Table 4.5 Ecological Value of Marine Mammal Habitat
Criteria |
Marine
Mammal Habitats |
Naturalness |
Disturbed to some extent
by pollution. Protected from over-fishing/disruptive maritime traffic by
marine conservation park status |
Size |
The area of the Marine Park
affected by the project is relatively small. |
Diversity |
Habitat does not support a
diverse community |
Rarity |
Important habitat for the
rare and protected marine mammal: S.chinensis |
Re-creatability |
A small area of habitat
will be lost permanently to the jetty. |
Fragmentation |
The habitat is not
fragmented |
Ecological linkage |
Marine mammal habitats
extend in all directions around the coastal waters of Lung Kwu Chau |
Potential value |
High because of recent
assigning of Marine Park status, and the establishment of artificial reefs
within the Marine Park |
Nursery ground |
Possible breeding ground
of S. chinensis |
Age |
n/a |
Abundance/Richness of Wildlife |
Habitat supports high
densities of S. chinensis
throughout the year |
Ecological value |
Habitat of high value to S. chinensis |