8.1.1
This Section addresses
the ecological impacts potentially arising from the construction and operation
of the Project within the Study Area.
Local Legislation, Standards and Guidelines
8.2.1
The relevant local legislation, standards and guidelines
applicable to the present study for the assessment of ecological impact
include:
·
Forests and
Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96) and its subsidiary legislation, the Forestry
Regulations (Cap. 96A)
·
Wild Animals
Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170)
·
Country Parks
Ordinance (Cap. 208) and its subsidiary legislation
·
Environmental
Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) (Cap. 499) and relevant annexes 8, 9, 11,
16, 17, 20 and 21 of the associated Technical Memorandum (EIAO-TM)
·
Protection of
Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) and its
subsidiary legislation
·
EIAO Guidance
Note No. 6/2010 – Some Observations on Ecological Assessment from the
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance Perspective
·
EIAO Guidance
Note No. 7/2010 – Ecological Baseline Survey for Ecological Assessment
·
EIAO Guidance
Note No. 10/2010 – Methodologies for Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecological
Baseline Surveys
·
Hong Kong
Planning Standards and Guidelines
·
Planning,
Environment & Lands Branch Technical Circular (PELBTC) No. 1/97/Works
Branch Technical Circular (WBTC) No. 4/97 – Guidelines for Implementing the
Policy on Off-site Ecological Mitigation Measures.
·
Drainage Services
Department Practice Note No.1/2015 – Guidelines on Environmental Considerations
for River Channel Design.
·
Environment,
Transport and Works Bureau Technical Circular (Works) (ETWB TCW) No. 5/2005
– Protection of
Natural Streams/Rivers from Adverse Impact Arising from Construction Works.
·
New Nature
Conservation Policy.
·
Hong Kong
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2016-21).
·
List of Wild
Animals under State Protection.
·
List of Wild
Plants under State Protection.
International Conventions and
Guidelines
8.2.2
International conventions and guidelines potentially relevant
include :
·
Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (“CITES”)
·
United Nations
Convention on Biological Diversity
Location and Area
8.3.1
The Study Area for ecological impact assessment included all
area within 500m from the proposed Project boundary, any associated works, as
well as areas likely to be impacted by the project. The Study Area is
illustrated in Figures 8.1 to 8.3. For aquatic
ecology, the Study Area covered areas within 500m from the Project boundary and
the Deep Bay Water Control Zone as designated under the Water Pollution Control
Ordinance and the water sensitive receivers (ecology) in the vicinity of the Project.
General
8.3.2
The ecological surveys addressed the requirements in
establishing the ecological baseline profile and followed the requirements of
the pertinent of Annexes 8 and 16 of the Technical Memorandum as well as
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance Guidance Note No. 7/2010 “Ecological
Baseline Survey for Ecological Assessment” and No. 10/2010 “Methodologies for
Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecological Baseline Survey.
Literature Review
8.3.3
Findings of relevant studies or surveys, including but not
limited to relevant Environmental Impact Assessment reports, newsletter related
to local ecology and conservation (such as Hong Kong Biodiversity by
Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) and Connections by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG)), published
scientific papers, as well as the Biodiversity Database and other publications
on the conservation status and distribution of local flora and fauna etc.
8.3.4
All available information will be collated and
evaluated to identify any information gap relating to the establishment of the
ecological profile of the aquatic and terrestrial environment, and to determine
the ecological surveys needed for an ecological impact assessment.
Ecological Field Surveys
8.3.5
The survey period covered both wet and dry seasons in the
period of 4 months from August to November 2019. A survey programme of the
Study is summarised below in Table 8.1:
Table 8.1 Ecological
Survey Programme
|
Ecological Survey |
Day-time / Night-time |
2019 |
|||
|
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
||
|
Habitat
and Vegetation Survey |
Day-time |
|
✓ |
|
|
|
Terrestrial Mammal Survey |
Day-time |
|
✓ |
|
✓ |
|
Night-time |
|
✓ |
|
✓ |
|
|
Avifauna Transect Survey |
Day-time |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Night-time |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
Herpetofauna Survey |
Day-time |
✓ |
✓ |
|
✓ |
|
Night-time |
✓ |
✓ |
|
✓ |
|
|
Butterflies and Odonates Survey |
Day-time |
✓ |
✓ |
|
✓ |
|
Fireflies |
Night-time |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
|
Freshwater Aquatic Assemblages Survey |
Day-time |
|
✓ |
|
|
|
Intertidal / Benthic Survey |
Day-time |
|
✓ |
|
|
8.3.6
All ecological field surveys were carried out in a manner
that would not cause any unnecessary stress or damage to any species or
habitats. Permission under the Wild Animal Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) for
using hand-nets and traps during the field surveys was obtained from AFCD prior
to the surveys.
8.3.7
All floral and faunal species of conservation importance
recorded during the surveys were photographed as far as possible and the
locations of the records were marked with a GPS device.
8.3.8
A comprehensive species list of each taxa surveyed (including
both flora and fauna) was compiled, with the conservation status, protection
status, and other relevant information (such as distribution, rarity, etc.) for
each species reported.
Habitat Survey
8.3.9
Habitats within the Study Area were identified by making reference to the latest available aerial photographs
obtained from Lands Department and also ground-truthing. Habitats identified
were illustrated on a habitat map of an appropriate scale to show the
distribution and coverage of each habitat type.
8.3.10
Ecological characteristics of each identified habitat type,
such as size, vegetation type, dominant floral species present, species
abundance and diversity, community structure, naturalness, seasonal patterns
and inter-dependence of habitats and species, and presence of any features of
ecological importance, were recorded and discussed. For watercourses, physical
attributes such as type of riparian zone, channel width and depth, substrate
type, and any signs of disturbance were reported. Representative photographs of
each habitat type and any importance ecological features were provided.
Vegetation Survey
8.3.11
Vegetation survey was conducted along the transects shown in Figure
8.2. Floral species observed during the surveys were identified to
species level, with their relative abundance recorded. A plant species list
presenting the recorded plant species and presence of species of conservation
concern was established for the Survey Area. The plant species list also
presented the conservation status, the form (e.g. herbaceous, shrub, tree) and
categorise whether the species is native or exotic. Nomenclature and conservation
status of floral species follows Xing et al. (2000), Siu (2000) and Barretto et al. (2011) as well as AFCD (2003, 2007, 2008,
2009 and 2011).
Terrestrial Mammal Survey
8.3.12
Surveys for terrestrial mammals were conducted along
transects twice. Since most mammalian species in Hong Kong occur at low
densities, surveys for mammals included both direct observation and active
searching for signs of mammal occurrence (including potential roost, footprints
and droppings). Night-time surveys were
also conducted to supplement the findings from day-time surveys. With regards
to bats, night-time transect surveys using bat
detector were also carried out mainly at and near the proposed works area,
where direct impact to bats and/or bat roost(s) may occur.
8.3.13
Special attention was paid to the Eurasian Otter within the
Assessment Area. Due to the cryptic nature and apparently low population size, 4
infra-red auto-trigger cameras were deployed at the same time in the Assessment
Area.
8.3.14
Nomenclature of species follows AFCD Hong Kong Biodiversity
Database. The commonness and conservation status (including status from Red
List of China’s Vertebrates, the latest IUCN red list and other scientific
research study e.g. Fellowes et al. (2002)) for each species were presented.
Avifauna Survey
8.3.15
Surveys for birds were conducted monthly by transect count
with the aid of a pair of binoculars at a suitable time (usually in early
morning) when birds are most active. Night-time surveys were conducted to
detect presence of nocturnal species. Avifauna species were detected either by
direct sighting or by their call. Species recorded were identified and
quantified, with special reference to behaviours such as feeding, roosting and
breeding.
8.3.16
A comprehensive list of species recorded from the Study Area
was prepared, with wetland-dependence, conservation and/or protection status
indicated. Nomenclature of species follows the updated List of Hong Kong Birds
published by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society.
Herpetofauna Survey
8.3.17
Herpetofauna transect survey was conducted three times in the
survey period. All potential habitats for amphibian and reptile were actively
searched throughout the survey. Microhabitats were examined (e.g. stones,
crevices or rotten log) or deliberately uncovered to reveal the presence of the
amphibians and reptiles hiding under these covers. Active searching for eggs
and tadpoles of amphibians in aquatic habitats was conducted to indicate
breeding activities.
8.3.18
All life form of amphibians, including adult, tadpole,
juvenile and egg, were recorded to indicate the breeding potential in the
survey site. Owing to the nocturnal behaviour of most herpetofauna species,
night-time surveys were also conducted.
8.3.19
Nomenclature of species follows AFCD Hong Kong Biodiversity
Database. The commonness and conservation status (including status from Red
List of China’s Vertebrates, the latest IUCN red list and other scientific
research study e.g. Fellowes et al. (2002)) for each species were presented.
Butterfly and Odonate Survey
8.3.20
Transect surveys were conducted for butterflies and odonates three times in the four-month period, with species
mainly detected by direct observation. For butterflies, active searching for
larvae and pupae within 5m of the transects was also conducted. For odonates, special attention was paid to aquatic habitats
such as watercourses. All species observed were identified to species level and
quantified. Species occurring outside 5m of the transects but within the Study
Area were also recorded. The surveys were conducted at suitable weather
condition to avoid overcast weather when butterflies and odonates
are mostly less active and less easy to be detected.
8.3.21
Nomenclature of butterfly and odonate
species follows AFCD Hong Kong Biodiversity Database. The commonness and
conservation status (including status from China Red Data Book, the latest IUCN
red list and other scientific research study e.g. Fellowes et al. (2002)) for
each species were provided.
Firefly Survey
8.3.22
Firefly surveys were conducted monthly from August to
September following the survey transects for terrestrial fauna focusing on
mangrove habitat. The firefly surveys were conducted shortly after dusk for at
least 3-4 hours.
8.3.23
During the survey, any adult firefly observed was identified
to the species level, where possible. The abundance and distribution of
fireflies, in particular Bent-winged Firefly, were
recorded.
Freshwater Assemblages Survey
8.3.24
Aquatic fauna survey was conducted at designated sampling
points (shown in Figure 8.2) once in September.
Aquatic fauna, including freshwater macro-invertebrates and fishes, were
identified and studied by direct observation and active searching by nets,
cages and standard field sampling techniques as appropriate.
8.3.25
Nomenclature of species follows AFCD Hong Kong Biodiversity
Database. The commonness and conservation status (including status from Red
List of China’s Vertebrates, the latest IUCN red list and other scientific
research study e.g. Fellowes et al. (2002)) for each species will be presented.
Intertidal/Benthic Survey
8.3.26
The intertidal/benthic survey consisted of qualitative spot
checks (i.e. walk-through surveys) and quantitative sampling along the
designated survey locations within the Assessment Area (see Figure
8.2), subject to accessibility with particular attention to mangrove
and mudflat habitats within the Assessment Area. Intertidal/benthic survey was
conducted once in September.
8.3.27
For qualitative spot checks, the accessible shorelines along
Shan Pui River were surveyed. Organisms encountered
shall be recorded and their relative abundance noted.
8.3.28
For quantitative sampling, at each survey location, three
replicates of grab samples over a 0.1m2 area substrate were
collected using a Van Veen Grab. Sampling locations are shown in Figure
8.2. The samples were gently washed through a sieve of mesh size of
0.5mm to retain the benthic in-fauna.
All organisms found in each sample were identified and recorded to the
lowest possible taxonomic level to allow density per quadrat/core to be
calculated.
8.3.29
Abundance and species diversity H’ and evenness J shall be
calculated for pooled data, using the formulae:
H’ =
-∑ (Ni/N) ln (Ni/N); and
J = H’/ ln S
where S is the total number of species in the sample, N is
the total number of individuals, and Ni is the number of individuals of the ith species.
8.4.1
Figure 8.1 shows the recognized sites of
conservation importance identified within and near the Assessment Area of the
Project.
8.4.2
About 1,500 ha of wetland in the Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay region
has been listed as a Ramsar Site under the Ramsar Convention since 1995. The
site has a shallow bay with extensive intertidal mudflats backed by mangroves,
tidal shrimp ponds (gei wais),
commercial fishponds and reedbeds. The site serves as an important
over-wintering and refueling station site for the waterbirds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. About
400 species, representing around 70% of the Hong Kong birds, have been recorded
there. The Site regularly supports some 50,000-80,000 waterbirds
in winter, including a number of globally threatened
species, such as Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor,
Saunders's Gull Chroicocephalus saundersi and
Nordmann's Greenshank Tringa guttifer. The Mai Po Marshes and the
Inner Deep Bay area were also designated as Sites of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI) in 1976 and 1986, respectively. The Mai Po Marshes SSSI covers
an area of about 393 ha, while the Inner Deep Bay SSSI is approximately 1036 ha
in size. Part of the Mai Po Marshes SSSI, largely the gei
wais, was designated as Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR)
and has been actively managed by World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong since
1983 for conservation and education purposes.
8.4.3
Whilst the Ramsar Site, SSSIs and MPNR are situated outside
of the 500m Study Area, they are about 1.5 to 2km from the proposed Project
boundary, and are, to varying extent, hydrologically and ecologically linked to
the northern portion of the Study Area.
8.4.4
An approximately 1011.6ha of land in the Deep Bay area
comprised mainly of commercial fish ponds is designated as a Priority Site for
Enhanced Conservation (namely Deep Bay Wetland Outside
Ramsar Site) under the New Nature Conservation Policy drawn up in 2004. The
northern part of the Assessment Area, which includes reedbeds, developed areas,
and watercourses, falls within this Priority Site (see Figure 8.1).
8.4.5
The Study Area also overlaps with the Wetland Conservation
Area (WCA) and Wetland Buffer Area (WBA) and part of the Project Site falls
within the WBA. To conserve the ecological value of the Deep Bay wetland
ecosystem and prevent habitat fragmentation from development, the Town Planning
Board adopts a two-pronged approach to land use planning control through the
designation of WCA and WBA. The WCA basically covers the existing contiguous
and adjoining active or inactive fishponds with the planning intention to
conserve the ecological value of the fishponds which form an integral part of
the wetland ecosystem in the Deep Bay area. The strip of land of about 500m
wide along the landward side of the WCA is designated as the WBA to protect the
ecological integrity of the fishponds and wetlands within the WCA and to
prevent developments that would have a negative off-site impact on the
ecological value of fishponds.
8.4.6
The confluence of Kam Tin River and Shan Pui River is one of the renowned bird habitats in Hong Kong. The reedbed / wetland habitat in this area
serves as an important foraging ground for wetland-dependent birds, especially
for wintering and migratory species during autumn and winter months.
8.4.7
Two small areas in Chung Hau Yu Man
San Tsuen and Kai Shan are under the zoning of Conservation Area in the
approved Nam Sang Wai Outline Zoning Plan No. S/YL-NSW/8 and Ping Shan Outline
Zoning Plan No. S/YL-PS/18, respectively. This zoning is intended to protect
and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features
of the area for conservation, educational and research purposes. There is a
general presumption against development in this zone. The planning intention of
the two areas is to conserve the mangrove and fish ponds for the former, and
the hilly areas of Kai Shan for the latter.
8.4.8
The Tung Shing Lei Egretry is located to the east of the Project Site and is
approximately 2km away. It is the third largest egretry
in Hong Kong in the 2018 census, with 84 nests which accounts for 7.8% of the
total number of nests in Hong Kong (HKBWS 2018).
Materials Reviewed
8.5.1
Major literature reviewed in this ecological assessment
included:
·
A field guide to the terrestrial mammals of Hong Kong (Shek 2006);
·
The Hong Kong Biodiversity Database of AFCD;
·
Hong Kong Biodiversity – newsletter of AFCD;
·
A new species of firefly from Hong Kong – Pteroptyx
maipo Ballantyne, 2011 (Yiu
2011);
·
Pteroptyx maipo Ballantyne, a
new species of bent-winged firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) from Hong Kong, and
its relevance to firefly biology and conservation (Ballantyne et al. 2011);
·
Construction of Cycle Tracks and the Associated Supporting
Facilities at Nam Sang Wai, Yuen Long – Final Environmental Impact Assessment
Report (Mott MacDonald 2013);
·
Elevated Pedestrian Corridor in Yuen Long Town Connecting
with Long Ping Station – Investigation, Design and Construction – Environmental
Impact Assessment Report (Arup 2016)
Habitat and Flora
8.5.2
Mott MacDonald (2013) studied the ecological conditions along
Shan Pui River, in the southwestern part of Nam Sang
Wai, and in the developed or disturbed areas in Yuen Long Industrial Estate and
near the Hong Kong School of Motoring’s Yuen Long Driving Centre. Arup (2016)
studied a section of the Yuen Long Town Nullah (YLTN) stretching from Long Ping
MTR Station to Ma Tin Road, and the associated 500m Study Area, which is highly
urbanised and developed.
8.5.3
A total of ten types of habitats were identified by Mott
MacDonald (2013) and Arup (2016) in the Study Area, namely drainage channel/channelised watercourse, plantation, marsh, mangrove,
developed area, open field, pond, low-lying grassland/abandoned agricultural
land, wet agricultural land and shrubland. No floral species of conservation
importance were recorded from the two studies. The following sections (S 8.5.4
– S.8.5.14) present the findings from Mott MacDonald (2013) and Arup (2016) on
habitat and flora in the study area of the previous studies.
Drainage Channel/Channelised
Watercourse
8.5.4
Major drainage channels or channelised
watercourses located within the Study Area are the old Kam Tin River, the
trained Shan Pui River, and the YLTN. Most of these
channels were observed to be heavily polluted. However, the mangrove and
mudflat along the lower course of Shan Pui River are
favourite feeding grounds of waterbirds during the
low tide period. YLTN is the major channelised
watercourse and is a major part of the Project Area. It flows from the south of
Yuen Long, directing the flow from various contributing village areas and the
town centre north to Shan Pui River and eventually
the Deep Bay Area. Vegetation along the banks of YLTN included Ficus microcarpa,
Bombax ceiba, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Dimocarpus longan, and Bauhinia x
blakeana.
Plantation
8.5.5
Plantation refers to those habitats dominated by planted
trees and shrubs for landscaping. Common plant species include Ficus microcarpa,
Litchi chinensis, Spathodea
campanulata, Ixora chinensis
and Duranta erecta.
Some plantation areas along Shan Pui River were
established for ecological and landscape mitigation measure for the channelisation works of these river channels, which were
found dominated by Eucalyptus species.
Marsh
8.5.6
Majority of the marsh habitats found within the area are
derived from abandoned fishponds. Dominant plant species include Phragmites australis,
Brachiaria mutica and Paspalum paspaloides.
Mangrove
8.5.7
Major mangrove habitats were found locating along the
embankments of the channelised Shan Pui River. The mangroves along Shan Pui
River were planted in 1996 during the river channelisation
works as an environmentally friendly channel design measure for ecological
enhancement and compensation for the loss of habitats. Dominant mangrove species
found in this habitat are Kandelia obovata and Acanthus
ilicifolius. Invasive exotic mangrove species Sonneratia caseolaris
and Sonneratia apeltala were
also recorded in these habitats.
Developed Area
8.5.8
Most of the area within the Project Site and Study Area is
highly urbanised and developed. It mainly consists of urban and rural
residential developments. There are road-side planting and plantations in rural
residential area within the Study Area. Flora recorded in the area are mainly
common horticultural species including Ficus microcarpa, Bombax ceiba, Lagerstroemia speciosa,
Dimocarpus longan, Bauhinia
x blakeana, Acacia confusa,
Melaleuca cajuputi, Celtis sinensis, Bidens alba, Ipomoea cairica and Duranta repens.
Open Field
8.5.9
Open field refers to bare ground, construction site or
wasteland. Except for some common weed species such as Bidens alba, Eleusine indica
and Mimosa diplotricha
these habitats are free of vegetation cover.
Pond
8.5.10
Pond is a major type of habitat found within the Study Area.
These pond habitats can be roughly divided into three areas separated by the
two drainage channels. Only a few scattered ponds occur in the Study Area.
Dominant plant species includes Brachiaria mutica, Bidens alba, Phragmites australis, Commelina diffusa, Panicum spp. and Paspalum spp.
8.5.11
A floodwater storage pond is located further south at Ma Tin
Road. It is managed by Drainage Services Department (DSD). The area is fenced
off, with the bed lined with concrete and grasscrete
lining. The area was dry at the time of site visit. The vegetation included Senna surattensis
and Acacia confusa.
It should not be considered similar to other active or
abandoned fish ponds within or near the Study Area.
Low-Lying Grassland/Abandoned Agricultural Land
8.5.12
These habitats were established by the abandonment of
cultivation or backfilling of fishponds. Their distribution is quite scattered
throughout the Study Area. Common plant species include Bidens alba, Panicum maximum, Mikania micrantha and Mimosa pudica.
Wet Agricultural Land
8.5.13
There is one piece of wet agricultural land located to the
east of the YLTN near Long Ping MTR Station, which is dominated by lotus. This
area of wet agricultural land is located to the south of the Long Ping West
Rail Station and is fragmented from other similar habitats in the far north by
the surrounding urban developments. Apart from the lotus patch, the area is
surrounded by some common plants species including Macaranga tanarius
var. tomentosa, Ficus microcarpa, Ravenala madagascariensis, Ligustrum sinense
and Leucaena leucocephala.
Shrubland
8.5.14
A shrubland area was found in hillside area at Chu Wong Ling.
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 events is not too frequent. Common shrub species include Lantana camara, Mussaenda pubescens and Trema tomentosa.
Fauna
8.5.15
The following sections present the relevant findings from
Mott MacDonald (2013) and Arup (2016), and other literatures. The fauna species
mentioned in Section 8.5.16 to 8.5.28 were the relevant records within the
study area of the previous studies
Mammal
8.5.16
Given the wide and open fishpond landscape and high level of
human activities for fishpond operation, large mammals are rare in the area. As
reported, in a camera trap survey of Hong Kong terrestrial mammals conducted by
AFCD in 2002-2012, a total of four large wild mammal species including Leopard
Cat, Small Asian Mongoose, Small Indian Civet and Eurasian Otter were recorded,
though exact locations were not given. Small Asian Mongoose and Leopard Cat are
uncommon, Eurasian Otter is restrictedly distributed while Small Indian Civet
is common in Hong Kong (Shek 2007). These four large
mammal species have been recorded in the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site
whilst Eurasian Otter has been recorded in the confluence of Kam Tin River and
Shan Pui River; all these localities are outside of
the 500 Study Area.
8.5.17
During the transect surveys by Mott MacDonald (2013), an
Indochinese Forest Rat Rattus andamanensis was found in mangrove area in Nam Sang
Wai. Small-sized bats were also recorded but were not identified.
8.5.18
A summary of mammal species of conservation importance
recorded within the Assessment Area by the Mott MacDonald (2013) has been
provided in Table 8.2.
Table 8.2 Mammal
Species of Conservation Importance in or near the Study Area in Previous
Studies
|
Species |
Conservation
and Protection Status1 |
Status
in HK2 |
Habitat
Recorded |
|
Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra |
RC; RLCV(EN); IUCN(NT); CSMPS(II); CITES(I); Cap.170; Cap.586 |
Rare; Species of Conservation Concern |
Not provided |
|
Japanese Pipistrelle Pipistrellus abramus |
Cap.170 |
Very Common |
Fishpond in Nam Sang Wai and Fung Lok Wai |
|
Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis |
RLCV(VU); CITES(II); Cap.170; Cap.586 |
Uncommon |
Not provided |
|
Small Asian Mongoose Herpestes javanicus |
RLCV(VU); CITES(III); Cap.170; Cap.586 |
Uncommon |
Fishpond in Fung Lok Wai |
|
Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica |
RLCV(VU); CSMPS(II); CITES(III); Cap.170; Cap.586 |
Very Common |
Fishpond in Fung Lok Wai |
Notes:
1.
Conservation and protection status refers to Fellowes et al. (2002), Red List of China’s
Vertebrates (Jiang et al. 2016), IUCN
(2019), China State Major Protection Status, CITES (2019), Cap. 170 and Cap.
586.
a.
Conservation status by Fellowes et al. (2002): LC = Local Concern; PRC =
Potential Regional Concern; RC = 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.
b.
Conservation status by Red List of
China’s Vertebrates (RLCV) (Jiang et al.
2016): NT = Near Threatened; EN = Endangered.
c.
Conservation status by IUCN (2019):
NT = Near Threatened; EN = Endangered.
d.
Protection status by China State
Major Protection Status (CSMPS): II = Class II Protected Species in China.
e.
Protection status by CITES (2019):
II = Listed in CITES Appendix II; III = listed in CITES Appendix III.
f.
Cap. 170 = Wild Animals Protection
Ordinance.
g.
Cap. 586 = Protection of Endangered
Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.
2.
Status
in Hong Kong follows AFCD (2019).
Avifauna
8.5.19
A high diversity of waterbirds was
recorded in the wetland habitats north of the Project Site. The fishponds,
mudflats, channelised watercourses and mangroves in
the area provide significant foraging grounds for both resident and migratory waterbirds.
8.5.20
The mosaic of wetland habitats in Nam Sang Wai area,
including watercourses, ponds, mangrove and reedbed, is also an important
wintering site for migratory waterbirds.
8.5.21
During low-tide period, the exposed mudflats within Shan Pui River provide abundant food sources for both large waterbirds and waders. Nevertheless, both abundance and diversity of waterbirds in Shan Pui River are
both significantly higher at the lower section (closer to the confluent of Shan
Pui River and Kam Tin River) than at the upper
section (near Shan Pui Chung Hau
Tsuen).
8.5.22
A total of 37 bird species of conservation importance were
recorded in Mott MacDonald (2013) in Shan Pui River
and/or Nam Sang Wai (see Table 8.3).
Table 8.3 Bird Species
of Conservation Importance Recorded in Shan Pui River
and/or Nam Sang Wai in Previous Studies
|
Species |
Conservation
and Protection Status1 |
Status
in HK2 |
|
Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata |
RC |
Abundant winter
visitor to Deep Bay area; typically present October
to April with some summer records |
|
Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope |
RC |
Abundant winter
visitor to Deep Bay wetland areas with two summer records; typically
present September to April |
|
Northern Pintail Anas acuta |
RC |
Abundant winter
visitor to the Deep Bay area although numbers have declined since |
|
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca |
RC |
Abundant but
declining winter visitor, primarily in the Deep Bay area, with occasional
summer records; typically present September to April |
|
Black-faced
Spoonbill Platalea
minor |
PGC; RLCV(EN); IUCN(EN); CSMPS(II) |
Common winter
visitor to Deep Bay intertidal areas with regular summer records; higher
numbers typically present October to May |
|
Von Schrenck's Bittern Ixobrychus
eurhythmus |
RC |
Scarce passage
migrant to wetland areas |
|
Black-crowned
Night Heron Nycticorax
nycticorax |
(LC) |
Common resident
and migrant mainly in Deep Bay wetlands and at scattered breeding colonies,
mostly around Starling Inlet and Tolo Harbour |
|
Chinese Pond
Heron Ardeola bacchus |
PRC (RC) |
Common in wetlands
and damp areas, with winter, migrant and breeding populations |
|
Eastern Cattle
Egret Bubulcus
coromandus |
(LC) |
Common in
widespread freshwater wetlands and short grassland areas, with winter,
migrant and breeding populations |
|
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea |
PRC |
Common in
wetlands and some coastal areas, mainly in the Deep Bay area, present all
year with highest numbers in winter and very low numbers in summer |
|
Great Egret Ardea
alba |
PRC (RC) |
Abundant, present
all year in wetlands, mainly in the Deep Bay area although breeding
populations are found mainly around Starling Inlet and Tolo
Harbour, migrants and winter visitors occur |
|
Intermediate
Egret Ardea
intermedia |
RC |
Uncommon, present
all year, though rather few in summer, mainly in freshwater wetlands in the
Deep Bay area |
|
Little Egret Egretta garzetta |
PRC (RC) |
Abundant, present
all year in wetland areas throughout HK, mostly in the Deep Bay area |
|
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo |
PRC |
Abundant winter
visitor to ponds and inshore waters, mainly in the Deep Bay area; typically
present from end of September to April but with rare summer records |
|
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus |
RC; RLCV(NT); CITES(II); CSMPS(II); Cap.586 |
Common winter
visitor to wetland areas, mostly Deep Bay, typically present October to April,
with a few individuals over-summering |
|
Crested Serpent
Eagle Spilornis
cheela |
(LC); RLCV(NT); CITES(II); CSMPS(II); Cap.586 |
Locally common,
present all year and probably the largest resident, in woodland |
|
Eastern Marsh
Harrier Circus spilonotus |
LC; RLCV(NT); CITES(II); CSMPS(II); Cap.586 |
Common winter
visitor to Deep Bay wetland areas |
|
Black Kite Milvus migrans |
(RC); CITES(II); CSMPS(II); Cap.586 |
Abundant, present
all year and widespread, with increased numbers in winter between October and
March |
|
Black-winged
Stilt Himantopus
himantopus |
RC |
Common winter
visitor and migrant to wetland areas, often freshwater, with breeding records
since 2003 |
|
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta |
RC |
Abundant winter
visitor to the Deep Bay area, primarily intertidal areas, typically present
October to April, has occasionally attempted to breed in recent years |
|
Little Ringed
Plover Charadrius
dubius |
(LC) |
Common and
present all year in lowland areas near water, scarce breeder |
|
Kentish Plover Charadrius
alexandrinus |
RC |
Abundant winter
visitor and scarce migrant with some summer records, to Deep Bay intertidal
areas |
|
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis |
RC |
Abundant winter
visitor and migrant, mainly in spring, mostly to Deep Bay intertidal areas |
|
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola |
LC |
Common migrant
and winter visitor to freshwater marshy areas |
|
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus |
RC |
Common but
declining spring passage migrant, less common in autumn and winter, mostly to
the Deep Bay area |
|
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia |
RC |
Abundant winter
visitor and migrant, mainly in spring, mostly to the Deep Bay area |
|
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus |
PRC |
Abundant winter
visitor to Deep Bay and coastal waters, with rare summer records |
|
Greater Coucal Centropus
sinensis |
CSMPS(II) |
Widespread and
common resident in lowland shrubland areas |
|
Lesser Coucal Centropus
bengalensis |
CSMPS(II) |
Widespread but
uncommon resident in areas of grassland or grassland/shrubland |
|
White-throated
Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis |
(LC) |
Common and
present all year, mostly in wetland areas |
|
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis |
(LC) |
Common resident
in fishpond and other wetland areas, especially Deep Bay |
|
Collared Crow Corvus torquatus |
LC; RLCV(NT); IUCN(VU) |
Locally common
resident, mainly in coastal areas |
|
Red-billed
Starling Spodiopsar
sericeus |
GC |
Abundant winter
visitor to open-country areas, mainly northwest NT; recent years have seen
summer records including breeding |
|
White-cheeked
Starling Spodiopsar
cineraceus |
PRC |
Locally common
winter visitor to open-country areas, particularly Deep Bay, with recent
breeding records |
|
Daurian Starling Agropsar
sturninus |
LC |
Uncommon autumn
passage migrant to open-country areas, rare in spring with three winter
records |
|
White-shouldered
Starling Sturnia sinensis |
(LC) |
Locally common
passage migrant and breeding species, and uncommon winter visitor to
open-country and village edge habitats mainly in the northwest NT; breeding
population has increased due to the use of artificial nest sites |
|
Yellow-breasted
Bunting Emberiza
aureola |
RC; RLCV(EN); IUCN(CR) |
Common autumn
passage migrant but with a recent decline in numbers, scarce in spring and
rare in winter, to open-country areas |
Notes:
1.
Conservation and protection status refers to Fellowes et al. (2002), Red List of China’s
Vertebrates (Jiang et al. 2016), IUCN
(2019), China State Major Protection Status, CITES (2019), Cap. 170 and Cap.
586.
a.
Conservation status by Fellowes et al. (2002): LC = Local Concern; PRC =
Potential Regional Concern; RC = 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.
b.
Conservation status by Red List of
China’s Vertebrates (RLCV) (Jiang et al.
2016): NT = Near Threatened; EN = Endangered.
c.
Conservation status by IUCN (2019):
NT = Near Threatened; EN = Endangered.
d.
Protection status by China State
Major Protection Status (CSMPS): II = Class II Protected Species in China.
e.
Protection status by CITES (2019):
II = Listed in CITES Appendix II.
f.
All wild birds in Hong Kong are
protected under Cap. 170 Wild Animals Protection Ordinance.
g.
Cap. 586 = Protection of Endangered
Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.
2.
Status
in Hong Kong follows the latest Hong Kong Bird Report (Allcock et al. 2019)
8.5.23
No species of conservation importance were identified within
the YLTN south of Long Ping Station. The nullah itself and the vicinity were
largely dominated by a few common bird species. Wetland birds such as Little
Egrets, Chinese Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Black-winged Stilt, Black-headed Gull
and Common Redshank were recorded in the section of YLTN between Long Ping
Station and Fu Yip Street, but were in very low
abundance.
Herpetofauna
8.5.24
Only a low diversity of common species was recorded in the
Study Area. None of the recorded species were of conservation importance.
Butterflies and Odonates
8.5.25
Only common and widespread species were recorded previously
in the Study Area. None of the recorded species were of conservation importance.
Firefly
8.5.26
An endemic species of firefly, Mai Po Bent-winged Firefly,
was first recorded from Hong Kong Wetland Park in July 2009 (Cheng et al.
2010). This species is the first record of genus Pteroptyx (Bent-winged Firefly)
from mainland China and Hong Kong, while this genus is primarily a mangrove-
dependent firefly group (Ballantyne et al. 2011). The species has been recorded
in several localities within the Ramsar Site, including Hong Kong Wetland Park,
Mai Po Nature Reserve, Tin Shui Wai and near Tsim Bei
Tsui. Small numbers were present in mangrove in Shan Pui River and Kam Tin River; both are situated within the
Assessment Area (Yiu 2011).
Freshwater Assemblages
8.5.27
The river channels found within the Study Area, particularly
Shan Pui River, are heavily engineered or modified,
with turbid and highly polluted water quality. Freshwater fishes found in these
river channels in the Study Area are mostly non-native. No aquatic fauna was
reported from the YLTN upstream of the Long Ping Station. No species of
conservation importance were reported in the Study Area.
Intertidal/Benthic Fauna
8.5.28
Due to the lack of relevant literature, there is no specific
information on the existing ecological baseline condition of intertidal/benthic
fauna within the Study Area.
Habitat and Vegetation
8.6.1
Within the Assessment Area, a total of ten habitats were
identified, including Channelisd Watercourse,
Semi-natural Watercourse, Pond, Tidal Marsh, Mangrove, Reedbed, Shrubland,
Agricultural Land, Plantation and Developed Area.
8.6.2
The areas of each type of habitats present within the Project
Site and the Assessment Area are listed in Table 8.4, while a habitat map is provided in Figure
8.2. Representative photographs of these habitats are provided in Annex 8C.
Table 8.4 Habitats
Present within the Project Site and the 500m Study Area
|
Habitats |
Area
of Each Habitat Identified (ha) |
||
|
Project
Site |
500m
Study Area |
Total |
|
|
Channelised Watercourse |
7.37 |
15.63 |
23.00 |
|
Semi-natural
Watercourse |
|
1.79 |
1.79 |
|
Pond |
|
2.46 |
2.46 |
|
Tidal Marsh |
|
1.88 |
1.88 |
|
Mangrove |
|
2.67 |
2.67 |
|
Reedbed |
|
25.03 |
25.03 |
|
Shrubland |
|
9.57 |
9.57 |
|
Agricultural Land |
|
0.42 |
0.42 |
|
Plantation |
|
8.98 |
8.98 |
|
Developed Area |
9.27 |
270.46 |
279.73 |
|
Total1 |
16.64 |
338.88 |
355.53 |
Notes:
1.
Figures
above are rounded to the nearest decimal place. Hence, figures may not add to
the total value.
8.6.3
A list of floral species recorded during the surveys with
their relative abundance within each habitat is provided in Annex 8A.
Channelised Watercourse
8.6.4
The YLTN is the largest channelised
watercourse within the Study Area, spanning from Tai Tong and Shap Pat Heung to
the Yuen Long Industrial Estates. The YLTN is divided into four sections, which
is illustrated in Figure 8.3 for easy reference. The
entire YLTN from Section 1 to 4 is highly straightened to increase water flow
rate for resolving the odour issues due to illegal discharge from the town, and
to alleviate flooding in the low-lying areas of Yuen Long South. Both the width
and the depth of YLTN gradually increase from Section 1 towards Section 4.
Sections 1, 2 and 3 are trapezoidal or rectangular drainage channels, with both
the channel bed and bank lined entirely with concrete, with a narrow dry weather
flow channel in the centre of the channel. Between Sections 3 and 4 is an
inflatable rubber dam for pollution control, and Section 4 of the YLTN lies
between the inflatable dam and the confluent of the YLTN, Shan Pui River, and the semi-natural old Kam Tin River. Section
4 is hydrologically connected to the Deep Bay and is therefore under tidal
influence. This section still has concrete-lined banks
but the channel bed has been deposited with mud sediments originated from the
Deep Bay area. (Note: Section 4 of the YLTN is regarded as part of Shan Pui River in other chapters while it is considered as part
of nullah in this chapter for the concrete-lined banks and bed.) All the
construction works of DWFI system and rising mains inside the YLTN will be conducted
within Section 1, 2, and 3. There will be no construction works within Section
4 of the YLTN beyond the inflatable dam.
8.6.5
In most time of the year, water flow in the YLTN is
restricted to the narrow dry weather flow channel, and hence vegetation could
only developed in crevices in the concrete bed and
banks, and along the concreted drains. In Sections 1 to 2, wetland herbs,
including Alternanthera sessilis, Commelina diffusa, Cyperus difformis, Cyperus iria, Lindernia rotundifolia and Persicaria lapathifolia, were
recorded along the dry weather flow channel, but in low abundant. Some young
tree seedlings of Ficus microcarpa, Ficus religiosa, Ficus virens, Macaranga tanarius var. tomentosa and
Melia azedarach have developed in the crevices of the concrete walls and
beds.
8.6.6
For Sections 3 to 4, part of the banks have
been lined with grasscrete, which was found to be
covered by grass (including Bothriochloa spp., Imperata cylindrica var. major and Panicum maximum), common ruderal
vegetation (such as Bidens alba and Tridax procumbens)
and self-sown trees (such as Celtis sinensis, Leucaena leucocephala and Macaranga tanarius
var. tomentosa).
8.6.7
The remaining major channelised
watercourse is the Shan Pui River situated downstream
of the YLTN and old Kam Tin River. The channel bed is composed of soft muddy
sediments deposited through tidal movement. Rip-rap embankment has been
provided at both sides of the channel. No vegetation was found at the centre of
the Shan Pui River, presumably due to the inundation
caused by tidal actions. At the shallower edges, strips of wetland herbs such
as Alternanthera sessilis
and Cyperus
malaccensiswere found. The rip-rap embankment
also provided opportunities for ruderal or weedy vegetation.
Semi-natural Watercourse
8.6.8
A short section of semi-natural watercourse (old Kam Tin
River) surrounding the southern portion of Nam Sang Wai is within the Study
Area. This is the only semi-natural watercourse within the Study Area, and is a remnant section of the original Kam Tin
River, of which the channel course and hydrology has been largely altered
following river training works in the early 2000s. This section drains into
Shan Pui River, and is thus also under tidal
influence.
8.6.9
The riverbanks were semi-natural, though a few small-scale village
houses and structures could be seen along the banks. This section of river is
mainly vegetated with true mangrove Acrostichum aureum, Kandelia obovata, mangrove associates Acanthus ilicifolius, Clerodendrum
inerme, and wetland herb Cyperus malaccensis. Two exotic mangroves Sonneratia apetala and Sonneratia caseolaris, which are believed to have dispersed into
Deep Bay area via propagules from Futian, Shenzhen since 1990s, have also
established along the old Kam Tin River.
Pond
8.6.10
Two small, inactive ponds were found to the east and west of
Chung Hau Tsuen, and were surrounded by grass Brachiaria mutica,
climbers Ipomoea cairica
and Mikania micrantha
and weedy tree Leucaena leucocephala. Larger abandoned fish ponds were also
found at the south of Nam Sang Wai, with pond bunds vegetated with grass Brachiaria mutica and Panicum maximum, climbers Mikania micrantha and Paederia scandens,
and trees Ficus hispida and Melia azedarach.
Tidal Marsh
8.6.11
Small patches of tidal marsh interspersed with mangrove
habitat along the semi-natural old Kam Tin River and the channelised
Shan Pui River. The marshy vegetation in this habitat
is periodically influenced by tidal actions, and is
dominated by common wetland plants such as Alternanthera
philoxeroides, Cyperus malaccensis and reed
Phragmites australis.
Mangrove
8.6.12
Mangrove patches were found along
the semi-natural old Kam Tin River and the channelised
Shan Pui River. This habitat is dominated by
mangroves Acrostichum aureum and Kandelia obovata, and mangrove associates Acanthus ilicifolius and Clerodendrum inerme. Exotic mangroves Sonneratia apetala and Sonneratia caseolaris
have established and colonised part of the old Kam Tin River.
Reedbed
8.6.13
Extensive reedbed habitat was found in Nam Sang Wai to the
northeast of the Project Site, presumably derived from abandoned commercial
fish ponds. Reed Phragmites australis dominated this habitat, with other common
wetland herbs including Alternathera spp., Cyclosorus
interruptus, Ludwigia octovalvis,
and mangrove Kandelia
obovata interspersed within. Exotic wetland herb Typha angustifolia, and climbers Ipomoea cairica and Mikania micrantha
were often found colonising in these ponds and creeping on grassy vegetation at
drier areas respectively. Bunds of these abandoned ponds were commonly
vegetated with exotic trees Eucalyptus
sp., Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana
and Melia azedarach.
Shrubland
8.6.14
Hillside shrubland was found at Chu Wong Ling (i.e. to the
north of Wang Chau Tung Tau Wai) and to the north of Yeung Uk
San Tsuen. Shrubland at Chu Wong Ling was found to be vegetated by grasses (Cymbopogon tortilis,
Miscanthus spp., Neyraudia reynaudiana,
Pennisetum alopecuroides),
ferns (Blechnum orientale and Dicranopteris pedata), shrubs (Clerodendrum fortunatum, Helicteres
angustifolia, Melastoma malabathricum
and Rhaphiolepis
indica) and small trees (Bridelia tomentosa, Litsea cubeba, Litsea rotundifolia var. oblongifolia and Mallotus paniculatus), which are species typically found in
hillside shrublands in Hong Kong. Exotic trees (such as Acacia auriculiformis, Ficus
benjamina, Michelia x alba,
Pinus elliotii and Platycladus orientalis)
and ornamental shrub Hibiscus rosa-sinensis were also recorded along the footpath.
8.6.15
A young seedling of the protected tree Aquilaria sinensis was recorded next to
the footpath in the shrubland at Chu Wong Ling. Aquilaria sinensis is common in lowland
areas in Hong Kong (AFCD 2008). However,
this species is listed as “Near Threatened” and under State protection
(Category II) in China (AFCD 2003) and is classified as “Vulnerable” on the
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN 2019). The wild population of this
species is protected under Cap. 586.
Plantation
8.6.16
Plantations were found along Chung Yip Road, in fenced areas
to the east and west of Chung Hau Tsuen, and along
the west side of Nam Sang Wai. Those plantations close to village areas were
dominated by weedy trees Leucaena leucocephala, and low number of planted trees Albizia lebbeck, Bombax
ceiba and Eucalyptus sp., and
self-sown trees Ficus hispida,
Macaranga tanarius var. tomentosa
and Melia azedarach. Herbaceous
vegetation, such as grass Brachiaria mutica, Panicum maximum, Pennisetum
purpureum, climbers Ipomoea cairica, Mikania micrantha
and herb Wedelia trilobata,
colonised part of the understorey or in open gaps of these plantation areas.
8.6.17
A plantation strip is present along Nam Sang Wai Road, and is
dominated by planted exotic trees Acacia confusa, Albizia lebbeck, Eucalyptus sp., Melaleuca cajuputi
subsp. cumingiana. Its understorey is rather
simple, and vegetated by grass, herbs (such as Alocasia macrorrhizos) and low number of
self-sown tree seedlings. Floristic richness of plantation habitat in the Study
Area is low and its structure is quite simple.
Developed Area
8.6.18
Developed Area within the Project Site includes streets and
roadside planters running along YLTN in the town centre, as well as along Wang
Lok Street in Yuen Long Industrial Estate. Vegetation recorded in this habitat
was largely planted for ornamental and screening uses, including trees Acacia confusa, Cinnamomum burmannii, Ficus microcarpa, Lagerstroemia speciosa and
Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana,
shrubs Calliandra haematocephala, Excoecaria cochinchinensis, Ficus microcarpa 'Golden
Leaf' and Schefflera arboricola
'Variegata', and herb Tradescantia spathacea. Sign of small-scale planting
by villagers was noted in a fenced, vegetated developed area close to the northeastern part of Project Area adjacent to Wang Lok
Street. Self-sown vegetation recorded within this developed area was mainly
common herbaceous plants and weedy trees Leucaena
leucocephala.
8.6.19
Developed area in the Study Area is covered by a variety of
ornamental vegetation planted in low abundance. These were mainly planted for
ornamental use along roads, such as exotic trees (Acacia confusa, Aleurites
moluccana, Araucaria heterophylla,
Callistemon viminalis, Lagerstroemia speciosa and
Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana),
shrubs (Allamanda schottii,
Duranta erecta, Murraya paniculata, Schefflera arboricola and Zanthoxylum piperitum), herbs
(Sansevieria trifasciata and Wedelia trilobata) and bamboos.
Mammal
8.6.20
Mammal species recorded within the Project Site and the Study
Area have been reported in Annex 8B with their habitat(s) and
conservation and protection status presented.
8.6.21
A total of three mammal species were recorded from the Study
Area, namely Domestic Dog, Small Indian Civet and Leopard Cat. Camera traps
deployed only captured images of wandering individuals of Domestic Dog.
8.6.22
A single Small Indian Civet was sighted in reedbed within Nam
Sang Wai in night-time. Small Indian Civet is listed as Vulnerable in China
(Jiang et al. 2016), as Class II protected species in China, in Appendix III of
CITES; and is locally protected under Cap. 170 and Cap. 586. It is considered to be very common and widespread in Hong Kong
(AFCD 2019).
8.6.23
A single Leopard Cat was found on a tree in the plantation
strip within Nam Sang Wai in night-time. The species is listed as Vulnerable in
China (Jiang et al. 2016), in Appendix II of CITES; and is locally protected
under Cap. 170 and Cap. 586. It is considered to be
uncommon but widespread in Hong Kong (AFCD 2019).
Avifauna
8.6.24
Maximum count of all bird species recorded within the Project
Site and the Study Area has been reported in Annex 8B, with their
habitat(s) and conservation and protection status presented. No roost has been
identified within the Study Area in the survey.
8.6.25
Between August and November, a total of eleven
species of birds were recorded from the Project Site, with eighty-three in the
Study Area. Among the birds recorded, thirty-two species are
considered to be of conservation importance.
8.6.26
Species of conservation importance recorded in the surveys are
presented below in Table 8.5 with habitat(s) where they were
recorded.
Table 8.5 List
of Bird Species of Conservation Importance Recorded during the Survey Period
|
Species |
Conservation and Protection Status1 |
Recorded in: |
|
|
Project Site |
500m Study Area |
||
|
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca |
RC |
CW(SPR); WC(KTR) |
|
|
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis |
LC |
PO |
|
|
Black-faced
Spoonbill Platalea minor |
PGC; RLCV(EN); IUCN(EN); CSMPS(II) |
CW(SPR) |
|
|
Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis |
(LC) |
CW(SPR); RB |
|
|
Black-crowned Night
Heron Nycticorax nycticorax |
(LC) |
PO; RB |
|
|
Striated Heron Butorides striata |
(LC) |
MG |
|
|
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus |
PRC (RC) |
YLTN S3; S4 |
CW(SPR); CW(YLTN S4); MG; PO; RB; WC(KTR) |
|
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea |
PRC |
YLTN S3 |
CW(SPR); CW(YLTN S4); PO; RB; WC(KTR) |
|
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea |
RC |
RB |
|
|
Great Egret Ardea alba |
PRC (RC) |
CW(SPR); CW(YLTN S4); PO; RB; WC(KTR) |
|
|
Little Egret Egretta garzetta |
PRC (RC) |
YLTN S3; S4 |
CW(SPR); CW(YLTN S4); MG; PO; WC(KTR) |
|
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo |
PRC |
CW(SPR); CW(YLTN S4) |
|
|
Crested Serpent
Eagle Spilornis cheela |
(LC); RLCV(NT); CITES(II); CSMPS(II); Cap.586 |
IF |
|
|
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus |
CSMPS(II); CITES(II); Cap.586 |
IF |
|
|
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus |
RC |
YLTN S3 |
CW(SPR); CW(YLTN S4); WC(KTR) |
|
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta |
RC |
WC(KTR) |
|
|
Little Ringed
Plover Charadrius dubius |
(LC) |
CW(SPR); CW(YLTN S4) |
|
|
Pheasant-tailed
Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus |
LC; RLCV(NT) |
CW(SPR); CW(YLTN S4) |
|
|
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis |
RC |
CW(SPR); CW(YLTN S4) |
|
|
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola |
LC |
CW(SPR) |
|
|
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia |
RC |
CW(SPR); CW(YLTN S4); WC(KTR) |
|
|
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis |
CSMPS(II) |
MG; SH |
|
|
Collared Scops Owl Otus lettia |
CITES(II); CSMPS(II); Cap.586 |
PL |
|
|
Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides |
CITES(II); CSMPS(II); Cap.586 |
PL |
|
|
White-throated
Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis |
(LC) |
CW(SPR) |
|
|
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis |
(LC) |
CW(SPR) |
|
|
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis |
LC |
SH |
|
|
Collared Crow Corvus torquatus |
LC; RLCV(NT); IUCN(VU) |
WC(KTR); TM |
|
|
Thick-billed
Warbler Arundinax aedon |
LC |
RB |
|
|
Pallas's
Grasshopper Warbler Helopsaltes certhiola |
LC |
RB; WC(KTR) |
|
|
Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata |
RLCV(NT) |
RB |
|
|
Chestnut-eared
Bunting Emberiza fucata |
LC |
RB |
|
Notes:
1.
Conservation and protection status refers to Fellowes et al. (2002), Red List of China’s
Vertebrates (Jiang et al. 2016), IUCN
(2017), China State Major Protection Status (CSIS 2017), CITES (2017), Cap. 170
and Cap. 586.
a.
Conservation status by Fellowes et al. (2002): LC = Local Concern; PRC =
Potential Regional Concern; RC = 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.
b.
Conservation status by Red List of
China’s Vertebrates (RLCV) (Jiang et al.
2016): NT = Near Threatened; EN = Endangered.
c.
Conservation status by IUCN (2017):
NT = Near Threatened; EN = Endangered.
d.
Protection status by China State
Major Protection Status (CSMPS) (CSIS 2017): II = Class II Protected Species in
China.
e.
Protection status by CITES (2017):
II = Listed in CITES Appendix II.
f.
All wild birds in Hong Kong are
protected under Cap. 170 Wild Animals Protection Ordinance.
g.
Cap. 586 = Protection of Endangered
Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.
2.
Habitats:
CW =
Channelised Watercourse; SPR = Shan Pui River; YLTN S3 = Section 3 of Yuen Long Town Nullah;
YLTN S4 = Section 4 of Yuen Long Town Nullah; WC = Semi-natural Watercourse;
KTR = old Kam Tin River; PO = Pond; RB = Reedbed; MG = Mangrove; IF = In
Flight; SH = Shrubland; TM = Tidal Marsh.
Herpetofauna
8.6.27
Maximum counts of all reptile and amphibian species recorded
within the Project Site and the Study Area have been reported in Annex 8B,
with their habitat(s) and conservation and protection status presented.
8.6.28
Seven amphibian and six reptile species were recorded from
the Study Area. No herpetofauna species was recorded from the Project Site. The
recorded species are mostly common and widespread species with no conservation
importance.
8.6.29
The only herpetofauna species of conservation importance
recorded is Chinese Soft-shelled Turtle. A large, mature individual was seen
basking at reedbed edge at Nam Sang Wai in early morning. Chinese Soft-shelled Turtle is considered to be of Global Concern (Fellowes et al.
2002), listed as Endangered in China (Jiang et al 2016) and globally Vulnerable
(IUCN 2019). The species is also protected in Cap. 170 in Hong Kong. It is
found in reservoirs and fishponds in Deep Bay area (AFCD 2019) but has become
rare and localised (Karsen et al. 1998).
Butterflies and Odonates
8.6.30
Maximum count of butterflies and odonates
recorded within the Project Site and the Study Area has been reported in Annex 8B,
with their habitat(s) and conservation and protection status presented.
8.6.31
Two and Fifty-three species of butterflies were recorded from
the Project Site and Study Area, respectively. Among the recorded species, a
total of eight species are of conservation importance. All of
these species are recorded from the Study Area. These species are listed in Table 8.6 below, with their
conservation and protection status presented.
Table 8.6 List
of Butterfly Species of Conservation Importance Recorded during the Survey Period
|
Species |
Conservation and Protection Status1 |
Status in HK2 |
Recorded in: |
|
|
Project Site |
500m Study Area |
|||
|
Common Awl Hasora badra |
LC |
Very Rare |
|
MG |
|
Lesser Band Dart Potanthus trachala |
- |
Rare |
|
SH |
|
Pale Palm Dart Telicota colon |
LC |
Rare |
|
SH |
|
Forget-me-not Catochrysops strabo |
- |
Very Rare; Species of Conservation
Concern |
|
SH |
|
Malayan Megisba malaya |
LC |
Very Rare; Species of Conservation
Concern |
|
SH |
|
Tiny Grass Blue Zizula hylax |
- |
Very Rare; Species of Conservation
Concern |
|
SH |
|
Danaid Egg-fly Hypolimnas misippus |
LC |
Uncommon |
|
SH |
|
Swallowtail Papilio xuthus |
- |
Rare |
|
SH |
Notes:
1.
Conservation
and protection status refers to Fellowes et al. (2002)
a.
Conservation status by Fellowes et al. (2002): LC = Local Concern.
2.
Habitats:
MG =
Mangrove; SH = Shrubland.
8.6.32
A total of thirteen odonate species
were recorded from the surveys. The recorded species are common and widespread,
with none being of conservation importance.
Firefly
8.6.33
A total of twenty-four and twenty-two individuals of the Mai
Po Bent-winged Firefly were recorded in August and September, respectively.
Given that this species of firefly is an endemic species to Hong Kong, it is
considered as a species of conservation importance although its conservation
status has not yet been reviewed. Distribution of the species within the Study
Area is restricted to the banks of the semi-natural old Kam Tin River, as well
as the associated mangrove and tidal marsh, particularly those near Chung Hau Yu Man San Tsuen.
Freshwater Assemblages
8.6.34
Maximum count of aquatic fauna recorded within the Project
Site and the Study Area has been reported in Annex 8B, with their
habitat(s) and conservation and protection status presented.
8.6.35
A total of fifteen freshwater fish species and twelve aquatic
invertebrate species were recorded from the survey, with only one recorded from
the Project Site. Most of the species are fairly common
in similar habitats in Hong Kong and widespread in the region. Two of the
recorded species are considered to be of conservation
importance, namely the goby Gobiopterus macrolepis and the Greasyback
Shrimp.
8.6.36
The goby Gobiopterus macrolepis is endemic to China and is restricted to the
Pearl River Delta (Cheng 1965). The species was observed in large schools of up
to over a thousand individuals, staying near reedbed edges in Nam Sang Wai, and
along channel margins at Section 4 of YLTN and in Shan Pui
River. It is listed as Vulnerable in the context of China (Jiang et al. 2016).
Ecology and distribution of this species in Hong Kong and the wider Pearl River
Delta region is unknown.
8.6.37
The Greasyback Shrimp was recorded
from Shan Pui River and reedbeds in Nam Sang Wai. The
species was listed as Vulnerable in the China Species Red List (Wan & Xie 2004) due to over-exploitation as it is a commercially
important species. However, Greasyback Shrimp is
thought to be common in mangroves and estuaries in Hong Kong (Leung, 1999;
Vance, 1999).
Intertidal/Benthic Fauna
8.6.38
A total of nine species of benthic fauna were recorded from
the Van Veen grab surveys. Walk-over surveys during low tide levels did not
record any benthic organisms. A list of species recorded from the grab surveys
is provided below in Table 8.7. The only species of conservation
importance recorded is the Greasyback Shrimp.
Table 8.7 List
of Intertidal/Benthic Fauna Species Recorded in September 2019
|
Phylum |
Class |
Family |
Species |
|
Annelida |
Clitellata |
Naididae |
Thalassodrilides sp. |
|
Annelida |
Polychaeta |
Sabellidae |
Laonome triangularis |
|
Arthropoda |
Malacostraca |
Machophthalmidae |
Macrophthalmus banzai |
|
Mollusca |
Gastropoda |
Thiaridae |
Tarebia granifera |
|
Annelida |
Polychaeta |
Nephtyidae |
Nephtys oligobranchia |
|
Arthropoda |
Malacostraca |
Corophiidae |
Corophiinae sp. |
|
Arthropoda |
Malacostraca |
Fenneropenaeus chinensis |
|
|
Arthropoda |
Malacostraca |
Metapenaeus ensis |
|
|
Arthropoda |
Malacostraca |
Varunidae |
Varuna litterata |
8.6.39
Number of species recorded, density per sampling location,
Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (H’) and Pielou’s
Species Evenness (J) are summarised in Table 8.8.
Table 8.8
Results of Intertidal/Benthic Fauna Survey conducted in September 2019
|
|
Sampling Stations at Shan Pui
River |
||
|
Upstream |
Middle |
Downstream |
|
|
Total no. of species
recorded per sampling station |
4 |
7 |
6 |
|
Density (No. of individuals recorded per sampling
location) |
17 |
26 |
25 |
|
Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (H’) |
0.59 |
1.23 |
1.03 |
|
Pielou’s Species Evenness (J) |
0.27 |
0.56 |
0.47 |
General
8.7.1
Evaluation of the habitats and species of conservation
importance identified in the ecological baseline surveys is provided in the
following sections, with reference made to the guidance of Tables 2 and 3 of
Annex 8 of EIAO-TM.
Evaluation of Habitats
8.7.2
The ecological importance of habitats recorded from the study
is presented in Table 8.9 to Table 8.18.
Table 8.9 Habitat
Evaluation for Yuen Long Town Nullah
|
Criteria |
Yuen Long Town Nullah |
||
|
Sections 1 and 2 |
Section 3 |
Section 4 |
|
|
Naturalness |
Artificial habitat modified from the natural upper tributaries of Shan
Pui River for drainage and flood control, with very
little opportunity offered to wildlife as the channel itself is completely
lined with concrete. Also bordered by highly urbanised
areas where most wildlife would avoid. |
Artificial habitat modified from the natural upper tributaries of Shan
Pui River for drainage and flood control, though
naturalness is higher than the upstream sections. |
|
|
Size |
Moderate |
||
|
Diversity |
Very low |
Very low |
Low to moderate |
|
Rarity |
Engineered channels are common in Hong Kong especially in the lowlands
of New Territories. No species of conservation importance were recorded. |
Engineered channels are common in Hong Kong especially in the lowlands
of New Territories. Chinese Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Little Egret and Black-winged Stilt
were recorded but in very low abundance. |
Engineered channels are common in Hong Kong especially in the lowlands
of New Territories. Chinese Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Little Egret, Great
Cormorant, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Pheasant-tailed Jacana,
Marsh Sandpiper and Common Greenshank were recorded in low to moderate
abundance. The fish Gobiopterus macrolepis
and Greasyback Shrimp were also recorded. |
|
Re-creatability
|
Readily recreated |
||
|
Fragmentation |
Some fragmentation by urban infrastructures. |
Not fragmented |
|
|
Ecological Linkage |
Very little ecological linkage. Much of the low-lying area in the
drainage basin of the YLTN has been developed, leaving virtually no natural
habitats suitable for wildlife. Within the Study Area, Sections 1 to 3 of the
YLTN is within town centre and industrial area with
high level of human disturbances deterring wildlife use. Further, the inflatable dam creates marked differences between these
upper Sections (i.e. 1-3) and Section 4 in terms of habitat characteristics
(such as water depth and sediment content). This discourages wildlife from in
Section 4 entering Section 3, in particular waterbirds. The dam also disrupts the continuum of
the water flow, preventing aquatic fauna in the downstream from entering the
upstream area. |
Though bordered by developed areas, this Section is considered
ecologically and hydrologically linked with the lower Shan Pui River, which in turn is linked to the Deep Bay area,
allowing the movement of fauna, nutrients and sediment. The section is also
linked with the old Kam Tin River, tidal marsh, reedbed and mangrove in the
vicinity. |
|
|
Potential Value |
Potential value is considered very low. Even if the nullah itself is
ecologically enhanced or revitalised, the existing
dam, the proposed barrage, and the developed or disturbed nature of the
drainage basin (which implies pollution, human activities, lack of natural
habitats, etc.) mean that native aquatic flora and fauna would have very
little chance of colonising the nullah. |
Ecological value could further increase by adopting ecological
enhancement measures such as planting of mangrove and improvement of the
concrete banks. |
|
|
Nursery/ breeding Ground |
Not likely |
Not known to be significant |
|
|
Age |
Constructed in the 1960s |
||
|
Abundance/ richness of
wildlife |
Very low |
Low to moderate |
|
|
Ecological Value |
VERY LOW |
VERY LOW |
LOW TO MODERATE |
Table 8.10 Habitat
Evaluation for Shan Pui River and Minor Channelised Watercourse
|
Criteria |
Shan Pui
River |
Minor Channelised
Watercourse |
|
Naturalness |
Shan Pui River was channelised
as part of the river training works for flood control in Yuen Long.
Nevertheless, the natural meandering of the original river has been almost
entirely preserved. River bed is composed of natural sediment brought in from
Deep Bay through tidal actions, allowing wetland plants to colonise. |
Artificial habitats created for flood control purposes. The channel
bed and banks of these watercourses within the Study Area are completely
lined with concrete, offering very little opportunities for wildlife. |
|
Size |
Low to moderate within the Study Area, but is part of the river
channel and wetland system |
Very small |
|
Diversity |
Moderate |
Very low |
|
Rarity |
Engineered channels are common in Hong Kong especially in the lowlands
of New Territories. Species of conservation importance recorded from this habitat include
Eurasian Teal, Black-faced Spoonbill, Yellow Bittern, Chinese Pond Heron,
Grey Heron, Great Egret, Little Egret, Great Cormorant, Black-winged Stilt,
Little Ringed Plover, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Marsh Sandpiper, Wood
Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, White-throated Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Gobiopterus macrolepis
and Greasyback Shrimp. |
Engineered channels are common in Hong Kong especially in the lowlands
of New Territories. No Species of conservation importance were recorded. |
|
Re-creatability
|
Could be recreated under suitable hydrological conditions |
Easily recreated |
|
Fragmentation |
Not fragmented |
Highly fragmented |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Hydrologically and functionally linked with nearby water channels
(YLTN, Kam Tin River, lower Shan Pui River) and
wetland habitats (tidal marsh, reedbed, mangrove and pond). |
Very little linkage as these watercourses are located well within
developed areas |
|
Potential Value |
value could further increase when vegetation along and within the
channel becomes mature |
Very low potential given the disturbed nature of the surrounding
environment |
|
Nursery/ breeding Ground |
Potentially nursery ground for invertebrates such as Greasyback Shrimp |
Not likely |
|
Age |
River training works completed in 2000 |
Not known |
|
Abundance/ richness of
wildlife |
Low in the wet season; moderate in the dry season |
Very low |
|
Ecological Value |
MODERATE |
VERY LOW |
Table 8.11 Habitat
Evaluation for old Kam Tin River
|
Criteria |
Old Kam Tin River |
|
Naturalness |
Largely natural as this section is a remnant of the original Kam Tin
River, which had been left untouched in the previous river training works.
Some human disturbances were noted from nearby villages. |
|
Size |
Small in the Study Area but is part of the river continuum |
|
Diversity |
Low to moderate |
|
Rarity |
Tidal watercourses of this level of naturalness are not common in Hong
Kong. Eurasian Teal, Chinese Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Little
Egret, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Common Greenshank, Collared Crow,
Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler were recorded. Gobiopterus macrolepis and Greasyback
Shrimp are likely to occur as well, though not recorded in the survey period. |
|
Re-creatability
|
Difficult to recreate |
|
Fragmentation |
Not considered fragmented |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Functionally and hydrologically linked with nearby water channels
(YLTN, Shan Pui River) and wetland habitats (tidal
marsh, reedbed, mangrove and pond). Also serves as a movement corridor between
the Shan Pui River and Kam Tin main channel. |
|
Potential Value |
Value could further increase if nearby human disturbances are reduced |
|
Nursery/ breeding Ground |
Potentially nursery ground for invertebrates such as Greasyback Shrimp |
|
Age |
Old |
|
Abundance/ richness of
wildlife |
Low to moderate |
|
Ecological Value |
MODERATE |
Table 8.12 Habitat
Evaluation for Pond
|
Criteria |
Abandoned Ponds to the
north of old Kam Tin River within Nam Sang Wai |
Abandoned Ponds to the
south of old Kam Tin River outside of Nam Sang Wai |
|
Naturalness |
Originally a man-made habitat created for aquaculture, but naturalness
has gradually increased following abandonment of these ponds due to
vegetation succession and reduction in human disturbance and interference |
|
|
Size |
Small in the Study Area but is part of a large wetland system in Nam
Sang Wai |
Very small |
|
Diversity |
Low |
Very low |
|
Rarity |
Fish ponds are fairly common in the northwest
New Territories but are in decline. Little Grebe, Black-crowned Night Heron, Chinese Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Great Egret and Little Egret were recorded. Chinese
Soft-shelled Turtle, Gobiopterus macrolepis
and Greasyback Shrimp are likely to occur as well. |
Fish ponds are fairly common in the northwest
New Territories but are in decline. No species of conservation importance
were recorded. |
|
Re-creatability
|
Could be recreated |
|
|
Fragmentation |
Not fragmented |
Fragmented and isolated |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Functionally linked with adjacent wetland habitats, in
particular reedbed |
No or little linkage |
|
Potential Value |
High potential value if these abandoned ponds receive active
management |
Low given the disturbed nature of the surrounding environment |
|
Nursery/ breeding Ground |
Not known to be significant |
|
|
Age |
At least 30 to 50 years judging from previous aerial photographs |
|
|
Abundance/ richness of
wildlife |
Low to moderate |
Low |
|
Ecological Value |
MODERATE |
LOW |
Table 8.13 Habitat
Evaluation for Tidal Marsh and Mangrove
|
Criteria |
Tidal Marsh |
Mangrove |
|
Naturalness |
Natural habitat established by wetland plants at channel margins |
|
|
Size |
Small within the Study Area |
|
|
Diversity |
Low to moderate |
|
|
Rarity |
Not a common habitat in Hong Kong’s context. High concentration of Mai Po Bent-winged Firefly. Other species of
conservation importance recorded include Collared Crow. |
Not a common habitat in Hong Kong’s context. High concentration of Mai Po Bent-winged Firefly. Other species of
conservation importance recorded include Striated Heron, Chinese Pond Heron,
Little Egret, Greater Coucal and Common Awl. |
|
Re-creatability
|
Difficult to recreate |
|
|
Fragmentation |
Not severely fragmented but rather small in size;
might imply a high edge effect |
|
|
Ecological Linkage |
Hydrologically and functionally linked with adjacent channels (old Kam
Tin and Shan Pui Rivers) and some linkages to the
reedbed and ponds nearby |
|
|
Potential Value |
Moderate to high if human disturbances nearby (primarily artificial
light) could be minimized for the survival of Mai Po Bent-winged Firefly |
|
|
Nursery/ breeding Ground |
Breeding ground of Mai Po Bent-winged Firefly |
|
|
Age |
At least over 30 to 50 years judging from previous aerial photographs |
|
|
Abundance/ richness of
wildlife |
Low to moderate |
|
|
Ecological Value |
MODERATE |
MODERATE |
Table 8.14 Habitat
Evaluation for Reedbed
|
Criteria |
Reedbed |
|
Naturalness |
Semi-natural habitat evolved from abandoned commercial fish ponds
through natural colonisation of reed and long-term
succession |
|
Size |
Small to moderate within the Study Area, but is part of a large
reedbed habitat spanning across the whole Nam Sang Wai area, which is an
important component of the inner Deep Bay wetland system |
|
Diversity |
Moderate |
|
Rarity |
Reedbed is not common in Hong Kong and is restricted to several
locations. Species of conservation importance recorded include Small Indian
Civet, Yellow Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Chinese Pond Heron, Grey
Heron, Purple Heron, Great Egret, Thick-billed Warbler, Pallas's Grasshopper
Warbler, Lanceolated Warbler, Chestnut-eared
Bunting, Chinese Soft-shelled Turtle, Gobiopterus macrolepis and Greasyback
Shrimp. Leopard Cat (recorded in the adjacent plantation) would also utilise the reedbed habitat. |
|
Re-creatability
|
Not impossible to recreate by planting reed in areas of suitable
hydrological conditions but could take long time to reach the current size
and maturity |
|
Fragmentation |
Not fragmented, and is one of the largest reedbed in Hong Kong and
potentially the Pearl River Delta region |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Hydrologically and functionally linked with adjacent channels (old Kam
Tin and Shan Pui Rivers) and some linkages to the
mangrove, tidal marsh and ponds nearby |
|
Potential Value |
Value could further increase by adopting ecological enhancement
measures and implementing habitat management practices |
|
Nursery/ breeding Ground |
Potential breeding ground for some wetland birds
species |
|
Age |
At least several decades |
|
Abundance/ richness of
wildlife |
Moderate |
|
Ecological Value |
MODERATE TO HIGH |
Table 8.15 Habitat
Evaluation for Shrubland
|
Criteria |
Shrubland |
|
Naturalness |
Semi-natural habitat at an early stage of natural vegetation
succession |
|
Size |
Small |
|
Diversity |
High for butterflies; low for other wildlife |
|
Rarity |
A common habitat in Hong Kong. Aquilaria
sinensis, Black-naped
Oriole, Lesser Band Dart, Pale Palm Dart, Forget-me-not, Malayan, Tiny Grass
Blue, Danaid Egg-fly and Swallowtail were recorded. |
|
Re-creatability
|
Readily recreated |
|
Fragmentation |
Fragmented by urban areas |
|
Ecological Linkage |
Very little linkage as the surrounding areas are developed and
disturbed |
|
Potential Value |
Value could increase when vegetation becomes mature under natural
succession |
|
Nursery/ breeding Ground |
Not known but could potentially be breeding ground for some butterfly
species |
|
Age |
Unknown |
|
Abundance/ richness of
wildlife |
Low to moderate |
|
Ecological Value |
LOW TO MODERATE |
Table 8.16 Habitat
Evaluation for Agricultural Land
|
Criteria |
Agricultural Land |
|
Naturalness |
Man-made habitat created for cultivation of crops |
|
Size |
Very small |
|
Diversity |
Low |
|
Rarity |
Agricultural land of this small size is common in rural areas in the
New Territories |
|
Re-creatability
|
Readily recreated |
|
Fragmentation |
Highly fragmented |
|
Ecological Linkage |
No or very little linkage |
|
Potential Value |
Very low given the small size and disturbed surroundings |
|
Nursery/ breeding Ground |
Not known |
|
Age |
Not known |
|
Abundance/ richness of
wildlife |
Very low |
|
Ecological Value |
NEGLIGIBLE |
Table 8.17 Habitat
Evaluation for Plantation
|
Criteria |
Plantation in Nam Sang
Wai |
Remaining Plantations in
the Study Area |
|
Naturalness |
Low naturalness with exotic species dominated |
|
|
Size |
Small in the Study Area |
|
|
Diversity |
Low diversity for both flora and fauna |
|
|
Rarity |
Common habitat in Hong Kong. Collared Scops
Owl, Asian Barred Owlet and Leopard Cat were recorded but are considered
transient. |
Common habitat in Hong Kong. No species of conservation importance
were recorded. |
|
Re-creatability
|
Easily recreated |
|
|
Fragmentation |
Fairly fragmented |
|
|
Ecological Linkage |
Functionally linked with wetland habitats of relatively high
ecological value. Also provides some screening effect against human
disturbances along the vehicular access road and footpath. |
Little functionally linkage as mostly adjoined by developed or
disturbed areas. |
|
Potential Value |
Low given the small size |
|
|
Nursery/ breeding Ground |
Not likely |
|
|
Age |
Not known |
|
|
Abundance/ richness of
wildlife |
Low |
|
|
Ecological Value |
LOW TO MODERATE |
LOW |
Table 8.18 Habitat
Evaluation for Developed Area
|
Criteria |
Developed Area |
|
Naturalness |
Entirely man-made habitat with high human disturbance |
|
Size |
Very large |
|
Diversity |
Very low flora and fauna diversity |
|
Rarity |
Common habitat in Hong Kong. No species of conservation importance
recorded. |
|
Re-creatability
|
Re-creatable |
|
Fragmentation |
Not fragmented |
|
Ecological Linkage |
None observed |
|
Potential Value |
Very low |
|
Nursery/ breeding Ground |
Not known |
|
Age |
Less than 50 years |
|
Abundance/ richness of
wildlife |
Very low |
|
Ecological Value |
Negligible |
Evaluation of Species
8.7.3
The ecological importance of the species of conservation
importance recorded is evaluated and presented in Table 8.19 and Table 8.20.
Table 8.19 Evaluation
for Floral Species of Conservation Importance
|
Species |
Conservation and Protection Status1 |
Distribution1 |
Rarity1 |
|
Aquilaria sinensis |
Cap. 586; Near Threatened[a]; Wild plant
under State Protection (Category II)[a]; Vulnerable[b][c] |
Commonly found in lowland forest and fung shui wood |
Common |
Note:
1.
Conservation and Protection Status,
and Status in Hong Kong refer to the below literatures.
a.
AFCD (2003);
b.
IUCN (2019);
c.
Pang et al. (2011);
Table 8.20 Evaluation
for Faunal Species of Conservation Importance
|
Species |
Conservation
and Protection Status1 |
Distribution2 |
Rarity2 |
|
Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica |
RLCV(VU); CSMPS(II); CITES(III); Cap.170; Cap.586 |
Widespread |
Very Common |
|
Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis |
RLCV(VU); CITES(II); Cap.170; Cap.586 |
Widespread |
Uncommon |
|
Eurasian Teal Anas
crecca |
RC |
Primarily in Deep Bay area |
Abundant but declining |
|
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis |
LC |
Primarily in Deep Bay area |
Common |
|
Black-faced
Spoonbill Platalea minor |
PGC; RLCV(EN); IUCN(EN); CSMPS(II) |
Deep Bay area |
Common |
|
Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis |
(LC) |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Black-crowned Night
Heron Nycticorax nycticorax |
(LC) |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Striated Heron Butorides striata |
(LC) |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus |
PRC (RC) |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea |
PRC |
Primarily in Deep Bay area |
Common |
|
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea |
RC |
Deep Bay area |
Uncommon |
|
Great Egret Ardea alba |
PRC (RC) |
Widespread |
Abundant |
|
Little Egret Egretta garzetta |
PRC (RC) |
Widespread |
Abundant |
|
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo |
PRC |
Primarily in Deep Bay area |
Abundant |
|
Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela |
(LC); RLCV(NT); CITES(II); CSMPS(II); Cap.586 |
Widespread |
Locally common |
|
Eastern Buzzard Buteo
japonicus |
CSMPS(II); CITES(II); Cap.586 |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus |
RC |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta |
RC |
Deep Bay area |
Abundant |
|
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius |
(LC) |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Pheasant-tailed
Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus |
LC; RLCV(NT) |
Restricted |
Uncommom/rare |
|
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis |
RC |
Primarily in Deep Bay area |
Abundant |
|
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola |
LC |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia |
RC |
Primarily in Deep Bay area |
Abundant |
|
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis |
CSMPS(II) |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Collared Scops Owl Otus lettia |
CITES(II); CSMPS(II); Cap.586 |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium
cuculoides |
CITES(II); CSMPS(II); Cap.586 |
Widespread |
Common |
|
White-throated
Kingfisher Halcyon
smyrnensis |
(LC) |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis |
(LC) |
Primarily in Deep Bay area |
Common |
|
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis |
LC |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Collared Crow Corvus torquatus |
LC; RLCV(NT); IUCN(VU) |
Mainly in coastal areas |
Locally Common |
|
Thick-billed Warbler Arundinax aedon |
LC |
Widespread |
Scarce |
|
Pallas's Grasshopper
Warbler Helopsaltes certhiola |
LC |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata |
RLCV(NT) |
Widespread |
Uncommon |
|
Chestnut-eared
Bunting Emberiza fucata |
LC |
Widespread |
Uncommon |
|
Chinese Soft-shelled
Turtle Pelodiscus sinensis |
GC; RLCV(EN); IUCN(VU); Cap.170 |
Locally found in reservoirs and fishponds in
Deep Bay area. |
Rare |
|
Common Awl Hasora badra |
LC |
Wu Kau Tang, Lai Chi
Wo, Hong Kong Wetland Park |
Very Rare |
|
Lesser Band Dart Potanthus trachala |
- |
Widespread |
Rare |
|
Pale Palm Dart Telicota colon |
LC |
Widespread |
Rare |
|
Forget-me-not Catochrysops strabo |
- |
Pui O, Tai Po
Kau, Fung Yuen, Shing Mun, Sha Lo Wan |
Very Rare |
|
Malayan Megisba malaya |
LC |
North Lantau Island |
Very Rare |
|
Tiny Grass Blue Zizula hylax |
- |
Lung Kwu Tan, Fung Yuen, Sha Lo Wan |
Very Rare |
|
Danaid Egg-fly Hypolimnas misippus |
LC |
Ngau Ngak Shan, Lung Kwu Tan, Hong
Kong Wetland Park, Mount Parker, Cloudy Hill, Lin Ma Hang |
Uncommon |
|
Swallowtail Papilio xuthus |
- |
Kap Lung, Ma On Shan, Tai Tam, Sha Lo Wan, Kat O, Lung Kwu Tan, Wu Kau Tang, Lung Kwu
Chau |
Rare |
|
Gobiopterus macrolepis |
RLCV(VU) |
Endemic to China; restricted to Pearl River Delta |
Unknown |
|
Greasyback Shrimp Metapenaeus ensis |
CSRL(VU) |
Widespread |
Common |
|
Mai Po
Bent-winged Firefly Pteroptyx maipo |
- |
Endemic to Hong Kong. Found in mangrove habitats in
Deep Bay area. |
Unknown |
Notes:
1.
Conservation and
protection status refers to Fellowes et al.
(2002), Red List of China’s Vertebrates (Jiang et al. 2016), China Species Red List (Wan & Xie
2004), IUCN (2019), China State Major Protection Status, CITES (2019), Cap. 170
and Cap. 586.
a. Conservation status by Fellowes et al. (2002): LC = Local Concern; PRC = Potential Regional
Concern; RC = 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.
b. Conservation status by Red List of China’s Vertebrates
(RLCV) (Jiang et al. 2016): NT = Near
Threatened; VU = Vulnerable; EN = Endangered.
c. Conservation status by China Species Red List (CSRL) (Wan
& Xie 2004): VU = Vulnerable.
d. Conservation status by IUCN (2019): NT = Near Threatened; VU
= Vulnerable; EN = Endangered.
e. Protection status by China State Major Protection Status
(CSMPS): I = Class I Protected Species in China; II = Class II Protected
Species in China.
f. Protection status by CITES (2017): II = Listed in CITES
Appendix II; III = Listed in CITES Appendix III.
g. Cap. 170. Wild Animal Protection Ordinance. All wild birds
in Hong Kong are protected under Cap. 170
h. Cap. 586 = Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and
Plants Ordinance.
2. Distribution and
rarity follow AFCD (2019), Allcock et al. (2019), Leung (1999), Vance
(1999) and Ballantyne et al.
(2011).
8.8.1
Potential ecological
impacts during the construction and operation phases of the Project are
evaluated based on the criteria stated in Table 1 in Annex 8 in EIAO-TM
and are presented below.
8.8.2
As discussed in Section 8.4.5, part of the Project
Site falls within the WBA. In order to minimize potential indirect
disturbance to the wetland habitats within WBA and WCA (e.g. Shan Pui River, old Kam Tin River) as well as associated
overwintering waterbirds and wetland-dependent
species, the construction of rising main (the only construction activity within
WBA) will be conducted outside dry season (i.e. overwintering season – November
to March) as an avoidance measure. As such, the impacts arising
from the construction of rising mains have been assessed for wet season only in
the following sections.
Habitat Loss & Habitat Fragmentation
8.8.3
Given that construction works will be undertaken
within the channelised watercourse and developed area
of low ecological value, ecological impact due to habitat loss or habitat fragmentation
is expected to be negligible. Permanent
habitat loss of ~0.02ha developed area during operation of DWF pumping station
is expected. The evaluation of ecological impact of habitat loss is presented
in Table 8.21. There will
not be any direct impact to ponds, mangrove or other wetland habitat of the
Study Area since they fall outside the Project Site.
Table 8.21 Evaluation
of Ecological Impact of Habitat Loss
|
Evaluation
Criteria |
Channelised Watercourse |
Developed Area |
|
Habitat Quality |
Low |
Low |
|
Species of Conservation Interest |
Low abundance of
Chinese Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Little
Egret and Black-winged Stilt. |
Nil |
|
Size/Abundance |
Temporary affected area is about 7.37ha. Permanent loss is negligible
(for presence of DWF interceptors) |
Temporary affected area is about 9.27ha. Permanent affected area is ~0.02ha (for DWF pumping
station) |
|
Duration |
5 months for each section of DWFI system construction |
26 months |
|
Reversibility |
Reversible |
Reversible (except for area of ~0.02ha for DWF pumping station) |
|
Magnitude |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Overall Impact Severity |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Impact on Sites of Conservation
Importance
8.8.4
The
northeastern part of the Project Site falls within
the WBA. The Project Site is also located approximately 90m away from the WCA,
Conservation Area and Priority Site for Enhanced Conservation (Deep Bay Wetland
Outside Ramsar Site) while the confluence of Kam Tin River and Shan Pui
River is over 500m away.
The wetland habitats (including mangrove, reedbed, tidal marsh and ponds) in
these ecological sensitive sites serve as important
feeding/roosting ground for migratory and overwintering waterbirds. Direct impact to these ecological sensitive sites
is not anticipated. However, the construction disturbances would cause the
deterioration of habitat quality, decrease of bird usage and subsequent
decrease in wildlife density of the wetland habitats within these sites. As these sensitive sites are hydrologically
connected with the Project Site, indirect impacts due to water quality impacts
may also arise from the construction of the Project.
8.8.5
Since the laying
of rising main along the Wang Lok Street will be carried out outside dry
season, the associated impacts will affect the wetland habitats in sites of
conservation importance (WBA, WCA, Conservation Area and
Priority Site for Enhanced Conservation) during wet season only in which
normally less over-wintering waterbirds occur
compared with dry season. In addition, the mainlaying
works is small in scale and mainly within the highly disturbed existing road. As such, the indirect construction
disturbance due to laying of rising main during wet season to the wetland
habitats in sites of conservation importance is expected to be minor.
8.8.6
The
construction of DWFI system will be carried out within the existing YLTN only
which is at least 80m away from the WBA and over 500m from the WCA,
Conservation Area, Priority Site for Enhanced Conservation and the confluence of Kam
Tin River and Shan Pui River. The wetland habitats in
the sites of conservation importance will be affected by the water quality
impacts arising from the construction works but construction disturbance is
considered minor given the long distance.
8.8.7
As presented in
Sections 6.6.1-8, it is expected that construction works of the Project will
not lead to any unacceptable water quality impacts with proper implementation
of mitigation measures. As such, unacceptable indirect impacts to
ecological sensitive areas are not expected to occur. The evaluation of the
impact on sites of conservation importance are summarized in Table 8.22.
Table 8.22 Evaluation
of Ecological Impacts on Sites of Conservation Importance
|
Evaluation Criteria |
Description |
|
Habitat Quality |
Moderate to high |
|
Species |
Wetland faunal species of conservation concern |
|
Size/Abundance |
Within 500m Study Area WBA: 58.5 ha (within Project Boundary:
2.2 ha) WCA: 35.8 ha Conservation Area: 5.2 ha Priority Site for Enhanced Conservation: 34.6 ha |
|
Duration |
Temporary |
|
Reversibility |
Reversible |
|
Magnitude |
Minor |
|
Overall Impact
Severity |
Minor |
Impact on Species of Conservation Importance
8.8.8
A young seedling of protected tree Aquilaria sinensis was recorded in
shrubland within 500m Study Area and 300m away from the Project Boundary. No
ecological impact on the floral species of conservation importance is
anticipated.
8.8.9
Four bird species of conservation importance (i.e. Chinese
Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Little Egret and Black-winged Stilt) were identified in
YTLN within the Project Area. They may be affected by the noise and water
quality impacts arising from the Project. As their abundance within the Project
Area is rather low and the YLTN is not the major feeding/roosting habitat for
the birds, the impact on the bird species is expected to
be minor.
8.8.10
Total of 2 mammal species, 32 bird species, 1 reptile
species, 8 butterfly species, 1 fish species, 1 aquatic invertebrate species
and 1 firefly species of conservation importance are identified within the 500m
Study Area. Those butterfly species found in the shrubland to the west of the
Project Site would be subject to noise disturbance from construction activity.
However, as the shrubland is approximate 200m away from the Project boundary,
the indirect noise impact is considered as minimal. Those species found in the
wetland habitats downstream and nearby, in particular birds
at Yuen Long Town Nullah Section 4 and Shan Pui
River, would be indirectly affected by human disturbance, dust, noise and water
quality impacts during construction phase. As the construction works of DWFI
system and DWF pumping station will be carried out away from those species in
the wetland habitats, associated indirect impacts are expected to be minimal. Disturbance
to bird species of conservation importance due to construction of rising main
is also largely avoided as the works will be conducted outside dry season.
Given the relatively small scale of works and with proper implementation of
mitigation measures for air quality, noise and water quality recommended in
Sections 4.8, 5.8 and 6.7, no unacceptable indirect impacts on fauna species of
conservation importance is anticipated.
8.8.11
Wetland habitats provide potential foraging ground for breeding
egrets and herons. Considering no wetland habitat loss, the construction of
rising main in small scale and other construction works away from the wetland
habitats, no unacceptable impacts on breeding egrets and herons foraging in
nearby wetland habitats is expected during construction.
8.8.12
The evaluation of the ecological impacts on the species of
conservation importance is summarized in Table 8.23.
Table 8.23 Evaluation
of Ecological Impacts on Species of Conservation Importance
|
Evaluation Criteria |
Within Project Site |
Within Study Area |
|
Species of
conservation importance |
4 bird species |
1 floral species, 2 mammal species, 32 bird species, 1 reptile
species, 8 butterfly species, 1 fish species, 1 aquatic invertebrate species,
and 1 firefly species |
|
Abundance |
Low |
Moderate |
|
Duration |
Temporary |
Temporary |
|
Reversibility |
Reversible |
Reversible |
|
Magnitude |
Minor |
Minor |
|
Overall Impact Severity |
Minor |
Minor |
Artificial Lighting/Glare
8.8.13
Artificial lighting/glare could also affect light
sensitive wildlife including the Bent-winged Firefly, the birds and wildlife
roosting at night at the wetland habitats to the northeast of the Project Site.
8.8.14
Since the
Project will not involve any night time activities and additional lighting
requirement during its construction, unacceptable impacts from these activities
are thus not expected to occur.
Potential Changes in Hydrodynamic Conditions
8.8.15
During operation, dry weather flow from the Town
Centre section, upstream San Hui Nullah and East Nullah, with an expected
total flow rate of 600 m3/day, 1,000 m3/day and 16,300 m3/day
respectively, will be intercepted by the proposed DWFI system for treatment.
Up to 18,000 m3/day of the intercepted flow will be conveyed to YLEPP
for treatment. The average flow rate on the section of YLTN between the
southern boundary of the Project Site and the YLEPP (i.e. where the treated
effluent will be released nearby) would thus be reduced during the operation of
the Project, thereby reducing the amount of freshwater input to downstream
ecological receiver (i.e. the small patch of fringing mangroves located at the northern end
of the Study Area; Figure 8.2). It has been shown that increases in salinity
can decrease mangrove net primary productivity, growth and seedling survival
and may possibly change competition between mangrove species (Mitra,
2013). Reduced freshwater input can also
increase the soil salinity in tidal wetlands, potentially converting brackish
marshes to saltmarshes or freshwater marshes to brackish ones (Palaima, 2012). However, the Shan Pui
and Kam Tin Rivers are joined to Deep Bay and the lower reaches are tidally
influenced and can be expected to boast estuarine or near marine salinities at
high tide (the Inner Deep Bay station DM1, closest to the Study Area, had
salinity varies from 0.2 – 29.5 psu (average value
16.8 psu) when measured over the past years i.e.
1986-2017 (EPD,
2017)). As the mangrove area within
the Study Area experiences high salinity for part of each day, the reduction in
freshwater input resulting from Project operation is not likely to cause any
unacceptable detrimental impacts to the mangroves and thus to sensitive or protected
species utilizing them.
8.8.16
In addition, it is estimated that interception of the
DWF to the YLTN would only lead to a reduction of 3-4% of total volume of water
to the section of Shan Pui River near the confluence
with Kam Tin River, where key ecological habitat is identified (please refer to
Section 6.6.19). Given this small
percentage of reduction in freshwater input, the associated change in
sedimentation rate and pattern of Shan Pui River due
to water flow reduction is expected to be minimal. Thus, unacceptable associated
indirect impact to the confluence of Kam Tin River and Shan Pui
River and sensitive habitat of the area is not expected to occur.
Potential Beneficial Impact due to Water Quality Improvement
8.8.17
During the operation of the Project, up to 18,000 m3/day
of the polluted DWF in the YLTN, originally towards Shan Pui
River and subsequently to Inner Deep Bay, will be intercepted and conveyed to YLEPP
for treatment to reduce the level of pollutants such as SS, BOD, TN, TP and E. coli. The ecological sensitives areas
and wildlife at downstream could be potentially benefited from the improvement
of water quality of the watercourses.
Potential Impacts from Discharge of Treated/Untreated
Effluent
8.8.18
The intercepted DWF will be treated in YLEPP and the
treated effluent will be discharged to Shan Pui River
and eventually to Deep Bay. As discussed in Section 8.8.17, the interception and
treatment of the polluted DWF would improve the water quality of watercourses
and it is ecologically beneficial to the downstream ecological sensitive areas.
As UV disinfection will be adopted in YLEPP, no pollution of residual chlorine,
which is harmful to aquatic lives, or other residuals from treated effluent is
expected. Regarding to the emergency discharge of untreated effluent, as the
intercepted DWF is originally discharged to Shan Pui
River without treatment, no increase of pollution load to the downstream watercourses
is expected. On the other hand, temporary discharge of untreated polluted DWF
at Shan Pui River may lead to short-term water
quality deterioration at Shan Pui River and indirect
impacts to the downstream ecological sensitive areas. However, water quality
conditions would quickly recover once after the termination of emergency
discharge given the dilution effect with flowing brackish water along Shan Pui River. According to the EIA report of
the YLEPP, the existing YLSTW is operated with high reliability without any
record of emergency discharge due to power failure or equipment breakdown. As
such, no
unacceptable ecological impact due to the discharge of treated/untreated
effluent is expected.
Potential Water Quality Impacts from Maintenance Works during
Operation
8.8.19
During the maintenance works for the DWFI system, there
would be possible increases in SS due to disturbance of nullah bed material and
subsequently increased sedimentation onto the nullah bed. These changes are
expected to be short-term and occur only within the area of maintenance works
and for a short distance downstream. As presented in Sections 6.6.15 and 6.6.16,
it is expected that maintenance works of the Project will not lead to any
unacceptable water quality impacts due to the small-scale and temporary
nature. As such, unacceptable indirect
impacts to ecological sensitive receivers are not expected to occur.
Construction Phase
8.9.1
As mentioned in Section 8.8.2, the construction of rising
main shall be conducted outside dry season (i.e. November to March) as an avoidance
measure, in order to minimize potential indirect disturbance to the wetland
habitats within WBA and WCA (e.g. Shan Pui River, old
Kam Tin River) as well as associated overwintering waterbirds
and wetland-dependent species.
8.9.2
With implementation of mitigation measures for air quality,
noise and water quality stipulated in Sections 4.8, 5.8 and 6.7, no
unacceptable adverse ecological impact arising from the Project during construction
phase is anticipated.
Operation Phase
8.9.3
As adverse ecological impact is
not expected, no specific ecological mitigation measure is necessary during
operation phase of the Project.
8.10.1
The following developments will be constructed and
operated concurrently with the Project.
·
Yuen Long Barrage Scheme
(YLBS);
·
Elevated
Pedestrian Corridor in Yuen Long Town Connecting with Long Ping Station (EPC);
·
Housing Sites in
Yuen Long South (HSYLS); and
·
Yuen Long Effluent
Polishing Plant (YLEPP)
8.10.2
The construction period of YLBS will overlap with that of the
Project during 2021 to 2026. The proposed barrage falls within WBA near the
boundary of WCA and offsite ecological impact to wetland and fishponds may
arise from human activities, dust, noise, lighting, runoff or effluent
discharge during construction. During operational phase, offsite impacts on
ecology in wetland and fishponds due to proposed diversion of additional flow
from YLTN are anticipated. The impacts will be further studied
and proper mitigation measures will be recommended in the EIA study.
8.10.3
The construction period of EPC will overlap with that of the
Project during 2021 to 2025. According to the EIA Report, the major ecological
impact is potential water quality deterioration due to run-off from works area
to the nullah which in turn to the recognized sites of conservation importance
in the downstream. No significant adverse impact is anticipated during
construction after implementation of mitigation measures. During operational
phase, increased pedestrian flow may cause disturbance to the avifauna but the impact is considered to be low as the species
observed in the area are well adapted to human disturbance in developed area.
8.10.4
The project area of HSYLS will not encroach but in close
vicinity to the Project Site of the YLTN Project. As the southern part of the
Study Area was highly developed area with very low ecological value, no
cumulative ecological impacts with the HSYLS project is expected.
8.10.5
The construction period of YLEPP will overlap with that of
the Project during 2021 to 2026. According to the EIA Report, potential direct
impacts on natural habitats and recognised sites of conservation importance and
natural habitats would be avoided through confinement of construction works
within the boundary of the existing YLSTW. Noise disturbance from construction
works to the birds will be minimized through scheduling noisy activities
outside dry season. With the implementation of mitigation measures, no
unacceptable adverse residual impacts would be expected. As the YLEPP Project
is located about 1000m away from the Project Area and no unacceptable adverse
residual impacts would be expected, no unacceptable cumulative ecological
impacts are anticipated.
8.10.6
In consideration of no significant ecological impact arising
from the Project during both construction and operational phases, unacceptable
adverse cumulative ecological impacts during both construction and operational
phases are not anticipated.
8.11.1 With the proposed avoidance/mitigation
measures in place, unacceptable adverse ecological impacts due to
implementation of the Project are not anticipated to occur.
8.12.1
With proper implementation of the avoidance/mitigation
measures recommended in Section 8.9, unacceptable ecological impacts within the
Study Area arising from the Project are not expected to occur.
8.12.2
Therefore, ecological monitoring and audit programme is considered
not necessary for this Project.
8.13.1
A literature review and ecological field surveys have
been conducted. The ecological
resources recorded within the Study Area included ten habitats (agricultural
land, channelized watercourse, developed area, shrubland, mangrove, plantation,
pond, reedbed, semi-natural watercourse and tidal marsh) of which two occurred in the Project Site (i.e. channelized watercourse and developed area). Total of 1 floral species and 46 faunal species
of conservation importance have been identified within the 500m Study Area.
Among them, four bird species were recorded within the Project Area.
8.13.2
Given that construction
works is temporary in nature and of relatively small scale, and all the construction works will be confined
within the channelized watercourse and developed area with low ecological
values, with the implementation of the proposed avoidance/mitigation measures
such as scheduling the construction
of rising main within WBA outside dry season, implementation of mitigation
measures for water quality control as detailed in Section 6.7 and good site
practices,
unacceptable adverse ecological impact is thus not anticipated during construction.
8.13.3
Unacceptable ecological impacts are also not anticipated
during operation of the Project given the small-scale and temporary nature of
the maintenance works as well as the small percentage of reduction in
freshwater input to Shan Pui River due to the DWF
interception. The ecological sensitives areas and wildlife at downstream could
be potentially benefited from the improvement of water quality of Shan Pui River and Inner Deep Bay.
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