8 ecology (Terrestrial)

8.1 Introduction

8.1.1.1 This chapter presents an assessment of potential impacts on ecological resources within the assessment area, and the results of assessment of the potential ecological impacts from the construction and operation of the proposed development of Revised Trunk Road T4 (T4). According to the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM), the baseline conditions for the ecological components of the terrestrial environment were evaluated based on information from available literature and field surveys conducted for the purposes of this EIA. The potential impacts on any ecologically sensitive receivers within the assessment area were assessed. Measures required to mitigate any identified adverse impacts were recommended, where appropriate, and residual impacts were assessed.

8.2 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Criteria

8.2.1.1 This assessment makes reference to the following Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government ordinances, regulations, standards, guidelines, and documents when identifying ecological importance of habitats and species, evaluating and assessing potential impacts of the Project on the ecological resources:

· Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499), and its subsidiary legislation, which provides guidelines on the environmental impact assessment process;

· Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM) Annex 8, which recommends the criteria to be used for evaluating habitat and ecological impact;

· EIAO-TM Annex 16, which sets out the general approach and methodology for assessment of ecological impacts arising from a project or proposal, to allow a complete and objective identification, prediction and evaluation of the potential ecological impacts;

· EIAO Guidance Note No. 3/2010 Flexibility and Enforceability of Mitigation Measures Proposed in an Environmental Impact Assessment Report, which provides guiding principles on the approach to assess the recommended environmental mitigation measures in EIA reports;

· EIAO Guidance Note No. 7/2010 Ecological Baseline Survey for Ecological Assessment, which provides general guidelines for conducting ecological baseline surveys in order to fulfil requirements stipulated in the EIAO-TM.

· EIAO Guidance Note No. 10/2010 Methodologies for Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecological Baseline Surveys, which introduces some methodologies in conducting terrestrial and freshwater ecological baseline surveys in order to fulfil requirements stipulated in the EIAO-TM;

· Country Parks Ordinance (Cap. 208), which provides for the designation and management of country parks and special areas. Country Parks are designated for the purpose of nature conservation, countryside recreation and outdoor education. Special areas are created mainly for the purpose of nature conservation.

· Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96), which prohibits felling, cutting, burning or destroying of trees and growing plants in forests and plantations on Government land. Related subsidiary regulations prohibit the selling or possession of listed, restricted and protected plant species.

· Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170), under which the designated wild animals are protected from being hunted, whilst their nests and eggs are protected from injury, destruction and removal. All birds and most mammals, including marine cetaceans, are protected under this Ordinance.

· Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), which gives effect to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Hong Kong. It restricts the import and export of species listed in CITES Appendices so as to protect wildlife from overexploitation or extinction. The Ordinance is primarily related to controlling trade in threatened and endangered species and restricting the local possession of them.

· Town Planning Ordinance (Cap. 131), which provides for the designation of Coastal Protection Areas, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Conservation Area, Country Park, Green Belt or other specified uses that promote conservation or protection of the environment.

· Chapter 10 of the Hong Kong Planning Standard and Guidelines (HKPSG), which covers planning considerations relevant to conservation. This chapter details the principles of conservation, the conservation of natural landscape and habitats, historic buildings, archaeological sites and other antiquities. It also describes enforcement issues. The appendices list the legislation and administrative controls for conservation, other conservation related measures in Hong Kong and Government departments involved in conservation.

· Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 358) – aims to control water pollution in waters of Hong Kong. WCZs are designated with individual water quality objective to promote the conservation and best use of those waters in the public interest

· Development Bureau (DEVB) TC(W) No. 4/2020 Tree Preservation – sets out the policy on tree preservation, and the procedures for control of tree felling, transplanting and pruning in Government projects.

· Drainage Services Department Practice Note No. 1/2015 Guidelines on Environmental and Ecological Considerations for River Channel Design – presents the environmental considerations that should be taken into account and incorporated whenever practicable in design of river channels.

· Environment, Transport and Works Bureau (ETWB) Technical Circular (Works) No. 5/2005 Protection of Natural Streams/rivers from Adverse Impacts Arising from Construction Works – provide guidelines for the planning and execution of construction works and for the vetting of public and private development proposals that affect natural rivers and streams, i.e. including those not classified as environmentally sensitive.

8.2.1.2 This section also makes reference to the following international conventions and national legislation:

· The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, which provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on taxa that have been evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This system is designed to determine the relative risk of extinction, and the main purpose of the IUCN Red List is to catalogue and highlight those taxa that are facing a higher risk of global extinction. The IUCN Red List also includes information on taxa that are either close to meeting the threatened thresholds or that would be threatened were it not for an ongoing taxon-specific conservation programme.

· The List of Wild Plants and Wild Animals Under Special State Protection – lists detailed Class I and Class II key protected animals and plant species under Legislation of Mainland China. The list was last updated in February 2003.

· The Convention on Biological Diversity (the CBD), which opened for signature at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 with three main objectives: to conserve biodiversity, to ensure sustainable use of the components of biodiversity, and to share the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources in a fair and equitable manner. There are currently over 190 Parties to the Convention, including China. In May 2011, the CBD was formally extended to Hong Kong. The Environment Bureau and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department have embarked on an exercise to develop a city-level Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) under the CBD.

8.3 Assessment Methodology

8.3.1 Assessment Area

8.3.1.1 In accordance with Clause 3.4.9.2 of the EIA Study Brief No. ESB-315/2019, the assessment area for the purpose of the terrestrial ecology shall include areas within 500 m distance from the boundary of the Project site and areas likely to be impacted by the Project (refer to Figure 8.1.1 and Figure 8.1.2).

8.3.2 Literature Review

8.3.2.1 The ecological characteristics of the assessment area were identified through a comprehensive review of the available literature, as shown in Table 8.1 below.

Table 8.1 Baseline Information of Ecological Resources in the Assessment Area

Relevant Literature	Terrestrial Ecology
Relevant Literature	Habitat and Vegetation	Avifauna	Butterfly	Odonate	Herpetofauna	Mammal	Freshwater Communities
(1) Trunk Road T4 in Sha Tin – EIA Report (CEDD, 2004)	ü	ü		ü		ü	ü
(2) Data extracted from 2002 – 2019 Territory-wide long-term monitoring survey on major taxon groups (AFCD, 2019a (unpublished data))		ü	ü		ü	ü	ü
(3) Hong Kong Biodiversity Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Newsletter (AFCD, 2006)					ü	ü
(4) Hong Kong Biodiversity Database (AFCD, 2019b)				ü	ü	ü

8.3.3 Ecological Survey Methodology

8.3.3.1 Based on review of the findings of relevant studies and available information, ecological surveys were carried out to fill information gaps identified, verify the information collected, and to fulfil the requirements of the EIA Study according to the EIA Study Brief No. ESB-315/2019. A six-month programme of ecological field surveys (covering both dry and wet seasons) was undertaken from August 2019 to January 2020. Table 8.2 summarizes the survey programme. The methodologies adopted for the ecological surveys are described below.

Table 8.2 Ecological Survey Programme

Survey	Wet Season		Dry Season
Survey	Aug 2019	Sep 2019	Oct 2019*	Nov 2019	Dec 2019	Jan 2020
Habitat and Vegetation	✓			✓
Avifauna (Day)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Avifauna (Night)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Flight Line and Flight Height	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Ardeid Night Roost and Pre-Roost	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Butterfly and Odonate	✓	✓		✓
Herpetofauna (Day)	✓	✓		✓
Herpetofauna (Night)	✓	✓		✓
Mammal (Day)	✓	✓			✓
Mammal (Night)	✓	✓			✓
Freshwater Communities	✓	✓		✓

Note:
The ticks (✓) denote the timing of the surveys for the faunal or floral groups assessed under the Project.
* Transitional month

Habitat Mapping and Vegetation Survey

8.3.3.2 Based on the review of aerial photographs, the latest countryside series maps and previous literature, terrestrial habitats within the assessment area were preliminary identified, sized and mapped. A habitat map of suitable scale (1:5000) showing the types and locations of terrestrial habitats within the assessment area was prepared accordingly. Ground truthing exercise of the assessment area was undertaken in accessible areas and paths of different habitat types (as per the walk transects presented in Figure 8.1.1 and Figure 8.1.2) to check and verify each identified habitat, with particular attention on the Project site. During habitat surveys, ecological characteristics of each habitat type, including size, vegetation type, species presence, dominant species found, species diversity and abundance, community structure, ecological value and inter-dependence of the habitats and species, and presence of any features of ecological importance were defined and characterized. Binoculars were used to observe ecological structure of inaccessible areas. Representative photographs of the habitat types and/or any important ecological features identified were taken.

8.3.3.3 Vegetation surveys were conducted by direct observation to record diversity and dominance of plant species present in different habitat types. The location of any plant species of conservation importance was recorded. Identification of flora species and status in Hong Kong was made with reference to Corlett et al. (2000), Hu et al. (2003), Hong Kong Herbarium (2012), and Hong Kong Herbarium and South China Botanical Garden (2007; 2008; 2009; 2011).

Avifauna Survey

8.3.3.4 The presence and abundance of avifauna species at various habitats were recorded visually and aurally. Avifauna within the assessment area was surveyed quantitatively using transect count method (refer to Figure 8.1.1 and Figure 8.1.2 for walk transects). The location of any avifauna species of conservation importance encountered was recorded, along with notable behaviour (e.g. breeding behaviour such as nesting and presence of recently fledged juveniles, roosting, and feeding activities). Ornithological nomenclature in this report follows Carey et al. (2001), Viney et al. (2005) and the most recently updated list from the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society.

Flight Line and Flight Height Survey

8.3.3.5 The surveys assessed ardeids flight line and flight height as to identify whether they would fly over the Project site and their potential foraging habitats in the assessment area. The flight line surveys were undertaken at two vantage point (VP1 and VP2) (refer Figure 8.1.1 and Figure 8.1.2) continuously for two hours during the period of peak activity, which starts around sunrise. During the surveys, any ardeids seen flying over the proposed dual 2-lane flyover across SMRC were watched to record the flight path and, as far as possible, the distance flown. The flight line of ardeid individuals was followed by means of binoculars to identify their landing locations, wherever possible. For ardeids fly out of sight prior to landing, the location at which they were lost from sight was recorded. The flight height of ardeids within +45 mPD from the proposed dual 2-lane flyover were also recorded. The vantage points of flight height survey were the same as that for flight line survey.

Ardeid Night Roost and Pre-Roost Survey

8.3.3.6 Ardeid night roost and pre-roost surveys were conducted to identify and record the existing and potential night roost and pre-roost sites of ardeid along SMRC, bank areas, and etc. Direct observation was made from two vantage points (VP3 and VP4) (refer to Figure 8.1.1 and Figure 8.1.2) on both sides of SMRC. Species, abundance, returning time and flight route were recorded. The tree species that used for night roost by ardeids was identified and located. The surveys were started from approximately an hour before sunset and lasted until nightfall.

Butterfly and Odonate Survey

8.3.3.7 Butterflies and odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) within the assessment area were surveyed. Larvae and pupae of butterflies were actively searched. For odonates, special attention was given to their potential habitats such as watercourses and ponds. The surveys were conducted at suitable weather condition to avoid overcast weather when the butterfly and odonate were less active. All species observed were identified to species level. Relative abundance of butterfly, dragonfly and damselfly were recorded. Nomenclature of butterfly follows Lo and Hui (2010) and nomenclature of dragonfly and damselfly follows Tam et al. (2011).

Herpetofauna Survey

8.3.3.8 Herpetofauna (i.e. reptiles and amphibians) within the assessment area was surveyed. All potential microhabitats (e.g. stones, crevices or underneath of rotten logs) were actively searched and examined. Any over-turned rocks/objects during the search were returned to their original location and orientation. In addition to active searching, observation of exposed, basking or foraging reptiles was recorded. Active searching for eggs and tadpoles of amphibians in aquatic habitats were also conducted to identify the presence of any breeding activities. Owing to the nocturnal behaviour of most herpetofauna species, night-time surveys were also conducted. All reptiles and amphibians, in any life forms, sighted were recorded. Nomenclature of amphibian and reptile follows Chan et al. (2005) and Karsen et al. (1998), respectively.

Mammal Survey

8.3.3.9 Surveys were conducted in areas which might potentially be utilized by terrestrial mammals. Since most mammal 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). Mammal identification was made as accurate as possible from the field signs encountered. In addition, any mammal directly observed was identified. Night-time surveys were conducted to supplement the findings from day-time surveys. Flying mammals (e.g. bat species) were also taken into account during the mammal survey. Bat surveys were undertaken by an experienced surveyor equipped with an ultrasonic bat detector. All bat calls were recorded for later analysis using computer software. The bat species were also located by direct sighting and field observation (e.g. their behaviours such as flying pattern and height, size of bat species, nearby habitats, etc.) was recorded to aid in the identification of the bat species. Nomenclature of mammal follows Shek (2006).

Freshwater Communities Survey

8.3.3.10 Freshwater communities were surveyed via direct observation, active searching and kick sampling with the aid of hand net at permanently-flowing streams within the assessment area. The freshwater communities survey was conducted at representative sampling locations and along streams, as far as possible (see Figure 8.1.1 and Figure 8.1.2). Rocks within the streams were turned over to locate any aquatic animals beneath. Kick sampling was used to survey benthic macroinvertebrates in shallow fast-flowing streams. Macroinvertebrates in the stream bed were dislodged by kicking for a fixed time period (e.g. 3 minutes) and a hand net with 0.5 mm mesh size was placed in water with the net mouth facing the water current to collect the organisms along the stream (EPD, 2011). Organisms encountered were recorded and identified to the lowest possible taxon level. Rocks were returned to their original orientation after the survey. All organisms collected were released to the point of collection after identification. No unnecessary stress was exerted on the stream organisms during the survey. Nomenclature of freshwater fish and invertebrate communities follows Dudgeon (2003) and Lee et al. (2004), respectively.

8.4 Evaluation of Conservation Importance/ Value and Impact Significance

8.4.1 Conservation Importance/Value

8.4.1.1 Impact significance is a product of the magnitude and scale of an impact, and the conservation importance/value of the species or habitat(s) likely to be affected. Evaluation of ecological importance of the species and habitat(s) associated with the assessment area was based on the criteria outlined in Tables 2 and 3 of the EIAO-TM Annex 8.

8.4.1.2 Table 2 of Annex 8 (EIAO-TM) specifies criteria for evaluating the importance of a site/habitat. This includes: Naturalness; Size; Diversity; Rarity; Re-creatability; Fragmentation; Ecological Linkage; Potential Value; Nursery/Breeding Ground; Age; and Abundance/Richness of Wildlife. These criteria have been considered when evaluating the importance of habitats recorded within the assessment area.

8.4.1.3 Table 3 of Annex 8 (EIAO-TM) specifies three criteria by which species conservation importance may be measured:

· Protection status (local – Hong Kong; China; or international), making special reference to legally protected species and/or those under international conventions for conservation;

· Geographical distribution, with higher conservation value afforded to species with more restricted geographical ranges (locally or regionally). More weight shall be given to species which are endemic to Hong Kong or South China; and

· Rarity, with higher conservation value afforded to species which are internationally “rare” than to species which are only regionally or locally “rare”.

8.4.1.4 For the purpose of this ecological assessment, species protection status is based on local, China and international, standards and guidelines, outlined in Section 8.2 above.

8.4.1.5 The assessment of faunal restrictedness and rarity has been based on the assessment by Fellowes et al. (2002), PRC and international legislation and publications (e.g. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). Fellowes et al. (2002) examines the local (Hong Kong), regional (South China) and global restrictedness of native fauna species occurring in a wild state in Hong Kong, combined with an assessment of the vulnerability of populations, using the most reliable and up to date information available at the time of writing, and assigns a rating to each species accordingly. The following ratings are assessed: Local Concern (LC), Regional Concern (RC) and Global Concern (GC).

8.4.1.6 Some species are considered to be relatively secure in Hong Kong at present, but since the Hong Kong population is of regional or global importance, all Hong Kong localities are of potential regional and global importance, respectively. These species were therefore assigned as either Potential Regional Concern (PRC) or Potential Global Concern (PGC).

8.4.1.7 The Fellowes et al. (2002) assessment also considers restrictedness in nesting and/or roosting sites of species. For the purpose of this ecological impact assessment, species would be assessed as of having conservation importance, if they were recorded nesting/roosting within the assessment area during the surveys.

8.4.2 Impact Significance

8.4.2.1 The potential ecological impacts arising from the Project were assessed following the criteria outlined in Table 1 of the EIAO-TM Annex 8. This included:

· Habitat Quality – particular emphasis was given to the evaluation of habitats;

· Species – particular emphasis was given to the evaluation of species importance;

· Size/abundance – impacts of greater significance generally result where a larger habitat area or greater species numbers are affected;

· Duration – short-term and long-term impacts;

· Reversibility – consideration of temporary reversible and permanent irreversible impacts; and

· Magnitude – consideration of the magnitude and scale of the Project element.

8.4.2.2 This also included consideration of direct, indirect, secondary, cumulative, adverse and beneficial impacts of the proposed development on the ecological resources.

8.5 Description of the Environment

8.5.1 Recognized Sites of Conservation Importance

Lion Rock Country Park

8.5.1.1 Lion Rock Country Park (LRCP) is situated in the upland region between North Kowloon and Shatin, and east of Kam Shan Country Park. Part of the Project boundary and assessment area, located at south of Sha Tin Road and west of Shui Chuen O Estate, falls within the north-eastern part of LRCP (refer to Figure 8.1.2). LRCP was designated in 1977 and covers a total area of 557 ha. Approximately 25.32 ha LRCP (including 10.25 ha woodland, 0.96 ha mixed woodland, 7.62 ha plantation, 4.89 ha shrubland, 1.28 ha developed area, 0.27 ha natural watercourse and 0.05 ha modified watercourse) falls within the assessment area. Approximately 1.07 ha LRCP (including 0.88 ha woodland and, 0.19 ha mixed woodland) falls within the Project boundary south of Sha Tin Road. LRCP comprises a narrow mountain range and the southern slopes are covered with thin vegetation, while the northern slopes are nourished by abundant streams and with rich diversity of flora (AFCD, 2019c).

8.5.1.2 LRCP contains various native plant species, including Chinese Red Pine (Pinus massoniana), Chinese Hackberry (Celtis sinensis), Ivy Tree (Schefflera heptaphylla) and various Melastoma species. Flora species of conservation importance Incense Tree (Aquilaria sinensis) and Chinese New Year Flower (Enkianthus quinqueflorus) were also recorded. Fauna species of conservation importance occurring in the LRCP included avifauna Black Kite (Milvus migrans), White-throated Rock Thrush (Monticola gularis), reptile Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko), odonate Club-tailed Cruiser (Macromia urania), and Tawny Hooktail (Paragomphus capricornis) (AFCD, 2006; 2019c).

8.5.1.3 The woodland was relatively natural and supported trees such as Taiwan Acacia (Acacia confusa), Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii), Ivy Tree, Brisbane Box (Tristania conferta) and Paper-bark Tree (Melaleuca cajuputi cumingiana). Patches of grassland or shrubby grassland are distributed at the upper hillslope behind Tsok Pok Hang San Tsuen which partially fall within LRCP (CEDD, 2004).

8.5.2 Literature Review

Habitat and Vegetation

8.5.2.1 The previous study area of the EIA for Trunk Road T4 (CEDD, 2004) largely overlaps with the current assessment area. Ten habitats were identified, namely secondary woodland, shrubland, shrubby grassland, grassland, plantation, abandoned agricultural land, developed area, urban park, natural watercourse and modified watercourses.

8.5.2.2 The secondary woodland mainly established on hillslopes within the study area. Woodlands located south to Sha Tin Road (within LRCP) and north to Shing Mun Tunnel Road (SMTR) were relatively natural and supported high floral diversity. Flora species recorded within these woodlands included Taiwan Acacia, Slash Pine, Ivy Tree, Brisbane Box and Paper-bark Tree. The ecological value of these woodlands was considered as moderate. Other woodlands were more disturbed and only support low floral diversity, with common Longan (Dimocarpus longan), Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa) and Bambusa species recorded. The ecological value of these woodlands was considered as low.

8.5.2.3 Two patches of woodlands were recorded near Sha Tin Wai with some mature trees up to 20 m height. These woodlands were relatively natural and contained high floral diversity. Common tree species including Chinese Banyan, Chinese Hackberry and Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum camphora) were recorded. The ecological value of this habitat was considered as low to moderate.

8.5.2.4 The shrubland was established on the hillslope to the north of SMTR. It was relatively natural and supported moderate floral diversity. This habitat was dominated by typical shrub species such as the Shining Eurya (Eurya japonica var. nitida) and Blood-red Melastoma (Melastoma sanguineum). One flora species of conservation importance, Small Persimmon, was recorded in this habitat (refer to Table 8.3). The ecological value of this shrubland was considered as moderate. Patches of grassland or shrubby grassland are distributed at the upper hillslope behind Tsok Pok Hang San Tsuen which partially fall within LRCP.

8.5.2.5 Patches of plantations were identified along roadside and on hillslopes, with common tree species such as Chinese Hackberry, Pop-gun Seed (Bridelia tomentosa), Taiwan Acacia and Lebbeck Tree (Albizia lebbeck) recorded. Two flora species of conservation importance, Butulang Canthium (Canthium dicoccum) and Ailanthus (Ailanthus fordii), was recorded in roadside plantations east to Sha Tin Tau Village (refers to Table 8.3). The ecological value of plantation along the SMTR was considered as moderate due to its connection with natural habitats nearby, while the ecological value of remaining plantations was considered as low. The urban park (i.e. Sha Tin Park) was mostly covered by plantation species and including White Jade Orchid Tree (Michelia x alba) and Kwai-Fah (Osmanthus fragrans).

8.5.2.6 The lower section of the Kwun Yam Shan Stream was channelized, while the upper section is relatively natural, less disturbed and falls within LRCP. Riparian vegetation including Pear-fruit Fig (Ficus pyriformis), Big Bract Day-flower (Commelina paludosa) and Dichotomy Forked Fern (Dicranopteris pedata) were recorded in the upper section. SMRC was channelized with concrete bank and embankment, with no flora species recorded. The ecological value of the channelized section was considered as low, while the upper section of Kwun Yam Shan Stream was considered as moderate. The ecological value of shrubby grassland and grassland were considered as low to moderate, while for abandoned agricultural land was considered as low.

Table 8.3 Plant Species of Conservation Importance Previously Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name (Scientific Name)	Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Protection Status	Habitats Recorded
Small Persimmon (Diospyros vaccinioides)	Very common	Critically Endangered ⁽²⁾; Endangered ⁽³⁾	Shrubland
Butulang Canthium (Canthium dicoccum)	Common	Vulnerable ⁽²⁾	Plantation
Ailanthus (Ailanthus fordii)	Rare; also widely cultivated as roadside trees and ornamental trees ⁽³⁾	Cap. 96 ⁽²⁾	Plantation

Notes:

(1) Wu and Lee (2000); Xing and Chau. (2000); Siu (2000).

(2) IUCN (2020).

(3) Qin et al. (2017).

Fauna

Avifauna

8.5.2.7 According to CEDD (2004), avifauna species recorded within the assessment area were common and widespread species, such as Red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), Chinese Bulubl (Pycnonotus sinensis), Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), Oriental Magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis). One avifauna species of conservation importance, Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum), was previously recorded within the assessment area (AFCD, 2019a) (refer to Table 8.4).

Table 8.4 Avifauna Species of Conservation Importance Previously Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name (Scientific Name)	Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Principal Status⁽²⁾	Protection Status	Habitat
Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum)	Rare	-	Cap. 170⁽³⁾	Not specified

Common Name

(Scientific Name)

Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾

Principal Status⁽²⁾

Protection Status

Habitat

Blyth's Reed Warbler

(Acrocephalus dumetorum)

Rare

Cap. 170⁽³⁾

Not specified

Notes:

(1) AFCD (2019b).

(2) Carey et al. (2001).

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

Butterfly and Odonate

8.5.2.8 No previous information of butterfly species within the assessment area is available. Some abundant odonate species such as damselfly Black-banded Gossamerwing (Euphaea decorata) was previously recorded in the upper section of Kwun Yam Shan Stream (CEDD, 2004). Two species of conservation importance, Small Dragonhunter (Sieboldius alexanderi) and nymph of Emerald Cascader (Zygonyx iris insignis) were previously recorded within the assessment area (AFCD, 2019a; CEDD, 2004) (refer to Table 8.5 and Table 8.7).

Table 8.5 Odonata Species of Conservation Importance Previously Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name (Scientific Name)	Distribution and Conservation Status in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Protection Status	Habitat
Small Dragonhunter (Sieboldius alexanderi)	Uncommon	GC ⁽²⁾	Not specified
Emerald Cascader (Nymph) (Zygonyx iris insignis)	Abundant	PGC ⁽²⁾	Not specified

Common Name

(Scientific Name)

Distribution and Conservation Status in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾

Protection Status

Habitat

Small Dragonhunter

(Sieboldius alexanderi)

Uncommon

GC ⁽²⁾

Not specified

Emerald Cascader (Nymph)

(Zygonyx iris insignis)

Abundant

PGC ⁽²⁾

Not specified

Note:

(1) AFCD (2019b).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002): GC=Global Concern; PGC=Potential Global Concern.

Herpetofauna

8.5.2.9 No amphibian species was previously recorded within the assessment area. One reptile, Chinese Skink (Plestiodon chinensis), was recorded within the assessment area from previous study (AFCD, 2019a). No herpetofauna species of conservation importance was recorded in previous studies.

Mammal

8.5.2.10 Only one mammal species of conservation importance, Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus brachyotis), was recorded within the assessment area from previous study (AFCD, 2019a) (refer to Table 8.6).

Table 8.6 Mammal Species of Conservation Importance Previously Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name

(Scientific Name)

Distribution and Conservation Status in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾

Protection Status

Habitat

Short-nosed Fruit Bat

(Cynopterus brachyotis)

Abundant

Near Threatened ⁽²⁾; Cap.170 ⁽³⁾

Not specified

Note:

(1) AFCD (2019b).

(2) Jiang et al. (2016).

(3) Protected under Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170).

Freshwater Community

8.5.2.11 Freshwater communities including native freshwater fish such as Striped Loach (Schistura fasciolata) and invertebrate species such as shrimp Caridina cantonensis were recorded in the previous studies. All recorded species are common in Hong Kong. Two freshwater fauna species of conservation importance, the Predaceous Chub (Parazacco spilurus) and nymphs of Emerald Cascader were previously recorded within the assessment area (AFCD, 2019a; CEDD, 2004) (refer to Table 8.7).

Table 8.7 Freshwater Species of Conservation Importance Previously Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name (Scientific Name)	Distribution and Conservation Status in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Protection Status	Habitat
Freshwater Fish
Predaceous Chub (Parazacco spilurus)	Common	Vulnerable ⁽²⁾	Natural Watercourse
Insect
Emerald Cascader (nymphs) (Zygonyx iris insignis)	Abundant	PGC ⁽³⁾	Natural Watercourse

Note:

(1) AFCD (2019b).

(2) Yue and Chen (1998).

(3) Fellowes et al. (2002): PGC=Potential Global Concern

8.6 Survey Findings

8.6.1 Habitat and Vegetation

8.6.1.1 A total of 12 habitat types were identified within the 500 m assessment area during the recent ecological surveys, namely woodland, mixed woodland, plantation, shrubland, grassland, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, village/orchard, developed area, pond, natural watercourse and modified watercourse. The majority of natural habitats including woodland, mixed woodland, shrubland, grassland and natural watercourse were recorded on hillside outside the Project boundary. The Project boundary mainly comprised man-made habitats including developed area, planation, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land and modified watercourse. Approximately 1.07 ha of Project boundary (approximately 0.88 ha woodland and 0.19 ha mixed woodland habitats) at the south of Sha Tin Road (i.e. at slope toe of Mau Tsai Shan) falls within LRCP.

8.6.1.2 Habitat maps and representative photographs of habitats recorded within assessment area are shown in Figure 8.2.1, Figure 8.2.2, Figure 8.2.3 & Figure 8.2.4 and Appendix 8.1. The sizes of these habitats within the Project boundary and assessment area are summarized in Table 8.8. The flora species recorded during the ecological surveys are listed in Appendix 8.2. A total of eleven flora species of conservation importance were recorded within assessment area. The indicative locations and representative photographs of the flora species of conservation importance are presented in Figure 8.2.1, Figure 8.2.2, Figure 8.2.3 & Figure 8.2.4 and Appendix 8.4 respectively. A summary of plant species of conservation importance recorded within the assessment area are presented in Table 8.9.

Table 8.8 Habitats Recorded within the Assessment Area

Habitat Type	Within Project Boundary		Within 500 m Assessment Area
Habitat Type	Total Habitat Area (ha)	Percentage of Area	Total Habitat Area (ha)	Percentage of Area
Woodland	1.38	4.42%	90.55	19.40%
Mixed Woodland	4.60	14.72%	33.22	7.12%
Plantation	3.38	10.83%	39.28	8.42%
Shrubland	-	-	9.25	1.98%
Grassland	-	-	0.36	0.08%
Active Agricultural Land	0.18	0.56%	0.59	0.13%
Abandoned Agricultural Land	0.37	1.18%	0.48	0.10%
Village/Orchard	-	-	9.92	2.13%
Developed Area	20.57	65.89%	264.94	56.75%
Pond	-	-	0.03	0.01%
Natural Watercourse	-	-	2.06 (~3.28 km)	0.44%
Modified Watercourse	0.75 (~0.23 km)	2.40%	16.06 (~4.10 km)	3.44%
Total	31.23	100.00%	466.74	100.00%

Woodland

8.6.1.3 Most of the woodland within the assessment area were recorded in hillside region, including hillside woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and woodlands north of SMTR. Other scattered woodlands are located at northeast of Mei Chung Court, in Pak Tin, and to the east of Shui Chuen O Estate. These woodlands were relatively mature and subjected to more disturbance from nearby residential area and human activities. A small isolated woodland was recorded surrounding the Stewards High Rock Centre (SHRC). A total of nine plant species of conservation importance were recorded within the assessment area.

8.6.1.4 The woodland south to Sha Tin Road (i.e. at slope toe of Mau Tsai Shan) within LRCP was dominated by native plant species with closed and continuous canopy of about 11-20 m tall. This woodland is relatively mature with comprehensive structural attributes and complexity, which is mainly dominated by native plant species. The canopy consisted of native tree species Acronychia (Acronychia pedunculata), Ivy Tree, Schima (Schima superba) and Yellow Cow Wood (Cratoxylum cochinchinense). Small trees or shrubs such as Sarcandra (Sarcandra glabra), Shining Eurya and Wild Coffee (Psychotria asiatica) were recorded in the middle layer. Herbs and shrubs including Desmos (Desmos chinensis), Spotted Ardisia (Ardisia lindleyana) and Uvaria (Uvaria macrophylla) were present relatively sparsely in the ground layer. This woodland was suffered from traffic disturbance from Sha Tin Road and commemorative activities of ancestors at burial grounds. Part of this woodland falls within the Project boundary. Seven flora species of conservation importance were recorded within this woodland, including Butulang Canthium, Luofushan Joint-fir (Gnetum luofuense), Lamb of Tartary (Cibotium barometz), Hong Kong Eagle's Claw (Artabotrys hongkongensis), Small Persimmon, Hairy-fruited Ormosia (Ormosia pachycarpa) and Ixonanthes (Ixonanthes reticulata).

8.6.1.5 Woodlands at hillside north to SMTR were also mature and consisted of a closed canopy. A small proportion of this woodland to the west of Peak One falls within the Project boundary. Within this large patch of woodland, the frequently recorded trees included native Chekiang Machilus, Short-flowered Machilus (Machilus breviflora), Ivy Tree and Longan with about 11-20 m in height. Several plantation species such as exotic Taiwan Acacia and Brisbane Box were occasionally recorded. Young tree such as Acronychia, Chinese Alangium (Alangium chinense) and shrub species such as Wild Coffee (Psychotria asiatica), Microcos (Microcos nervosa) and Desmos (Desmos chinensis) were commonly recorded in the middle layer, herb species such as Giant Alocasia (Alocasia macrorrhizos), Wood-fern (Cyclosorus parasiticus) and Chinese Brake (Pteris multifida) were recorded in the understory. Parts of this woodland are located near developed area, traffic road and villages and subjected to continuous human disturbance. Five flora species of conservation importance, Incense Tree, Luofushan Joint-fir, Lamb of Tartary, Butulang Canthium and Hong Kong Pavetta (Pavetta hongkongensis), were recorded within this woodland.

8.6.1.6 The woodland to the east of Shui Chuen O Estate, woodland to the northeast of Mei Chung Court and in Pak Tin were relatively mature and heavily shaded with trees including Chinese Banyan, Ivy Tree, Turn-in-the-wind (Mallotus paniculatus) and Longan with about 10-15 m in height. Shrub species such as Wild Coffee and Sarcandra were commonly recorded in the middle layer, herb species such as Giant Alocasia (Alocasia macrorrhizos), Dichotomy Forked Fern and Common Lophantherum (Lophatherum gracile) were recorded in the understory. Three flora species of conservation importance, Incense Tree, Luofushan Joint-fir and Butulang Canthium, were recorded within these woodlands. One individual of Queen Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa) was recorded in the woodland to the east of Shui Chuen O Estate. In Hong Kong, the Lagerstroemia species are listed under Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96). As this species is widely planted in Hong Kong, and this individual was located close to plantation habitat, thus it is not considered as species of conservation importance.

8.6.1.7 The isolated woodland surrounding SHRC was small in size and highly disturbed due to slope stabilization works and residential activities nearby. However, the tree species in this woodland were relatively mature, and ranged 15-20 m in height with semi-closed canopy. The commonly recorded species included tree Small-leaved Aphananthe (Aphananthe cuspidata), Yellow Cinnamomum (Cinnamomum parthenoxylon), shrub or subshrub Sarcandra and Shining Eurya. Two flora species of conservation importance, Incense Tree and Small Persimmon, were recorded within this woodland.

Mixed Woodland

8.6.1.8 Mixed woodlands within the assessment area were mainly developed from plantation through natural succession. This habitat is commonly dominated by plantation species and native species are also occasionally recorded regenerated. The majority were located adjacent to developed or village area, including mixed woodlands at Mau Tsai Shan within LRCP, south to Sha Tin Road, west, south and southeast to Peak One, west to Mei Chung Court and west to Chun Shek Estate. The mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road at slope toe of Mau Tsai Shan within LRCP and mixed woodland south to Peak One fall within the Project boundary. The sparse canopy was predominantly formed by mature exotic plantation species Taiwan Acacia and Brisbane Box (Lophostemon confertus), and occasionally some naturally regenerated native species such as Lychee (Litchi chinensis) and Chinese Hackberry were recorded. The middle layer consisted of small tree or shrub species including Pop-gun Seed and Lance-leaved Sterculia (Sterculia lanceolata), and herb species including Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum), Wood-fern (Cyclosorus parasiticus) and Common Lophantherum were recorded in the understory. These mixed woodlands were closed to traffic roads and highways hence suffered from noise and emission disturbance. One individual of Hong Kong Pavetta, a floral species of conservation importance, was recorded in the mixed woodland south to Peak One within the proposed footprint of the Project. Four individuals of White Jade Orchid Tree were also recorded in this mixed woodland. The Magnoliaceae species are listed under Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96). However, as this species is widely planted in Hong Kong and they are likely to be planted near Tung Lo Wan Village, thus these individuals are not considered as species of conservation importance. An individual of Incense Tree was recorded at the mixed woodland west to Peak One within Project boundary. Two flora species of conservation importance, Butulang Canthium and Incense Tree, were recorded at the mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road within Project boundary outside LRCP. Four flora species of conservation importance Butulang Canthium, Small Persimmon, Luofushan Joint-fir and Rhododendron spp. were recorded at the mixed woodland at slope toe of Mau Tsai Shan within the north fringe of LRCP in the vicinity of Project footprint of flexible barrier.

8.6.1.9 Other mixed woodlands near developed area and residential areas, on engineered slopes, and south to Tsang Tai Uk generally dominated by exotic plantation tree species Taiwan Acacia, Eucalyptus species, and native Chinese Banyan and Schima. Shrub and small tree species including Microcos, Wild Coffee, and herb species such as Oriental Blechnum, Chinese Brake (Pteris multifida) and Fan-leaved Maidenhair (Adiantum flabellulatum) were frequently recorded in the understory. The mixed woodlands on engineered slopes along SMTR west to Peak One fall within the Project boundary. These mixed woodlands were highly disturbed by human activities nearby. The mixed woodland near Tsang Tai Uk was isolated by surrounding developed areas. One floral species of conservation importance, Butulang Canthium, was recorded in the mixed woodland southeast to Peak One and in the east of SHRC.

Plantation

8.6.1.10 The plantation habitat was either recorded along roadside or interspersed with developed areas in small patches. Small area of this habitat south to Tsang Tai Uk and along SMTR falls within the Project boundary. They supported sparse understory with commonly recorded plantation species including Taiwan Acacia, Brisbane Box and Paper-bark Tree, and limited native species such as Chinese Banyan. Herb species such as Wedelia trilobata, Oriental Blechnum (Blechnum orientale) and Dichotomy Forked Fern were recorded in the understory. These plantations were suffered from disturbance including traffic noise and human activities nearby. Four flora species of conservation importance, Butulang Canthium, Incense Tree, Luofushan Joint-fir and Ailanthus, were recorded. An individual of Incense Tree and Butulang Canthium were recorded in the roadside plantation east of Mei Chung Court. Another individual of Butulang Canthium was recorded in the roadside plantation to the west of Tin Liu. Individuals of Butulang Canthium, Incense Tree and Luofushan Joint-fir, were recorded in the plantation slope in Pak Tin. Individuals of Ailanthus and Butulang Canthium were recorded at plantation along Lion Rock Tunnel Road to the northeast and east of Sha Tin Tau Village, and south to Sha Tin Road within Project boundary.

8.6.1.11 The plantation within Sha Tin Park, south to Sha Tin Road and east to Shui Chuen O Estate formed a closed canopy of about 8-12 m in height with tree species including Taiwan Acacia, India-rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) and Chinese Banyan, but the understory only supported sparse vegetation. These plantations were suffered from disturbance including traffic noise and human activities nearby. The plantation south to Sha Tin Road partially fall within LRCP and structurally links to woodland habitat. If time is allowed, the plantation east to Shui Chuen O Estate and south to Sha Tin Road could gradually succeed to mixed woodland or woodland.

Shrubland

8.6.1.12 Relatively less disturbed shrubland was identified on the hillslope to the south of Sha Tin Road adjacent to woodland and mixed woodland nearby, and falls within LRCP. Sparse to open layer was recorded, with a very sparse ground layer consisting of typical shrub or subshrub species Common Melastoma (Melastoma malabathricum), Blood-red Melastoma and Narrow-leaved Screwtree (Helicteres angustifolia), and herb species such as Dichotomy Forked Fern and Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum). No species of conservation importance was recorded in this habitat.

Grassland

8.6.1.13 Two small patches of grassland were identified along watercourse S2 at Yau Oi Tsuen. The grassland was disturbed and dominated by weedy species Mile-a-minute (Mikania micrantha), and other herb species Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Blunt Signal-grass (Brachiaria mutica) and Guinea Grass. Anthropogenic disturbance such as noise and glare from nearby residential activities on this habitat was observed. No flora species of conservation importance was recorded in this habitat.

Active Agricultural Land

8.6.1.14 Active dry agricultural lands were identified in Sha Tin Tau Village within the proposed footprint of the Project and to the southwest of Yau Oi Tsuen. Crop species including Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas), Night-blooming Cereus (Hylocereus undatus) and Taro (Colocasia esculenta) were recorded. Fruit trees such as Common Banana (Musa x paradisiaca) and Carambola (Averrhoa carambola) were also recorded. Herb species such as Hilo Grass (Paspalum conjugatum) and Uni-spike Kyllinga (Kyllinga nemoralis) were also recorded in the field bunds. No flora species of conservation importance was recorded.

Abandoned Agricultural Land

8.6.1.15 A patch of abandoned agricultural land was located near the active agricultural land in Sha Tin Tau Village which partially fall within the Project boundary and footprint of proposed works. Only limited crops or fruit trees were recorded. The land was filled with water and overgrown with common herb species Blunt Signal-grass, Mile-a-minute, Nut-grass Glaingale (Cyperus rotundus) and Wedelia trilobata. No floral species of conservation importance was recorded.

Village/Orchard

8.6.1.16 The village/orchard habitat refers to areas with low-rise village houses and interspersed with patches of horticultural planting. This habitat is mainly located in the surrounding area of Fuk Lok Tsuen, Yau Oi Tsuen and Sha Tin Tau New Village within the assessment area. It supported low floral diversity and dominated by fruit trees Longan and Common Banana. Tree species such as Japanese Superb Fig (Ficus subpisocarpa) and Elephant's Ear (Macaranga tanarius var. tomentosa), and shrub species such as Opposite-leaved Fig (Ficus hispida) and Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) were also commonly recorded. This habitat was under active management and no flora species of conservation was recorded in this habitat.

Developed Area

8.6.1.17 The assessment area was dominated by developed areas. This habitat comprised roads, urban park, residential area, industrial area and public utilities. The engineered slope south to Sha Tin Road falls within the Project boundary. Dominant species included native and exotic tree species Chinese Banyan, Paper-bark Tree, Taiwan Acacia, and horticultural species Miniature Umbrella Plant (Schefflera arboricola) and Lingnan Artocarpus (Artocarpus nitidus lingnanensis). This habitat was frequently disturbed by road traffic, residential development and other human activities nearby. Six flora species of conservation importance were recorded in this habitat and four of which were recorded within Project boundary. Lamb of Tartary was recorded in roadside planting to the west of Chun Shek Estate. An individual of Incense Tree was recorded east to Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM). Ixonanthes, Butulang Canthium, Small Persimmon and Hairy-fruited Ormosia were recorded on engineered slope south to Sha Tin Road within Project boundary outside LRCP. Ardeid night roosts were recorded on trees planted along SMRC at the riverside between HKHM and Man Lai Court, and the rooftop of HKHM, which would be discussed in Section 8.6.2.6 below.

Pond

8.6.1.18 A few small inactive ponds are located at Sha Tin Tau New Village. They only supported limited vegetation, including horticultural species Iron Plant (Cordyline fruticosa), Brazil Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) and some fruit tree such as Papaya (Carica papaya) and Common Banana.

Natural Watercourse

8.6.1.19 Majority of the natural watercourses in the assessment area were located on hillslope, except the watercourses within Sha Tin Tau New Village. All of the identified natural watercourses were found to have permanent water flow with moderate to fast flow rate, and streambed consist of boulders, rocks and sand. The lower sections of these natural watercourses are mostly modified, either channelized or connected to underground culverts (refer to Section 8.6.1.23). A total of four major natural watercourses were identified within the assessment area, namely S1-S4 (refer to Figure 8.2.1, Figure 8.2.2, Figure 8.2.3 & Figure 8.2.4).

S1 and S2

8.6.1.20 S1 and S2 were located on hillslope to the north of SMTR, which run through Fuk Lok Tsuen and Yau Oi Tsuen respectively. These watercourses ranged from 1.5-2.5 m wide and 0.3-1 m deep, with moderate to fast flow rate. Small weirs were constructed in the upper section of these watercourses, but free water flow was still observed. S1 was relatively natural and undisturbed, while a short section near SMTR was channelized. Both S1 and S2 were shaded by riparian vegetation such as Elephant's Ear, Turn-in-the-wind, Common Red-stem Fig (Ficus variegata) and Longan in woodland area. A young individual of White Jade Orchid Tree was recorded at the riparian zone of S2. Since it is close to Yau Oi Tsuen and remnants of orchards were found nearby, this could be a planted individual, thus it is not considered as species of conservation importance.

S3 and S4

8.6.1.21 S3 and S4 were located on hillslope near Shui Chuen O Estate south to Sha Tin Road, which upper section of S3 falls within LRCP. These watercourses ranged from 1-3 m wide and 0.5-1 m deep, with moderate flow rate. The middle and upper sections of S3 were relatively natural and semi-shaded by trees such as Taiwan Acacia, Lidded Cleistocalyx (Cleistocalyx nervosum), Fragrant Litsea (Litsea cubeba) and Japanese Superb Fig, while the lower section near Sha Tin Road was mainly exposed, comprised boulder bank and lack of vegetation cover. S4 was located in a woodland near east of Shui Chuen O Estate, with a closed canopy formed by species such as Ivy Tree, Japanese Superb Fig, Chinese Elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpus chinensis) and Turn-in-the-wind in the riparian zone. Limited signs of human disturbance (e.g. littering) were observed in these watercourses but the water quality was good in general. One species of conservation importance, Luofushan Joint-fir, was recorded in the riparian zone of S4.

Other Natural Watercourses

8.6.1.22 Other natural watercourses within the assessment area include hillside watercourses (e.g. S6) and the watercourse ran through Sha Tin Tau New Village. The upper section of S6 falls within the LRCP, while the lower section falls within Project boundary. The S6 was a natural watercourse of 1 – 2 m wide with limited water flow and boulders at the both sides of riverbanks. Other hillside watercourses ranged from 0.3-2 m wide and 0.2-1 m deep and were narrow and shallow, semi-shaded by trees such as Ivy Tree, Chinese Alangium and Turn-in-the-wind. These watercourses were relatively less disturbed but minor modification such as installation of waterpipe was observed. The watercourse ran through Sha Tin Tau New Village was relatively exposed with less vegetation cover in the riparian zone, which limited species such as Chinese Banyan, Umbrella Plant and Gairo Morning Glory (Ipomoea cairica) were recorded. No flora species of conservation importance was recorded.

Modified Watercourse

8.6.1.23 Several modified watercourses including those near Mei Chung Court and Shui Chuen O Estate, SMRC and some narrow nullahs (including S5 and S7) near Sha Tin Tau Village, SMTR and Shui Chuen O Estate were recorded with the assessment area. S7 falls within LRCP. A small area of SMRC, the modified section of S3, nullah S5, lower modified section of S6, nullah north to SMTR and nullah to the north east of Mei Chung Court fall within the Project boundary. The width of SMRC ranged from 32-75 m, while the width of other minor nullahs were around 1-4 m. SMRC was trapezoidal channel with concrete bank and experienced tidal influence. Garbage was occasionally observed along the channel. S5 is a concrete nullah of about 2 m wide, 0.2-0.5 m water depth, with slow water flow and only common herb species such as Bidens alba at riparian zone. Other modified watercourses were channelized and shallow (less than 1 m). This habitat only supported limited vegetation, such as tree Cuban Bast (Hibiscus tiliaceus), White Popinac (Leucaena leucocephala) and herb Giant Alocasia. No flora species of conservation importance was recorded in this habitat.

Table 8.9 Plant Species of Conservation Importance Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name (Scientific Name)	Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Protection Status	Habitats Recorded
Hong Kong Pavetta (Pavetta hongkongensis)	Common	Cap. 96 ⁽²⁾	Woodland; Mixed woodland*
Incense Tree (Aquilaria sinensis)	Common	Cap. 586 ⁽³⁾; Status in China: Near Threatened ⁽⁴⁾; Category ll ⁽⁵⁾; Vulnerable ⁽⁶⁾; Near Threatened ⁽⁷⁾; Recorded in Illustration of Rare and Endangered Plants in Guangdong Province ⁽⁸⁾; Vulnerable ⁽⁹⁾	Woodland; Mixed Woodland*; Plantation; Developed Area
Hong Kong Eagle's Claw (Artabotrys hongkongensis)	Restricted	-	Woodland*
Butulang Canthium (Canthium dicoccum)	Common	Vulnerable ⁽⁹⁾	Woodland; Mixed woodland; Plantation; Developed area
Lamb of Tartary (Cibotium barometz)	Very Common	Cap. 586 ⁽³⁾; Status in China: Vulnerable ⁽⁴⁾; Category ll ⁽⁵⁾	Woodland; Developed area
Small Persimmon (Diospyros vaccinioides)	Very Common	Critically Endangered ⁽⁹⁾; Endangered⁽¹⁰⁾	Woodland; Mixed woodland; Developed area*
Luofushan Joint-fir (Gnetum luofuense)	Very Common	Near Threatened ⁽⁹⁾	Woodland; Mixed woodland; Plantation; Natural watercourse
Ixonanthes (Ixonanthes reticulata)	Common	Vulnerable ⁽⁶⁾; Vulnerable⁽⁹⁾	Woodland; Developed area
Hairy-fruited Ormosia (Ormosia pachycarpa)	Restricted	Status in China: Endangered ⁽⁴⁾; Vulnerable ⁽¹⁰⁾	Woodland; Developed area
Ailanthus (Ailanthus fordii)	Rare; also widely cultivated as roadside trees and ornamental trees	Cap. 96 ⁽²⁾	Plantation*
Rhododendron spp.	Can be found in forest and/or shrubland	Cap. 96 ⁽²⁾	Mixed woodland*

Notes:

(1) Wu and Lee (2000). Xing and Chau (2000).

(2) Listed under Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96).

(3) Listed under Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap.586).

(4) Hong Kong Herbarium (2020).

(5) List of Wild Plants Under Special State Protection.

(6) Fu & Chin (1992).

(7) Feng et al. (2002).

(8) Wu & Hu (1988).

(9) IUCN (2020).

(10) Qin et al. (2017).

* Individual(s) was(were) recorded within Project boundary.

8.6.2 Terrestrial Fauna

8.6.2.1 The sections below outline the findings of current fauna surveys. Lists of fauna species recorded from the assessment area are provided in Appendix 8.3. The habitat in which the species of conservation importance were recorded, their protection status and distribution in Hong Kong are presented in Table 8.10 to Table 8.17. Their indicative locations are presented in Figure 8.2.1, Figure 8.2.2, Figure 8.2.3 & Figure 8.2.4.

Avifauna

8.6.2.2 A total of 41 avifauna species were recorded within the assessment area, 14 of which are species of conservation importance. Most of these recorded species are common and widespread in Hong Kong. One avifauna species of conservation importance, Collared Scops Owl (Otus lettia), was recorded within LRCP outside Project boundary.

8.6.2.3 Within the Project boundary, avifauna species recorded were common species such as Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis), Red-whiskered Bulbul and Chinese Bulbul which are highly adapted to disturbed environment. No avifauna species of conservation importance was recorded within Project boundary.

8.6.2.4 Ardeids including Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Great Egret (Ardea alba) and Little Egret were recorded along the SMRC near HKHM and other developed areas near the northern bank. Night roost of ardeids were also observed at the bankside plantation between Man Lai Court and HKHM (refer to Sections 8.6.2.6-8.6.2.7).

8.6.2.5 Other avifauna species of conservation importance recorded along SMRC include Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata), while an individual of Collared Crow (Corvus torquatus) was seen flying near the SMRC. Striated Heron (Butorides striatus) was recorded in natural watercourse S2. Two individuals of Little Egret were recorded in the village/orchard area in Sha Tin Tau New Village. Other species of conservation importance were mainly recorded in woodland or mixed woodland habitats, including an individual of Common Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) flying through woodland and Chinese Hwamei (Garrulax canorus) in mixed woodland within LRCP. Calls of Pygmy Wren-babbler (Pnoepyga pusilla) and Collared Scops Owl were also heard in these wooded habitats, of which an individual of Collared Scops Owl was recorded within LRCP within Project boundary. Individuals of Black Kite in flight were sighted in different habitats within the assessment area.

Table 8.10 Avifauna Species of Conservation Importance Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name (Scientific Name)	Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Protection Status ⁽²⁾	Habitat Recorded
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)	Common	LC ⁽³⁾	Modified watercourse
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)	Common	(LC) ⁽³⁾	Developed area; Modified watercourse
Striated Heron (Butorides striatus)	Uncommon in summer, Scarce in winter	(LC) ⁽³⁾	Natural watercourse
Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus)	Common	PRC (RC) ⁽³⁾	Modified watercourse
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)	Common	PRC ⁽³⁾	Developed area; Modified watercourse
Great Egret (Ardea alba)	Common	PRC (RC) ⁽³⁾	Developed area; Modified watercourse
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)	Common	PRC (RC) ⁽³⁾	Developed area; Village/orchard; Modified watercourse
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)	Common	(RC) ⁽³⁾; Cap. 586 ⁽⁴⁾; Class II ^(5);	In flight
Common Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)	Scarce	Vulnerable ⁽⁶⁾	In flight
Collared Scops Owl (Otus lettia)	Common	Cap. 586 ^(4);Class II ⁽⁵⁾	Woodland*; Plantation
Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata)	Common	(LC) ⁽³⁾	Developed area
Collared Crow (Corvus torquatus)	Uncommon	LC ⁽³⁾; Vulnerable ⁽⁷⁾; Near Threatened ⁽⁸⁾	In flight
Pygmy Wren-babbler (Pnoepyga pusilla)	Rare	LC ⁽³⁾	Woodland
Chinese Hwamei (Garrulax canorus)	Common	Cap. 586 ⁽⁴⁾;Near Threatened ⁽⁸⁾	Mixed woodland

Notes:

(1) AFCD (2019b).

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

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

(4) Protected under Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap.586).

(5) List of Wild Animals Under Special State Protection.

(6) Zheng and Wang (1998).

(7) IUCN (2020).

(8) Jiang et al. (2016).

* Individual(s) was(were) recorded within Project boundary.

Ardeid Night Roost and Pre-Roost

8.6.2.6 During the ecological surveys of this study conducted between August 2019 to January 2020, ardeids were observed utilizing trees planted along SMRC at the riverside between HKHM and Man Lai Court (divided into Zones A to C as shown in Figure 8.3.1 and Appendix 8.5) as night roost site. The ardeid night roost site was located outside the Project boundary. A total of four ardeid species were recorded at the night roost. Most of them were Little Egret (67%) and Great Egret (27%), while a few Chinese Pond Heron and Grey Heron were also spotted occasionally. A total of 3 to 38 individuals of ardeids were recorded at the roost, with the highest count in September and November 2019 (refer to Table 8.11). Night roost at Zones B and C were utilized by higher number (about 86%) of ardeids (refer to Figure 8.3.1 and Appendix 8.5). The ardeids roosted on Chinese Banyan, White Popinac and Lemon-scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora) with height ranged from 8 m to 20 m. It was also noted that some individuals of Grey Heron roosted at the rooftop of HKHM (refer to Figure 8.3.1 and Appendix 8.5). No roosting records have been made in the southern bank nor within the Project boundary, while the nearest roosting tree was approximately 50 m from the Project boundary. Majority of the ardeids returned to the night roost within 15-40 minutes before or after sunset. In addition, no day roost of Black-crowned Night Heron was observed and no roosting behaviour of this species was recorded during daytime.

8.6.2.7 Pre-roosting behavior was observed at channel sections close to the night roost (extent of pre-roosting locations refers to Figure 8.3.1). Around 60% of roosting ardeids foraged along the SMRC or temporarily perched on different trees before heading to their final roost after sunset. Majority of the ardeids returned to the pre-roosting locations around 0.5-1 hours before sunset. No pre-roosting behavior was observed within the Project boundary.

Table 8.11 Number and Species of Ardeids Night Roost along Shing Mun River Channel (Zones A to C)

Month	Number of Ardeids Recorded ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾						Tree Species that Night Roost Recorded
Month	Little Egret	Great Egret	Chinese Pond Heron	Grey Heron	Total	Time of Return	Tree Species that Night Roost Recorded
Aug 2019	18	8	-	-	26	18:17-19:09	Chinese Banyan, White Popinac, Lemon-scented Gum
Sep 2019	29	8	1	-	38	17:49-18:48
Oct 2019	3	12	-	-	15	17:36-18:20
Nov 2019	31	5	1	1	38	17:15-18:05
Dec 2019	1	1	2	2	6	17:29-18:06
Jan 2020	3	-	-	-	3	18:03-18:20	Chinese Banyan, White Popinac
Total	85	34	4	3	126

(1) Black-crowned Night Heron, a nocturnal species commonly seen at SMRC, is excluded from this table as it is not relevant to the targeted night roost community.

(2) Grey Herons roosted at the rooftop of HKHM were not included in the table.

Ardeid Flight Line and Flight Height

8.6.2.8 Most of the ardeids commuted both eastward and westward along the SMRC (details refer to Appendix 8.6 (A) and (C), Figure 8.4.1 and Figure 8.4.2). About 58% of which flew westward, while some of these ardeids landed on the SMRC at section between Man Lai Court and Sha Tin Government Secondary School to forage.

8.6.2.9 About 40% of the ardeids flew at height between 15-25 mPD, followed by about 23% and 34% flew at height below 15 mPD (above the Lion Bridge) and above 25 mPD respectively. Table 8.12 summarizes the directions and flight heights of roosting and non-roosting ardeids.

Table 8.12 Flight Heights and Directions of Ardeids Recorded Flying Over the Project Boundary

Direction of Flight Line	Height of Flight Line ⁽¹⁾
Direction of Flight Line	Under Lion Bridge	5 - 15 mPD	15 - 25 mPD	25 - 35 mPD	35 - 45 mPD	> 45 mPD	Total No. ⁽²⁾
Eastward (HKHM side)	4	40	44	5	7	3	103
Eastward (The Riverpark side)	3	3	3	3	30	-	42
Westward (HKHM side)	5	35	73	35	10	-	158
Westward (The Riverpark side)	-	4	19	24	1		48
Northward (Over Tsing Sha Highway)	-	-	-	4	-	-	4
Total	12	82	139	71	48	3	355

Notes:

(1) Height measured from the Lion Bridge

(2) This table does not reflect the actual number of ardeids along SMRC, as the number of ardeids recorded flying over the Project boundary may include those flew back and out again.

Butterfly

8.6.2.10 A total of 53 butterfly species were recorded within the assessment area, three of which are species of conservation importance. A total of 15 butterfly species were recorded within the Project boundary, most of these species are either common or very common in Hong Kong. One butterfly species of conservation importance, Forget-me-not (Catochrysops strabo strabo), was recorded in the mixed woodland habitat to the west of Peak One within the Project boundary. Another individual of Forget-me-not was recorded in plantation within LRCP outside Project boundary.

8.6.2.11 Other butterfly species of conservation importance recorded outside the Project boundary included Forget-me-not, Metallic Cerulean (Jamides alecto alocina) and Dark Swift (Caltoris cahira). An individual of Metallic Cerulean was observed laying eggs on its host plant, Ginger Lily (Hedychium coronarium) in the abandoned agricultural land.

Table 8.13 Butterfly Species of Conservation Importance Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name (Species Name)	Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Habitats Recorded
Dark Swift (Caltoris cahira)	Rare	Natural watercourse
Metallic Cerulean (Jamides alecto alocina)	Very Rare	Woodland; Plantation; Abandoned agriculture land*
Forget-me-not (Catochrysops strabo)	Very Rare	Mixed woodland*; Plantation; Developed area

Note:

(1) AFCD (2019b).
* Individual(s) was(were) recorded within Project boundary.

Odonate

8.6.2.12 A total of 12 species of odonate were recorded, which two are species of conservation importance. An individual of Emerald Cascader was recorded flying along natural watercourse S2 outside the Project boundary. The nymphs of Emerald Cascader and Tiger Hawker (Polycanthagyna erythromelas) were recorded at natural watercourse (S3) and modified watercourse (S7) within LRCP outside Project boundary respectively, as stated in Section 8.6.2.19 below.

Table 8.14 Odonate Species of Conservation Importance Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name (Species Name)	Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Protection Status	Habitats Recorded
Emerald Cascader (Adult and Nymphs) (Zygonyx iris insignis)	Widely distribute in moderately clean, rapidly flowing forested streams throughout Hong Kong	PGC ⁽²⁾	Natural watercourse
Tiger Hawker (Nymphs) (Polycanthagyna erythromelas)	Common	LC ⁽²⁾	Modified watercourse

Common Name

(Species Name)

Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾

Protection Status

Habitats Recorded

Emerald Cascader (Adult and Nymphs)

(Zygonyx iris insignis)

Widely distribute in moderately clean, rapidly flowing forested streams throughout Hong Kong

PGC ⁽²⁾

Natural watercourse

Tiger Hawker (Nymphs)

(Polycanthagyna erythromelas)

Common

LC ⁽²⁾

Modified watercourse

Note:

(1) AFCD (2019b).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002): LC=Local Concern; PGC=Potential Global Concern.

Herpetofauna

8.6.2.13 A total of five amphibian and 11 reptile species were recorded within the assessment area. Most of the recorded species are common and widely distributed in Hong Kong. One amphibian and five reptiles are of conservation importance. An individual of Enhydris sp. of conservation importance was observed swimming in the field ditch at active agricultural lands at Sha Tin Tau Village and Four-clawed Gecko (Gehyra mutilata) at mixed woodland within the Project boundary. Other herpetofauna species of conservation importance recorded outside the Project boundary included adult and tadpole of Lesser Spiny Frog (Quasipaa exilispinosa), Indian Forest Skink (Sphenomorphus indicus), Chinese Water Dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) and Taiwan Kukri Snake (Oligodon formosanus). Most of them were recorded from watercourses and wooded areas away from the Project boundary. Adult and tadpole of Lesser Spiny Frog were also recorded in upper section of S6 within LRCP outside Project boundary.

Table 8.15 Herpetofauna Species of Conservation Importance Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name (Species Name)	Distribution in Hong Kong⁽¹⁾	Protection Status	Habitats Recorded
Amphibian
Lesser Spiny Frog (Adult and Tadpole) (Quasipaa exilispinosa)	Occurs throughout territory	PGC ⁽²⁾; Vulnerable ⁽³⁾; Vulnerable ⁽⁴⁾	Natural watercourse; Modified watercourse
Reptile
Four-clawed Gecko (Gehyra mutilata)	Widely but thinly distributed throughout Hong Kong	Vulnerable ⁽³⁾	Mixed woodland*
Indian Forest Skink (Sphenomorphus indicus)	Commonly distributed in woodlands in the eastern and central New Territories	LC ⁽²⁾	Natural watercourse
Chinese Water Dragon ⁽⁵⁾ (Physignathus cocincinus)	-	Vulnerable ⁽⁴⁾	Natural watercourse
Enhydris spp.⁽⁶⁾	-	-	Active agricultural land*
Taiwan Kukri Snake (Oligodon formosanus)	Widely distributed	Near Threatened ⁽³⁾	Woodland

Note:

(1) AFCD (2019b).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002): LC: Local Concern; PGC=Potential Global Concern.

(3) Jiang et al. (2016).

(4) IUCN (2020).

(5) According to Mo (2019), this exotic species has successfully established its population in different area of Hong Kong, including Sha Tin and LRCP. Thus, this species may be a naturalized exotic species.

(6) All Enhydris spp. in Hong Kong are considered as species of conservation importance (either listed as “Local Concern” in Fellowes et al. (2002) or “Vulnerable” in Jiang et al. (2016))

* Individual(s) was(were) recorded within Project boundary.

Mammal

8.6.2.14 A total of seven mammal species were recorded within the assessment area, all of them are species of conservation importance. Most of the recorded species are common in Hong Kong.

8.6.2.15 Three mammal species of conservation importance were recorded within the Project boundary, including Short-nosed Fruit Bat, Japanese Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus abramus) and Pallas's Squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus). The Japanese Pipistrelle was recorded foraging at various habitats including mixed woodland, developed area and abandoned agricultural land. Two individuals of Short-nosed Fruit Bat and four individuals of Japanese Pipistrelle were recorded in mixed woodlands to the south of Sha Tin Road within LRCP within Project boundary. No roosting Short-nosed Fruit Bat especially at Chinese Fan-palm were recorded within Project boundary. One individual of Pallas's Squirrel was recorded in the plantation to the northeast of Sha Tin Tau Village.

8.6.2.16 Other mammal species of conservation importance recorded in urbanized areas close to Project boundary include Chinese Noctule (Nyctalus plancyi), Least Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus tenuis), Chinese Pipistrelle (Hypsugo pulveratus) and Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta). Japanese Pipistrelle was the most abundant recorded species within developed area and village/orchard habitats. Least Pipistrelle, Chinese Pipistrelle and Short-nosed Fruit Bat were recorded at plantation in Sha Tin Park and developed area. Japanese Pipistrelle, Least Pipistrelle, Pallas's Squirrel, Chinese Pipistrelle and Chinese Noctule were recorded in plantation south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP outside Project boundary.

8.6.2.17 Rhesus Macaque were recorded in the woodland and developed area near Mei Chung Court. Pallas's Squirrel was recorded in woodlands in the east of Mei Chung Court and northwest of Sha Tin Tau Village.

Table 8.16 Mammal Species of Conservation Importance Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name (Scientific Name)	Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Protection Status ⁽²⁾	Habitat Recorded
Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx)	Abundant	Near Threatened ⁽³⁾	Mixed woodland*; Plantation; Developed area
Chinese Noctule (Nyctalus plancyi)	Common	PRC (RC) ⁽⁴⁾	Plantation
Japanese Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus abramus)	Very Common	-	Mixed woodland; Developed area; Abandoned agricultural land; Plantation; Village/orchard; Modified watercourse
Least Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus tenuis)	Uncommon	Near Threatened ⁽³⁾	Plantation; Developed area
Chinese Pipistrelle (Hypsugo pulveratus)	Rare	Near Threatened ⁽³⁾; (LC)⁽⁴⁾	Plantation; Developed area
Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)	Common	Cap. 586 ⁽⁵⁾; Class II ⁽⁶⁾; Vulnerable ⁽⁷⁾	Woodland; Developed area
Pallas's Squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus)	Fairly widely distributed	-	Plantation*; Woodland

Note:

(1) AFCD (2019b).

(2) All listed mammal species are protected under Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170).

(3) Jiang et al. (2016).

(4) Fellowes et al. (2002): LC=Local Concern; PRC=Potential Regional Concern; RC=Regional Concern.

(5) Protected under Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586).

(6) List of Wild Animals Under Special State Protection.

(7) Wang et al. (1998).

* Individual(s) recorded within Project boundary

Freshwater Community

8.6.2.18 A total of 38 aquatic fauna species were recorded within the assessment area, five of which are species of conservation importance. Species diversity was slightly higher in natural watercourses, but the commonly recorded species were exotic Guppy (Poecilia reticulata), Nile Tilapia (Oreochroms niloticus) and Variable Platyfish (Xiphophorus variatus). Only some common species such as Guppy and Nile Tilapia were recorded in modified watercourse S5 within the Project boundary.

8.6.2.19 All five species of conservation importance were recorded outside the Project boundary. Nymphs of dragonfly Emerald Cascader, adults and juvenile freshwater fish Predaceous Chub and freshwater crab Cryptopotamon anacoluthon were recorded in a natural watercourse S3. Adults of Predaceous Chub were also recorded in natural watercourse S1. Tadpoles of Lesser Spiny Frog and nymphs of Tiger Hawker were recorded in the hillside natural watercourse S6 and nullah S7 within LRCP respectively.

Table 8.17 Freshwater Species of Conservation Importance Recorded within the Assessment Area

Common Name (Scientific Name)	Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Protection Status	Habitat Recorded
Insect
Emerald Cascader (Nymphs) (Zygonyx iris insignis)	Abundant	PGC ⁽²⁾	Natural watercourse
Tiger Hawker (Nymphs) (Polycanthagyna erythromelas)	Common	LC ⁽²⁾	Modified watercourse
Crustacean
Cryptopotamon anacoluthon	Common; Endemic	PGC ⁽²⁾; Vulnerable ⁽³⁾	Natural watercourse
Amphibian
Lesser Spiny Frog (Tadpole) (Quasipaa exilispinosa)	Occurs throughout territory	PGC ⁽²⁾; Vulnerable ⁽³⁾; Vulnerable ⁽⁴⁾	Natural watercourse
Freshwater Fish
Predaceous Chub (Parazacco spilurus)	Common	Vulnerable ⁽⁵⁾	Natural watercourse

Notes:

(1) AFCD (2019b); Dudgeon D. (2003).

(2) Fellowes et al. (2002): LC=Local Concern; PGC=Potential Global Concern.

(3) IUCN (2020).

(4) Jiang et al. (2016).

(5) Yue and Chen (1998).

8.7 Ecological Value

8.7.1.1 The ecological importance of recorded habitats was evaluated in accordance with the EIAO-TM Annex 8 criteria and presented in Table 8.18 to Table 8.23 below. Species of conservation importance identified from recent survey findings and literature review of previous studies (AFCD, 2019a; CEDD, 2004) are summarized in Table 8.24 and representative photographs are presented in Appendix 8.4.

Table 8.18 Ecological Evaluation of Woodland and Mixed Woodland within the Assessment Area

Criteria	Woodland	Mixed Woodland
Naturalness	Moderate to high – for hillside woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and north of SMTR Moderate – woodland in Pak Tin, east of Shui Chuen O Estate and northeast of Mei Chung Court Low to moderate – for isolated woodland surrounding SHRC	Semi-natural habitat derived from artificial plantation but subjected to human disturbance (e.g. vegetation maintenance, etc). Moderate – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road (including those within LRCP), west, south and southeast to Peak One, west to Mei Chung Court and west to Chun Shek Estate. Low – for scattered patches adjacent to traffic roads and residential areas/villages, on engineered slopes, south to Tsang Tai Uk.
Size	Large (90.55 ha)	Moderate (33.22 ha)
Diversity	High floral and low to moderate faunal diversity – for hillside woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and north of SMTR Moderate floral and low faunal diversity – for woodland in Pak Tin, east of Shui Chuen O Estate and northeast of Mei Chung Court Low to moderate floral and low faunal diversity – for isolated woodland surrounding SHRC	Moderate to high floral and low to moderate faunal diversity – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road (including those within LRCP), west, south and southeast to Peak One, west to Mei Chung Court and west to Chun Shek Estate Low to moderate floral and low faunal diversity – for scattered patches adjacent to developed area, on engineered slopes and south to Tsang Tai Uk
Rarity	Recent Surveys A fairly common habitat in Hong Kong. Nine flora species of conservation importance (Incense Tree, Hong Kong Eagle's Claw, Butulang Canthium, Lamb of Tartary, Small Persimmon, Luofushan Joint-fir, Hong Kong Pavetta, Ixonanthes and Hairy-fruited Ormosia) were recorded. Six fauna species of conservation importance (Pygmy Wren-babbler, Collared Scops Owl, Metallic Cerulean, Taiwan Kukri Snake, Rhesus Macaque and Pallas's Squirrel) were recorded. Previous Studies One flora species of conservation importance (Small Persimmon)	Common habitat in Hong Kong Six flora (Incense Tree, Hong Kong Pavetta, Luofushan Joint-fir, Small Persimmon, Rhododendron spp. and Butulang Canthium) species of conservation importance were recorded. Five fauna species of conservation importance (Chinese Hwamei, Forget-me-not, Four-clawed Gecko, Short-nosed Fruit Bat and Japanese Pipistrelle) were recorded.
Re-creatability	Low to moderate. Re-creatable but maturation of trees and natural succession would take decades	Moderate. Re-creatable if time is allowed for maturation and natural succession
Fragmentation	Low	Moderate
Ecological linkage	The woodland south to Sha Tin Road partially falls within LRCP	The mixed woodland at south of Sha Tin Road partially falls within LRCP
Potential value	Moderate – for hillside woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and north of SMTR Low to moderate – for woodland in Pak Tin, east of Shui Chuen O Estate and northeast of Mei Chung Court Low – for isolated woodland surrounding SHRC	Moderate – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP under active management Low to moderate – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road outside LRCP, west, south and southeast to Peak One, west to Mei Chung Court and west to Chun Shek Estate and on engineered slope along SMTR Low – for isolated patches adjacent to developed area, on engineered slopes and south to Tsang Tai Uk
Nursery/Breeding ground	None known	None known
Age	Mature – for hillside woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and north of SMTR Relatively mature – for remaining woodlands	Relatively mature – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road (including those within LRCP), west, south and southeast to Peak One, west to Mei Chung Court and west to Chun Shek Estate Young – for scattered patches adjacent to developed area, on engineered slopes and south to Tsang Tai Uk
Abundance/ Richness of Wildlife	Moderate to high – for hillside woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and north of SMTR Moderate – for woodland in Pak Tin, east of Shui Chuen O Estate and northeast of Mei Chung Court Low to moderate – for isolated woodland surrounding SHRC	Low to moderate – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road (including those within LRCP), west, south and southeast to Peak One, west to Mei Chung Court and west to Chun Shek Estate Low – for scattered patches adjacent to developed area, on engineered slopes and south to Tsang Tai Uk
Ecological Value	Moderate to high – for hillside woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and north of SMTR Moderate – for woodland in Pak Tin, east of Shui Chuen O Estate and northeast of Mei Chung Court Low to moderate – for isolated woodland surrounding SHRC	Moderate – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP Low to Moderate – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road outside LRCP, west, south and southeast to Peak One, west to Mei Chung Court and west to Chun Shek Estate Low – for scattered patches near developed area, on engineered slopes and south to Tsang Tai Uk

Table 8.19 Ecological Evaluation of Plantation and Shrubland within the Assessment Area

Criteria	Plantation	Shrubland
Naturalness	Low to moderate – for patches at Sha Tin Park, south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and east to Shui Chuen O Estate Low – for remaining plantations	Low to moderate
Size	Moderate (39.28 ha)	Moderate (9.25 ha)
Diversity	Moderate floral and low faunal diversity – for patches at Sha Tin Park, south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and east to Shui Chuen O Estate Low floral and faunal diversity – for remaining plantations	Low to moderate floral and low faunal diversity
Rarity	A very common habitat in Hong Kong. Recent Surveys Four flora (Butulang Canthium, Incense Tree, Luofushan Joint-fir and Ailanthus) species of conservation importance were recorded. Nine fauna species of conservation importance (Collared Scops Owl, Metallic Cerulean, Forget-me-not, Short-nosed Fruit Bat, Chinese Noctule, Japanese Pipistrelle, Least Pipistrelle, Chinese Pipistrelle and Pallas's Squirrel) were recorded. Previous Studies Two flora species of conservation importance (Butulang Canthium and Ailanthus) were recorded.	A common habitat in Hong Kong. Recent Surveys No species of conservation importance were recorded. Previous Studies One flora species of conservation importance (Small Persimmon) was recorded.
Re-creatability	High	Moderate. Re-creatable but time needed for the shrubland to establish.
Fragmentation	Moderate	Moderate
Ecological linkage	The plantation south to Sha Tin Road partially falls within LRCP.	The shrubland west to Shui Chuen O Estate partially falls within LRCP.
Potential value	Low to moderate – for patches at Sha Tin Park, south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and east to Shui Chuen O Estate Low – for other patches	Low to moderate
Nursery/Breeding ground	None known	None known
Age	Young	Young
Abundance/ Richness of Wildlife	Low to moderate – for patches at Sha Tin Park, south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and east to Shui Chuen O Estate Low – for remaining plantations	Low
Ecological Value	Low to Moderate – for patches at Sha Tin Park, south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and east to Shui Chuen O Estate Low – for remaining plantations	Low to Moderate

Table 8.20 Ecological Evaluation of Grassland and Active Agricultural Land within the Assessment Area

Criteria	Grassland	Active Agricultural Land
Naturalness	Low to moderate	Low. An artificial habitat used for cultivation.
Size	Small (0.36 ha)	Small (0.59 ha)
Diversity	Low floral and faunal diversity	Low floral and faunal diversity
Rarity	A very common habitat in Hong Kong. No species of conservation importance were recorded.	A common habitat in Hong Kong. One fauna (Enhydris spp.) species of conservation importance was recorded.
Re-creatability	High	High
Fragmentation	High	High
Ecological linkage	Not structurally and functionally link with highly valued habitat	Not structurally and functionally link with highly valued habitat
Potential value	Low	Low
Nursery/Breeding ground	None known	None known
Age	Young	Young
Abundance/ Richness of Wildlife	Low	Low
Ecological Value	Low	Low

Table 8.21 Ecological Evaluation of Abandoned Agricultural Land and Village/Orchard within the Assessment Area

Criteria	Abandoned Agricultural Land	Village/Orchard
Naturalness	Low. An artificial habitat	Low. An artificially created habitat.
Size	Small (0.48 ha)	Small (9.92 ha)
Diversity	Low floral and faunal diversity	Moderate floral and low faunal diversity
Rarity	A common habitat in Hong Kong. Two fauna (Metallic Cerulean and Japanese Pipistrelle) species of conservation importance were recorded.	A very common habitat in Hong Kong. Two fauna species of conservation importance (Little Egret and Japanese Pipistrelle) were recorded.
Re-creatability	High	High
Fragmentation	High	None
Ecological linkage	Not structurally and functionally link with highly valued habitat	Not structurally and functionally linked with highly valued habitat
Potential value	Low	Low
Nursery/Breeding ground	An individual of Metallic Cerulean was observed laying eggs on its host plant Ginger Lily	None known
Age	Young	Young
Abundance/ Richness of Wildlife	Low	Low
Ecological Value	Low to Moderate	Low

Table 8.22 Ecological Evaluation of Developed Area and Pond within the Assessment Area

Criteria	Developed Area	Pond
Naturalness	Low. An artificial habitat	Low. An artificial habitat.
Size	Very large (264.94 ha)	Small (0.03 ha)
Diversity	Moderate to high floral and low faunal diversity	Low floral and faunal diversity
Rarity	A very common man-made habitat in Hong Kong. Six flora species of conservation importance (Incense Tree, Butulang Canthium, Lamb of Tartary, Small Persimmon, Hairy-fruited Ormosia and Ixonanthes) were recorded. Eleven fauna species of conservation importance (Black-crowned Night Heron, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Little Egret, Black-capped Kingfisher, Forget-me-not, Short-nosed Fruit Bat, Japanese Pipistrelle, Least Pipistrelle, Chinese Pipistrelle and Rhesus Macaque) were recorded. Ardeid night roosts were recorded on planted trees along SMRC at the riverside between HKHM and Man Lai Court and on the rooftop of HKHM.	Common habitat in Hong Kong. No species of conservation importance were recorded.
Re-creatability	High	High
Fragmentation	None	Moderate
Ecological linkage	Not structurally and functionally link with highly valued habitat	Not structurally and functionally link with highly valued habitat
Potential value	Low	Low
Nursery/Breeding ground	None known	None known
Age	N/A	N/A
Abundance/ Richness of Wildlife	Low to moderate	Low
Ecological Value	Low to Moderate – for ardeid night roost site near SMRC Low – for remaining developed area	Low

Table 8.23 Ecological Evaluation of Natural and Modified Watercourse within the Assessment Area

Criteria	Natural Watercourses	Modified Watercourse
Naturalness	Moderate to high	Very low. An artificial habitat.
Size	Small (~3.28 km, 2.06 ha)	Small (~4.10 km, 16.06 ha)
Diversity	Low to moderate floral and low faunal diversity	Low floral and faunal diversity
Rarity	A common habitat in Hong Kong. One flora (Luofushan Joint-fir) was recorded. Eight fauna species of conservation importance (Striated Heron, Dark Swift, Emerald Cascader, Lesser Spiny Frog, Indian Forest Skink, Chinese Water Dragon, Predaceous Chub and Cryptopotamon anacoluthon) were recorded.	A very common habitat in Hong Kong. Nine fauna species of conservation importance (Little Grebe, Black-crowned Night Heron, Chinese Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Little Egret, Tiger Hawker (nymphs), Lesser Spiny Frog and Japanese Pipistrelle) were recorded.
Re-creatability	Low.	High
Fragmentation	Moderate	Moderate
Ecological linkage	Functionally connected with woodland nearby. Natural watercourses S3 and S6 partially fall within LRCP.	Some of the modified watercourses structurally link with natural watercourse
Potential value	Moderate	Low
Nursery/Breeding ground	Nymphs of Emerald Cascader recorded at lower section of S3; juveniles of Predaceous Chub recorded at upper and lower sections of S3; and tadpoles of Less Spiny Frog recorded at S6	Nymphs of Tiger Hawker was recorded at S7.
Age	N/A	Young
Abundance/ Richness of Wildlife	Low to moderate	Low
Ecological Value	Moderate	Low to moderate – for SMRC Low – for remaining modified watercourses

Table 8.24 Species of Conservation Importance Recorded within the Assessment Area during Recent Surveys and Previous Studies

Common Name (Scientific Name)	Recorded Location / Habitat		Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Rarity ⁽¹⁾	Protection Status
Common Name (Scientific Name)	Previous Studies	Recent Survey	Distribution in Hong Kong ⁽¹⁾	Rarity ⁽¹⁾	Protection Status
Flora
Incense Tree (Aquilaria sinensis)	-	Woodland; Mixed Woodland⁽*⁾; Plantation; Developed Area	Can be found in lowland forests and fung shui woods	Common	Cap. 586 ⁽²⁾; Vulnerable ⁽²⁾; Status in China: Near Threatened ⁽³⁾; Category ll ⁽⁴⁾; Vulnerable ⁽⁵⁾; Near Threatened ⁽⁶⁾; Recorded in Illustration of Rare and Endangered Plants in Guangdong Province ⁽⁷⁾
Hong Kong Eagle's Claw (Artabotrys hongkongensis)	-	Woodland⁽*⁾⁽⁺⁾	Can be found in dense forests or on wet places of ravines	Restricted	Least Concern ⁽⁴⁾
Butulang Canthium (Canthium dicoccum)	Plantation ⁽¹⁵⁾	Woodland⁽⁾⁽⁺⁾; Mixed woodland⁽⁾⁽⁺⁾; Plantation⁽⁾; Developed area⁽⁾	Can be found in ravines, forests and thickets.	Common	Vulnerable ⁽²⁾
Lamb of Tartary (Cibotium barometz)	-	Woodland⁽⁺⁾; Developed area	Can be found in forest and shrubland	Very Common	Cap. 586 ⁽²⁾; Status in China: Vulnerable ⁽³⁾; Category ll ⁽⁴⁾
Small Persimmon (Diospyros vaccinioides)	Shrubland ⁽¹⁵⁾	Woodland⁽⁾⁽⁺⁾; Mixed woodland⁽⁾⁽⁺⁾; Developed area⁽*⁾	Can be found in thin forests and thickets in ravines or on hillslopes	Very Common	Critically Endangered ⁽²⁾; Endangered ⁽⁸⁾
Luofushan Joint-fir (Gnetum luofuense)	-	Woodland⁽⁾⁽⁺⁾; Mixed Woodland⁽⁾⁽⁺⁾; Plantation; Natural watercourse	Can be found in forest and shrubland	Very Common	Near Threatened ⁽²⁾
Ixonanthes (Ixonanthes reticulata)	-	Woodland⁽⁾⁽⁺⁾; Developed area⁽⁾	Can be found in thickets or thin forests	Common	Vulnerable ⁽²⁾⁽⁵⁾
Hairy-fruited Ormosia (Ormosia pachycarpa)	-	Woodland⁽⁾⁽⁺⁾; Developed area⁽⁾	Can be found in forests	Restricted	Status in China: Endangered ⁽³⁾; Vulnerable ⁽⁸⁾
Hong Kong Pavetta (Pavetta hongkongensis)	-	Woodland; Mixed woodland⁽*⁾	Can be found in thickets and forests	Common	Cap. 96 ⁽²⁾
Ailanthus (Ailanthus fordii)	Plantation ⁽¹⁵⁾	Plantation⁽*⁾	Can be found in forest.	Rare; also widely cultivated as roadside trees and ornamental trees ⁽³⁾	Cap. 96 ⁽²⁾
Rhododendron spp.⁽¹⁷⁾	-	Mixed woodland⁽*⁾⁽⁺⁾	Can be found in forest and/or shrubland	-	Cap. 96 ⁽²⁾
Fauna
Avifauna
Little Grebe ⁽¹⁴⁾ (Tachybaptus ruficollis)	-	Modified watercourse	Common resident.	Common	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; LC ⁽²⁾
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)	-	Developed area; Modified watercourse	Widely distributed in Hong Kong.	Common	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; (LC) ⁽²⁾
Striated Heron ⁽¹⁴⁾ (Butorides striatus)	-	Natural watercourse	Widely distributed in Hong Kong.	Uncommon in summer; Scarce in winter	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; (LC) ⁽²⁾
Chinese Pond Heron ⁽¹⁴⁾ (Ardeola bacchus)	-	Modified watercourse	Widely distributed in Hong Kong.	Common	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; PRC (RC) ⁽²⁾
Grey Heron ⁽¹⁴⁾ (Ardea cinerea)	-	Developed area; Modified watercourse	Found in Deep Bay area, Starling Inlet, Kowloon Park, Cape D'Aguilar.	Common	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; PRC ⁽²⁾
Great Egret ⁽¹⁴⁾ (Ardea alba)	-	Developed area; Modified watercourse	Widely distributed in Hong Kong.	Common	PRC (RC) ⁽²⁾
Little Egret ⁽¹⁴⁾ (Egretta garzetta)	-	Developed area; Village/orchard; Modified watercourse	Widely distributed in coastal area throughout Hong Kong.	Common	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; PRC (RC) ⁽²⁾
Black Kite ⁽¹⁴⁾ (Milvus migrans)	-	In flight	Widely distributed in Hong Kong.	Common	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; Cap.586 ⁽²⁾; (RC) ⁽²⁾; Class II ⁽⁹⁾
Common Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)	-	In flight	Widely distributed in woodland throughout Hong Kong.	Scarce	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; Vulnerable ⁽¹⁰⁾
Collared Scops Owl (Otus lettia)	-	Woodland⁽⁺⁾; Plantation	Widely distributed in shrubland throughout Hong Kong.	Common	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; Cap.586 ⁽²⁾; Class II ⁽⁴⁾
Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata)	-	Developed area	Widely distributed in coastal areas throughout Hong Kong.	Common	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; (LC) ⁽²⁾
Collared Crow ⁽¹⁴⁾ (Corvus torquatus)	-	In flight	Found in Inner Deep Bay area, Nam Chung, Kei Ling Ha, Tai Mei Tuk, Pok Fu Lam, Chek Lap Kok, Shuen Wan, Lam Tsuen.	Uncommon	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; LC ⁽²⁾; Vulnerable⁽²⁾; Near Threatened ⁽¹¹⁾
Pygmy Wren-babbler (Pnoepyga pusilla)	-	Woodland	Found in Tai Po Kau, Ng Tung Chai.	Rare	LC ⁽²⁾
Chinese Hwamei (Garrulax canorus)	-	Mixed Woodland⁽⁺⁾	Widely distributed in hillside shrubland throughout Hong Kong.	Common	Cap 586 ⁽²⁾; Near Threatened ⁽¹¹⁾
Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum)	Not specified ⁽¹⁶⁾	-	Found in Mai Po.	Rare	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾
Butterfly
Dark Swift (Caltoris cahira)	-	Natural watercourse	Generally found in bamboo groves.	Rare	-
Metallic Cerulean (Jamides alecto alocina)	-	Woodland; Plantation; Abandoned agriculture land⁽*⁾	Victoria Peak, Fung Yuen, Chuen Lung, Mui Wo	Very Rare	-
Forget-me-not (Catochrysops strabo)	-	Mixed woodland⁽*⁾; Plantation⁽⁺⁾; Developed area	Pui O, Tai Po Kau, Fung Yuen, Shing Mun, Sha Lo Wan	Very Rare	-
Odonate
Small Dragonhunter (Sieboldius alexanderi)	Not specified ⁽¹⁶⁾	-	Found in woodland streams; recorded in Sha Lo Tung, Tai Lam Country Park and Pat Sin Leng	Uncommon	GC ⁽²⁾
Tiger Hawker (nymphs) (Polycanthagyna erythromel)	-	Modified watercourse⁽⁺⁾	Widespread in woodlands all over Hong Kong	Common	LC ⁽²⁾
Emerald Cascader (adult and nymphs) (Zygonyx iris insignis)	-	Natural watercourse	Widely distribute in moderately clean, rapidly flowing forested streams throughout Hong Kong	Abundant	PGC ⁽²⁾
Amphibian
Lesser Spiny Frog (adult and tadpole) (Quasipaa exilispinosa)	-	Natural watercourse⁽⁺⁾; Modified watercourse	Occurs throughout territory	-	PGC ⁽²⁾; Vulnerable ^(2)(11)
Reptile
Four-clawed Gecko (Gehyra mutilata)	-	Mixed Woodland⁽*⁾	Widely but thinly distributed throughout Hong Kong	Uncommon	Vulnerable ⁽¹¹⁾
Indian Forest Skink (Sphenomorphus indicus)	-	Natural watercourse	Commonly distributed in woodlands in the eastern and central New Territories	-	LC ⁽²⁾
Chinese Water Dragon (Physignathus cocincinus)	-	Natural watercourse	-	-	Vulnerable ⁽²⁾
Enhydris spp.⁽¹⁸⁾	-	Active agricultural land⁽*⁾	-	-	-
Taiwan Kukri Snake (Oligodon formosanus)	-	Woodland	Widely distributed	Uncommon	Near Threatened ⁽¹¹⁾
Mammal
Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx)	Not specified ⁽¹⁶⁾	Mixed Woodland⁽*⁾⁽⁺⁾; Plantation; Developed area	Very widely distributed in urban and countryside areas throughout Hong Kong.	Abundant	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; Near Threatened ⁽¹¹⁾
Chinese Noctule (Nyctalus plancyi)	-	Plantation⁽⁺⁾	Fairly widely distributed in countryside areas throughout Hong Kong.	Common	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; PRC ⁽²⁾
Japanese Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus abramus)	-	Mixed woodland⁽⁾⁽⁺⁾; Developed area⁽⁾; Abandoned agricultural land⁽*⁾; Plantation⁽⁺⁾; Village/orchard; Modified watercourse	Widely distributed throughout Hong Kong.	Very Common	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾
Least Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus tenuis)	-	Plantation⁽⁺⁾; Developed area	Recorded in Nam Chung, Sheung Wo Hang, Lin Ma Hang, Plover Cove Country Park, Yuen Long, Shek Pik, Deep Water Bay, Ho Pui and Ho Chung.	Uncommon	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; Near Threatened ⁽¹¹⁾
Chinese Pipistrelle (Hypsugo pulveratus)	-	Plantation⁽⁺⁾; Developed area	Recorded in the countryside areas at Ting Kau, Ma On Shan and Lin Ma Hang, and several records of stray individuals inside buildings.	Rare	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; (LC) ⁽²⁾; Near Threatened ⁽¹¹⁾
Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)	-	Woodland; Developed area	Mainly distributed in Kam Shan, Shing Mun and Tai Po Kau; also found in Ma On Shan, Sai Kung, Tai Lam Country Parks and the North District.	Common	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾; Cap.586 ⁽²⁾; Class II ⁽⁹⁾; Vulnerable ⁽¹²⁾
Pallas's Squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus)	-	Woodland; Plantation⁽*⁾⁽⁺⁾	Fairly widely distributed, with the styani subspecies found in the New Territories (e.g. Tai Lam, Shing Mun and Tai Po Kau), and the thai subspecies found on the Hong Kong Island (e.g. Tai Tam and Pok Fu Lam).	Fairly widely distributed	Cap. 170 ⁽²⁾
Freshwater Community
Cryptopotamon anacoluthon	-	Natural watercourse	-	-	Vulnerable ⁽²⁾
Emerald Cascader (nymphs) (Zygonyx iris insignis)	Natural watercourse ⁽¹⁷⁾	Natural watercourse	Widely distribute in moderately clean, rapidly flowing forested streams throughout Hong Kong	Abundant	PGC ⁽²⁾
Tiger Hawker (nymphs) (Polycanthagyna erythromel)	-	Modified watercourse	Widespread in woodlands all over Hong Kong	Common	LC ⁽²⁾
Lesser Spiny Frog (tadpole) (Quasipaa exilispinosa)	-	Natural watercourse	Occurs throughout territory	-	Vulnerable ⁽²⁾; PGC ⁽²⁾; Vulnerable ⁽¹¹⁾
Predaceous Chub (Parazacco spilurus)	Natural watercourse ⁽¹⁷⁾	Natural watercourse	A widespread species occurring in most unpolluted hill streams in both upper and lower courses.	Common	Vulnerable ⁽¹³⁾

Notes:

(1) Distribution in Hong Kong and rarity follows:

Flora: Wu and Lee (2000); Xing and Chau (2000); Siu (2000).

Fauna: AFCD (2019b); Karsen et al. (1998); Shek (2006).

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

(Cap. 96): Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96).

(Cap. 170): Protected under Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170).

(Cap. 586): Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap.586).

IUCN (2020).

(3) Hong Kong Herbarium (2020).

(4) List of Wild Plants Under Special State Protection.

(5) Fu and Chin (1992).

(6) Feng et al. (2002).

(7) Wu and Hu (1988).

(8) Qin et al. (2017).

(9) List of Wild Animals Under Special State Protection.

(10) Zheng et al. (1998).

(11) Jiang et al. (2016).

(12) Wang (1998).

(13) Yue and Chen (1998).

(14) Wetland-dependent species (including wetland-dependent species and waterbirds).

(15) CEDD (2004).

(16) AFCD (2019a).

(17) All Rhododendron spp. in Hong Kong is listed under Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96).

(18) All Enhydris spp. in Hong Kong are considered as species of conservation importance (either listed as “Local Concern” in Fellowes et al. (2002) or “Vulnerable” in Jiang et al. (2016))

^(*) Individual(s) was(were) recorded within Project boundary.

⁽⁺⁾Individual(s) was(were) recorded within LRCP.

8.8 Impact Identification and Evaluation

8.8.1 Construction Phase

8.8.1.1 As discussed in Section 2, the proposed works mainly include the construction of T4 and the associated works (e.g. diversion of utilities, modification of road markings) within the proposed Project boundary. Direct and indirect impacts within the Project boundary on recognized sites of conservation importance, natural habitats and wildlife (including species of conservation importance) arising during construction phase are discussed in the below sections.

Direct Impact

No Direct Impact on Ardeid Night Roost Site

8.8.1.2 Ardeid night roosts were recorded on trees planted along SMRC at the riverside between HKHM and Man Lai Court (i.e. Zones A to C in Figure 8.3.1) outside the Project boundary. Approximately 14% (18 out of 126) of the total number roosting ardeids recorded during the 6-month survey period utilized trees within Zone A, while Zones B and C of the night roosting site had a higher usage by ardeids (approximately 86%). Given the ardeid night roost would be located outside the Project boundary, no direct impact on ardeid night roost site is anticipated.

Impact to Recognized Site of Conservation Importance and the Associated Species of Conservation Importance

8.8.1.3 Potential slope failure and natural terrain hazards are identified at natural terrain catchment areas near Sha Tin Road (Figure 8.2.3 refers). For sake of public safety, natural terrain mitigation works either by soil nailing or installation of flexible barrier within LRCP is required. As mentioned in Section 2.4.4, if soil nailing would be adopted under the project, over max. 5,200 m² vegetated area including woodland and mixed woodland within LRCP would be directly affected. Tree felling and vegetation trimming at understory would also be required. As such, the installation of flexible barrier with much smaller footprint (i.e. 13 m² woodland and 153 m² mixed woodland) and higher flexibility as compared with the soil nailing option is proposed. The possibility to install the flexible barrier at areas outside LRCP, including the downhill man-made slopes (Feature 7SE-C/C220 and 7SE-C/CR228) which are tall and steep in gradient and heavily soil-nailed, were explored. However, if flexible barrier is proposed on the crest of the man-made slope immediately outside LRCP, it is anticipated that additional loading would significantly affect the stability of these slopes and trigger large scale slope stabilization works within LRCP. Besides, if the flexible barrier is installed outside LRCP at the toe of these man-made slopes outside LRCP, due to the height and steep of these slopes, spray and rebounce of debris of natural terrain will be a significant safety issue to road users of Sha Tin Road. Due to public safety concern and technical constraints, the proposed installation of flexible barrier within LRCP is considered unavoidable. The construction of the flexible barrier mainly involves drilling works for anchors installation, footing construction (locally for the posts) and erection of the flexible barrier which requires some works area within LRCP. A small proportion of woodland (approximately 13 m²) and mixed woodland (approximately 153 m²) on the natural terrain that located at the margin of LRCP would be affected by the construction of proposed flexible barrier. To minimize potential impact to LRCP, the location of flexible barrier is proposed at the fringe of LRCP closest to Sha Tin Road as far as practicable. Tree felling would be minimized as far as possible by careful design of the locations and orientation of anchors/footings. Vegetation trimming would be restricted to the anchor/footing positions to minimize the disturbance to understorey vegetation. Most of the understorey vegetation within the potentially affected area was common shrub/herb species. No flora species of conservation importance were recorded within the direct footprint of flexible barrier. However, five flora species of conservation importance (including eight individuals of Butulang Canthium, three individuals of Luofushan Joint-fir, four individuals of Small Persimmon, one individual of Hairy-fruited Ormosia and three individuals of Rhododendron spp.) were recorded near the proposed footprint of flexible barrier and would be retained with provision of plant protection zones with rigid fencing and warning signs. To protect these species of conservation importance, special attention would be paid to the construction works to avoid unwanted encroachment to these species of conservation importance. For individual trees within LRCP, potential impacts and recommended mitigation measures are addressed in Section 9. Landscape works such as planting of native shrubs in pits in front of the flexible barriers and provide subdued colour paint to the flexible barriers would be undertaken to reinstate the affected area upon the completion of works. To minimize the environment impact within LRCP, the temporary storage area shall be allocated outside from LRCP. The existing access (i.e. maintenance access of the slope features) shall be utilized for construction works. Given the construction of proposed flexible barrier within LRCP would be small in scale, the Project footprint (e.g. anchors and footings) would be adjusted on site to further avoid/minimize direct impacts on trees and plant species of conservation importance, and any temporarily affected areas would be reinstated and landscaped after the construction works, the impact on LRCP is considered minor.

8.8.1.4 In carrying out the above impact assessment of direct loss to woodland and mixed woodland habitat within LRCP, a conservative approach has been adopted and assumed all the potentially impacted woodland and mixed habitat within LRCP would be permanently lost due to the works. However, as the Project footprint (e.g. anchors and footing) would be adjusted on site to avoid/minimize impacts on trees and vegetation as far as possible, the actual loss of habitats arising from the Project footprint could be smaller than 13 m² and 153 m². Thus, the impact on LRCP should be further avoided/minimized.

8.8.1.5 Nine species of conservation importance, including seven flora (Butulang Canthium, Hong Kong Eagle’s Claw, Small Persimmon, Hairy-fruited Ormosia, Luofushan Joint-fir, Ixonanthes and Rhododendron spp.) and two mammal species (Japanese Pipistrelle and Short-nosed Fruit Bat) were recorded from the Project boundary located within LRCP. However, given all the above recorded species were located outside the direct footprint of proposed works (refer to Figure 8.5.3), no direct impact is anticipated to these species of conservation importance.

Impact to Other Terrestrial Habitats and Other Species of Conservation Importance

8.8.1.6 Outside LRCP, direct permanent loss (about 6.59 ha) of six habitats including developed area, mixed woodland, plantation, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, and modified watercourse are anticipated (refer to Figure 8.5.1, Figure 8.5.2, Figure 8.5.3 & Figure 8.5.4). Temporary loss of habitats (about 1.85 ha) are anticipated due to temporary works within Project boundary (e.g. site hoarding, temporary storage of construction materials or diversion of utilities). The habitat loss of other terrestrial habitats arising from the proposed works is summarized in Table 8.25. No construction works would be undertaken outside the Project footprint/ works area (i.e. the permanently affected area and temporarily affected area as presented in Figure 8.5.1, Figure 8.5.2, Figure 8.5.3 & Figure 8.5.4) and those areas within the Project boundary are planned as no work zone.

Table 8.25 Area of Habitat Loss of Other Terrestrial Habitats Outside LRCP Arising from the Proposed Project

Habitat Type	Area of Permanent Habitat Loss (ha)	Area of Temporary Habitat Loss (ha)	Ecological Value of Affected Habitat
Mixed Woodland	1.33	0.29	Low to Moderate – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road and south to Peak One Low – for scattered patches on engineered slope along SMTR and south to Tsang Tai Uk
Plantation	1.14	0.46	Low
Active Agricultural Land	0.08	0.06	Low
Abandoned Agricultural Land	0.18	0.1	Low to moderate
Developed Area	3.79	0.94	Low
Modified Watercourse	0.07 (0.23 km)	0	Low to moderate – for SMRC Low – for remaining modified watercourses (S5)
Total	6.59	1.85	-

Note: About 13 m² woodland and 153 m² mixed woodland within LRCP would be permanently affected, as mentioned in Section 8.8.1.3 above.

8.8.1.7 The permanent habitat loss would be resulted from site formation and construction works (e.g. road widening works, slope works). Over 58% of the proposed works areas are situated within developed area along/near the existing roads. These developed areas are of low ecological value and subjected to disturbance impacts from road traffic including dust, noise and glare. Most of the recorded vegetation within this habitat were roadside trees or horticultural species. Thus, the impact is considered as minor.

8.8.1.8 The rest of the proposed works would affect some semi-natural/natural habitats. Some plots of active farm (about 0.08 ha) and abandoned farm (about 0.18 ha) at Sha Tin Tau Village that located within the footprint of the dual 2-lane depressed roads and underpass adjacent to LRTR. Two fauna species of conservation importance (reptile Enhydris spp. and mammal Pallas’s Squirrel) were recorded at the Project footprint (i.e. directly impacted area); while two other fauna species of conservation (butterfly Metallic Cerulean and mammal Japanese Pipistrelle) were in the vicinity of the Project footprint in the abandoned agricultural land. These species were only recorded in low abundance, and they were relatively mobile and could utilize other nearby habitats. Given these affected areas are located close to the existing villages and traffic road, they are unlikely to be important habitat for these species. Thus, the impact of habitat loss is anticipated to be minor.

8.8.1.9 Some plantations (1.14 ha) along the proposed T4 alignment would be directly impacted by the construction works. The plantation mainly comprised of common plantation species and of low ecological value. Given their proximity to traffic roads and residential areas, these plantations were subjected to high level of anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. noise, glare). Considered the small affected area and highly disturbed environment, the impact is considered as minor. Two flora species of conservation importance, Butulang Canthium and Ailanthus, were recorded in roadside plantation to the north of Sha Tin Tau Village within the Project footprint. Thus, the impact to these species would be moderate, if unmitigated.

8.8.1.10 Four areas of mixed woodlands would be impacted either permanently or temporarily under the Project. The mixed woodland located at the south of Peak One (about 0.02 ha), south to Tsang Tai Uk (about 1.27 ha), and south to Sha Tin Road (about 0.04 ha) would be permanently affected by the proposed T4 alignment and slope stabilization work (i.e. rigid barrier); while the mixed woodland west to Peak One (about 0.29 ha) would be temporarily affected. The mixed woodland west and south to Peak One, and south to Sha Tin Road outside LRCP were of low to moderate ecological value while the one south to Tsang Tai Uk was of low ecological value. These mixed woodlands were located near existing traffic roads and exposed to high level of human disturbance (e.g. noise, dust and glare), while the mixed woodland south to Tsang Tai Uk was relatively fragmented. Given the affected areas were relatively small in size and highly disturbed, the potential loss of mixed woodland is anticipated to be minor. As one individual of flora (Hong Kong Pavetta) and one individual of reptile (Four-clawed Gecko) species were recorded at the unimpacted portion of the mixed woodland south to Peak One outside Project footprint; and one individual of flora (Incense Tree) was recorded at the mixed woodland west to Peak One outside Project footprint, thus no direct impact to these species of conservation importance is anticipated. One individual of butterfly species of conservation importance (Forget-me-not) was recorded near the temporary affected mixed woodland west to Peak One. Given this species is relatively mobile and only recorded in low abundance, the temporarily affected mixed woodland is unlikely to be an important habitat to this species. Alternative habitat such as woodland and mixed woodland are also available in the vicinity for the species to utilize. Thus, no unacceptable impact to this species (Forget-me-not) is anticipated. Two flora species of conservation importance (two individuals of Butulang Canthium and one individual of Incense Tree) were recorded near the proposed works site of rigid barrier south to Sha Tin Road and would be potentially impacted if unmitigated. Short-nosed Fruit Bat was recorded in low abundance at the mixed woodland south to Tsang Tai Uk. As this habitat is unlikely to be a significant habitat to this bat species, the impact to this species is anticipated to be minor.

8.8.1.11 A section of SMRC near HKHM would be affected by the construction of dual 2-lane flyover, pedestrian footbridge, cycle track, and LRTR slip road, while another section of SMRC would be affected by the construction of dual 2-lane flyover near Mei Lam Estate. The proposed works would involve drilling and piling works at the channel bed and about 0.04 ha (0.01 km) of the SMRC will be permanently lost due to the works. Both affected sections are channelized and supported only low flora and fauna diversity. No species of conservation importance would be directly affected by the proposed works. The habitat loss to this modified watercourse is anticipated to be minor. A section of about 0.22 km (about 0.03 ha) modified watercourse S5 of low ecological value at Sha Tin Tau Village would also be permanently lost due to the construction of dual 2-lane depressed roads and underpass adjacent to LRTR (refer to Figure 8.2.3). The potentially affected section is small in size, highly modified and experienced frequent disturbance from nearby residential areas and road traffic at Sha Tin Tau. No species of conservation importance was recorded within this affected watercourse. The impact is expected to be minor.

8.8.1.12 Some T4 Project associated works (e.g. modification of road markings, diversion of utilities) and material storage area would temporarily occupy 1.85 ha habitats (including 0.29 ha mixed woodland, 0.46 ha plantation, 0.06 ha active agricultural land, 0.1 ha abandoned agricultural land, 0.94 ha developed area). These temporary works would only result in limited disturbance given vegetation clearance and tree felling would be avoided/ minimised as far as possible. All affected areas would be reinstated upon the completion of construction works. Landscape works such as planting of native shrubs in pits in front of the flexible barriers and provide subdued colour paint to the flexible barriers [TWYC1] would be undertaken to reinstate the affected area upon the completion of works. The impact is considered as minor.

Bird Collision

8.8.1.13 During construction phase, structures and machineries using transparent / reflective materials (e.g. glass, noise barriers) or difficult to see (e.g. cables, wires) may increase the potential of bird collision. Across SMRC, the height profile of the proposed pedestrian footbridge and cycle track, and LRTR slip road would be similar to the existing Lion Bridge (i.e. approximately 5 mPD) (refer to Figure 2.3.3 for the height profile). The risk of potential bird collision arising from the proposed pedestrian footbridge and cycle track, and LRTR slip road is anticipated to be minor.

8.8.1.14 The height profile of the proposed dual 2-lane flyover would be suppressed from 15 mPD near HKHM to 5 mPD near Riverpark (refer to Figure 2.3.3). Semi-enclosure of approximately 6 m height would be proposed at the southern part of proposed dual 2-lane flyover near the Riverpark (refer to Figure 4.3.3). The height profile of the proposed dual 2-lane flyover with semi-enclosure would be 11-15 mPD across the SMRC. Birds (including ardeids) that utilize the flight paths at this height across SMRC may potentially collide with the proposed works. However, according to the bird collision studies under the “Shenzhen Western Corridor EIA Study” (HyD, 2002) and “Night-roosting Egrets’ Response to Traffic and Bridge Structures” (Stanton and Klick, 2018), no bird collision with bridge structures, piers and vehicles on the bridge was observed as birds can alter their flight paths quickly. This suggested that bridge structures and other obstructions would not significantly disturb the flight paths of birds and increase the mortality. Given birds were observed to alter their flight paths and avoid direct collision with vehicles on LRTR during ecological surveys. No semi-enclosure is proposed at the northern part of proposed flyovers near HKHM. The height of the proposed semi-enclosure at Riverpark side has been carefully designed to minimize the disturbance on the bird flight paths as far as possible. The risk of potential bird collision is anticipated to be minor.

8.8.1.15 Moreover, the piers of the proposed dual 2-lane flyover would be designed to align with the existing Lion Bridge to maintain a corridor for bird flight under the proposed dual 2-lane flyover. The bird flight paths under Lion Bridge is not likely to be significantly disturbed. The potential impact of bird collision and flight path obstruction under Lion Bridge is unlikely to be significant.

Direct Harm/Mortality to Wildlife

8.8.1.16 Construction phase activities (e.g. site clearance and formation) have the potential to cause direct injury/mortality to wildlife. Species with higher mobility were not anticipated to be significantly impacted, but fauna with lower mobility would be subjected to higher risk of injury or mortality. However, given the proposed Project site is largely located at highly urbanized and disturbed area (e.g. existing roads) which should be less preferable to be utilized by wildlife, and the proposed works would be confined with the Project footprint to avoid unnecessary encroachment into natural habitats, the impact is considered as minor.

Indirect Impacts

Disturbance Impact on Recognized Site of Conservation Importance

8.8.1.17 LRCP at south of Sha Tin Road and its associated fauna may be subjected to indirect disturbance impacts (e.g. construction noise and vibration, air/dust, glare). Given the close proximity location to the existing Sha Tin Road, the woodland and mixed woodland habitats near Sha Tin Road were already experienced disturbance from traffic noise and vehicle emission. Thus, the proposed construction of T4 is not anticipated to incur significant increase of indirect impacts. During the construction of flexible barrier within LRCP, the surrounding habitats (e.g. woodland, mixed woodland) may experience indirect impacts (e.g. dust, noise and vibration). Considered the construction would be small in scale, short term and localized in nature, the disturbance impact is considered as minor and temporary.

Disturbance Impact on Night Roosting Ardeids

8.8.1.18 The ardeid night roost site near HKHM is located approximately 50 m from the Project boundary, and would not be affected directly by the proposed works. The night roost site supported low to moderate abundance of ardeids. About 86% of the total number of recorded night roosting ardeids utilized trees located at least 100 m away from the Project boundary as night roosting sites (i.e. at Zones B and C as showed in Figure 8.3.1 and Appendix 8.5). Construction activities (e.g. noise, glare and increase in human activities) may reduce ardeids’ preference to use the habitats near the Project boundary. However, the night roosting ardeids already experienced to relatively high level of human disturbance from the existing roads, footpaths, cycle tracks, and surrounding recreational facilities and residential areas, and night roosting site of higher usage in Zones B and C are located at least 100 m away from the Project boundary. The impacts of construction phase disturbance from the proposed road works to the night roosting ardeids are considered as minor to moderate.

Disturbance Impact on Ardeid Flight Path

8.8.1.19 Ardeid flight paths for night roosting ardeids and other ardeids were observed over the Lion Bridge near HKHM, where the proposed dual 2-lane flyover is located. During the survey conducted under this study, about 23% of total recorded ardeids (as shown in Table 8.12) were recorded flying over the Lion Bridge at height less than 15 mPD. The height of the existing Lion Bridge is approximately 5 mPD. As mentioned in Section 8.8.1.14, the height profile of the proposed dual 2-lane flyover would be 11-15 mPD. The piers of the proposed dual 2-lane flyover would be designed to align with the piers of the existing Lion Bridge to maintain a flight corridor for ardeid under the flyover (i.e. under 15mPD). The potential disturbance impact of flight path by the proposed dual 2-lane flyover across SMRC is hence considered as low to moderate, if unmitigated.

8.8.1.20 Given only very low abundance (~1%) of ardeids flew towards the existing bridge near Mei Lam Estate, no significant adverse impact on existing ardeid flight paths is anticipated due to the proposed dual 2-lane flyover that running parallel to the existing bridge.

Disturbance Impact on Terrestrial Habitat, Vegetation and Fauna

8.8.1.21 The construction activities of the Project would involve site clearance, piling works and construction of associated utilities (e.g. footbridges, cycle tracks). These activities would temporarily increase disturbance including noise, vibration and other human activities, and result in indirect impacts to nearby natural habitats (i.e. woodland, mixed woodland) and the associated fauna. Given the majority of recorded species within the assessment area were generalist species habituated to anthropogenic disturbance and utilized a wide range of habitats, the potential disturbance impact is considered as minor.

8.8.1.22 Dust generated during the construction phase (e.g. construction machinery, construction material storage) could affect the flora at nearby habitats. Construction dust could cover the leaves of adjacent habitats and may affect photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration (Farmer, 1993). Given the majority of proposed works is situated at existing developed area and the nearby habitats are already subjected to regular dust emission from traffic and anthropogenic activities, the indirect impact on air quality is anticipated to be minor.

8.8.1.23 Artificial lighting (glare) would affect some light sensitive wildlife (e.g. nocturnal fauna) at nearby habitats (e.g. woodland, mixed woodland). This can result in a reduction in the density of faunal population in an area through disorientation from, and attraction to artificial light, and disruptive effects on the light-sensitive cycles of light sensitive/nocturnal species. This can affect migration, foraging/predation and breeding success of species. However, most of the habitats near the Project boundary was already subjected to heavy disturbance such as traffic and residential activities. Thus, the impacts of construction lighting/glare disturbance are considered as minor.

8.8.1.24 The construction of bridge piers of dual 2-lane flyover across SMRC would involve pilling and excavation activities. Also, diversion of watercourse would be undertaken at channelized S5 prior to removal of modified watercourse. Wastewater, excavated materials or site runoff generated from the bridge pier construction, diversion of watercourse and other land-based construction works could potentially pose indirect impacts on the water quality at adjoining watercourses (e.g. SMRC, S5). Similarly, accidental spills of engine oil, fuel and other chemicals due to improper use and storage could also enter the aquatic environment. Wastewater, site run-off and accidental spills are generally characterized by high concentrations of suspended solid (SS) and turbidity. SS could potentially clog the aquatic organisms’ respiratory and digestive systems, and result in lethal/sublethal impacts (e.g. suffocation, reproductive retardation). To aquatic plants, increased turbidity could reduce the light penetrating water and photosynthetic rate, and result in deterioration of health condition. The impact is expected to be minor to moderate if unmitigated.

8.8.2 Operation Phase

Direct Impacts

8.8.2.1 No additional habitat loss would be required during the operation phase. Thus, no direct impact on recognized sites of conservation importance (i.e. LRCP) and natural habitats is anticipated. The proposed T4 alignment would largely follow the existing road networks, habitat fragmentation is expected to be minor.

8.8.2.2 The proposed pedestrian footbridge and cycle track, and LRTR slip road, dual 2-lane flyover near HKHM and Mei Lam Estate, and associated vehicles and noise barriers may lead to bird collision. As the height profile of proposed pedestrian footbridge and cycle track, and LRTR slip road would be similar to the existing Lion Bridge, the potential impact of bird collision is minor. Moreover, as discussed in Section 8.8.1.14, studies showed that potential collision of ardeid with proposed dual 2-lane flyover and vehicles near HKHM and Mei Lam Estate is unlikely to be significant. The piers of the proposed dual 2-lane flyover would be aligned with the existing Lion Bridge to maintain a corridor for bird flight under the flyover. However, if transparent panels are used for noise barrier or semi-enclosure, there would be chances of bird collision related to these transparent component. The impact is considered as minor to moderate, if unmitigated.

8.8.2.3 The traffic flow along the proposed T4 during operation phase may cause potential direct injury/mortality to wildlife (e.g. road-kill). However, given the proposed works would mainly elevated road or follow the existing road (e.g. Sha Tin Road) which is already highly disturbed due to heavy traffic under the current condition. The road is less likely utilized by fauna species than other natural habitats. The potential impact during the operation phase is thus considered as minor.

Indirect Impacts

Impact on Recognized Sites of Conservation Importance

8.8.2.4 The margin of LRCP at south of Sha Tin Road would be affected by the disturbance arising from the operation of the T4 including traffic noise, air/dust, glare, etc. However, as these areas are located in the vicinity of the existing Sha Tin Road (e.g. traffic roads, residential areas) and subjected to considerable human and traffic disturbance, the magnitude of change is considered as minor. For the flexible barrier to be installed at the northern fringe of LRCP, ad-hoc maintenance works such as routine inspection and debris removal would be required. As such works is minor in scale and is temporary in nature, the potential disturbance impacts on LRCP is considered as minor.

Disturbance Impact on Night Roosting Ardeids

8.8.2.5 Ardeid night roost site is located near the proposed footprint of T4 and associated works (e.g. pedestrian footbridge and cycle track, and LRTR slip road as stated in Section 8.8.1.18. Disturbance impacts arising from the operation of the T4 on the night roost site is anticipated. Nevertheless, given night roosting ardeids have already experienced considerable level of human disturbance from the existing roads and surrounding residential areas under current condition, and after application of low noise road surfacing on the slip road section of T4 near ardeid night roost site, and night roost of higher usage are located at least 100 m away from the Project boundary, the disturbance impacts on night roosting ardeids are considered as minor to moderate.

Impact on Ardeid Flight Path

8.8.2.6 The proposed dual 2-lane flyover near Mei Lam Estate and HKHM could potentially disturb ardeids flight paths. Given very low abundance of ardeids (~1%) utilized the flight line above the existing bridge near Mei Lam Estate (i.e. flight line ON1), no adverse disturbance impact on the ardeid flight paths is anticipated.

8.8.2.7 Meanwhile, about 23% of total recorded ardeids were recorded flying over the Lion Bridge with height less than 15 mPD. As the proposed height profile of LRTR slip road, pedestrian footbridge and cycle track near HKHM would be similar to the existing Lion Bridge, the potential disturbance impact on flight path is anticipated to be minor. Ardeids utilizing flight paths near the HKHM side (i.e. flight line RE1A, RE1B, OE1, OE2, OW1 and OW2) (refer to Figure 8.4.1 & Figure 8.4.2) are anticipated to be affected by the proposed dual 2-lane flyover near HKHM which would gradually suppress from about 15 mPD to about 5 mPD. As stated in Section 8.8.1.14, ardeids could be behaviorally adapted to bridge structures and associated traffic to avoid collision by altering flight height or direction. It could potentially cause increase in energy exertion of ardeids, if they need to increase their flight height/distance, which may eventually affect their foraging and breeding success. The piers of the proposed dual 2-lane flyover would be designed to align with the piers of existing Lion Bridge to maintain a corridor for bird flight under the flyover and reduce energy exertion for altering the flight path. Hence the potential impact of flight path and potential increase in energy exertion are considered as minor.

Disturbance Impacts on Terrestrial Habitats, Vegetation and Fauna

8.8.2.8 The operation of T4 could result in disturbance to the nearby natural habitats (e.g. woodland, mixed woodland) and associated fauna and flora in the vicinity of Project boundary. These disturbance impacts include glare, noise, surface run-off and traffic emission. Nevertheless, the proposed T4 alignment is mostly along developed area and habitats that subjected to anthropogenic disturbance, fauna species recorded in the adjacent area of the proposed alignment were likely habituated to these disturbances. Thus, the disturbance impacts are anticipated to be minor.

8.8.2.9 Upon the completion of works, the temporarily affected works area will be reinstated to its original condition and would not induce adverse ecological impacts during the operation phase. Landscape works such as planting of native shrubs in pits in front of the flexible barriers within LRCP and provide subdued colour paint to the flexible barriers would be undertaken to reinstate the affected area upon the completion of works. For other temporarily affected plantation and mixed woodland area outside LRCP, shrub mix planting would be undertaken to compensate vegetation loss. Regular routine maintenance inspection on the slopes may be required, but the level of disturbance should be acceptable given the inspection would be occasional and temporary.

8.9 Evaluation of Ecological Impacts

8.9.1.1 Potential ecological impacts on the identified habitats within the assessment area associated with the construction and operation of the Project have been evaluated in accordance with the Annex 8 of the EIAO-TM, as presented in Table 8.26 to Table 8.31.

Table 8.26 Potential Ecological Impacts to Woodland and Mixed Woodland Habitats

Criteria	Woodland	Mixed Woodland
Habitat quality	Moderate to high – for hillside woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and north of SMTR Moderate – for woodland in Pak Tin, east of Shui Chuen O Estate and northeast of Mei Chung Court Low to moderate – for isolated woodland surrounding SHRC	Moderate – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP Low to moderate – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road outside LRCP, west, south and southeast to Peak One, west to Mei Chung Court and west to Chun Shek Estate Low – for isolated patches adjacent to developed area, on engineered slopes and south to Tsang Tai Uk
Species	High floral and low to moderate faunal diversity – for hillside woodland south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and north of SMTR Moderate floral and low faunal diversity – for woodland in Pak Tin, east of Shui Chuen O Estate and northeast of Mei Chung Court Low to moderate floral and low faunal diversity – for isolated woodland surrounding SHRC Nine flora, two avifauna, one butterfly, one reptile and two mammal species of conservation importance were recorded.	Moderate to high floral and low to moderate faunal diversity – for mixed woodland south to Sha Tin Road (including those within LRCP), west, south and southeast to Peak One, west to Mei Chung Court and west to Chun Shek Estate Low to moderate floral and low faunal diversity – for scattered patches adjacent to developed area, on engineered slope along SMTR and south to Tsang Tai Uk Six flora, one avifauna, one butterfly, one reptile and two mammal species of conservation importance were recorded.
Size/Abundance	Permanent loss of understorey vegetation (about 13 m²) within LRCP is anticipated.	Permanent loss (about 153 m²) within LRCP; permanent loss (1.33 ha) at the mixed woodlands at Tsang Tai Uk, south of Peak One and south to Sha Tin Road outside LRCP; and temporary loss (0.29 ha) at the mixed woodland west to Peak one outside LRCP are anticipated.
Duration	Direct impact (habitat loss within LRCP) within the footprint of the proposed works would be permanent. Indirect impact (noise and vibration, air/dust) during the construction phase would be temporary. Indirect impact (glare, noise, increase in human disturbance) during operation phase would be permanent	Direct impact (habitat loss) within the footprint of the proposed works would be permanent. Indirect impact (noise and vibration, air/dust) during the construction phase would be temporary. Indirect impact (noise, increase in human disturbance) during the operation phase would be permanent.
Reversibility	Permanent habitat loss within LRCP would be irreversible. Construction phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities) would be reversible. Operation phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities) would be irreversible.	Permanent habitat loss would be irreversible. Temporary habitat loss and construction phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities) would be reversible. Operation phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities) would be irreversible.
Magnitude	Minor	Minor
Overall Impact Evaluation	Minor	Minor

Table 8.27 Potential Ecological Impacts to Plantation and Shrubland Habitats

Criteria	Plantation	Shrubland
Habitat quality	Low to moderate – for plantation at Sha Tin Park, south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and east to Shui Chuen O Estate Low – for remaining plantations	Low to Moderate
Species	Moderate floral and low faunal diversity – for patches at Sha Tin Park, south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP and east to Shui Chuen O Estate Low floral and faunal diversity – for remaining plantations. Four flora, one avifauna, two butterfly and six mammal species of conservation importance were recorded during recent surveys and previous studies.	Low to moderate floral and low faunal diversity. One flora species of conservation importance was recorded in previous studies.
Size/Abundance	Permanent loss (1.14 ha) and temporary loss (0.46 ha) of plantation habitat are anticipated.	No direct loss to this habitat is anticipated.
Duration	Direct impact (permanent habitat loss) within the footprint of the proposed works would be permanent. Direct impact (temporary habitat loss) within the footprint of the proposed works would be temporary. Indirect impact (noise and vibration, air/dust) during construction phase would be temporary. Indirect impact (noise, increase in human disturbance) during operation phase would be permanent.	Given its distant location at the hillside area, negligible indirect impacts are anticipated during construction and operation phases.
Reversibility	Permanent habitat loss would be irreversible. Temporary habitat loss would be reversible. Construction phase indirect impacts (dust, noise, glare) would be reversible. Operation phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities) would be irreversible	Given its distant location at the hillside area, negligible indirect impacts are anticipated during construction and operation phases.
Magnitude	Minor	Negligible
Overall Impact Evaluation	Minor	Negligible

Table 8.28 Potential Ecological Impacts to Grassland and Active Agricultural Land Habitats

Criteria	Grassland	Active Agricultural Land
Habitat quality	Low	Low
Species	Low floral and faunal diversity. No species of conservation importance were recorded.	Low floral and faunal diversity. One reptile species of conservation importance was recorded during recent surveys.
Size/Abundance	No direct loss to this habitat is anticipated.	Permanent loss (0.08 ha) and temporary loss (0.06 ha) of active agricultural land habitat are anticipated.
Duration	Given its distant location at the hillside area, negligible indirect impacts are anticipated during construction and operation phases.	Direct impact (permanent habitat loss) within the footprint of the proposed works would be permanent. Direct impact (temporary habitat loss) within the footprint of the proposed works would be temporary. Indirect impact (noise and vibration, air/dust) during construction phase would be temporary. Indirect impact (noise, increase in human disturbance) to remaining mixed woodland during operation phase would be permanent
Reversibility	Given its distant location at the hillside area, negligible indirect impacts are anticipated during construction and operation phases.	Permanent habitat loss would be irreversible. Temporary habitat loss would be reversible. Construction phase indirect impacts (air/dust, noise, glare) would be reversible. Operation phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities) would be irreversible.
Magnitude	Negligible	Minor
Overall Impact Evaluation	Negligible	Minor

Table 8.29 Potential Ecological Impacts to Abandoned Agricultural Land and Village /Orchard

Criteria	Abandoned Agricultural Land	Village/Orchard
Habitat quality	Low to moderate	Low
Species	Low floral and low faunal diversity. One butterfly and one mammal species of conservation importance were recorded during recent surveys.	Moderate floral and low faunal diversity. One avifauna and one mammal species of conservation importance were recorded during recent surveys.
Size/Abundance	Permanent loss (0.18 ha) and temporary loss (0.1 ha) of abandoned agricultural land habitat are anticipated.	No direct loss to this habitat is anticipated.
Duration	Direct impact (permanent habitat loss) within the footprint of the proposed works would be permanent. Direct impact (temporary habitat loss) within the footprint of the proposed works would be temporary. Indirect impact (noise and vibration, air/dust) during construction phase would be temporary. Indirect impact (air/dust, noise, increase in human disturbance) during operation phase would be permanent.	Indirect impact (noise and vibration, air/dust) during construction phase would be temporary. Indirect impact (noise and human disturbance) during operation phase would be permanent.
Reversibility	Permanent habitat loss would be irreversible. Temporary habitat loss would be reversible. Construction phase indirect impacts (air/dust, noise, glare) would be reversible. Operation phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities) would be irreversible	Construction phase indirect impacts (air/dust, noise, glare) would be reversible. Operation phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities) would be irreversible.
Magnitude	Minor	Minor
Overall Impact Evaluation	Minor	Minor

Table 8.30 Potential Ecological Impacts to Developed Area and Pond Habitats

Criteria	Developed Area	Pond
Habitat quality	Low to Moderate – for ardeid night roost site near SMRC Low – for remaining developed area	Low
Species	Moderate to high floral and low faunal diversity. Six flora, five avifauna, one butterfly and five mammal species of conservation importance were recorded during recent surveys. Ardeid night roosts were recorded along SMRC at the riverside and rooftop of HKHM.	Low floral and low faunal diversity No species of conservation importance were recorded.
Size/Abundance	Permanent loss (3.79 ha) and temporary loss (0.94 ha) of developed area habitat are anticipated.	No direct loss to this habitat is anticipated.
Duration	Direct impact (habitat loss) within the footprint of the proposed works would be permanent. Indirect impact (noise and vibration, air/dust, disturbance to ardeid night roost site and ardeid flight path) during the construction phase would be temporary. Indirect impact (noise, increase in human disturbance, disturbance to ardeid night roost site and ardeid flight path) during operation phase would be permanent.	Indirect impact (noise and vibration, air/dust) during the construction phase would be temporary. Indirect impact (noise, increase in human disturbance) during operation phase would be permanent.
Reversibility	Permanent habitat loss would be irreversible. Construction phase indirect impacts (air/dust, noise, glare, disturbance to ardeid night roost site and ardeid flight path) would be reversible. Operation phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities, disturbance to ardeid night roost site and ardeid flight path) would be irreversible.	Construction phase indirect impacts (air/dust, noise, glare) would be reversible. Operation phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities) would be irreversible.
Magnitude	Minor	Minor
Overall Impact Evaluation	Low to Moderate – for ardeid night roost site near SMRC Minor – for remaining developed area	Minor

Table 8.31 Potential Ecological Impacts to Natural Watercourse and Modified Watercourse Habitat

Criteria	Natural Watercourse	Modified Watercourse
Habitat quality	Moderate	Low to moderate – for SMRC Low – for remaining modified watercourses
Species	Low to moderate floral and low faunal diversity. One flora, one avifauna, one butterfly, one odonate (adult and larvae), one amphibian, two reptile, one freshwater fish and one freshwater crab were recorded during recent surveys.	Low floral and faunal diversity. Six avifauna, one odonate (larvae), one amphibian and one mammal species of conservation importance were recorded during recent surveys.
Size/Abundance	No direct loss to this habitat is anticipated.	Permanent loss (0.07 ha) of modified watercourse habitat are anticipated.
Duration	Indirect impact (noise and vibration, air/dust) during the construction phase would be temporary. Indirect impact (noise, increase in human disturbance) during operation phase would be permanent.	Direct impact (habitat loss) within the footprint of the proposed works would be permanent. Indirect impact (noise and vibration, air/dust) during construction phase would be temporary. Indirect impact (noise, increase in human disturbance) during operation phase would be permanent
Reversibility	Construction phase indirect impacts (air/dust, noise, glare) would be reversible. Operation phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities) would be irreversible.	Permanent habitat loss would be irreversible. Construction phase indirect impacts (air/dust, noise, glare) would be reversible. Operation phase indirect impacts (disturbance, increase in human activities) would be irreversible.
Magnitude	Minor	Minor
Overall Impact Evaluation	Minor	Minor

8.10 Cumulative Impacts

8.10.1.1 The construction activities of the Project are tentatively scheduled from 2023 to 2028. According to Section 1.12, the following projects in the vicinity are likely to be constructed/operated concurrently with the Project:

· Widening of Tai Po Road (Sha Tin Section);

· Improvement of Lion Rock Tunnel; and

· Revitalization of Tai Wai Nullah.

8.10.1.2 Construction works for the Widening of TPR-ST will be completed in Q1 2023 tentatively which is before the commencement of the construction for the Project (i.e. not concurrent project under construction phase) which will commence in Q4 2023 tentatively, thus no cumulative impacts are anticipated during the construction phase. During the operation phase of the Tai Po Road (Sha Tin Section), though cumulative indirect impacts (e.g. dust, noise and glare) would be anticipated at the developed area habitats near Tung Lo Wan. However, given the potentially affected habitat is already urbanized and subjected to similar disturbance under current condition, no unacceptable cumulative indirect impacts are expected if unmitigated. Moreover, with the proper implementation of mitigation measures (e.g. noise barrier, noise suppression surface) as recommended in the EIA report of the above Projects, the indirect impacts would be further minimized.

8.10.1.3 Based on the latest available information, the tentative construction work of the entire Improvement of LRT project will be commenced in 2025 for completion by 2035. The road widening works of LRT Road at the section near Sun Tin Wai Estate/Fung Shing Court undertaking by LRT Project will commence in December 2028 while the construction of the Project will be completed in September 2028. Under the proposed footprint of “Improvement of Lion Rock Tunnel”, about 0.36 ha of woodland would be unavoidably affected, which about 0.25 ha would be located within LRCP along the of Lion Rock Tunnel Road and at Lion Rock Tunnel portal at Shatin. Given only very small area of woodland and mixed woodland (about 166 m²in total) within LRCP at south of Sha Tin Road would be affected under T4 and would only result in minor direct impact to LRCP, it is anticipated this small affected woodland and mixed woodland area would not incur any unacceptable cumulative direct impact to LRCP if unmitigated. Cumulative indirect impacts (e.g. noise, dust, glare) would be likely expected near the developed area habitat near Sha Tin Tau Village, and woodland and mixed woodland habitat south to Sha Tin Road within LRCP. Given the above affected habitats are already subjected to regular disturbance from the existing Sha Tin Road and LRTR, the cumulative indirect impacts are expected to be acceptable if unmitigated. With proper implementation of mitigation measures (e.g. carefully design the construction sequence, temporary noise barrier) as recommended in the respective Projects, the potential cumulative impacts would be further minimized.

8.10.1.4 The construction phase of the “Revitalization of Tai Wai Nullah” will overlap with that of the Project during 2024 to 2028. A section of Tai Wai Nullah near the existing Shing Mun Tunnel Road falls inside the Study Area of the Project. There is potential concurrent works between the Revitalisation of Tai Wai Nullah project and the Project. The tentative construction programme and works at the interface area between the two projects could be arranged efficiently, e.g. scheduling works to be carried out during dry season, through close liaison between DSD’s and CEDD’s contractors of the Revitalisation of Tai Wai Nullah project and the Project respectively in order to avoid construction works of respective works contracts to be carried out concurrently at the same interfacing areas. Cumulative construction environmental impacts, and water quality impacts upon the downstream water body could be minimised. With proper adoption of mitigation measures and good site practices, no unacceptable adverse cumulative impacts are anticipated during construction and operation phases.

8.11 Mitigation of Adverse Ecological Impacts

8.11.1 General

8.11.1.1 According to the EIAO-TM Annex 16 and EIAO Guidance Note No. 3/2010, ecological impacts on important habitats and the associated wildlife caused by the proposed Project should be mitigated, in order of priority, avoidance, minimization, and compensation approaches to the maximum practical extent.

8.11.2 Avoidance

Avoidance of Recognized Sites of Conservation Importance and Natural Habitats

8.11.2.1 Avoidance of direct impact (e.g. removal or pruning of trees) on night roost ardeid site near HKHM has be undertaken through carefully design of T4 alignment. Ardeid survey before the commencement of construction works (i.e. pre-construction ardeid survey) and monthly ardeid monitoring during construction phase is recommended to confirm the extent of ardeid night roosting and the location of roosting trees. A plan detailing the ardeid survey and monitoring methodology should be submitted to and approved by AFCD. The findings of the pre-construction ardeid survey should also be submitted to and approved by AFCD, whilst the monthly ardeid monitoring data should be included in the monthly EM&A report. Besides, provision of screening (e.g. hoarding) during construction phase is recommended to avoid any unsolicited encroachment on the ardeid night roosting site located near the Project boundary.

8.11.2.2 Most of the area in recognized sites of conservation importance (e.g. LRCP) and natural habitats (e.g. woodland, natural watercourse) were excluded from the proposed construction footprint in order to avoid any direct impacts. For LRCP, other than the proposed installation of flexible barrier at the permanently affected area (as shown in Figure 8.5.1, Figure 8.5.2, Figure 8.5.3 & Figure 8.5.4), direct impacts on LRCP within the Project Boundary are avoided. Provision of screening (e.g. hoarding) during construction phase is recommended to confine the proposed works within Project footprint in order to screen adjacent habitats from the disturbance of construction phase activities.

8.11.3 Minimization

Minimizing Impacts on Recognized Site of Conservation Importance

8.11.3.1 Alternative locations, construction methods and design of the proposed slope works within LRCP have been explored when formulating the Revised Trunk Road T4 project with a view to avoiding and minimizing direct encroachment upon LRCP. However, as mentioned in Sections 2.4.4 and 8.8.1.3, natural terrain hazard mitigation works within LRCP will be required to mitigate the potential slope failure and natural terrain hazards south to Sha Tin Road. Considered the works area of soil nailing will be largely located at woodland and mixed woodland within LRCP, which will likely require tree felling and large extent of vegetation trimming at understorey, the installation flexible barrier is proposed due to comparatively minor direct impact to LRCP. Moreover, given the downhill man-made slopes (Feature 7SE-C/C220 and 7SE-C/CR228) are tall and steep in gradient and heavily soil-nailed, it is not feasible to propose the flexible barrier on Feature 7SE-C/C220 and 7SE-C/CR228 outside LRCP, as additional loading would significantly affect the stability of these slopes and trigger large scale slope stabilization works within LRCP. Besides, if the flexible barrier is installed at the toe of these man-made slopes outside LRCP, due to the height and steepness of these slopes, spray and rebounce of debris of natural terrain will be a significant safety issue to road users of Sha Tin Road. The flexible barrier is unavoidably to be located within LRCP but the scale is small. As stated in Section 8.8.1.3, the impact on LRCP is considered as minor. In order to minimize potential direct impact to LRCP, the proposed flexible barrier will be located at the fringe of LRCP closest to Sha Tin Road as far as practicable. Also, the design of proposed works (e.g. extent, dimension, construction method) would be carefully designed and adjusted on site to avoid/minimize tree felling and vegetation trimming to the maximum practicable extent. Tree preservation would be made reference to the Guidelines on Tree Preservation during Development (DEVB, 2015) and Development Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No. 4/2020 Tree Preservation (DEVB, 2020). Landscape works such as planting of native shrubs in pits in front of the flexible barriers and provide subdued colour paint to the flexible barriers would be undertaken to reinstate the affected area upon the completion of works.

Minimizing Impacts on Ardeid Flight Path and Bird Collision

8.11.3.2 During the operation phase, the road structures and associated noise barriers may result in bird collision and mortality. To minimize the disturbance on ardeid flight path, no semi-enclosure would be installed at the northern part of proposed dual 2-lane flyover near HKHM, while installation and height of noise barrier at the southern part of proposed dual 2-lane flyover near the Riverpark would be minimized (to the similar height of a double-decker bus), as far as possible. Moreover, the piers of the proposed dual 2-lane flyover would be designed to align with the piers of the existing Lion Bridge to maintain a flight corridor under the proposed flyover in order to minimize the potential disturbance on the ardeid flight path and bird collision.

8.11.3.3 Mitigation measures to minimize bird mortality from collision by the use of tinted materials and superimposing dark patterns or strips on the barrier will be implemented in accordance with the “Guidelines on Design of Noise Barriers” (EPD, 2003) and “Practice Notes No. BSTR/PN/003 (Revision E) Noise Barriers with Transparent Panels” (HyD, 2020). Comment from AFCD on the design of the barrier would also be sought if necessary.

Protection of Flora Species of Conservation Importance

8.11.3.4 Ten flora species of conservation importance were recorded within the Project boundary, among them, two species (one individual of Butulang Canthium and two individuals of Ailanthus) were located within the Project footprint near Sha Tin Tau Village. To avoid adverse impact to these plant species, a detailed vegetation survey should be conducted prior to site clearance by a qualified ecologist/botanist with at least 5 years relevant experience within the concerned areas to ascertain the presence, update the conditions and determine the abundance and locations of the flora species of conservation importance. A Preservation and Transplantation Proposal should be prepared to present the findings of detailed vegetation survey, preservation and/or transplantation methodology, implementation programme, and monitoring programme. The proposal should be submitted to and approved by AFCD prior to site clearance.

8.11.3.5 Tree felling should be minimized during slope stabilization including those within LRCP as far as possible. For individual trees within LRCP, potential impacts and recommended mitigation measures are addressed in Section 9. Apart from tree individuals, five flora species of conservation importance (including eight individuals of Butulang Canthium, three individuals of Luofushan Joint-fir, four individuals of Small Persimmon, three individuals of Rhododendron spp. in LRCP and one individual of Hairy-fruited Ormosia outside LRCP) were recorded near the Project footprint of flexible barrier to be constructed within LRCP. Two flora species of conservation importance (including two individuals of Butulang Canthium and one individual of Incense Tree) were recorded in the vicinity of Project footprint of rigid barrier outside LRCP. To protect the individual trees and recorded flora species of conservation importance during the construction of the flexible and rigid barriers near Sha Tin Road and within LRCP, a qualified ecologist/botanist with at least 5 years relevant experience should be deployed to conduct tree/vegetation surveys to identify, tag and demarcate any individual of tree and/or floral species of conservation importance located within or near the Project footprint prior to site clearance. All the identified flora species of conservation importance above and retained trees as recommended in Section 9 within LRCP shall be preserved on site with provision of plant protection zones with rigid fencing. Plant protection zones of at least 1.5 m setback from the trunk of the individual tree or flora species of conservation importance would be set up as far as possible. No access and construction activities would be allowed within the plant protection zones. Findings of the tree survey/detailed vegetation surveys conducted within LRCP, details of the preservation on trees and flora species of conservation importance and any additional plant protection and mitigation measures required shall be reviewed and supplemented, where necessary, in the Preservation and Transplantation Proposal to be submitted and approved by AFCD prior to site clearance.

Minimizing Disturbance Impacts on Natural Habitats and Fauna

8.11.3.6 The majority of recorded species within the assessment area are generalist species habituated to various levels of disturbance and utilize a wide range of habitats. To minimize disturbance impacts, provision of screening (e.g. hoarding, vertical/semi-enclosures noise barriers) during construction phase and planting of peripheral screening plants/vertical green during operation phase is recommended.

8.11.3.7 The following standard good site practices should also be implemented throughout the construction phase:

- Placement of equipment or stockpile in designated works areas and access routes selected on existing disturbed land to minimize disturbance to natural habitats;

- Construction activities should be restricted to clearly demarcated works areas;

- All temporary works areas should be reinstated after completion of the works; and

- Waste skips should be provided to collect general refuse and construction wastes and should be properly disposed of in a timely manner.

Minimizing Glare, Air Quality, Noise and Disturbance Impacts

8.11.3.8 The glare from construction and operation of the Project should be cut down taking into account the presence of night roosting ardeids near HKHM. With implementation of mitigation measures (e.g. good site practices and lining hoarding at the Project boundary) should be considered to minimize construction impact. Considered the timing of sunset would vary throughout the year, two set of restricted hours for construction works within 100 m from the ardeid night roost site would be proposed during dry and wet season (Table 8.32 refers).

Table 8.32 Proposed Restricted Hours for Construction Works

Season	Proposed Restricted Hours for Construction Works
Dry Season (Oct – Mar)	16:30-07:30
Wet Season (Apr – Sep)	17:00-07:00

Construction works between the hours of 18:00 to 08:00 and on Sundays and Public Holidays within country park area should be avoided. The intensity of light should also be controlled to the lowest possible level. Unnecessary lighting should be turned off outside working hours of the construction sites. A balance between lighting for safety and avoiding excessive lighting can be achieved through the use of directional lighting (i.e. direct lighting away from the ardeid night roosting site, natural habitats, and LRCP during construction and operation phases).

8.11.3.9 Dust suppression measures stipulated in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation (Cap. 311) to avoid and minimize impacts to the surrounding habitats and the associated wildlife arising from the construction activities. Good site practices should be adopted, such as regular spraying of haul roads, proper storage of construction materials (refer to Section 3.8).

8.11.3.10 The noise mitigation measures discussed in Section 4.8 required to fulfil relevant noise control standards stipulated under Annex 5 of EIAO-TM will be implemented and the provision of movable noise barriers for the hydraulic breakers mounted on excavators for construction and implementation of noise control requirements stated in “Recommended Pollution Control Clauses for Construction Contracts” is also recommended (EPD, 2019). Noise impact during construction phase should be avoided and minimized to reduce the disturbance to the ecologically sensitive habitats adjacent to the works areas, by the use of Quiet Mechanical Plant (QMP) and orientating noisy machines / plant away from these habitats.

Minimising Water Quality Impact

8.11.3.11 The construction method and sequence of the proposed bridge piers at SMRC should be carefully designed, to make sure that all pilling and excavation works in river are fully enclosed by cofferdam. Construction activities in watercourses should be fully enclosed by watertight cofferdam walls and strictly follow other mitigation measures stated in Section 5.8. Water pumps should be used to collect any construction site runoff and ingress/seepage water within the cofferdam, and diverted to the on-site wastewater treatment facilities for treatment to satisfactory levels before discharged. Other good site practices as described in ETWB Technical Circular (Works) No. 5/2005 “Protection of Natural Streams/Rivers from Adverse Impacts arising from Construction Works” should also be adopted where applicable.

8.11.3.12 The following major measures shall be implemented during the watercourse diversion of S5:

- Cofferdams or impermeable structures should be installed as appropriate to isolate the water flow from the construction works area;

- Dewatering or flow diversion shall be conducted prior to the construction works to prevent water overflow to the surrounding area;

- Watercourse diversion should be conducted in dry season as far as practicable when the water flow is low; and

- Water drained from the watercourse shall be diverted to new/temporary drainage for watercourse diversion.

8.12 Evaluation of Residual Ecological Impacts

8.12.1.1 As the ecological value of the majority of affected habitats are low or low to moderate and supported limited flora and fauna diversity, except the small area of affected woodland within LRCP is considered as of moderate to high ecological value. With the mitigation measures suggested in Section 8.11 in place, no unacceptable residual direct and indirect impact during construction and operation phases are anticipated.

8.13 Environmental Monitoring and Audit

8.13.1.1 The implementation of the recommended mitigation measures should be subjected to monthly site audit throughout the construction phase. In case of non-compliance, the Contractor should be informed to strengthen the proposed mitigation measures accordingly. Details of environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) requirements are discussed in the separate EM&A Manual.

8.13.1.2 Considering the location of ardeid night roosts along SMRC could vary, a pre-construction ardeid survey should be conducted to ascertain the status and extent of the ardeid night roost no earlier than 3 months before the commencement of construction works. Site check should be conducted covering the ardeid night roosting site between Man Lai Court and HKHM to record the location of ardeid roosting trees, the ardeid species and abundance utilizing the night roosting site. A plan detailing the survey methodology should be submitted to and approved by AFCD. The findings of the pre-construction ardeid survey should be submitted and approved by AFCD. The findings of the pre-construction ardeid survey will be reviewed to verify if any unwanted direct encroachment of construction works to ardeid roosting tree would occur according to latest extent of ardeid night roosting prior to the construction activities. In case there is any unwanted direct encroachment to the ardeid roosting tree, remedial actions should then be recommended, where appropriate, in consultation with relevant authorities.

8.13.1.3 During construction phase, monthly ardeid monitoring should be conducted to monitor the extent and status of ardeid night roost, and the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures (e.g. restriction time of construction works, avoid encroachment on ardeid night roost site) and to identify if there are any unforeseen ecological impacts arising from the proposed Project. A plan detailing the monitoring methodology should be submitted to and approved by AFCD and the monitoring data should be included in the monthly EM&A report. In case of any unforeseen ecological impacts identified, remedial actions should then be recommended, where appropriate, in consultation with relevant authorities.

8.13.1.4 Two flora species of conservation importance (Butulang Canthium and Ailanthus) were recorded within the Project footprint. Another six flora species of conservation importance (Butulang Canthium, Incense Tree, Luofushan Joint-fir, Small Persimmon, Rhododendron spp. and Hairy-fruited Ormosia) were recorded in the vicinity of the Project footprint of flexible and rigid barriers. A detailed vegetation survey at potentially impacted areas and effective implementation of suitable mitigation measures (e.g. preserve in-situ, transplantation) should be conducted prior to site clearance. In case of unavoidable loss of flora species of conservation importance according to the Plant Preservation and Transplantation Proposal (PPTP), a 3-year post-transplantation monitoring programme should be carried out to ensure the establishment of the transplanted plants. Details of post-transplantation monitoring programme such as target species, monitoring frequency and parameters, maintenance works would be recommended in the PPTP. Regular site inspection and monitoring should be conducted to ensure that the proposed works would be confined within the Project footprint and that all retained trees and flora species of conservation importance identified in the PPTP at and near the Project footprint would be protected and preserved in situ properly.

8.14 Conclusion

8.14.1.1 Twelve habitat types, including woodland, mixed woodland, shrubland, grassland, plantation, village/orchard, active agricultural land, abandoned agricultural land, developed area, pond, natural watercourse and modified watercourse, were identified within the 500 m assessment area. A total of ten flora, one avifauna, two butterfly, two reptile and three mammal species of conservation importance were recorded within the Project boundary. Ardeid night roost site with low to moderate roosting ardeids abundance was recorded between HKHM and Man Lai Court.

8.14.1.2 Direct impact to ardeid night roost site between HKHM and Man Lai Court is avoided through carefully design of proposed works. Potential direct impacts included direct habitat loss, bird collision and direct harm or mortality to wildlife. Given the ecological value of the majority of affected habitats outside LRCP are low or low to moderate, and supported low diversity and abundance wildlife, no significant adverse impacts would be anticipated with proper implementation of mitigation measures.

8.14.1.3 Potential slope stabilization works (flexible barrier) would affect a small area of woodland and mixed woodland within LRCP. To minimize potential impact to LRCP, the location of flexible barrier is proposed at the fringe of LRCP closest to Sha Tin Road as far as practical. The extent of flexible barrier would be carefully designed to avoid / minimize tree felling and disturbance to understorey vegetation to the maximum practicable extent. Given the construction of proposed flexible barrier within LRCP would be small in scale, the Project footprint (e.g. anchors and footings) would be adjusted on site to further avoid/minimize direct impacts on trees and plant species of conservation importance, and any temporarily affected areas would be reinstated and landscaped after the construction works, the impact on LRCP is considered minor.

8.14.1.4 Potential direct impact on two floral species of conservation importance (Butulang Canthium and Ailanthus) within the proposed footprint of T4 is anticipated. Another six flora species of conservation importance (Butulang Canthium, Incense Tree, Luofushan Joint-fir, Small Persimmon, Rhododendron spp. and Hairy-fruited Ormosia) were recorded in the vicinity of the Project footprint of flexible and rigid barriers. A detailed vegetation survey at potentially impacted areas and effective implementation of suitable mitigation measures (e.g. preserve in-situ, transplantation) according to the Preservation and Transportation Proposal are recommended to avoid or minimize adverse direct impact on these species.

8.14.1.5 Major indirect impacts include disturbance impacts (i.e. glare, noise, air/dust, deterioration of water quality and increased human disturbance) on nearby habitats and the associated wildlife. However, given the majority of recorded habitats were artificial in nature (i.e. plantation, developed area) and species within the assessment area were generalist species habituated to disturbed habitats, the disturbance impact is considered as minor.

8.14.1.6 During construction and operation phases, some low-flying ardeids may be affected by the proposed dual 2-lane flyover near HKHM. Studies suggested ardeids could adapt and alter their flight paths and flight height to avoid direct collision with physical barrier (e.g. bridge, buildings). No semi-enclosure is proposed at the northern part of proposed flyovers near HKHM. The height of the proposed semi-enclosure at Riverpark side has been carefully designed to minimize the disturbance on the bird flight paths as far as possible to minimize any potential disturbance. Also, restricted hours for construction works as 16:30-07:30 during dry season (October - March) and 17:00-07:00 during wet season (April - September) are proposed within 100 m from the ardeid night roost site to minimize construction impact to ardeid night roost site.

8.14.1.7 With the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, no unacceptable adverse residual impacts would be expected during construction or operation phase.

8.15 References

[1] Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) (2006). Hong Kong Biodiversity Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Newsletter – Issue No. 13. Available at: https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/hkbiodiversity/newsletters/files/hkbonewsletter13.pdf (Accessed 03 December 2019)

[2] Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) (2019a). Information Request: Hong Kong Biodiversity Database (Unpublished data). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Government of HKSAR.

[3] Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) (2019b). Hong Kong Biodiversity Database. Available at: https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/hkbiodiversity/database/search.php. (Accessed 30 September 2019)

[4] Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) (2019c). Country Parks: Lion Rock Country Park. Available at: http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_lr/cou_vis_cou_lr.html. (Accessed 03 January 2020)

[5] Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) (2019d). Ma On Shan Country Park. Available at: https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_mos/cou_vis_cou_mos.html (Accessed 12 January 2020)

[6] Carey, G. J., Chalmers, M. L., Diskin, D. A., Kennerley, P. R., Leader, P. J., Leven, M. R., Lewthwaite, R. W., Melville, D. S., Turnbull, M. and Young, L. (2001). The Avifauna of Hong Kong. Hong Kong Bird Watching Society. Hong Kong.

[7] Chan, S. K. F., Cheung, K. S., Ho, C. Y., Lam, F. N., Tang, W. S., Lau, M. W. N. and Bogadek, A. (2005). A Field Guide to the Amphibians of Hong Kong. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of the Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd.

[8] Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) (2004). Trunk Road T4 in Sha Tin – EIA Report. Prepared by Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited for Civil Engineering and Development Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

[9] Corlett, R., Xing, F., Ng, S. C., Chau, L. and Wong, L. (2000). Hong Kong Vascular Plants: Distribution and Status. Memoirs of the Hong Kong Natural History Society. Hong Kong.

[10] Development Bureau (DEVB) (2010). Guiding Principles on Use of Native Plant Species in Public Works Projects.

[11] Development Bureau (DEVB) (2015). Guidelines on Tree Preservation during Development.

[12] Development Bureau (DEVB) (2020). Technical Circular (Works) No. 04/2020 – Tree Preservation.

[13] Dudgeon, D. (2003). Hong Kong Field Guides: Hillstreams.

[14] Environmental Protection Department (EPD) (2003). Guidelines on Design of Noise Barriers. Environmental Protection Department, The Government of the HKSAR, Hong Kong.

[15] Environmental Protection Department (EPD) (2011). EIAO Guidance Note No. 10/2010 - Methodologies for Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecological Baseline Surveys. Environmental Protection Department, The Government of the HKSAR, Hong Kong.

[16] Environmental Protection Department (EPD) (2019). Recommended Pollution Control Clauses for Construction Contracts. Environmental Protection Department, The Government of the HKSAR, Hong Kong.

[17] Fellowes, J. R., Lau, M. W. N., Dudgeon, D., Reels, G. T., Ades, G. W. J., Carey, G. J., Chan, B. P. L., Kendrick, R. C., Lee, K. S., Leven, M. R., Wilson, K. D. P. and Yu, Y. T. (2002). Wild animals to watch: Terrestrial and freshwater fauna of conservation concern in Hong Kong. Memoirs of the Hong Kong Natural History Society No. 25, 123-160.

[18] Feng, Z.J., Li, Z.K., Li, B.T. (2002). Study on Rare and Endangered Plants and National Key Protected Plants in Guangdong.

[19] Fu, L. and Chin, C. (1992). China Plant Red Data Book – Rare and Endangered Plants. Science Press, Beijing.

[20] Highways Department (HyD) (2020). Practice Notes No. BSTR/PN/003 -Revision E: Noise Barriers with Transparent Panels. Bridges and Structures Division of Highways Department.

[21] Hong Kong Herbarium and South China Botanical Garden (2007). Flora of Hong Kong. Volume 1. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

[22] Hong Kong Herbarium and South China Botanical Garden (2008). Flora of Hong Kong. Volume 2. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

[23] Hong Kong Herbarium and South China Botanical Garden (2009). Flora of Hong Kong. Volume 3. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

[24] Hong Kong Herbarium and South China Botanical Garden (2011). Flora of Hong Kong. Volume 4. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

[25] Hong Kong Herbarium (2012). Check List of Hong Kong Plants. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

[26] Hong Kong Herbarium (2020). Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong. Available at: https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/PublicationsText.aspx?BookNameId=1&SectionId=3 (Accessed November 2019).

[27] Hu, Q. M, Wu, T.L., Xia, N. H., Xing F. W., Lai, C. C. P. and Yip, K. W. (2003). Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Government of HKSAR.

[28] IUCN. (2020). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020.3. http://www.iucnredlist.org.

[29] Jiang Z. G., Jiang, J. P., Wang, Y. Z., Zhang, E., Zhang, Y. Y., Li, L. L., Xie, F., Cai, B., Cao, L., Zheng, G.M., Dong, L., Zhang, Z. W., Ding, P., Luo, Z.H., Ding, C. Q., Ma, Z. J., Tang, S. H., Cao, W. X., Li, C. W., Hu, H. J., Ma, Y., Wu, Y., Wang, Y. X., Zhou, K. Y., Liu, S. Y., Chen, Y. Y., Li, J. T., Feng, Z. J., Wang, Y., Wang, B., Li, C., Song, X .L., Cai, L., Zang, C. X., Zeng, Y., Meng, Z. B., Fang, H. X., and Ping, X. G. (2016). Red List of China’s Vertebrates. Biodiversity Science, 24 (5), 500-551.

[30] Karsen, S. J., Lau, M. W. N. and Bogadek, A. (1998). Hong Kong Amphibians and Reptiles. Urban Council, Hong Kong.

[31] Lee, L.F., Lam, K.S., Ng, K.Y., Chan, K.T. and Young, L.C. (2004). Field Guide to the Freshwater Fish of Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Cosmos Books Ltd.

[32] List of Wild Plants Under State Protection. (promulgated by the Ministry of Forestry in 1999)

[33] Lo, Y. F. and Hui, W. L. (2010). Hong Kong Butterflies (Third Edition). Hong Kong: Cosmos Books Ltd.

[34] Mo, M. (2019). Using Citizen-science Reports to Document Range Expansion of the Introduced Chinese Water Dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) in Hong Kong. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians, 26(2): 128-131.

[35] Qin et al. (2017). Threatened Species List of China's Higher Plants. Biodiversity Science 25(7):696-747.

[36] Shek, C. T. (2006). A Field Guide to the Terrestrial Mammals of Hong Kong. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong.

[37] Siu, L. P. G. (2000). Orchidaceae of Hong Kong. Memoirs of the Hong Kong Natural History Society, 23:137-148.

[38] Tam, T. W., Leung, K. K., Kwan, B. S. P., Wu, K. K. Y., Tang, S. S. H., So, I. W. Y., Cheng, J. C. Y., Yuen, E. F. M., Tsang, Y. M. and Hui, W. L. (2011). The Dragonflies of Hong Kong. AFCD, Friends of Country Park and Cosmos Books Ltd. Hong Kong.

[39] Viney, C., Phillipps, K. and Lam, C. Y. (2005). The Birds of Hong Kong and South China. 8th edition. Information Services Department, Hong Kong.

[40] Wang. (1998). China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals. Mammalia.

[41] Wu, D. L. and Hu, C. X. (1988). Illustrations of Rare and Endangered Plants in Guangdong Province. China Environmental Science Press, Beijing. 46pp. (In Chinese only).

[42] Wu, S. H. and Lee, T. C. W. (2000). Pteridophytes of Hong Kong. Memoirs of the Hong Kong Natural History Society, 23:5-20.

[43] Xing, F. W., Ng, S. C. and Chau, L. K. C. (2000). Gymnosperms and angiosperms of Hong Kong. Memoirs of the Hong Kong Natural History Society 23: 2

[44] Yue, P. and Chen, Y. (1998). China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals. Pisces. First Edition. Beijing: Science Press.

[45] Zhao, E. and Wang, S. (1998). China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Amphibia and Reptilia. First Edition. Beijing: Science Press.

[46] Zheng, G. M. and Wang, Q. S. (1998). China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Aves. First Edition. Beijing: Science Press.

Figure 8.1.1	Assessment Area for Terrestrial Ecology and Location of Sites of Conservation Importance (Sheet 1 of 2)
Figure 8.1.2	Assessment Area for Terrestrial Ecology and Location of Sites of Conservation Importance (Sheet 2 of 2)
Figure 8.2	Habitat Map and Locations of Species of Conservation Importance (Key Plan)
Figure 8.2.1	Habitat Map and Locations of Species of Conservation Importance (Sheet 1 of 4)
Figure 8.2.2	Habitat Map and Locations of Species of Conservation Importance (Sheet 2 of 4)
Figure 8.2.3	Habitat Map and Locations of Species of Conservation Importance (Sheet 3 of 4)
Figure 8.2.4	Habitat Map and Locations of Species of Conservation Importance (Sheet 4 of 4)
Figure 8.3.1	Location of Ardeid Night Roost and Representative Flight Route
Figure 8.4.1	Flight Path of Roosting Ardeids Across the Project Boundary
Figure 8.4.2	Flight Path of Other Ardeids Across the Project Boundary
Figure 8.5.1	Permanently and Temporarily Affected Area (Sheet 1 of 4)
Figure 8.5.2	Permanently and Temporarily Affected Area (Sheet 2 of 4)
Figure 8.5.3	Permanently and Temporarily Affected Area (Sheet 3 of 4)
Figure 8.5.4	Permanently and Temporarily Affected Area (Sheet 4 of 4)

Appendix 8.1	Representative Photographs of Habitat Types Recorded within the Assessment Area
Appendix 8.2	Flora Species Recorded within the Assessment Area
Appendix 8.3	Representative Photographs of Species of Conservation Importance Recorded
Appendix 8.4	Fauna Species Recorded within the Assessment Area
Appendix 8.5	Usage of Wetland Habitats within Assessment Area by Avifauna Species of Conservation Importance
Appendix 8.6	Species of Conservation Importance Recorded within the Assessment Area during Recent Surveys and Previous Study