly adaptive and able to tolerate poor water quality, while Whitespotted Walking Catfish inhabits muddy bottoms of streams and ditches with the ability to survive in oxygen-poor water or even out of water (Lee et al. 2004). The rare freshwater crab species Somanniathelphusa zanklon occurs in a variety of lotic and lentic lowland habitats including low-gradient streams where the substratum may be muddy, irrigation ditches and flooded furrows associated with market-gardening activities (Ng & Dudgeon, 1992). It is omnivorous preying on a wide range of gastropod including freshwater snails and fairly tolerant of organic pollution (Ng & Dudgeon, 1992; Ove Arup, 2007). Thus it can be seen that the aquatic community inhabiting the drainage channel are the species highly adaptive to disturbance and artificial habitat. After the construction phase, the deck over structure will be removed and the Connecting Road will be constructed at a level of about 29 mPD (about 1m above ground level and more than 10m above channel water level). It is expected that the affected species can re-colonize the habitat readily after completion of the construction work. Therefore, the ecological impact on the aquatic fauna community and the associated wetland-dependent bird species due to the temporary disturbance on a small section of drainage channel is insignificant.

9.7.6.4 Freshwater Wetland in Loi Tung, Wo Keng Shan and Nga Yiu Ha

At the South Tunnel North Portal, a small fragment of freshwater wetland in Loi Tung will be used for the installation of tunnel portal. The freshwater wetland derives from abandoned agricultural land is less fragmented and dominated by crop species Hedychium coronarium. No wetland-dependent bird species was recorded in this wetland during the field survey. The major aquatic community associated with the wetland is the invertebrate and amphibian taxonomic groups. With reference to the approved EIA report for Drainage Improvement in Northern New Territories - Package C, the subject wetland was identified as “dry inactive agriculture” thought to be seasonally wet. The loss of subject wetland would potentially reduce the habitat for wetland associated species. In the revised alignment, the footprint on the freshwater wetland has largely been reduced so that the affected freshwater wetland area and therefore the impact of loss of wetland have been largely minimized (reduced to 0.3 ha). With reference to Table 9.50, the freshwater wetland is regarded as of moderate value. In respect of the wetland fauna species, the ditch associated species would unlikely be affected whilst the marsh species favouring the Hedychium coronarium field would subject to a minor impact due to habitat loss. During construction phase, the pollutant generated such as surface run-off and chemical discharge would be controlled through water quality control measures (Details refers to Section 5.6.1). Therefore, the indirect water quality impact on the freshwater wetland during construction phase is regarded not significant.

Similar to the freshwater wetland in Loi Tung, the freshwater wetland in Wo Keng Shan and Nga Yiu Ha are also cultivated with crop species Hedychium coronarium due to its agricultural land origin. The wetlands are lack of wetland-dependent birds and the wetland associated communities are low in diversity. Although there is a stream lies along northern side of the field, no significant ecological linkage amongst these two habitats was and the streams will not be directly impacted under the project.

Although the losses of the freshwater wetland in the locations are evaluated as minor severity, the cumulative loss of the freshwater wetland of a total area of 1.4 ha is regarded to be of some ecological significance. In order to mitigate the impact of loss of wetland due to the project, the cumulative loss of freshwater wetland will be compensated by provision of compensation wetland. Details of the wetland compensation plan are presented in Section 9.8.1.

Table 9.81 summarizes the potential ecological impact due to loss of ecological sensitive wetland.

Table 9.81: Potential Ecological Impact of Loss of Ecologically Sensitive Wetland

Criteria	River Ganges	River Indus	Ma Wat Channel	Loi Tung, Wo Keng Shan and Nga Yiu Ha Freshwater Wetland
Receivers	Artificially modified river and the associated fauna	Channelized river and the associated fauna	Channelized river and the associated fauna	Freshwater wetland originated from abandoned agricultural land
Duration	During construction and operation phases	During construction and operation phases	During construction and operation phases	During construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Disturbance impact is reversible after the construction works cease.	Disturbance impact is reversible after the construction works cease.	Disturbance impact is reversible after the construction works cease, deck over structure for construction work is reversible	Permanent habitat loss is irreversible
Magnitude	Low	Low	Low	Moderate
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Minor owing to the highly modified habitat, relatively low conservation value of the fauna species and minor effect on the river channel	Minor owing to the highly modified habitat, relatively low conservation value of the fauna species and minor effect on the river channel	Minor owing to the highly modified habitat, relatively low conservation value of the fauna species and minor effect on the river channel	Moderate-minor in view of the cumulative size of affected area (1.4 ha in total)

9.7.7 Impacts on Sites of Conservation Interest

9.7.7.1 Pat Sin Leng Country Park

Since the proposed alignment would not directly encroach on Pat Sin Leng CP, no habitat loss will occur in the Country Park. Also, since no above ground work site will be located inside or in close proximity to the Country Park, direct impact on the Country Park is not expected. However, it is concerned that the groundwater level of Country Park would be indirectly affected by drill and blast tunnel works. It leads to potential drawdown of groundwater level and alter the degree of settlement and dewatering of surface water features such as stream, pond and marsh. The Lau Shui Heung Reservoir is about 250m away from the proposed road tunnel on plan and with about 100 m vertical clearance. With the presence of adequate rock cover and large clearance distance, it is believed that loss of yield due to the tunnelling work is not significant. Drawdown of groundwater level occurs mostly due to inflows of water into the tunnel. In order to control the potential ground water inflows, grout injection works would be conducted before blasting, for sealing a limited area around the tunnel with a grout of a suitable strength. The pre-injection grouting method would be supplemented by post-injection grouting where necessary to further enhance the groundwater inflow control. With such control measures in place, the potential impact on the water surface features inside the Pat Sin Leng CP due to drawdown of groundwater is negligible(refer to Section 5.6.1.4). It is also concerned that the construction and operation of the tunnel would induce vibration which indirectly affects the above ground ecology, e.g. Pat Sin Leng CP. Evaluation of the vibration impact is discussed in Section 9.7.8.3 with reference of the performance of other tunnelling works in Hong Kong. It is considered that no vibration impact on the aboveground ecology will be resulted.

9.7.7.2 Fung Shui Wood

All the six identified fung shui woods (Heung Yuen Wai, Tsung Yuen Ha, Kan Tau Wai, Man Uk Pin, Loi Tung and Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai) within the Assessment Area will be avoided by the proposed alignment of the Project. As neither surface works nor tunnel works are proposed at all these woods, no direct or indirect ecological impact is anticipated.

9.7.7.3 Ecologically Important Stream (EIS)

Uncontrolled surface runoff from works area could lead to increased level of sedimentation in the rivers, which would constitute adverse impact on the aquatic ecosystem. The streams that are identified as ecologically sensitive would be subject to adverse impact if the pollution sources are not controlled and the works area is situated in close proximity to the ecologically sensitive section.

Three EISs are identified within the Assessment Area, namely Tan Shan River, Man Uk Pin River and Kau Lung Hang Streams. The recognized dragonfly hotspot Tan Shan River is originated from Hok Tau Reservoir and traversing the Tan Chuk Hang Village. Direct impact on the river is largely avoided by adopting tunnelling option where the Connecting Road lies underground.

During tunnel excavation works, ground treatment in the form of pre-grouting will be applied to control ground water ingress if it exceeds the set limits in the investigation of water inflow ahead of the tunnel. If ground water inflow remains above specific limits during excavation, post excavation grouting will be carried out. By controlling the groundwater ingress into tunnel, the ground water drawdown would be controlled to acceptable level and therefore the impact on Tan Shan River water flow is insignificant. For un-drained lining design of the tunnels, the full circumference of tunnel is designed with a waterproofing system to prevent groundwater leakage into the tunnel. The watertight tunnel structure can withstand hydrostatic pressure and the effect on water table during operation phase is regarded as negligible.

On the other hand, Man Uk Pin River is situated behind the Man Uk Pin village. Potential impact on this river section is not expected given the far distance (approximately 200m) and upstream from the Works Area, particularly after the implementation of effective runoff control measures (refer to Section 5 Water Quality Impact Assessment). The third EIS running closely to the Works Area is Kau Lung Hang Streams located near the southern roundabout. The streams were recorded with a rare freshwater fish species. However, the lower courses of the streams are undertaking channelization works and the stream profile is being modified. It is expected that the population of this species has already avoided the lower course of the river and the potential impact on this species arising from this Project is negligible.

9.7.7.4 Ecological Sensitive Wetland at Lower Course of Shenzhen River

All the rivers and channels in the Works Area eventually flow into Deep Bay via Shenzhen River. Uncontrolled surface runoff and pollutant discharge will flow into Inner Deep Bay area that has been identified with high ecological value. Potential impact of increased sedimentation may also arise if sediment from works area is directly discharged into the drainage channel or rivers in an uncontrolled manner. The ecosystem of intertidal habitat in Inner Deep Bay is subject to adverse impact if it receives heavy discharge of uncontrolled pollutants. The fishponds and non-tidal wetland alongside the Shenzhen River is relatively less vulnerable to the pollution given that water from Shenzhen River is seldom imported to the fishponds.

The potential impact on water quality would be minimized through good site practices, which include containment of site runoff and contaminated soils within site boundary, appropriate storage of chemicals and chemical waste and provision of sanitary facilities for on-site workers (refer to Section 5). With the implementation of such good site practices, the potential impact on water quality will be minimized and the indirect impact on the wetland ecosystem at lower course of Shenzhen River and Inner Deep Bay including Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site, Mai Po Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest, Inner Deep Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest, Wetland Conservation Area and Wetland Buffer Area is predicted to be insignificant.

9.7.7.5 Ping Che Egretry

The egretry is located inside Ping Che Village which is outside the Assessment Area but approximately 1 km to the west of the North Tunnel North Portal. Assessment of the impact on the egretry is based on the evaluation of loss of foraging habitat and impediment of flight path. It was found that the Works Area and peripheral area of this project is not a major foraging ground for the breeding ardeid, therefore the indirect impact on the egretry is predicted to be negligible. Detail of the egretry impact assessment is presented in Section 9.7.4.2.

Table 9.82 summarizes the potential ecological impact due to disturbance to sites of conservation interest.

Table 9.82: Disturbance to Sites of Conservation Interest

Criteria	Pat Sin Leng Country Park	Fung Shui Wood	Ecological Important Streams (EIS)	Ecological Sensitive Wetland at Lower Course of Shenzhen River	Ping Che Egretry
Receivers	Pat Sin Leng CP	Heung Yuen Wai, Tsung Yuen Ha, Kan Tau Wai, Man Uk Pin, Loi Tung and Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai fung shui woods	Tan Shan River, Man Uk Pin River and Kau Lung Hang Streams	Wetland ecosystem at lower course of Shenzhen River	Breeding Chinese Pond Heron
Duration	During construction and operation phases	During construction phase	During construction and operation phases	During construction phase	During construction and operation phase
Reversibility	Not reversible	N/A	Not Reversible	Reversible	Not reversible
Magnitude	Low	Negligible	Low	Low	Low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible

9.7.8 Indirect Impact

9.7.8.1 Noise and Disturbance Impact

Except the direct impact on the fauna species and its habitat, indirect impact on the wildlife inhabiting peripheral area would also arise. These peripheral areas include the natural habitat outside the works boundary and the temporarily affected woodland/ plantation/ shrubland/ hillside grassland inside the works boundary. The most possible disturbance source is noise and visual interference caused by moving traffic and glare in operation phase and use of PME and increased human activities in construction phase. As a result, fauna species that prone to disturbance would abandon the habitat in close proximity to the disturbance source which in turn reduce the availability of the habitat for the wildlife use. Concerning the indirect impact due to changes of water quality in drainage channel, watercourse and freshwater marsh, impact assessment on the wetland habitat is provided in Section 9.7.6 Impacts on Ecologically Sensitive Wetland.

It is generally perceived that mammal and bird species are more prone to disturbance whilst amphibian, reptile and insect are less prone to disturbance, on the basis of field observation that amphibian species are abundant in the agricultural land adjacent to the railway in Kau Lung Hang and uncommon dragonfly species are commonly found in the Tan Shan River section next to Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai Village. Evaluation of the disturbance is provided below with focus on habitat identified with high ecological value such as freshwater wetland and woodland or regular occurrence of species of conservation interest. Aside from the BCP and Connecting Road, the construction activities at the proposed ventilation building in Po Kat Tsai is considered to be minor given that the construction activities will be conducted in the existing domestic factory site and the common fauna species in close proximity have already adapted to the anthropogenic activities.

Amphibian and insect of conservation interest including Chinese Bullfrog and some wetland associated dragonflies and butterflies in close proximity to the Works Area are found in the freshwater wetlands in Loi Tung and Wo Keng Shan. Given that the proposed works area will interface with only a minor portion of the fringe of the freshwater wetlands, the disturbance effect would be minor with proper implementation of good site practices.

In the agricultural land in Kau Lung Hang Shan area, Chinese Bullfrog has been recorded in field survey. Despite of its conservation status, this species is common and widely distributed in lowland habitat in Hong Kong. Origin of the Chinese Bullfrog recorded under the study is doubtful, which probably are escaped animals. Record location is close to the footpath alongside the existing railway. In view of its high adaptability to human disturbance and commonness in Hong Kong, the potential disturbance impact on this species of conservation interest is considered to be minor.

Apart from these two species of conservation interest, other amphibian, reptile and insect are either common or sparsely distributed outside the proposed project alignment. Therefore, the overall disturbance impact on the species is considered to be minor.

In respect of mammal and bird species, both taxonomic groups are prone to disturbance from moving traffic and increased human activities. Both types of disturbance would minimize species of both taxonomic groups using the habitat in the peripheral of Works Area. With reference to the literature record data, two rare mammal species Crab-eating Mongoose and Yellow-bellied Weasel were recorded in east Heung Yuen Wai, at least 1 km to the east of the proposed BCP location. Other than these two records, non-flying mammal species recorded within the Assessment Area are relatively common in Hong Kong. Other potentially affected non-flying mammals are ranged from uncommon to very common in Hong Kong. Locations of less disturbed area such as FCA and the woodland in South Tunnel North Portal (Loi Tung area) are more sensitive to disturbance. The disturbance effect would cause the mammal species retreat to less disturbed area. Also, given that the affected sensitive area are connected to other larger unaffected and less disturbed area of similar habitat, which are available for the use of the affected mammals, the disturbance induced would not lead to significant impact on the population of the mammal species in a local context. Nonetheless, ornamental planting for landscape mitigation will be placed alongside the footprint of the Connecting Road which can screen out a certain level of disturbance and minimize the potential disturbance impact on wildlife.

In respect of avifauna, disturbance would reduce the use of suitable habitat. Significance of the disturbance impact is evaluated on the basis of evaluation of habitat importance for avifauna. In general, a habitat is regarded as of higher importance if it is used for breeding site of localized species, but of lower importance if used by generalist species which can utilize wide range of habitats. Moreover, impediment of flight path would also arise if significant breeding site and regular migratory route is identified in proximity. No significant breeding site for localized bird species was identified in the Assessment Area. The only closest egretry was identified in Ping Che which is outside of the Assessment Area and the impact assessment is provided (refers to Section 9.7.4.2). The abandoned agricultural land in FCA which grown with tall grasses sustains a stable population of Greater Coucal and Lesser Coucal, both species are listed as vulnerable in China Red Data Book. The occurrence of disturbance reduces the available breeding and feeding ground for these species. However, in view of the high commonness of these two species in Hong Kong and high availability of similar habitat in adjoining area (e.g. at the adjoining abandoned agricultural land in Heung Yuen Wai), the disturbance impact on both species in local context are predicted to be minor. In respect of migratory bird spices, the density is relatively low compared to the northwest New Territories.

Nonetheless, two locations are identified as of potential concern in view of the regular occurrence of bird species of conservation interest. The first location is the grassland near Wo Keng Shan and Nga Yiu Ha where a population of uncommon migratory species Bright-capped Cisticola was found. Although this species is of conservation interest, it is progressively developing a regular migratory population in Hong Kong. Its regular record in Sha Lo Tung suggested that it is an upland grassland specialist (Carey et al 2001). Since its first record in 1991, this species has been recorded in widespread locations such as Mai Po Nature Reserve, Shing Uk Tsuen, Chek Lap Kok, Mui Wo, Shuen Wan, Man Uk Pin, Long Valley, Kam Tin, Fung Lok Wai and Lin Ma Hang (Carey and Lockey 2009). In one of the field survey day, it was found singing in Nga Yiu Ha in a recently burnt hillside slope. This habitat is largely available in the territory and can be easily generated in short period of time without active management. Given the high commonness of the preferred habitat in adjoining area and the whole northeast district, the disturbance impact on the Nga Yiu Ha and Wo Keng Shan area would not cause a significant impact on the migratory population of this species in a local context.

Another location with regular occurrence of migratory species is the woodland near Loi Tung where the South Tunnel North Portal will be located nearby. The mixture of shrubland and woodland in the area supports a suite of migrant and resident species. With reference to the survey data, migratory species such as thrushes and minivets and a woodland species of conservation interest Grey Treepie were recorded in the area. The disturbance impact would be higher during construction phase but the disturbance will be habituated gradually during operation phase, if peripheral environmental setting is kept intact. During construction phase, erection of screen hoarding can minimize the disturbance to wildlife. During operation phase the works area will be installed with landscape planting and compensatory planting for mitigation of landscape impact. With the provision of compensatory planting alongside the Connecting Road, the disturbance effect will be minimized by the screening effect of the trees to an acceptable level.

9.7.8.2 Hydrological Impact on Ecology

The major watercourses located within the whole Assessment Area, including Ma Wat Channel, River Indus and River Ganges, are channelized or artificially modified for flood control. The major hydrologic disruption occurred in these channels is mainly due to flooding in heavy rainfall season. Given that most of the Connecting Road are constructed over viaduct and the proposed piers or abutments of the viaduct will not encroach on the existing river channel, therefore the overland flow path will not change. Potential impact due to change in hydrology and flow regime is discussed in Section 5.5.

Due to the hardness of the rock and the size of the tunnel, the preferred method for construction of the bored tunnel will be the Drill and Blast (D&B) method. This is commonly used in Hong Kong for the excavation of road tunnels. The use of the D&B method is proposed for the majority of the tunnel sections where environmental impacts from the tunnelling method are considered to be minimal. D&B has been widely adopted in various projects in Hong Kong such as the Route 8 Eagles Nest, Shatin Heights, Nam Wan Tunnels, Route 3 Highway Tai Lam Tunnel and the West Rail Tunnels. No noticeable adverse impact on the peripheral environment and aquatic ecosystem has ever been resulted.

The excavation works would cause inflow of water into underground works area of shafts or tunnels. Water leakage might cause a drawdown of water table which in turn affects the wetland within the local aquifer such as depletion of groundwater sources, stream and ponds. As discussed in Section 5.5.1, the groundwater drawdown impact and corresponding settlement due to tunnelling works had been assessed. The proposed tunnelling scheme would unlikely impose significant groundwater drawdown impacts and corresponding settlement to the adjacent structures.

Nevertheless, as discussed in Section 5.6.1, pre-injection grouting works would be conducted before blasting to limit any potential groundwater inflows to an acceptable level. The pre-injection grouting method would be supplemented by post-injection grouting and installation of recharge wells where necessary to further enhance the groundwater inflow control. Moreover, the tunnel sections of this project are designed as undrained and for un-drained lining design of the tunnels, the full circumference of tunnel would be designed with a waterproofing system to prevent groundwater inflow into the tunnel. The watertight tunnel structure can withstand hydrostatic pressure and the effect on water table during operation phase is regarded as negligible. The aforesaid methods for groundwater inflow control are common practices and are widely adopted in tunnelling works.

The Lau Shui Heung Reservoir is about 250 m away from the proposed road tunnel on plan and with about 100 m vertical clearance. With the present of adequate rock cover and large clearance distance, it is expected that loss of yield due to the tunnelling work is not significant.

The proposed tunnel sections will traverse the Cheung Shan and Lung Shan underground. The South Tunnel alignment will lay underground the ecologically sensitive Tan Shan River EIS and in proximity to Pat Sin Leng Country Park. With reference to the performance of the same construction method being applied to other previous case with similar geological setting, it is expected that the currently proposed tunnelling work would not cause ecological impact on the above ground terrestrial and aquatic ecology of the Tan Shan River and Pat Sin Leng Country Park.

For the marsh type freshwater wetland where the Connecting Road would pass aside, it is concerned that the construction works would affect the habitat through hydrological disruption. For the freshwater wetland in Loi Tung, the main water supply comes from rainfall and the ditch running from south to east of the freshwater wetland. Although a stream was identified in the western side of the freshwater wetland, it was diverted along the active agricultural land connecting to the existing drainage channel, therefore it does not contribute to any water supply to the wetland. In view of the geological setting, it is predicted that the construction works would not significantly affect the water supply to the wetland and no significant hydrological impact on the wetland will be resulted. In Wo Keng Shan, the Connecting Road near the freshwater wetland will cut across the hillside slope on the western side of the wetland. The water in freshwater wetland is supplied by rainfall but sustained by a rather high water table. With reference to Ground Investigation information, the water table is around 1 m below ground water level near the freshwater wetland. Given that the Connecting Road will be provided at a relatively high elevation (approx 10 m above ground level), its associated construction works will unlikely affect the water table in the area and not constituting indirect hydrological impact.

In summary, with reference to the assessment on potential water inflow and groundwater drawdown in Section 5.6.1.4, no significant hydrological disruption will occur nearby any water sensitive receivers due to the construction and operation of this Project and therefore no indirect impact on aquatic ecology would arise.

9.7.8.3 Vibration

It is concerned that the construction and operation of the Connecting Road would cause vibration at ground level that indirectly affects the ecosystem in adjacent ecologically sensitive area. In avoiding direct impact on the Pat Sin Leng CP and Tan Shan River, this Connecting Road Section is constructed underground. Drill & Blast and Mechanical Excavation methods would be used to excavate rock along the alignment. The interaction between the operation of equipment and the rock will induce ground-borne noise. The potential impact of ground-borne noise has been evaluated in Section 4 which concludes no significant impact at construction and operation phases and no residual impact on the identified sensitive receivers. The ground-borne noise sensitive receivers identified for this Project are noise sensitive developments and relevant uses located in Tan Chuk Hang area which are near the ecological sensitive Tan Shan River and Pat Sin Leng Country Park. Although the criteria are defined to assess the acceptability from human perspective, its close proximity to ecological sensitive area is indicative to insignificant ground-borne impact on local ecology.

Nonetheless, operation of traffic tunnel at underground is generally not causative to unacceptable vibration at above ground. Making reference to other traffic tunnels in Hong Kong such as Tate’s Cairn Tunnel, Lion Rock Tunnel, Tai Lam Tunnel and Shing Mun Tunnel, the operation of these tunnels did not induce vibration or ground-borne noise impact on the ecology of the Country Parks lying directly above the tunnels. Although the South Tunnel lies closely to the Pat Sin Leng CP and Tan Shan River, it is deep in underground with more than 100 m below ground level at Lung Shan and 26 m below ground level at Tan Shan River. Therefore, the impact of vibration or ground-borne noise due to construction and operation of the tunnelling is predicted to be negligible.

Tables 9.83 to 9.85 summarize the potential indirect ecological impacts due to indirect disturbance.

Table 9.83: Potential Ecological Impact of Indirect Disturbance (Noise and Visual)

Criteria
Receivers	Mammals	Birds (mainly local breeders): Greater Coucal and Lesser Coucal in FCA, Bright-capped Cisticola in Wo Keng Shan and Nga Yiu Ha and woodland species in Loi Tung	Amphibian, reptile and insects species
Duration	During construction and operation phases	During construction and operation phases	During construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Reversible if disturbance source removed	Reversible	Reversible if disturbance source removed
Magnitude	Moderate-low	Moderate-low	Low
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Minor, in view of high commonness of large non-flying mammal recorded in the habitat	Minor disturbance to the breeding habitat for Greater Coucal and Lesser Coucal and woodland/shrubland associated species in view of high commonness of the species and high availability of similar habitat in close proximity; disturbance to the Bright-capped Cisticola is minor given the high commonness of the suitable habitat in the territory	Minor, in view of the low sensitivity of disturbance to these taxonomic groups; habitat affected is of minor scale and there are extensive similar habitats in close proximity

Table 9.84: Potential Ecological Impact of Hydrological Disruption

Criteria
Receivers	Aquatic community in Ma Wat Channel	Aquatic community in River Indus	Aquatic community in River Ganges	Aquatic community in Pat Sin Leng CP	Aquatic community in Tan Shan River
Duration	During construction and operation phases	During construction and operation phases	During construction and operation phases	During construction and operation phases	During construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Not reversible	Not reversible	Not reversible	Not reversible	Not reversible
Magnitude	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible

Table 9.85: Potential Ecological Impact of Vibration

Criteria
Receivers	Terrestrial ecology in Cheung Shan	Terrestrial ecology in Lung Shan and Pat Sin Leng CP
Duration	During construction and operation phases	During construction and operation phases
Reversibility	Reversible if disturbance source removed	Reversible if disturbance source removed
Magnitude	Negligible	Negligible
Impact Severity before Mitigation	Negligible	Negligible

9.8 Mitigation Measures

With regard to the potential ecological impacts identified in Section 9.7, mitigation measures are proposed in accordance with the criteria and guidelines stated in Annex 16 in EIAO-TM and EIAO Guidance Note No. 3/2002 with an aim to protect, maintain or rehabilitate the natural environment. Mitigation measures are proposed in a general order of avoidance, minimizing and compensation. A summary of potential ecological impacts before and after adoption of mitigation measures is presented in Table 9.86.

9.8.1 Mitigation for Habitat Loss

A total of 6.2 ha of woodland and 1.4 ha of freshwater wetland would be lost permanently due to the Project. In recognizing the ecological importance of the habitat to be lost, mitigation measures for the woodland and freshwater wetland habitat have been considered in priority of avoidance, minimization and compensation.

Avoidance

The principle of avoiding woodland of high ecological importance has been pursued in the alignment selection stage. As detailed in Section 2.6, different refined alignment options have been considered and assessed. During the option assessment and selection process, one of the key considerations was to avoid ecologically important sites, including Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai Fung Shui Wood and Tan Shan River. As a result of the previous alignment selection process, the currently proposed alignment involves the construction of a tunnel (South Tunnel) at the Tan Chuk Hang section (see Figures 9.9 and 9.10) so that impacts to this highly important woodland and watercourse can be avoided. Moreover, the loss of natural habitat has been minimized in the option selection stage for the BCP location. The preferred BCP location at Chuk Yuen has been selected over the Pak Fu Shan option, which requires further encroachment onto shrubland and hillside grassland.

Precautionary Measures to Minimise Impact on Woodland

In the preferred alignment option, impact on woodland habitat at Princess Hill (South Tunnel North Portal) has been further minimized through selecting a construction design which can reduce ecological impact. The cut slope area and tree felling impact have been greatly reduced through adopting a 17 m high retaining wall for the entrance of the portal. This retaining wall is much higher than general engineering design and effectively reduces the footprint of the tunnel portal and the Connecting Road.

In construction stage, impact on the preserved woodland area would be minimized through clear demarcation of site boundary by erection of hoarding or fencing. All the retained woodland habitats within Project boundary would be properly protected during the construction stage. These precautionary measures will also be applied on all the retained habitats within the project limit.

Compensation on Woodland

After consideration of alternative options for avoiding and minimizing impact on woodland, the permanent loss of woodland is reduced to a total of 6.2 ha. The impact due to the unavoidable loss of woodland would be mitigated by provision of compensatory woodland, the total of which would be of approximately 18.6 ha. In view of the maturity of the secondary woodland to be affected, the proposed higher compensation ratio provides a surplus on initial planting area to offset the potential impact due to the time lag between the loss of the habitats during construction stage and full establishment of the compensation area; and possible unfavourable factors for woodland establishment including site constraints and unpredictable meteorological situations such as low annual rainfall in certain years.

In recognition of the requirement of a successful planting plan, a detailed Woodland Compensation Plan is proposed in Appendix 9.4. This Woodland Compensation Plan will form the basis to guide the implementation of the proposed woodland mitigation and that information provided in the plan is subject to the findings of a detailed vegetation survey and will be finalised during the detailed design stage. The proposed plan includes the following key characters.

Areas in close proximity to existing woodlands are preferable for better ecological linkage and a contiguous area is considered to be of higher ecological potential than that of patchy areas in the same size. In order to have a better establishment, the planting shall be implemented in two phases, initial planting phase and enhancement planting phase. The initial planting phase aims to establish a tree canopy cover and therefore pioneer species will be used. This phase would take about 5 years. Thinning of exotic pioneer should be carried out where appropriate. The next phase, enhancement planting phase, aims to increase the species diversity by planting additional native tree and shrub species of less tolerance to exposed condition during the initial planting phase. After the canopy cover being briefly established by the pioneer species in the initial planting phase, the species used in the enhancement phase can have a higher establishment rate. It is estimated that the enhancement phase would take about 3 years and could commence after 3 years of the initial planting phase.

Plant species proposed for the two planting phases for woodland compensation are listed below:

Species for Initial Planting Phase	Habitat
Acacia sp.	Tree
Castanopsis fissa	Tree
Litsea glutinosa	Tree
Mallotus paniculatus	Tree
Phyllanthus emblica	Tree
Schima superba	Tree
Sapium discolour	Tree
Gordonia axillaris	Tree/Shrub
Litsea rotundifolia	Shrub
Melastoma candidum	Shrub
Melastoma sanguineum	Shrub
Rhaphiolepis indica	Shrub
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa	Shrub

Species for Enhancement Planting Phase	Habitat
Acronychia pedunculata	Tree
Alangium chinense	Tree
Aporusa dioica	Tree
Aquilaria sinensis #	Tree
Bischofia javanica	Tree
Celtis sinensis	Tree
Choerospondias axillaris	Tree
Cinnamomum parthenoxylon	Tree
Endospermum chinense	Tree
Reevesia thyrsoidea	Tree
Schefflera heptaphylla	Tree
Sterculia lanceolata	Tree
Syzygium levinei	Tree
Ficus hirta	Shrub
Ilex asprella	Shrub
Melicope pteleifolia	Shrub
Psychotria rubra	Shrub
#: the number of seedlings of Aquilaria sinensis shall meet the minimum compensation ratio of 3:1 (i.e. more than 3 seedlings to 1 individual tree to be affected but unable to be transplanted). Seedlings collected within Works Area are the preferred source of stock of the species. They should be directly transplanted to suitable receptor sites within the proposed compensatory woodland areas or be temporarily kept in the transit nursery until the receptor sites are ready for planting. Seedlings of this species are also available in local nursery. However if importation is required, a licence issued by AFCD under Cap. 586 should be acquired in advance.

Potentially suitable location for woodland compensation for the Project is illustrated in Figure 9.26. The exact boundary of the compensation area shall be subject to further refinement at detailed design stage. The woodland compensation can commence concurrently with the construction phase of the Project as no construction works are proposed within the selected woodland compensation area.

Both the implementation and maintenance of the mitigation measures will be fully funded by the Project department while the management and maintenance of the woodland compensation area will be regulated by the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No. 2/2004 – Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features. The Project department should properly establish the designated Woodland Compensation Area before handing over after the enhancement planting phase (Appendix 9.4) and provide necessary recurrent cost for the maintenance and monitoring works. According to the technical circular, AFCD will be the maintenance department to maintain the ecological planting as recommended by EIA after the enhancement planting phase (Appendix 9.4) till the vegetation is fully established, which normally takes 9 years.

Compensation on Wetland

Aside from woodland, freshwater wetland is another habitat type identified as ecologically sensitive habitat within the Assessment Area. Loss of this type of habitat was identified in Loi Tung, Wo Keng Shan and Nga Yiu Ha area. All the potentially affected freshwater wetlands are derived from wet agriculture and grown with thick herbs, predominantly Hedychium coronarium. The habitats are lack of active management and some are seasonally dry generally not regarded as optimal habitat for wetland-dependent birds. Freshwater wetland is generally considered as having ecological value for sustaining aquatic community such as amphibian and dragonfly species. On the basis of literature review and field surveys, the abandoned wet agricultural land found within the Assessment Area was found only in moderate to low ecological value. Nonetheless, in view of its ecological potential and the ecological significance of cumulative loss of wetland, the loss of freshwater wetland is proposed to be compensated by creation of a freshwater wetland. Taking into consideration the existing situation of the habitats affected, the wetland created would be targeted for wetland communities in general (e.g. wetland associated insects and amphibians) instead of wetland-dependent birds in particular.

The Wetland Compensation Area (WCA) will be provided near the affected habitat as far as possible for the purpose of on-site mitigation. The low-lying area contiguous with River Ganges near Ping Yeung Interchange is proposed as a potential location for provision of compensation wetland (preliminary indicative boundary and conceptual layout plan of the WCA refer to Figures 9.27 and 9.28 respectively). Details of the Wetland Compensation Plan (WCP) would be formulated and provided under a Habitat Creation and Management Plan during the detailed design stage. Agreement from any maintenance parties identified should be sought before proposing the details. Nevertheless, the following guiding principles and key characters should be considered for the WCP:

Guiding Principles

· Recognition of the potential of the WCA to compensate the loss of wetland function.

· Requirement that the wetland habitats should be largely self-sustaining – once the compensation wetlands are established, management should largely limit to maintenance works.

· Requirement that the wetland habitats should be provided with sustainable sources of water supply and amount of sunlight reaching the wetland habitats should be maximized as far as practicable.

· Requirement that hydrological changes as part of the compensation wetland creation must not increase the flood risk to other basin users.

· Understanding the feasibility of the provision of the required habitats and the habitat requirement of wetland communities.

· Recognition that monitoring is essential to assess the success or otherwise of the compensation wetland and to inform management decisions.

Key Characters

· The location of the WCA is contiguous with existing river channel which enables a potential ecological linkage between the river and the wetland.

· Rainfall and infiltration of groundwater are the main sources of water supply. Overflow of freshwater from contiguous River Ganges would provide supplementary water source. The practicability and feasibility of using River Ganges as supplementary water source would be further explored during the detailed design stage.

· The WCA will be re-profiled to a level comparable to the water table and the river bed level of River Ganges. The WCA is self-sustainable in water management owing to the relative high water table in the WCA.

· A total wetland area of at least 1.4 ha is proposed.

· The surplus of compensation area where possible, would be beneficial to mitigate the wetland loss during the time lag before the maturation of the WCA.

Implementation of the proposed WCA would involve the following fundamental steps:

· Identification of the exact profile of the wetland with more than 1.4 ha in area within the boundary of potential WCA. Amount of sunlight reaching the wetland should be considered during the detailed design stage of the wetland and the road infrastructure. The decision would take into account the feasibility of the plan.

· To maintain the integrity of the proposed WCA and to avoid any trespass/unauthorised activities in the WCA, the WCA should be well demarcated and fenced off with appropriate hoarding and fencing during the construction and operation phases respectively. Maintenance parties of any hard landscape features including the fencing would be early identified.

· Site formation to re-profile the WCA to reach water table level; Site clearance, re-contour the wetland area and connection with a sustainable source of water supply where appropriate.

· Planting of wetland vegetation. When preparing the Habitat Creation and Management Plan during the detailed design stage, shade-tolerant species of wetland plants should be considered to meet the site-specific condition of the proposed WCA.

The implementation of the proposed WCP would commence within the construction phase after completion of the construction works at Ping Yeung Section. The implementation stage would firstly include about two years for construction of the wetland site and the following planting works. After implementation stage, the wetland is self-sustainable. The practicability and feasibility of using water from River Ganges, such as lowering of river bank to allow overflow of freshwater in wet season and extraction of water from River Ganges before an inflatable dam nearby the WCA, should be further explored during the subsequent detailed design stage. Connection details between the wetland and the river bank shall be submitted to DSD for approval prior to the WCP implementation. After construction, about 12 months would be required for the establishment of the created wetland site. After the mitigation plantings are properly grown and established, AFCD would take over the maintenance and management of the ecological plantings.

On the basis of similar freshwater wetland setting in Wo Keng Shan and Nga Yiu Ha (upstream direction of the WCA) where direct inflow of river water is not required, it is predicted that the WCA can be self-sustained. The water source can be supplemented with inflow of freshwater from contiguous River Ganges in wet season. Supplementary water source by extraction of water from River Ganges before an inflatable dam nearby the WCA would be considered during the detailed design stage upon liaison with the relevant government departments (e.g. Drainage Services Department, AFCD and Lands Department).

Since the WCA is self-sustainable in long term, it is expected the affected invertebrate species such as dragonfly nymph will recolonize the created wetland and develop a stable population in the WCA. Therefore, the loss of ecological function due to the loss of freshwater wetland can be fully mitigated with the proposed WCA. A Habitat Creation and Management Plan including detailed layout, monitoring and management would be finalised and submitted in the detailed design stage before commencement of works under the Project.

9.8.2 Mitigation for Direct Impact on Floral Species of Conservation Interest

Site formation and the subsequent construction works will affect four species of conservation interest: Aquilaria sinensis, Cibotium barometz, Euonymus kwangtungensis and Pavetta hongkongensis.

Where in-situ preservation is confirmed to be impractical, transplanting the affected Aquilaria sinensis tree should be considered as a mitigation measure to minimize the ecological impact on the species. In addition, before commencement of works, all the healthy and young individuals as well as seedlings within the woodlands to be directly affected which are suitable for transplanting should be identified and rescued. They should be directly transplanted to suitable receptor sites within the proposed compensatory woodland areas or be temporarily kept in the transit nursery until the receptor sites are ready for planting of such rescued individuals. Acquiring additional seedlings of A. sinensis from local nurseries or from Mainland China would also be considered when the number of young individuals / seedlings identified within the affected woodlands is not adequate. The minimum number of seedling required will be worked out after the detailed vegetation survey (see below).

The floral species of conservation interest Euonymus kwangtungensis to be affected should be transplanted to other undisturbed woodland habitats.

As the condition (such as health and abundance) of the affected plants (including the two individuals of Euonymus kwangtungensis and seedlings of Aquilaria sinensis) recorded in this EIA stage may be varied in the detailed design stage, conducting a vegetation survey to confirm the condition of the affected plants (not covered by ETWB TCW 3/2006) prior to the commencement of the construction works is recommended. Suitable reception sites shall also be identified in the vegetation survey report for review by EPD and AFCD. The scope of the vegetation survey shall include the following:

§ The checking and updating the number, health condition and location of the floral species of conservation interest identified (Euonymus kwangtungensis, and seedlings and individual trees of Aquilaria sinensis suitable for transplanting) in the EIA;

§ Preparation of an updated location plan showing the individuals identified during the vegetation survey;

§ Identification of suitable reception site(s) in retained woodland habitat within the project limit for transplanting the shrub species Euonymus kwangtungensis;

§ Identification of suitable reception site(s) within the proposed compensatory woodland for transplanting the seedlings/individuals trees of the tree species Aquilaria sinensis;

§ Recommendation of an implementation programme of transplanting.

As discussed in Section 9.7, potential ecological impact on Cibotium barometz and Pavetta hongkongensis is insignificant and no specific mitigation measures are proposed.

9.8.3 Mitigation for Direct Impact on Fauna Species of Conservation Interest

In regard of fauna species of conservation interest, a few hotspots (e.g. Woodland in Lin Ma Hang and Heung Yuen Wai, hillside shrubland in Pak Fu Shan, EIS in Tan Shan River and Kwan Tei River) were identified at planning stage. These hotspots are high in ecological value, prone to disturbance and the impact on which is difficult to be mitigated. Therefore, habitats of conservation interest or hotspot of wildlife were identified and avoided in the early planning stage.

9.8.4 Mitigation for Bird Collision with Noise Barrier in Operation Phase

To prevent the potential of bird collision with the noise barrier in operation phase, transparent materials should be avoided as far as possible in the design of noise barrier. Bird-friendly design such as the use of coloured panels, falcon sticker, embedded opaque stripes and superimposed patterns of thin opaque stripes should be adopted for the proposed noise barrier panels with reference to Highways Department Practice Notes No. BSTR/PN/003 (2009). With the bird collision prevention measures, the likelihood of bird collision with noise barrier would be minimized. The recommended bird-friendly design is proven effective in a few local examples such as Yuen Long Bypass and Deep Bay Link.

9.8.5 Mitigation for Indirect Impact

In operation phase, the noise and visual disturbance associated with the traffic would cause disturbance impact on the wildlife in peripheral area. Hotspots of large mammal and bird species are identified sensitive to the disturbance. According to the impact assessment provided in Section 9.7.8.1 and Table 9.83, potential disturbance impact would occur along the Connecting Road in FCA, Wo Keng Shan and Nga Yiu Ha and the portal area in Loi Tung woodland. It is predicted that the severity of the impact is generally minor whilst the disturbance to the Loi Tung woodland is moderate-minor.

9.8.5.1 Mitigation for Anthropogenic Disturbance

From the landscape mitigation perspective, the Works Area adjacent to the portal area will be reinstated with compensation and buffer planting. Other than minimizing landscape impact, the landscape planting can also reduce a certain extent of the disturbance to wildlife due to the moving traffic and the associated noise. With the landscape planting on the portal area, the potential disturbance occurs at Loi Tung area would be minimized to acceptable. Similarly, the compensation and buffer planting in FCA and Wo Keng Shan areas can also further reduce the disturbance impact.

Moreover, fencing and screening can also limit the anthropogenic disturbance to adjacent habitat. Construction works area shall be fenced to help prevent site workers from disturbing adjacent habitat. Erection of screen hoarding that is compatible with the surrounding environment can screen undesirable views of the construction and minimize the disturbance to adjacent habitat and associated wildlife. Details of the landscaping measures are proposed under Section 11 Landscape, Visual and Glare Impact.

9.8.5.2 Mitigation for Habitat Fragmentation

Habitat fragmentation would arise where the habitat linkage are disrupted by artificial structure or anthropogenic activities. Landscape mitigation measures such as compensation and buffer planting which reduce the impact due to loss of the landscape resources would also be effective to minimize disturbance to wildlife due to the presence of artificial structure and anthropogenic activities. Therefore, the landscape mitigation measures could enhance the linkage between discontinuous habitat and adaptation of wildlife to artificial structure. With the landscape mitigation measures proposed under Section 11 Landscape, Visual and Glare Impact, the potential impact of habitat fragmentation can be minimized.

For the viaduct sections, the design of the landscaping features underneath the viaducts should take into account the feasibility of wildlife crossing. Measures and designs to facilitate the wildlife movement should be considered when designing the works at detailed design stage.

9.8.5.3 Mitigation for Glare Impact

Night time lighting can be controlled to minimize the disturbance to adjacent habitat and associated wildlife. A strategy of using lamp posts of lower height and with less interval spacing could help to reduce the lighting output. A lowering of the luminous flux would also help to reduce the glare impact. Details of the glare mitigation measures are proposed under Section 11 Landscape, Visual and Glare Impact.

9.8.5.4 Mitigation for Noise Impact

During the construction phase, the mitigation measures for controlling noise level can also minimize the noise disturbance to the wildlife. The following noise reduction measures, which are proposed in Section 4.5.2.4 of Noise Impact Assessment, shall be considered as far as practicable:

¡ Choose quieter plant such as those which have been effectively silenced;

¡ Include noise levels specification when ordering new plant (including chillier and E/M equipment);

¡ Locate fixed plant in walled plant rooms or in specially designed enclosures;

¡ Locate noisy machines in a basement or a completely separate building;

¡ Install direct noise mitigation measures including silencers, acoustic louvers and acoustic enclosure where necessary; and

¡ Develop and implement a regularly scheduled plant maintenance programme so that equipment is properly operated and serviced in order to maintain a controlled level of noise.

9.8.5.5 Mitigation for Indirect Hydrological Impact

Mitigation measures for ground water level to minimize any potential hydrological impact during both construction and operation phases have been recommended in Section 5.6.1.4 of this EIA report. In addition, from a precautionary approach, the undrained permanent lining for the proposed tunnel underneath Tan Shan River area would be installed to minimise the water inflow into tunnel to a negligible level during operation stage. Grouting will be applied for tunnelling section to minimize the drawdown of water table. During tunnel excavation works, ground treatment in the form of pre-grouting will be applied to control ground water ingress if it exceeds the set limits in the investigation of water inflow ahead of the tunnel. If ground water inflow remains above specific limits during excavation, post excavation grouting will be carried out. For the un-drained lining tunnel design, the full circumference of tunnel is designed with a waterproofing system to prevent groundwater leakage into the tunnel.

9.8.6 Mitigation for the Disturbance to Sites of Conservation Interest

From the ecological perspective, a few sites of conservation interest were identified in the early planning stage which included Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai Fung Shui Wood, Tan Shan River and Pat Sin Leng Country Park. In view of the high ecological importance, direct encroachment upon these locations has been avoided, largely by adopting tunnelling option at the Tan Chuk Hang area. Avoidance of these sites of conservation interest can effectively avoid impact on the wildlife associated with the habitat, therefore further mitigation for these sites are not required. Table 9.86 summarizes the ecological impact evaluation before and after adoption of mitigation measures.

Table 9.86: Summary of Potential Ecological Impacts before and after adoption of Mitigation Measures

Description of Potential Impact	Significance of Impact without Mitigation	Proposed Mitigation	Significance of Impact after Adoption of Mitigation Measures
Loss of Woodland Habitat	High-moderate	Avoidance: clear demarcation of site boundary to avoid construction disturbance to offsite woodland; the retained woodland should be properly protected during the construction stage; Minimising: Detail design should minimise woodland loss as far as possible; Compensation: provision of woodland compensation area of about 18.6 ha	Minor
Loss of Wetland	Moderate-minor for the cumulative loss of freshwater wetland, minor impact on the watercourses	Provision of compensatory wetland of at least 1.4 ha	Minor
Impact on Floral Species of Conservation Interest	Moderate	For Aquilaria sinensis, transplanting healthy and young individuals and seedlings to undisturbed habitats; and to include this species in the planting list for mitigation measure of woodland compensation; For Euonymus kwangtungensis, unavoided individuals should be transplanted to undisturbed habitats	Minor
Impact on Fauna Species of Conservation Interest	Minor	No significant population of fauna species recorded, scale of habitat loss is relatively minor with extensive similar fauna habitat in close proximity	Minor
Bird Collision with Noise Barrier in Operation Phase	Moderate-minor	Adopt bird-friendly design for the proposed noise barrier	Minor
Disturbance of anthropogenic activities to wildlife	Minor	Installation of screen hoarding (construction phase) and landscape planting (operation phase) to screen off disturbance	Minor
Impact of Habitat Fragmentation	Minor for most of the section, moderate-minor for the Princess Hill woodland	Compensation and buffer planting for landscape mitigation can provide vegetated habitat for wildlife use; consider measure and design to facilitate the wildlife movement for the section underneath the viaduct at detailed design stage	Minor
Glare impact on wildlife	Minor	Control of night time lighting glare	Minor
Noise impact on wildlife	Minor	Noise control measures to minimize the noise level in operation phase	Minor
Impact of Hydrological Disruption	Negligible	During tunnel excavation works, ground treatment in the form of pre-grouting will be applied to control ground water ingress if it exceeds the set limits in the investigation of water inflow ahead of the tunnel. If ground water inflow remains above specific limits during excavation, post excavation grouting will be carried out. Un-drained lining design with waterproofing system to prevent groundwater leakage into the tunnel	Negligible
Disturbance to Sites of Conservation Interest	Negligible for all identified site of conservation interest	Avoidance of ecological sensitive areas in the alignment option selection stage; tunnel section will be applied with grouting to limit drawdown of water table and therefore mitigate the potential hydrological impact on Pat Sin Leng CP and Tan Shan River	Negligible

9.9 Evaluation of Cumulative Impact

A number of concurrent projects are identified in the vicinity of this Project. Potential cumulative effect is accessed by making reference to the result of impact assessment of the concurrent projects and this Project. Ten projects identified as concurrent projects owing to its proximity and related ecology are listed below and the potential cumulative impact is assessed accordingly.

Regulation of Shenzhen River Stage IV

Regulation of Shenzhen (SZ) River Stage IV is a project jointly implemented by the Drainage Services Department (DSD) of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Water Resources Bureau (WRB) of the SZ Municipal Government. The project will train the section of SZ River relevant to the LT/HYW BCP in order to meet the required flood protection standard for the BCP. In addition, the existing border road and border security fence running alongside the concerned river section will be re-aligned under the subject project in association with the river training works.

The SZ River Stage IV project will interface with this LT/HYW BCP Project at the proposed BCP location. Potential ecological impacts identified in the Study include loss of habitat, changes in water quality and noise disturbance. Impacts of loss of habitat and noise disturbance on wildlife were evaluated as minor given that no haibtat of significant ecological interest is situated adjacent to the Works Area. From ecoloigcal perspective, the Shenzhen River regulation works mainly affect the aquatic fauna or the wetland fauna associated with the river and the riparian zone. Given that no impact on aquatic or wetland habitat in Shenzhen River will be arisen from the LT/HYW BCP Project, no cumulative impact is predicted. No permanent loss on secondary woodland was identifed in the EIA Study for Shenzhen River regulation works, therefore no cumulative impact will arise on this habitat. In respect of the indirect impact due to the changes of water quality, the construction works for the river modification will be carried out in phases. The potential impact on the water quality in Shenzhen River and the ecological receptors further downstream is minimal given that the water of the Shenzhen River will have been diverted away from the phase of the river where construction is taking place. Discharge during construction phase would be collected by the temporary drainage system installed by the Contractor and treated or desilted on-site before discharge to stormwater drains. No unacceptable water quality impact is anticipated after the implementation of construction site drainage and sediment removal facilities (refer to Section 5.5.1.1). Since no significant water quality impact is predicted from both projects, no cumulative water quality impact would be resulted. Therefore, the potential impact on the ecologically sensitive area at the downstream of Shenzhen River due to the change of water quality is negligible.

North East New Territories (NENT) Landfill Extension

The NENT Landfill Extension Feasibility Study commissioned in 2003 comprises an engineering feasibility study and an environmental impact assessment for the extension site in a valley to the east of the existing landfill, which covers about 70 ha with an estimated volume of 19 million cubic metres. The tentative implementation programme for this project is for commencement of construction works in late 2008 with operation starting in late 2010 until late 2020. Given that the operation phase of this project may induce environmental impacts and will coincide with the construction and operation phase of the LT/HYW BCP Project, this project will be considered as a concurrent project and cumulative impacts have been assessed.

According to the EIA Study for the NENT Landfill Extension, ecological impacts on a variety of natural habitats and therefore the associated fauna species were identified. The impact will be mitigated by provision of woodland mixed planting, shrubland mixed planting and grassland. However, residual ecological impacts on woodland associated fauna would be resulted from this landfill extension project during the time lag between the commencement of site clearance and the maturation of woodland compensatory plantation to provide habitat to wildlife. The impact of woodland loss for the NENT landfill extension will be mitigated by transplantation of species of conservation interest, compensatory planting and good site practice. Potential for cumulative impact on woodland is low because the nearest woodland loss for the LT/HYW works will arise in north Cheung Shan, which is about 1 km apart. Both woodlands are separated by lowland habitat without strong ecological linkage between these two patches of woodland. Therefore, the cumulative impact on loss of woodland in different areas is minimal. After full establishment of the compensatory woodland, the ecological value of the woodland will recover and no long-term impact remains.

For this LT/HYW BCP Project, the major habitat to be affected by the construction of the main trunk road near the Landfill Extension is mainly hillside grassland. Constructrion of this LT/HYW BCP Project will not cause any encroachment upon the re-provided compensatory woodland under the operation phase of the NENT Landfill Extension Project. On the other hand, the overlapping use of both woodland and grassland by same wildlife community is uncommon, or only by the generalist species with high habitat adaptability. Therefore, it is predicted that at Wo Keng Shan area the ecological impact resulting from this LT/HYW BCP Project will be limited on the grassland associated fauna species and will unlikely cause any cumulative impact on the woodland associated species which are affected by the residual impacts resulting from the NENT Landfill Extension Project. Having considered that distinct types of habitat will be affected by these two projects separately and the impact due to loss of hillside grassland is minor, the potential cumulative impact at Wo Keng Shan area is predicted to be minor.

North East New Territories New Development Areas

The Planning and Development Study on North East New Territories (NENT Study) commissioned in 1998, has identified Kwu Tung North (KTN), Fanling North (FLN) and Ping Che/Ta Kwu Ling (PC/TKL) as suitable New Development Areas (NDAs).

The project is to review and update the findings and recommendations of the NENT Study to formulate development proposals for the KTN, FLN and PC/TKL NDAs to meet long term housing, social, economical and environmental needs, and to formulate the implementation strategies and programme for the NDAs with the first population intake by the year of 2019. As part of the PC/TKL NDA, access to the NDA will be via an interchange between the Connecting Road to the BCP and the existing Ping Che Road, while access to the FLN NDA will be served by the proposed Fanling Bypass under the same study, which will be connected to the Fanling Highway at a proposed interchange near Wo Hop Shek in the east. The planned construction period for the project is from 2014 to 2019. The construction period and parts of the Assessment Area of both the project and the LT/HYW BCP Project significantly overlap.

Three NDA sites are identifed at KTN, FLN and PC/TKL. The habitat quality and ecological conditions were evaluated in the Stage 1 Environment Impact Assessment Report. From the ecological perspective, KTN site contains a larger area of habitat considered as of high or moderate ecological value. The wetland habitat within the NDA boundary are of high ecological value and is the major ecological character of the site. Future development in this NDA would incur impact on the wetland ecosystem if lack of suitably planned mitigation. Contrast to the proposed KTN NDA, the ecological context at Ta Kwu Ling and the frontier area in the northeastern New Territories are less significant in wetland habitat. Moreover, the proposed KTN NDA is approximately 5 km apart from the boundary of this Project. In considering the far distance between these two Projects and two different ecosystem to be affected, the cumulative impact for KTN NDA is insignifcant.

For the FLN NDA site, the habitats identified with moderate to high ecological value are mitigation wetland, natural stream and channelised watercourses. Unmitigated development would cause adverse impact on the aquatic ecosystem and associated wetland-dependent birds. The cumulative impact on this Project is predicted to be ranged from moderate to minor in consideration of the linkage between the river systems. This prediciton is based on the assumption that no or insufficient mitigation measure will be provided. Given that the impact assessment for this LT/HYW Project predicts no significant impact on water quality and hydrology of river channel, no significant ecological impact on wetland, stream, channelised watercourses at lower course of the river is expected. However, this prediction is based on the assumption that mitigation measures will be suitably and sufficiently provided for the future NDA development.

In respect of PC/TKL NDA, the area shares high similarity of habitat type to the area covered in LT/HYW Project due to the proximity of the two areas. The overall evaluation of the habitat is ranged from low to moderate, with an exception of grassland to the north of the site owing to the presence of unusual fauna. Cumulative impact of these two projects could arise if there is a significant overlapping of construction programme and similar habitat type are affected. Details on the construction programme and planning are currently not available. From a precautionary approach, it is predicted that the major natural habitat to be affected under the PC/TKL NDA plan is the grassland on abandoned agricultural land. Cumulative impact of habitat loss on the unusual fauna is expected to be minor to the species population because similar habitats are largely available in the adjoining FCA area.

Widening of Tolo Highway / Fanling Highway between Island House Interchange and Fanling

The Tolo Highway and Fanling Highway form a vital part of the strategic Route 1, which links Hong Kong Island to Shenzhen. In order to ease the current traffic congestion problems and to cope with the increasing transport demands to and from the urban areas and also cross-border traffic, the Tolo Highway and Fanling Highway are to be widened in stages. Stage 2 of this project is to widen an approximately 3 km long section of Fanling Highway between Tai Hang and Wo Hop Shek Interchange.

According to the approved EIA Study, the major adverse ecological impact identified is the loss of habitat. Most of the habitat affected by the works is plantation woodland which is of low ecological value. Other key areas of habitat loss are natural woodland and fung shui woodland which are of moderate ecological value, and also grassland which are of low ecological value. The mitigation measures proposed for the loss of habitat is considered sufficient and acceptable and therefore no residual impact is expected. Given that the major impact identified in the Project will be fully mitigated and this LT/HYW BCP Project will not affect the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures, no cumulative impact will be resulted.

Review of the Frontier Closed Area

According to the Strategic Environmental Assessment in the Feasibility Study Final Report of Land Use Planning for the Closed Area, where Works Area Sections 1 and 2 of this LT/HYW Project located, the landuse framework is considered environmentally acceptable with the implementation of proposed mitigation measures. Notwithstanding, the strategic environmental assessment study is only a broad brush assessment and the potential impacts have been evaluated at strategic level only. There remains further scope of reducing ecological impacts, particularly with regard to the direct and indirect impacts of village expansion on certain habitats especially natural streams. The land use planning will be further reviewed and the associated ecological impact will be further assessed when detailed study or assessment for individual project is implemented. Since there remains no programme and scale for the implementation of the plan, it is not considered as cumulative impact at this stage.

Construction of a Secondary Boundary Fence and new sections of Primary Boundary Fence and Boundary Patrol Road

The project comprises mainly the construction of a secondary boundary fence along the southern edge of the existing boundary patrol road from Pak Hok Chau to Sha Tau Kok with a total length of approximately 21.7km. Section 3 of the project (from River Indus to Lin Ma Hang Village) will interface with this LT/HYW BCP Project at the proposed BCP location.

According to the approved EIA report, with the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures detailed in the report, no residual ecological impact is anticipated. In view of the small interface area and small scale of work of the boundary fence installation works, no cumulative impact is expected.

Drainage Improvement in Northern New Territories - Package C

This designated project is one of drainage improvement works recommended by the Drainage Master Plan Study of the Northern New Territories (DMP Study) which covered the drainage basins of River Indus and River Ganges. The objective of the project was to alleviate flooding problems in the Man Uk Pin and Lin Ma Hang areas by modifying the existing secondary and local drainage systems.

As discussed in the previous Section 9.7.6.2, construction of the abovementioned project at River Indus would be completed by mid 2011 while the simple construction works for the drainage channel arising from this LT/HYW BCP Project is scheduled around mid 2014. Construction phase of this project will therefore interface with the operation phase of the abovementioned project. The assessment detailed in Section 9.7.6.2 has taken into account the potential loss of River Indus channel, which is expected to be re-colonized by pioneer aquatic fauna and common amphibian species, after completion of the drainage improvement works and inferred that the potential impact on the drainage channel wetland by this Project would be minor. Therefore, construction and operation of the abovementioned project are not considered in the evaluation of cumulative impact.

Fanling Bypass

The Fanling Bypass project was under the planning study of North East New Territories New Development Areas to construct an overground road or rail link between Kwu Tung and FLN. It was originally proposed to start from an interchange near Fu Tei Au and go along the northern side of River Indus over the FLN NDA, interchange with Sha Tau Kok Road at the eastern end of the NDA, and further south connect to the Fanling Highway at Wo Hop Shek. However, it was resolved that it would be impossible to reduce potential ecological impacts of construction of the bypass to acceptable levels, unless the requirement for the bypass is avoided by adopting alternative road network for Kwu Tung and FLN such that all potential ecological impacts are avoided.

It was concluded in the Stage 1 Environment Impact Assessment Report that only the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section would be considered while the NDAs would be designed such that linkages between KTN and FLN would not require bypass construction. The proposed Fanling Bypass Eastern Section would be constructed on a viaduct connecting FLN NDA to the Fanling Highway, passing through largely developed areas. Nonetheless, programme of the proposed construction is not available.

As evaluated in the Stage 1 Environment Impact Assessment Report, significant habitat loss impacts are not expected for the viaduct construction as the potentially affected habitats are highly disturbed with low ecological value and the impacts are expected to be temporary during construction only. Any significant habitat fragmentation impacts are also not expected. As such, potential cumulative impact is anticipated to be insignificant.

Provision of Cremators at Wo Hop Shek Crematorium

The Project aims to re-provision existing cremators and to provide additional coffin/ dual-purpose cremators by three phases. The Project is located at an expanded site of the existing Wo Hop Shek Crematorium.

The project will not interface with the Works Area of LT/HYW BCP Project and will be completed in 2014 without off-site residual impact. Therefore, no potential cumulative impact is predicted.

Drainage Improvement in Northern New Territories – Package C (Remaining Works)

This project involves improvement of River Ganges through construction of 1.9 km of drainage channel in Ta Kwu Ling. According to communications with the project proponent, the anticipated construction timeframe will overlap with the construction period of this LT/HYW Project. Part of the project falls within the fringe of the Assessment Area at Section 2 of this LT/HYW Project. However, because the EIA study for the project has yet to commence during the course of this EIA study, the information available for the evaluation of the cumulative impact is very limited. With reference to the performance of other drainage improvement works in the northeast New Territories, only aquatic habitat will be significantly affected and the potential impact can be minimized to acceptable level with implementation of mitigation measures. Given that no significant water quality impact will be resulted from the LT/HYW Connecting Road construction works, no significant cumulative impact on the lower course of River Ganges and Shenzhen River is predicted at this preliminary stage.

9.10 Evaluation of Residual Impact

After implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, the potential ecological impact will be minimized to acceptable levels and therefore no significant or unacceptable residual impact is anticipated. The loss of woodland and wetland will be fully mitigated with provision of compensatory woodland and wetland. Although there is a time lag between the clearance and the implementation of compensation woodland and wetland, the loss of ecological value will be mitigated by provision of surplus compensation area. After maturation of both compensatory habitats, the ecological functions will be fully rehabilitated, therefore there will be a surplus on the ecological value of woodland and wetland in long term. Although it is not possible to evaluate the surplus ecological value at this stage, the resultant ecological value will nonetheless fully compensate the impact without residual impact.

9.11 Environmental Monitoring and Audit

The ecological impact assessment in the EIA study has evaluated the ecological impacts of the proposed Project and has concluded that the overall impacts would be of minor significance with the implementation of mitigation measures. The proposed mitigation measures to avoid, minimize and compensate the identified impacts arising from the proposed Project should be checked as part of the environmental monitoring and audit programme during the construction phase. Major ecological mitigation measures recommended to be implemented during the construction and operation phases are summarised below:

§ Transplanting affected floral species of conservation interest Aquilaria sinensis and Euonymus kwangtungensis;

§ Provision of Wetland Compensation Area; and

§ Provision of Woodland Compensation Area.

The ecological monitoring and audit should be conducted as set out in the EM&A Manual. The implementation of the transplanting of floral species of conservation interest and the provision of Woodland/ Wetland Compensation Area shall be checked during the routine site inspection. The inspection, observation and recommendation shall be reported in the periodic EM&A reports.

The requirements for the ecological monitoring of Woodland Compensation are formulated in Appendix 9.4 Woodland Compensation Plan. The requirements for the ecological monitoring of Wetland Compensation Area will be formulated in a Habitat Creation and Management Plan during the detailed design stage. The environmental monitoring recommended under the water quality, noise and landscape impact assessment sections would be conducted to ensure the acceptability of the environmental condition.

9.12 Conclusion

An ecological impact assessment for the proposed project was conducted in accordance with Annexes 8 and 16 of the EIAO-TM. Baseline information on ecological resource was derived from literature review and suitably designed field survey. Ecological field survey was carried out between May 2009 and September 2010, covering both the wet and dry seasons.

A total of 12 habitat types were identified within the Assessment Area, including woodland, shrubland, plantation, freshwater wetland, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, hillside grassland, pond, drainage channel, watercourse, open field and developed area. Literature records revealed a few ecological hotspots within the Assessment Area including a diverse ecological resource in Pat Sin Leng CP, an identified dragonfly hotspot in Tan Shan River, non-flying mammal species of conservation interest in Frontier Closed Area, Ecologically Important Streams and fung shui woods.

Six fung shui woods namely Heung Yuen Wai, Tsung Yuen Ha, Kan Tau Wai, Man Uk Pin, Loi Tung and Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai and three Ecologically Important Streams namely Man Uk Pin, Tan Shan River and Kau Lung Hang were identified within Assessment Area. Direct impact on these ecologically sensitive habitats has been avoided in the refined alignment option.

The identified potential impacts comprise mainly direct loss of habitat and direct/indirect impact on flora and fauna species of conservation concern. Permanent loss of some area (6.2 ha) of secondary woodland would be resulted from the construction of the tunnel portals and sections of the connecting roads but it will be fully mitigated by the provision of 18.6 ha woodland compensation area. For the permanent loss of a total area of 1.4 ha freshwater wetland originated from abandoned agricultural land, it will be compensated with a wetland area of at least 1.4 ha. Details of the above mitigation measures would be formulated and further provided in “Woodland Compensation Plan” and “Habitat Creation and Management Plan” respectively under the project during the detailed design stage.

Four floral species of conservation interest were recorded within the Works Area: Aquilaria sinensis, Cibotium barometz, Euonymus kwangtungensis and Pavetta hongkongensis. Potential impact on Aquilaria sinensis and Euonymus kwangtungensis is anticipated to be of ecological significance and mitigation measures are considered necessary. Healthy and young individuals as well as seedlings of the tree species Aquilaria sinensis should be considered for transplanting. Including the species into the planting schedule for woodland compensation is recommended to mitigate the impact on those individuals unable to be transplanted. The affected shrub species of Euonymus kwangtungensis will be transplanted to undisturbed habitats for preservation. A pre-construction vegetation survey is recommended to be conducted prior to the commencement of construction works to confirm the updated status of these affected plant species of conservation interest in the site and to identify appropriate reception site.

A total of 122 fauna species of conservation interest were identified within the Assessment Area of which only 14 of them were recorded within the Works Area. Given that the area affected under the project are not identified as optimal habitats for the above fauna species and that extensive similar habitat is available in the close vicinity of the project site, potential adverse impacts on fauna species of conservation interest is evaluated as minor under the project. In respect of the major mammal community found in the Frontier Closed Area which is mostly located to the east of the proposed BCP location, the habitat loss impact and fragmentation effect have been minimized through adopting the currently proposed BCP location. Impact on breeding ardeid is minor because the closet egretry in Ping Che is far away from the Works Area and their main flight path will not be obstructed by the proposed Project. Indirect impact on the aquatic community in watercourse is minimal because no channelization and watercourse training works are required, hence no significant hydrological disruption will be resulted.

Habitat fragmentation impact would be minimized with the proposed viaduct design of the Connecting Road and the proposed landscaping measures which allow wildlife crossing. Potential direct impact on the site of conservation importance and any watercourses are avoided in the alignment selection process. With the implementation of proposed mitigation measures, potential indirect impact including vibration, noise, water quality and hydrological disruption and cumulative impacts are evaluated as environmentally acceptable. No residual impacts are anticipated under the project.

9.13 Reference

AFCD. (2001). Hong Kong Plant Check List 2001. Hong Kong: HKSAR Government.

AFCD. (2003). Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong. Friends of the Country Parks / Cosmos Books Ltd.

AFCD and EPD. (2004a). Methodologies for Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecological Baseline Surveys, EIAO Guidance Note No. 10/2004. Hong Kong: HKSAR Government.

AFCD. (2004b). Check List of Hong Kong Plants Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Herbarium, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

AFCD (2007). AFCD Pat Sin Leng. Retrieved February 11, 2010 from HKSAR, Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department Web site: http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_psl/cou_vis_cou_psl.html

AFCD (2009a). AFCD Hong Kong Species – Dragonflies in Hong Kong. Retrieved February 19, 2010 from HKSAR, Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department Web site: http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/hkbiodiversity/speciesgroup/speciesgroup_dragonflies.html#sites

AFCD (2009b). Hong Kong Live Eco-map. Retrieved on 15 May 2009 http://www.hkecomap.net/distribution_detail.asp?AnimalID=4&SiteID=31&lang=eng

Anon, (2010). Summer 2010 Report: Egretry Counts in Hong Kong with particular reference to the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site. Report by Hong Kong Bird Watching Society to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

B&V. (2007). Drainage Improvement in Northern New Territories – Package C Investigation, Design and Construction Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Submitted to Environmental Protection Department.

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