Table 7.2d Ecological Value of Fishpond and Plantation & Tree/Orchard Habitats in the Assessment Area

Criteria	Fishponds	Plantation & Tree/Orchard
Naturalness	Habitats man-made, although apparently abandoned for several years.	Habitats man-made.
Size	Small.	Small.
Diversity	Low-moderate.	Low-moderate.
Rarity	Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus) and Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) recorded from this habitat type.	Single record of Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus) recorded from this habitat type.
Re-creatability	Habitat can be easily re-created on suitable areas of low-lying land.	High, although habitat would take several years to mature.
Fragmentation	Low.	Moderate-high.
Ecological linkage	Fishponds are structurally and functionally linked with adjacent areas of marsh. Tidally influenced ponds are linked to streams/rivers.	The habitats are not structurally or functionally linked to any recognised area of conservation interest.
Potential value	Moderate.	Low-moderate.
Nursery ground	No significant records.	No significant records.
Age	N/a	Habitats appear over 10 years old.
Abundance/Richness of Wildlife	Low-moderate.	Low.
Ecological value	Low-Moderate.	Low.