Table 4.4 Ecological Value of Intertidal and Subtidal Benthic Habitats
Criteria |
Intertidal Habitats |
Sub-tidal benthic habitats |
Naturalness |
Natural habitat with
limited human disturbance (flotsam and litter, pollution) |
Natural habitat with limited human disturbance
(pollution/ dumping, litter). |
Size |
Small in size |
Large in size |
Diversity |
The species diversity is
low. |
The species diversity is low. |
Rarity |
No rare species found in
the habitat |
No rare species found in the habitat |
Re-creatability |
The habitat cannot be
recreated on site but the jetty armour rock and blockwork will be available
for colonisation by intertidal organisms |
The habitat cannot be recreated on site. |
Fragmentation |
The habitats are not
fragmented |
The sub-tidal habitats are not fragmented. |
Ecological linkage |
The present habitats are
functionally linked to the Marine Park ecosystem as a whole providing a
limited source of primary production for transfer to higher trophic levels in
the food web. |
The present habitats are not functionally linked
to any highly valued habitat in close proximity in a significant way. |
Potential value |
The potential value is
low. |
The potential value is low. |
Nursery ground |
No record of significant
nursery or breeding ground was found in the survey. |
No record of significant nursery or breeding
ground was found in the survey. |
Age |
n/a |
n/a |
Abundance/Richness of Wildlife |
Low |
The diversity of the benthic infauna in the region
is typical of similar habitats throughout Hong Kong. Seapens and Gorgonians are widespread in
similar habitats across Hong Kong. |
Ecological value |
Low |
Low |