6.1.1
The
following sections define the ecological monitoring requirements to establish
that mitigation measures are implemented and meet required standards of
effectiveness so that overall ecological impacts are within acceptable
limits.
6.1.2
Ecological
monitoring is required over four periods:
• Baseline
monitoring phase.
• Pre-works
phase at Lok Ma Chau (i.e. after site clearance at the wetland mitigation area
at Lok Ma Chau).
• Construction
phase (including advance mitigation works).
• Operation
phase.
6.1.3
The
baseline ecological monitoring has been carried out under the KCRC
Environmental Support Services Contract since April 2000. The collected data
will be used to update and further define Action and Limit Levels for
ecological issues following the completion of the EIA Report. The baseline data
and associated detailed ecological studies of key target species for
mitigation will also be used to
refine the detailed design of the wetland mitigation schemes described above.
6.1.4
The
start of pre-works and construction phase is dependent on the approval of the
EIA and the preparation of a detailed project timetable. Detailed ecological
monitoring of the construction and operation phase will be undertaken from the
commencement of the works in the Lok Ma Chau Station area.
6.1.5
Details
of the location and timing of ecological baseline monitoring and the methods
used will be provided in the Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual (EM
& A Manual) together with broad indications of the construction and
operation phase monitoring according to the requirements identified in the new
EIA.
6.2
Habitat and Species’ Attributes
to be Monitored
6.2.1
Monitoring
will be carried out of the ecological attributes listed in Table 6.1 according
to the locations and methodology documented in the Standard Operating Procedures in the final EM & A Manual.
6.3.1
Monitoring
will be undertaken for the complete duration of the construction period and for
the first five years of operation of the line according to the programme
outlined in Table 6.1.
Table 6.1
Ecological monitoring programme for the
Lok Ma Chau Station wetland mitigation areas
|
Ecological attribute |
Number of measurements |
Timing of measurements |
Frequency of measurement |
Reporting |
|
Habitats |
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of the
mitigation area consisting of wetland habitats |
One |
- |
Once per year |
Annual |
|
Detailed
vegetation map |
Whole site |
- |
Every five
years |
In
Operational Management Plan |
|
Species |
|
|
|
|
|
Survival, health, growth and reproduction of key plant species: ·
Percentage of planted or translocated species surviving; ·
Percentage of plants affected by pest or fungal attack; ·
Growth rate. |
100
randomly marked plants in each pond or planting zone*1 |
- |
Once every 7 days for the first 2 months, then once every
month for the remainder of the first year and quarterly in second year |
Quarterly in first year then annual |
|
Plant
species richness |
Ten
quadrats per pond or planting zone*1 |
Annual
assessments to be carried out in September |
Once every
three month for the first year, then once per year |
Biannual |
|
Plant
community composition i.e.: ·
Individual species frequency; ·
and individual species cover, formation and zonation). |
Ten
quadrats per pond or planting zone*1 |
Annual
assessments to be carried out in September |
Once every
three month for the first year, then once per year |
Biannual |
|
Vegetation
structure i.e.: ·
mean maximum height of the vegetation; ·
variation in vegetation height (all species); ·
variation in vegetation height (key species); ·
and overall percentage vegetation cover. |
Ten
quadrats per pond or planting zone*1 |
Annual
assessments to be carried out in September |
Once every three months for the first year, then once per
year |
Biannual in first year then annual |
|
Percentage
of alien and invasive plant species. |
Ten
quadrats per pond or planting zone*1 |
Annual
assessments to be carried out in September |
Once every three months for the first year, then once per
year |
Quarterly in first year then annual |
|
Species
richness and diversity dragonflies. |
One per
pond / ten for the marsh area |
April –
October inclusive only |
Once every
month for the first year, then once every two months for the next two years |
Annual |
|
Species
richness and abundance of aquatic invertebrates |
Five
samples per pond / ten for the marsh area |
No
restrictions |
Once every
two months for the first year, then quarterly |
Annual |
|
Species,
abundance and size distribution of freshwater fish |
One per
pond and marsh area |
No
restrictions |
Once every
two months for the first year, then quarterly |
Annual |
|
Species
richness and abundance of benthic invertebrates |
Five
samples per pond / ten for the marsh area |
No
restrictions |
Once every
two months for the first year, then quarterly |
Annual |
|
Species
richness and abundance of selected terrestrial invertebrates |
Five
samples per pond / ten for the marsh area |
No
restrictions |
Once every
two months for the first year, then quarterly |
Annual |
|
Species
richness and abundance of amphibians. |
One per
pond / marsh area |
April –
October inclusive only |
Once every
month for the first year, then once every two months for the next two years |
Annual |
|
Species
richness, abundance and diversity of birds. |
One per
pond / marsh area |
All months |
Once every
month for the first year, then once every two months for the next two years |
Annual |
|
Pedology ·
% Total organic content ·
Total organic carbon ·
Total nitrogen ·
Total phosphorus ·
Reactive phosphorus ·
Mean Redox potential ·
Mean pH |
Three per
pond / ten in the marsh area |
January and
July |
Twice per
year |
Annual |
|
Hydrology |
|
|
|
|
|
Surface
water level |
One gauge
board in each water body |
All months |
Every week
day |
Annual |
|
Water
chemistry ·
Mean pH ·
Mean
BOD ·
Mean dissolved oxygen ·
Mean ammonia concentration ·
Mean total oxidised nitrogen concentration ·
Mean total phosphate concentration ·
Mean orthophosphate concentration |
One measurement for
each water body |
No restrictions |
Once every two months
for the first year, then quarterly |
Annual |
Note: *1 For planting
areas within ponds only. Planting zones refer to the planting zones indicated
in the planting plan in Appendix 3.6.
Reporting
6.3.2
On
commencement of the monitoring programme and throughout the EM&A programme
a brief summary of the field data collected each month, plus an interpretation
of the data with respect to Action and Limit Levels for ecological attributes
described below will be provided in the monthly EM&A monitoring report. For defined project milestones defined
in Table 6.1 the monitoring contractor shall prepare more extensive statistical
analysis and interpretation of the data, that will be presented in the
milestone report. Throughout the
EM&A programme the consultant will maintain detailed field notebooks and
complete appropriate survey forms (as indicated in the EM & A Manual SOPs),
which will be retained should verification of data be required.
6.3.3
Monitoring
will be undertaken by suitably qualified ecologists with at least three years
relevant expertise in conducting ecological monitoring of the above species
groups and environmental parameters in Hong Kong.
Event and action plan for ecological
attributes
6.3.4
The
results of the ecological monitoring shall be compared with the following Action
Levels and Limits indicated in Table 6.2 on each reporting occasion as
indicated in Table 6.1 above.
Table 6.2
Action Levels and Limits for ecological attributes at the
Lok Ma Chau Station wetland mitigation areas
[To be updated after completion of the new EIA]
|
Ecological attribute |
Action Level |
Limit |
|
Habitats |
|
|
|
Percentage of the mitigation area consisting of
wetland habitats |
<90% with surface water, hydric soils and
dominated by obligate or facultative wetland plants |
<75% with surface water, hydric soils and
dominated by obligate or facultative wetland plants |
|
Species |
|
|
|
Survival, health, growth and reproduction of key
plant species |
|
|
|
·
Percentage
of planted or translocated species surviving |
<75% of individuals
of any species |
<30% of individuals
of any species surviving |
|
·
Percentage
of plants affected by pest or fungal attack |
>10% of any species
with >50% loss of vegetative growth |
>30% of any species
with >50% loss of vegetative growth |
|
·
Monthly
growth rate |
Surveillance only –
species specific action levels may be adopted after first 12 months of
monitoring |
Surveillance only –
species specific limits may be adopted after first 12 months of monitoring |
|
Plant species richness and diversity. |
Number of wetland
plant species <75% of number planted in zone |
Number of wetland
plant species < 50% of number planted in zone |
|
Plant community composition i.e.: |
|
|
|
·
Proportion
of wetland plants |
Wetland plant species
(as defined in monitoring SOPs; see EM & A manual for Spur Line) comprise
<95% of established vegetation |
Wetland plant species
(as defined in monitoring SOPs; see EM & A manual for Spur Line) comprise
<90% of established vegetation |
|
·
Individual
species frequency / cover |
Individual species
frequency or cover <50% or >200% of proportion of cover in zone at planting,
or >10% of cover in zone where not planted |
Individual species
frequency or cover <10% or >1000% of proportion of cover in zone at
planting, or >20% of cover in zone where not planted |
|
Vegetation structure i.e.: |
|
|
|
·
Mean
maximum height of the vegetation |
Monitor and set action
level after one year of establishment |
Monitor and set limit
after one year of establishment |
|
·
Variation
in vegetation height (all species) |
Monitor and set action
level after one year of establishment |
Monitor and set limit
after one year of establishment |
|
·
Variation
in vegetation height (key species) |
Monitor and set action
level after one year of establishment |
Monitor and set limit
after one year of establishment |
|
·
Overall
percentage vegetation cover |
Overall vegetation
cover >90% or >30% in permanent surface water areas |
Overall vegetation
cover >95% or >50% in
permanent surface water areas |
|
Percentage of alien and invasive plant species. |
Alien and invasive
species >5% within zone |
Alien and invasive
species >10% within zone |
|
Species richness and diversity dragonflies. |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
|
Species abundance and size distribution of fish |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
|
Species richness and diversity of amphibians. |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
|
Species richness and
diversity of reptiles. |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
|
Species richness and
abundance of aquatic invertebrates |
Monitor and set action
level after two years of establishment |
Monitor and set limit
after two years of establishment |
|
Species richness and
abundance of benthic invertebrates |
Monitor and set action
level after two years of establishment |
Monitor and set limit
after two years of establishment |
|
Species and abundance
of freshwater fish |
Monitor and set action
level after one year of establishment. Include option to introduce fish if
natural colonisation inadequate |
Monitor and set action
level after one year of establishment. Include option to introduce fish if
natural colonisation inadequate |
|
Species richness and
abundance of selected terrestrial invertebrates |
Monitor and set action
level after two years of establishment |
Monitor and set limit
after two years of establishment |
|
Species richness and diversity of wetland birds. |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
|
Presence and abundance of Species of Conservation
Importance |
Performance targets
for any bird species of conservation importance not met in any twelve month
period |
Performance targets
for any bird species of conservation importance not over two consecutive
twelve month periods |
|
Presence or abundance of selected ecological
indicator species. |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
To
be set after completion of new EIA |
|
Pedology |
|
|
|
Mean depth of topsoil/subsoil. |
< 30 cm topsoil or
subsoil above compacted clay layer over 90% of unit |
< 20 cm topsoil or
subsoil above compacted clay layer over 90% of unit |
|
Mean percentage organic versus mineral content. |
Surveillance only – no
limits |
Surveillance only – no
limits |
|
Change in nutrient composition. |
Surveillance only – no
limits |
Surveillance only – no
limits |
|
Mean Redox potential |
Surveillance only – no
limits |
Surveillance only – no
limits |
|
Mean pH. |
pH outside range 5.5 –
7.5 |
pH outside range 4 – 8 |
|
Hydrology |
|
|
|
% Surface water |
Surface water is present over <75% of the area, except during
drawn down periods for maintenance |
Surface water is present over <50% of the area, except during
drawn down periods for maintenance |
|
Surface water level |
Level >25mm above /
below target in marsh area, >100 mm in fish pond |
Level >200mm above
/ below target |
|
Water chemistry |
|
|
|
Mean salinity |
Salinity >1 pp
thousand |
Salinity >3 pp
thousand |
|
Mean pH. |
pH outside range 5.5 –
7.5 |
pH outside range 4 – 8 |
|
Mean BOD. |
>6.0 mg/L |
>9.0 mg/L |
|
Mean dissolved oxygen |
51 – 70 or 121 – 130 %
saturation |
<50 or >130 %
saturation |
|
Mean ammonia concentration. |
>2.0 mg/L |
>5.0 mg/L |
|
Mean total oxidised nitrogen concentration. |
3 mg/L |
10 mg/L |
|
Mean total phosphate concentration. |
>1.0 mg/L |
3 mg/L |
|
Mean orthophosphate concentration |
>0.1 mg / l |
>1.0 mg/l |
6.3.5
Where
Action Levels or Limits are exceeded then the Action Plan provided in Table 6.3
shall be implemented.
Table 6.3
Action Plan for exceedance of Action Levels and Limits for
ecological attributes at the Lok Ma Chau wetland mitigation area
[To be updated when new EIA is complete]
|
Ecological
attribute |
Action Level |
Limit |
|
Habitats |
|
|
|
·
Percentage
of mitigation area consisting of wetland habitats |
Review observed and target water levels and revise
accordingly; implement contingency action plan if appropriate |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
Species |
|
|
|
Survival, health, growth and reproduction of key
plant species |
|
|
|
·
Percentage
of planted or translocated species surviving |
Check soil and water conditions and replace dead
individuals; implement contingency action plan if survival rate does not
increase |
Check soil and water conditions and replace dead
individuals; implement contingency action plan if
appropriate |
|
·
Percentage
of plants affected by pest or fungal attack |
Remove dead and infected vegetation, identify pest
/ disease and contingency action plan if appropriate |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Monthly
growth rate |
Surveillance only – actions to be identified if
necessary |
Surveillance only – actions to be identified if
necessary |
|
·
Plant
species richness and diversity. |
Up to end of Year 2 replace lost plant species
according to direction of ecologist.
Check soil and water conditions and implement contingency action plan |
Implement contingency action plan if appropriate. |
|
Plant community composition
i.e.: |
|
|
|
·
Proportion
of wetland plants |
Review observed and target water levels for areas
in question and revise accordingly; implement contingency action plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Individual
species frequency / cover |
Up to end of Year 2 replace or remove plants as
necessary according to direction of ecologist. Check soil and water conditions and implement contingency action plan |
Implement contingency action plan if appropriate. |
|
Vegetation
structure i.e.: |
|
|
|
·
Mean
maximum height of the vegetation |
Cut / remove vegetation according to direction of
ecologist |
Cut / remove vegetation according to direction of
ecologist |
|
·
Variation
in vegetation height (all species) |
Review information and if appropriate prepare
contingency plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Variation
in vegetation height (key species) |
Review information and if appropriate prepare
contingency plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Overall
percentage vegetation cover |
Remove vegetation according to direction of
ecologist |
Remove vegetation according to direction of
ecologist |
|
·
Percentage
of alien and invasive plant species. |
Initiate annual removal of alien and invasive
plant matter to reduce total level to <5% |
Immediately remove (subject to needs to avoid
disturbance) according to direction of ecologist all alien and invasive plant
matter to reduce total level to <5% |
|
·
Species
richness and diversity dragonflies. |
Review information and if appropriate prepare
contingency plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Species
abundance and size distribution of fish |
Review information and if appropriate prepare
contingency plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Species
richness and diversity amphibians. |
Review information and if appropriate prepare
contingency plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Species richness
and diversity of aquatic invertebrates |
Review information and if appropriate prepare
contingency plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Species
richness and diversity of benthic invertebrates |
Review information and if appropriate prepare
contingency plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Species
richness and diversity of selected terrestrial invertebrates |
Review information and if appropriate prepare
contingency plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Species richness
and diversity of wetland birds. |
Review information and if appropriate prepare
contingency plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Presence
and abundance of Species of Conservation Importance |
Review information and if appropriate prepare contingency
plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
·
Presence or
abundance of selected ecological indicator species. |
Review information and if appropriate prepare
contingency plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
Pedology |
|
|
|
·
Mean depth
of topsoil/subsoil. |
Review information and if appropriate paper
contingency plan |
Replace lost soil according to direction of
ecologist and implement contingency resources if appropriate |
|
·
Mean
percentage organic versus mineral content. |
Surveillance only – no actions necessary |
Surveillance only – no actions necessary |
|
·
Change in
nutrient composition. |
Surveillance only – no actions necessary |
Surveillance only – no actions necessary |
|
·
Mean Redox
potential |
Surveillance only – no actions necessary |
Surveillance only – no actions necessary |
|
·
Mean pH. |
Review information and if appropriate prepare
contingency plan |
Implement contingency measures if appropriate |
|
Hydrology |
|
|
|
·
% Surface
water |
Review hydrological information and adjust target
water levels accordingly; if appropriate prepare contingency action plan
including option for soil removal / redistribution |
Review hydrological information and adjust target
water levels accordingly: implement contingency action plan if appropriate |
|
·
Surface
water level |
Adjust drop-board weir / water inputs (pump rate)
accordingly |
Adjust drop-board weir / water inputs (pump rate)
immediately as rapidly as appropriate; review causes of problem, prepare and
implement contingency plan if problem persists |
|
Water chemistry |
|
|
|
·
Mean
salinity |
Double water quality and vegetation survival rate
monitoring, identify problem and develop and implement action plan to rectify |
Supply essential water requirements from another
suitable source until problem identified and rectified and implement
contingency plan |
|
·
Mean pH. |
Double water quality and vegetation survival rate
monitoring, identify problem and develop and implement action plan to rectify |
Supply essential water requirements from another
suitable source until problem identified and rectified and implement
contingency plan |
|
·
Mean BOD. |
Double water quality and aquatic invertebrate
monitoring, identify problem and develop and implement action plan to rectify |
Supply essential water requirements from another
suitable source until problem identified and rectified and implement
contingency plan |
|
·
Mean
dissolved oxygen |
Double water quality and aquatic invertebrate
monitoring, identify problem and develop and implement action plan to rectify |
Supply essential water requirements from another
suitable source until problem identified and rectified and implement
contingency plan |
|
·
Mean
ammonia concentration. |
Double water quality and aquatic invertebrate
monitoring, identify problem and develop and implement action plan to rectify |
Supply essential water requirements from another
suitable source until problem identified and rectified and implement
contingency plan |
|
·
Mean total
oxidised nitrogen concentration. |
Double water quality and vegetation survival rate
monitoring, identify problem and prepare contingency plan |
Supply essential water requirements from another
suitable source until problem identified and rectified and implement
contingency plan |
|
·
Mean total
phosphate concentration. |
Double water quality and vegetation survival rate
monitoring, identify problem and prepare contingency plan |
Supply essential water requirements from another
suitable source until problem identified and rectified and implement
contingency plan |
|
·
Mean
orthophosphate concentration |
Double water quality and vegetation survival rate
monitoring, identify problem and prepare contingency plan |
Supply essential water requirements from another
suitable source until problem identified and rectified and implement
contingency plan |
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