8                    ECOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

8.1              Introduction

This Section presents the baseline conditions of ecological resources within the Study Area, and the results of an assessment of the potential ecological impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Proposed Beach Development. 

Baseline conditions for ecological components of the terrestrial and marine environment were evaluated based on information from available literature and focussed field surveys conducted for the purposes of this EIA.  Measures required to mitigate any identified adverse impacts are recommended, where appropriate.

8.2              Relevant Legislation and Guidelines

The following international conventions and local legislation and guidelines provide the framework for the protection of species and habitats of ecological importance:

·            Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap 96);

·            Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap 170);

·            Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586);

·            Town Planning Ordinance (Cap 131);

·            Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines Chapter 10 (HKPSG);

·            The Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO-TM);

·            United Nations Convention on Biodiversity (1992); and

·            PRC Regulations and Guidelines.

The Forests and Countryside Ordinance prohibits felling, cutting, burning or destroying of trees and growing plants in forests and plantations on Government land.  The subsidiary Forestry Regulations prohibit the picking, felling or possession of listed rare and protected plant species.  The list of protected species in Hong Kong which comes under the Forestry Regulations was last amended on 11 June 1993 under the Forestry (Amendment) Regulation 1993 made under Section 3 of the Forests and Countryside Ordinance.

Under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, designated wild animals are protected from being hunted, whilst their nests and eggs are protected from destruction and removal.  All birds and most mammals including all cetaceans are protected under this Ordinance, as well as certain reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.  The Second Schedule of the Ordinance that lists all the animals protected was last revised in June 1997.

The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586) was enacted to align Hong Kong to control regime with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). With effect from 1 July 2006, it replaces the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance (Cap 187).  The purpose of the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance is to restrict 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.  Certain types of corals are CITES listed, including Blue coral (Heliopora coerulea), Organ pipe corals (family Tubiporidae), Black corals (order Antipatharia), Stony coral (order Scleractinia), Fire corals (family Milleporidae) and Lace corals (family Stylasteridae). The import, export and possession of listed species, no matter dead or living, is restricted. 

The recently amended Town Planning Ordinance provides for the designation of areas such as “Coastal Protection Areas”, “Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)”, “Green Belt” and "Conservation Area” to promote conservation or protection or protect significant habitat.  Chapter 10 of the HKPSG 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 addresses the issue of enforcement.  The appendices list the legislation and administrative controls for conservation, other conservation related measures in Hong Kong, and Government departments involved in conservation.

Annex 16 of the EIAO-TM 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.  Annex 8 recommends the criteria that can be used for evaluating ecological impacts.

The Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) is a Contracting Party to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992.  The Convention requires signatories to make active efforts to protect and manage their biodiversity resources.  The Government of the Hong Kong SAR has stated that it will be “committed to meeting the environmental objectives” of the Convention (PELB 1996).

In 1988 the PRC ratified the Wild Animal Protection Law, which lays down basic principles for protecting wild animals.  The Law prohibits killing of protected animals, controls hunting, and protects the habitats of wild animals, both protected and non-protected.  The Law also provides for the creation of lists of animals protected at the state level, under Class I and Class II.  There are 96 animal species in Class I and 156 in Class II.  Class I provides a higher level of protection for animals considered to be more threatened.

Literature Review of Ecological Characteristics of Lung Mei and Identification of Information Gap.

8.3              Study Area of the Assignment

The Study Area for the purpose of ecological assessment included all areas within 500m from the proposed land requirement boundary for the Proposed Beach Development including the Plover Cove Country Park, the Pat Sin Leng Country Park Lung Mei area, Conservation Area at Ting Kok, east of Ting Kok SSSI, Coastal Protection Area and part of the Tai Mei Tuk Water Sport Centre.  For marine ecology, the survey sites covered the Study Area (intertidal and mangrove), Ting Kok SSSI (intertidal and mangrove), east Yeung Chau (coral) and north Ma Shi Chau (coral).

8.4              Literature Review of Ecological Characteristics of the Study Area

Methodology

A literature review was conducted to determine the existing ecological conditions within the Study Area to identify habitat resources and species of potential importance.  The local literature reviewed included:

·            Porcupine! (Newsletter of Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, University of Hong Kong) ([1]);

·            AFCD Biodiversity Newsletters ([2]);

·            A Field Guide to the Terrestrial Mammals of Hong Kong ([3]).

·            Annual Reports of Hong Kong Bird Watching Society ([4]);

·            Hong Kong Amphibians and Reptiles ([5]) ;

·            A Field Guide to the Amphibians of Hong Kong ([6]);

·            A Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Hong Kong ([7]);

·            A Field Guide to Butterfly Watching in Hong Kong ([8]) ;

·            The Avifauna of Hong Kong ([9]);

·            Gymnosperms and Angiosperms of Hong Kong ([10]);

·            Orchidaceae of Hong Kong ([11]);

·            A Field Guide to the Venomous Land Snakes of Hong Kong ([12]); 

·            Field Guide to Hard Corals of Hong Kong ([13]),

·            Hong Kong Mangroves ([14]),

·            EIA Study for the Proposed Submarine Gas Pipelines from Cheng Tou Jiao Liquefied Natural Gas Receiving Terminal, Shenzhen to Tai Po Gas Production Plant, Hong Kong ([15]) ;

·            Final Report for Consultancy Study on Marine Benthic Communities in Hong Kong ([16]);.and

·            Feasibility Study on the Proposed Beach Improvement Work at Lung Mei Beach ([17]).

Results

Habitat and Vegetation

The Project Site and areas in the vicinity consisted of a mixed variety of woodlands, grassland, shrublands, abandoned fields, farmlands, roadside plantation, coastal vegetation, intertidal soft shore (muddy sand coast), mangroves, coastal waters, streams and human habitation ([18]).  Human habitation included villages, recreation areas, graveyard, construction areas, roads and car parks and open storage.  The habitats close to the Proposed Beach Development area were mainly abandoned fields with certain degree of human disturbance, ie soil dumping ([19]).  

Terrestrial Mammals

There is limited information available from the literature.

There is no formal record of avifauna surveys within the present Study Area and the published bird records, in addition to the Chinese Pond Heron, Little Grebes and other readies reported in the Feasibility Study ([20]), as well as White eyes, Little Egrets and Greater Councils recorded in the Ting Kok mangrove ([21]) ([22]), were only reported in the location of Tai Mei Tuk and Sheen Wan.  The bird data are summarized in Table 1 of Appendix G.

There were 125 species of birds, in which sixteen species were species of conservation interest, recorded in Tai Mei Tuk and Shuen Wan.  Some of the bird species were expected to be recorded in the Study Area.

The bird species of conservation interest recorded from the literature in Tai Mei Tuk and Shuen Wan are summarized in Table 8.1. 

Table 8.1: Evaluation of Bird Species of Conservation Concern Reported in the Vicinity of the Present Study Area

Herpetofauna

Garnot’s Gecko has been recorded in the vicinity of the present Study Area ([23]). Garnot’s Gecko is uncommon in Hong Kong but widely distributed on Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island ^([24]).

Butterflies and Dragonflies

There is limited information on dragonfly and butterfly within the Study Area.

Stream Fauna

There is limited information on aquatic fauna within the Study Area.

Mangrove and Intertidal Fauna

Literature review shows that information on intertidal and benthic assemblages within the Study Area of Lung Mei was limited.  The only source of available information identified during the literature review is on the intertidal assemblage of the adjacent Ting Kok SSSI (discuss in the following section) which is partly located within the Study Area.

Plover Cove Country Park and Pat Sing Leng Country Park

Plover Cove Country Park (PCCP) was designated in 1978, with an overall area of 4,594 hectares.  Wild animals including Chinese Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura), Chinese Ferret Badger (Melogale moschata), Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), Chinese Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis) and Pallas's Tree Squirrel (Calliosciurus erythraeus) and forest birds Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) and Red-winged Crested Cuckoo (Clamator coromandus) could be recorded in the PCCP.  Butterflies are the most valuable ecological treasures of Plover Cove.  One of the new butterfly records, Yellow Coster (Acraea issoria), was discovered and the rare Bi-spot Royal (Ancema ctesia) was also sighted in the PCCP ([25]).  A small part of the PCCP is located within the east of the Study Area.

Pat Sin Leng Country Park (PSLCP) was designated in 1978 and covers 3,125 hectares of natural terrain in the Northeastern New Territories.  Near Lau Shui Heung Reservoir and Hok Tau Reservoir, there are plantations and wooded valleys that flaunt both native and exotic flora species ([26]).  Only a small part of the PSLCP is located within the north of the Study Area. 

Ting Kok SSSI

Ting Kok SSSI was designated in 1985 ([27]).  The area of the Ting Kok SSSI is about 37.5 ha while the mangrove community occupies approximately 8.8 ha, with seven true mangrove species (Kandelia candel (obovata), Aegiceras corniculatum, Excoecaria agallocha, Acanthus ilicifolius, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Lumnitzera racemosa) and two mangrove associated species (Hibiscus tiliaceus and Clerodendrum inerme) ([28]) [(29)].  Average mangrove tree height was 1.1 m, average density was 2.8 m^-2 and average canopy area 0.5 m² tree^-1.  According to the mangrove survey conducted by Tam and Wong (1997) ([30]), the SSSI supported diverse benthic macrofauna community.  Over 39 species were recorded in the benthic macrofauna of the mangrove stand and the community was dominated by Cerithidea species, Batillaria species and Terebralia sulcatta.  Small part of the Ting Kok SSSI was located at the western edge of the Study Area. 

Conservation Area

The Conservation Area located at Ting Kok is approximately 400 m from the Proposed Project Site.  The Conservation Area is a pond and of approximately 2.1 ha found within the Study Area bounded by village area, barbeque site and the Plover Cove Country Park.  The pond was fenced off and was currently under management for recreational use. 

Benthic Community

Benthic studies have been undertaken at locations within Tolo Harbour and Channel (but away from the Proposed Beach Development) ([31]).  Findings from the majority of these studies were that the benthos of the seabed in the areas was dominated by polychaetes and characterized by low species diversity and low species biomass.  All the species recorded occur frequently in Hong Kong and no rare species were observed.  It should be noted that areas of Tolo Harbour and Channel are subjected to periodic occurrence of hypoxia and thus relatively environmentally disturbed, leading to lower species diversity and evenness in the benthic communities ([32]).

8.5              Identification of Information Gaps

8.5.1  Introduction

Further to the literature review above, there is limited ecological baseline information available in the Study Area, detailed ecological surveys were therefore required to fill in the data gaps.

8.5.2  Scope of Field Surveys

To supplement the limited available information within the Study Area, more than 6 months of terrestrial and aquatic ecological baseline surveys were conducted to collect ecological baseline information of the Study Area.  The surveys were conducted during July to October (wet season) and November 2006 to January 2007 (dry season), which included habitat/vegetation, terrestrial mammal, bird, herpetofauna, invertebrates (butterfly and dragonfly) and freshwater fish surveys for terrestrial ecology, and subtidal (dive) surveys, benthic survey and intertidal (include mangrove) survey along the coastal habitats in close proximity of the Study Area.

8.6              Assessment Methodology

8.6.1  Ecological Baseline Surveys

Following a literature review of available ecological data characterising the Study Area, a reconnaissance survey was undertaken in July 2006 to update and field check the validity of the information gathered in the literature review.  A number of more focussed baseline field surveys were then identified and carried out to characterise the existing ecological conditions of the Study Area.  The surveys were designed to fill the data gaps identified in literature review at Section 8.4.  Special attention was paid to the remaining natural habitats and those areas which will be directly impacted by the Proposed Beach Development, especially the habitat and wildlife within the Proposed Land Requirement Boundary.

The following baseline ecological surveys were undertaken: 

·            Terrestrial habitat and vegetation surveys;

·            Mammal surveys (including night survey);

·            Bird surveys (including night survey);

·            Herpetofauna surveys (including night surveys);

·            Invertebrates (butterflies and dragonflies) surveys;

·            Freshwater fish survey;

·            Intertidal (including mangrove) survey;

·            Benthic survey ; and

·            Subtidal (dive) surveys.

8.6.2  Terrestrial Ecological Resources

           Habitats and Vegetation

Habitat and vegetation surveys were performed on 24 July, 17 August, 18 and 19 September 2006, 26 January and 8 March 2007.  The aim of the surveys was to establish the ecological profile of habitat and vegetation within the Study Area.  A habitat map of the Study Area is shown in Figure 8.1. 

Habitats were mapped based on aerial photographs of year 2006 ([33]) and field ground truthing.  Representative areas of each habitat type were surveyed on foot.  Plant species within each habitat type and their relative abundance were recorded with special attention to rare or protected species.  Nomenclature and conservation status of plant species follow Xing et al ([34]), Siu 2000 ([35]) and AFCD 2001 ([36]).

           Terrestrial Mammal

Surveys of terrestrial mammals within the Study Area were conducted on 17 August, 28 September, 14 November and 10 December 2006 to cover both dry and wet seasons.  Night survey for mammals was carried out on 28 September 2006.

As most mammals occur at low densities, all sightings, tracks, and signs of mammals were actively searched along the survey transects (see Figure 8.2). Nomenclature for mammals followed AFCD (2006) ([37]).  No quantification of abundance of mammals in the Study Area was made, due to the difficulties in translating sights and tracks (eg burrows) to actual abundance.

Birds

Habitats and areas of potential ecological importance for birds within the Study Area were identified in the reconnaissance survey.  Baseline surveys of bird populations were undertaken within those selected habitats using quantitative (point count) and qualitative (transect survey) methods.  Bird surveys were conducted on 17 August, 28 September, 14 November and 10 December 2006 to cover both dry and wet seasons.  Night surveys were conducted on 28 September 2006.

Bird communities in each major habitat type recorded within the Study Area, including secondary woodland, shrubland, village/modified area, pond, sandy shore with backshore vegetation and the Project Site, surveyed using the point count method.  A total of 10 sampling points at the Study Area were selected and their locations are shown in Figure 8.2.  Ten minutes were spent counting birds at each sampling point.  All birds seen or heard within 30m of the sampling points were counted. 

Signs of breeding (eg nests, recently fledged juveniles) within the Study Area were also recorded.  Observations were made using 8x binoculars and photographic records were taken, if possible.  Bird abundance in each major habitat type was expressed in number of birds per hectare (total birds counted divided by total surveyed area).

Bird species encountered outside counting points but within the Study Area were also recorded to produce a complete species list.  Signs of breeding (eg nests, recently fledged juveniles) were also recorded.  Ornithological nomenclature followed Viney et al ([38]).

Herpetofauna (Amphibians and Reptiles)

Surveys of herpetofauna within the Study Area were conducted on 17 August, 28 September, 14 November and 10 December 2006 to cover both dry and wet seasons.  Night surveys of the amphibians were carried out on 28 September 2006.  Herpetofauna surveys were conducted through direct observation and active searching in all major habitat types along the survey transects (see Figure 8.2 ) and in potential hiding places such as among leaf litter, inside holes and under stones and logs within the Study Area.  Auditory detection of species-specific calls was also used to survey frogs and toads.  During the surveys, all reptiles and amphibians sighted and heard were recorded.  Nomenclature and status used for reptiles follows Karsen et al 1998 ([39]) while that of amphibians follows AFCD 2005 ([40]).

Invertebrate (Butterflies and Dragonflies) 

Surveys of butterfly and dragonfly species within the Study Area were conducted on 17 August, 28 September, 14 November and 10 December 2006 covering both dry and wet seasons, using quantitative (point count) and qualitative (transect survey) methods (see Figure 8.2).  A total of 10 sampling points at the Study Area were selected and their locations are shown in Figure 8.2.  Ten minutes were spent counting butterflies and dragonflies at each sampling point.  All butterflies and dragonflies seen within 30m of the sampling points were counted.  Nomenclature for butterflies follows Yiu 2004 ^([41]) and dragonfly nomenclature followed AFCD 2004 ([42])^.

Freshwater Fish

Freshwater fish surveys were undertaken on 30 September and 25 October 2006 to identify the water bodies and aquatic resources in the Study Area.  Streams identified within the Study Area were visited and stream fauna were studied by direct observation and active searching for sensitive species or individuals using hand nets. 

8.6.3    Marine Ecological Resources

Intertidal Survey

Surveys of intertidal habitats including sandy shore, mangrove and artificial/ disturbed shoreline, were undertaken within the Study Area on 27 October, 14 November and 27 December 2006.  The survey locations were presented in Figures 8.3.  Quantitative and qualitative surveys were performed depending on the habitat type and site condition.  Survey methodologies are described below.

Sandy Shore and Mangrove

Qualitative sandy shore and mangrove surveys were undertaken along the intertidal shore within the Study Area so as to record encountered macrofauna and to identify the true mangrove species, ie Acrostichum aureum, Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Excoecaria agallocha, Lumnitzera racemosa, Kandelia obovata, and Heritiera littoralis, and their relative abundances.

Artificial/ Disturbed Shoreline

The artificial/disturbed shoreline identified within the Study Area was surveyed using a quantitative belt transect method.  Horizontal (belt) transects were set up along the shore line and surveyed at two heights up the shore at 50cm intervals perpendicular to the waterline starting at 1 m above Chart Datum.  On each transect, 5 random quadrats (50 x 50cm) were placed randomly to assess the abundance and distribution of flora and fauna.  All animals found in each quadrat were identified and recorded to species level so that density m^-2 could be determined.  Sessile animals such as barnacles and oysters in each quadrat were not counted but estimated as a percentage of coverage on the rock surface.  All species of algae (encrusting, foliose and filamentous) were also identified and recorded by estimating the percentage of cover of the rock surface.  For the areas that cannot deploy transects (ie vertical seawall), qualitative surveys were undertaken to produce a complete species list. 

Benthic Survey

The benthic samples were collected from subtidal area within the Project Area at 0 mCD, -1 mCD and -2 mCD.  Three core samples (at least 50m apart) were taken randomly at each depth zone.  Each core was taken by a plastic sampler with 10 cm diameter and 20cm depth.  The sediments were sieved in situ.  The sediments were washed onto a sieve stack (comprising 1mm and 500mm meshes) and gently rinsed with seawater to remove all fine material.  Material remaining on the two screens following rinsing was combined and carefully rinsed using a minimal volume of seawater into pre-labelled thick triple-bagged ziplock plastic bags.  A 20% solution of buffered formalin containing rose bengal in seawater was then added to the bag to ensure tissue preservation.  Samples were sealed in plastic containers for shipment to the taxonomy laboratory for sorting and identification.  All the samples were collected on 19 October 2006.

Taxonomic identifications were performed using stereo dissecting and high-power compound microscopes.  These were generally to the family level except for dominant taxa, which were identified to species.  The careful sampling procedure employed minimises fragmentation of organisms.  If breakage of soft-bodied organisms occurs, only anterior portions of fragments were counted, although all fragments were retained and weighed for biomass determinations (wet weight). 

Subtidal (Dive) Survey

In order to investigate the subtidal hard surface assemblages, as well as confirming the abundance and diversity of corals, along the coastlines potentially affected by the bathing beach, dive surveys in the form of Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) ([43]) was conducted on 19 October 2006.  The REA technique allows semi-quantitative information on the ecological attributes of a subtidal habitat to be obtained relatively simply without compromising scientific rigour.  Transect surveys were undertaken along the artificial/ disturbed shorelines at Tai Mei Tuk, natural coastlines at Yeung Chau and Ma Shi Chau and each site had 5 to 10m transect, running parallel to the shoreline (see Figure 8.3).  The depth of transects was adjusted accordingly based on the substrate habitat and the presence or absence of hard and soft corals.  Qualitative subtidal surveys, including identification of seabed composition, presence or absence of hard and soft corals, as well as their relative abundance, were conducted within and in the close vicinity of the Proposed Beach Development. 

The artificial/ disturbed shorelines at Tai Mei Tuk, natural coastlines at Yeung Chau and Ma Shi Chau were surveyed referring to the Rapid Ecological Assessment.  Information was recorded by marine ecologists experienced in the field identification of sessile benthic taxa, swimming down-current at each location using SCUBA gear.  Transects were determined with a portable geographic positioning system (GPS) unit and the locations are presented in Figure 8.3.  A 10m transect was laid out and video footage taken of the benthos along the transect/survey route followed by an assessment of the benthic cover (Tier I) and taxon abundance (Tier II) in a swathe ~ 4m wide, 2m either side of each transect.

          Tier I - Categorisation of Benthic Cover

Upon the completion of each transect, seven substratum and six ecological attributes were assigned to one of seven standard ranked (ordinal) categories (Tables 8.2 and 8.3).

Table 8.2: Categories Used in the Surveys - Benthic Attributes

Table 8.3: Categories Used in the Surveys - Ordinal Ranks of Percentage Cover

          Tier II - Taxonomic Inventories to Define Types of Benthic Communities

An inventory of benthic taxa was compiled during each dive (ie each transect).  Taxa were identified in situ to the following levels:

·            Scleractinian (hard) corals to species wherever possible;

·            Soft corals, anemones and conspicuous macroalgae were recorded according to morphological features and to genus level if possible; and

·            Other benthos (including sponges, zoanthids, ascidians and bryozoans) were recorded to genus level wherever possible but more typically to phylum plus growth form.

At the end of each dive, each taxon in the inventory was ranked in terms of abundance in the community (see Table 8.4).  These broad categories rank taxa in terms of relative abundance of colonies, rather than the contribution to benthic cover along each transect.  The ranks are subjective assessments of abundance, rather than quantitative counts of each taxon.

Table 8.4: Ordinal Ranks of Taxon Abundance

Photographs of representative coral species located in the surveyed areas were taken and, where possible, photographs of the seabed composition were taken.  Video footage and photographs were taken for all transects. 

8.6.4        Assessment Methodology

The information presented in the following sections has been based on the findings of baseline surveys performed and the requirement of the EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-138/2006, Clause 3.4.5).  The importance of potentially impacted ecological resources identified within the Study Area was assessed using the EIAO-TM methodology.  The potential impacts (following the guideline of Annex 16 of the EIAO-TM) due to the construction and operation of the Proposed Beach Development and the impacts evaluated (based on the criteria stipulated in Annex 8 in the EIAO-TM). 

8.7              Ecological Baselines Conditions

8.7.1    Existing Habitat and Vegetation

The Study Area was a mixture of a variety of terrestrial habitats including secondary woodland, shrubland, stream, pond, sandy shore with backshore vegetation, and village/ modified area, and coastal habitats including mangrove, sandy shore and artificial/ disturbed shoreline (see Figure 8.1).  Village/ modified area was the dominant terrestrial habitat within the Study Area.  A narrow strip of sandy shore with backshore vegetation was found in the Proposed Beach Development.  Colour photographs of all recorded habitat types, as well as other features and species of conservation interest, are presented in Figures 8.4 to 8.7.  The photographs showing the current conditions of the Proposed Beach Development are presented in Figure 8.8.

A total of 131 plant species were recorded (Table 2 of Appendix G).  The number of plant species and the size of each identified habitat type are presented in Table 8.5.

Table 8.5: Habitat Types Recorded Within the Study Area

8.7.2    Terrestrial Ecological Resources

            Secondary Woodland

Secondary woodlands were found at the east and north of the Study Area and comprised a total area of approximately 8.7ha.  The secondary woodlands were mature in age with canopy layer reached the height of 8 meters.  The understorey was fully occupied by native shrubs and herbs.  A total of 71 plant species dominated by native trees such as Schefflera heptaphylla, Microcos paniculata, Mallotus paniculatus and Ficus variolosa were recorded during the surveys.  Except the shrub species Red Azalea Rhododendron simsii and Incense Tree Aquilaria sinensis, all of the recorded plant species are common or very common (Figure 8.4).  Aquilaria sinensis is a common tree in Hong Kong but is a Category II species protected in China.  All Rhododendron are protected under Forestry and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96) while Rhododendron simsii is common in Hong Kong.  The plant species diversity and structural complexity of the secondary woodland are considered to be moderate to high.  The photographic records of secondary woodland are shown in Figure 8.5. 

Shrubland

Shrubland was found on the hill and mainly located at the north of the Study Area, in form of a continuous patch that comprised a total area of approximately 19.4 ha.  The lower part of the shrublands are close to the village area and occasionally disturbed by hill fire and human activities, in which invasive plants such as Mikania micrantha, Ageratum conyzoides and Dicranopteris linearis were recorded in the open area of the shrubland.  Shrubland patches found on the hill slopes are generally with 0.5 to 1.5m in height.  A total of 26 plant species, which are commonly found in shrubland habitat in Hong Kong, were recorded during the surveys.  The shrublands were dominated by several small shrub species, including Baeckea frutescens, Bridelia tomentosa, Macaranga tanarius, Lantana camara and Microcos paniculata.  The species diversity and the structural complexity of shrubland are considered to be low to moderate.  The photographic records of shrubland are shown in Figure 8.5.

            Streams/ Channels

Two channels, S1 and S2, and four streams, S3-S6, were recorded within the Study Area (Figure 8.6).  The riparian vegetation communities of the streams/ channels were integrated with the surrounding habitats, ie village/ modified area and shrubland, and therefore the plant list was presented in the associated habitats.

Channel S1 was mainly surrounded by village/ modified area with human settlement and observed to be channelised and polluted.  The drainage channel S2 was found as the fringe of the Pat Sin Leng Country Park and was concreted with semi-open riparian vegetation canopy.  None of the plant species of conservation interests was recorded during the surveys.  The overall ecological value of the channels recorded within the Study Area is considered to be low. 

The undisturbed sections of the streams (S3, S4 and upper courses of S5 and S6) had remained natural with rocky substratum and the riparian vegetation was open and dominated by weed plants and landscape plants in close vicinity.  The middle and lower courses of S5 (Lo Tsz River) and S6 (Shan Liu River) were mainly surrounded by village/ modified area with human settlement and were observed to be partially channelised and polluted.  None of the plant species of conservation interests was recorded during the surveys.  The overall ecological value of the streams recorded within the Study Area is considered to be low to moderate. 

Except S2 running laterally from west to east, all the streams/ channel run longitudally from north to south towards the sea.  The length of the streams/ channels was presented in Table 8.5.  The photographic records of the streams/ channels are shown in Figure 8.6.

Pond

A pond of total size approximately 3.4ha (2.1ha within the Study Area) was found at the east of the Study Area and it is located within a Conservation Area.  The pond was fenced off and was currently under management for recreational uses.  No plants species were found within the pond during the surveys.  The structural complexity and ecological value of the pond are considered to be low.  The photographic record of the pond is shown in Figure 8.5.

           Sandy Shore with Backshore Vegetation

Sandy shore with backshore vegetation was recorded as a thin layer along the existing shoreline from Ting Kok to Tai Mei Tuk that comprised of a total of approximately 1ha.  Only 6 backshore vegetation including Thespesia populnea, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Limonium sinense, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Launaea sarmentosa and Zoysia sinica were found on the sandy shores during the surveys.  True mangrove plants (generally with a height below 0.5m) and seedlings of Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia marina, Excoecaria agallocha and Kandelia obovata were also found scattered along the sandy shore within the Study Area.  Rubbish and construction wastes were observed at the backshore which indicated certain level of human disturbance.  The structural complexity and ecological value of the sandshore with backshore vegetation are considered to be low to moderate.  The photographic records of the sandy shore are shown in Figure 8.7.

           Village/Modified Area

Village/modified area was the dominant habitat recorded within the Study Area which comprised of approximately 50.7ha.  The village/modified area consisted of rural villages, car parks, recreational areas (ie barbeque sites and sports centre), roads, roadside planters, wasteland, cultivation and abandoned agricultural land.  Several villages including Lung Mei Tsuen, Tai Mei Tuk Tsuen, Ng Uk Tsuen, Lo Tsz Tin Tsuen and Ting Kok Tsuen were located within the Study Area.  A total of 46 landscape and weed plants were recorded in the habitat during the surveys and all of them are commonly found in Hong Kong.  The landscape plants including Acacia confusa, Delonix regia, Gossampinus malabarica, Michelia alba and Hibiscus tiliaceus, with weed plants such as Leucaena leucocephala, Mikania micrantha, Pueraria lobata Wedelia chinensis occupied the wasteland and abandoned agricultural lands.  The species diversity and structural complexity of the village/modified area are considered to be low.  The photographic records of the village/modified area are shown in Figure 8.6.

           Terrestrial Mammals

No terrestrial mammal was recorded within the Study Area during the dry and wet season surveys. 

           Birds

Forty-four bird species were recorded during the quantitative and qualitative surveys (see Table 3 of Appendix G).  Thirty-eight species were recorded during dry season and thirty-one species recorded during wet season (see Tables 4 and 5 of Appendix G). All of the bird species, except Black Kite Milvus migrans, Osprey Pandion haliaetus White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster, Pacific Swift Apus pacificus and House Swift Apus, were recorded during the point count surveys.  There were no birds recorded during night survey. 

Twenty-eight of the species encountered were resident to Hong Kong.  Estimated bird abundance and recorded number of bird species in major habitats are summarised in Table 8.6a.  The Project Site has the lowest number of bird species recorded but of highest bird abundance recorded during the survey.  The highest number of bird species recorded was at the shrubland.

Table 8.6a: Mean Abundance and Number of Bird Species in Different Types of Habitat and Proposed Development Beach in the Study Area

W = Secondary Woodland, Sh = Shrubland, S = Sandy Shore with Backshore Vegetation, Pd =Pond, D = Village/Modified, PS = Project Site

Four species with conservation interest were recorded during the survey, including Black Kite Milvus migrans, White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster, Osprey Pandion haliaetus and Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus.  The locations of these species, except Black Kites, are presented in Figure 8.4.  As Black Kites were commonly found soaring in the sky in Hong Kong, the exact locations of the bird were not recorded.

The Black Kite is a very widespread and common species in Hong Kong (Table 8.1).  It is protected in China and listed as a Class 2 Protected Animal of the PRC and in Appendix II of CITES.  Black Kites were only recorded soaring in the sky during the surveys, the exact locations of the bird cannot therefore be shown in Figure 8.4. Black Kites usually forage over a large area and Lung Mei is considered to be part of their foraging areas.

The White-bellied Sea Eagle is resident in Guangdong and southern Fujian and occasionally occurs in Jiangsu and Hainan.  It is an uncommon resident in Hong Kong in coastal areas and offshore islands (Table 8.1).  The White-bellied Sea Eagle is listed as a rare species in the China Red Data Book, Class II protected species in PRC and CITES Appendix II ([44]).  The recent unpublished information indicated that a pair of White-bellied Sea Eagles was observed to nest at the east of Yeung Chau, located over 800 m from the nearest boundary of the Proposed Beach Development.  The White-bellied Sea Eagle usually forages over a large area and Lung Mei is considered to be one of its foraging areas. 

The Osprey has been recorded as a migrant along the east coast of China (Table 8.1).  It is listed in Appendix II of CITES and also a Class 2 Protected Animal of PRC.  There is no suggestion of breeding activity having ever occurred in Hong Kong.  Lung Mei is considered to be a minor foraging site of the Osprey as it is a winter visitor and usually forages over a large area.

The Crested Goshawk has been recorded as a resident in China from Sichuan and Yunnan east to Guangxi and Hainan, and in Taiwan (Table 8.1).  The species is listed in Appendix II of CITES and also Class 2 Protected Animal of PRC ([45]).  Since Crested Goshawk is widespread in the New Territories and the Deep Bay areas, Lung Mei is considered to be a minor foraging site of the Crested Goshawk.

Invertebrates

·         Butterflies:  A total of 56 species of butterflies were recorded during the surveys qualitatively and quantitatively.  Forty of which were recorded in the dry season and forty-one in wet season (see Tables 7 and 8 of Appendix G).  Woodland habitat have the highest number of butterfly species (29 out of the 56 species) and relative abundance recorded in the wet season while shrubland has the highest number of butterfly species (35 out of the 56 species) and relative abundance in the dry season (see Tables 7 and 8 of Appendix G).   The number of butterfly species and total number of individuals recorded in each habitat of the Study Area are summarised in Table 8.6b.

            Table 8.6b: Butterfly Species Recorded in Each Habitat of the Study Area

W = Secondary Woodland, Sh = Shrubland, S = Sandy Shore with Backshore Vegetation, Pd =Pond, D = Village/Modified, PS = Project Site

Among the 56 butterfly species, 13 are uncommon and the rest are either common or abundant in Hong Kong.  The thirteen uncommon species include Brown Pansy Junonia iphita, Common Nawab Polyura athamas, Danaid Egg-fly Hypolimnas bolina, Dark Evening Brown Melanitis phedima, Great Swift Pelopidas assamensis, Indian Palm Bob Suastus gremius, Painted Jezebel Delias hyparete, Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus, Sliver Streak Blue Iraota timoleon, South China Bush Brown Mycalesis zonata, Tailed Sulphur Dercas verhuelli, White-edged Blue Baron Euthalia phemius and Yellow Orange Tip Ixias pyrene.  The locations of butterfly species of conservation interests recorded within the Study Area are shown in Figure 8.4.  The food plants for the butterflies with conservation interests are presented in Table 8.7.

Table 8.7: Food Plants of Butterfly Species of Conservation Interests

Notes: (1) Information extracted from Bascombe MJ et al (1999) The Butterflies of Hong Kong.

·         Dragonflies:  Twelve dragonfly species including Amber-winged Glider, Black-banded Gossamerwing, Black Threadtail, Common Blue Skimmer, Common Red Skimmer, Crimson Dropwing, Indigo Dropwing, Red-faced Skimmer, Saddlebag Glider, Variegated Flutterer, Wandering Glider and Yellow Featherlegs were recorded in the Study Area during the survey (see Tables 9 to 11 of Appendix G).  Eleven of which were recorded in the wet season and eight recorded in the dry season.  All of the dragonfly species are abundant or commonly found in Hong Kong. 

Sandy shore has the highest number of individuals of dragonflies while shrubland has the highest number of species during the survey in the dry season.  Woodland has the highest number of individuals of dragonflies while shrubland has the highest number of species during survey in the wet season.  The number of dragonfly species and total number of individuals recorded in each habitat are summarised in Table 8.8.

Table 8.8: Dragonfly Species Recorded in Each Habitat of the Study Area

W = Woodland, Sh = Shrubland, S = Sandy Shore, Pd =Pond, D = Disturbed/Modified, PS = Project Site

Herpetofauna

A total of two species of amphibian (Asian Common Toad and Gunther’s Frog) and four species of reptiles (Changeable Lizard, Common Rat Snake, Long-tailed Skink and Reeves’ Smooth Skink) were recorded in the Study Area during day-time and night-time surveys (see Table 12 of Appendix G).  The Common Rat Snake is listed in Appendix II of CITES and considered of potential global concern ([46]).  It can be found in a great variety of habitats and locations in Hong Kong, and is less common in densely wooded areas and mountain grassland ([47]).  A Common Rat Snake Ptyas mucosus was recorded in the village/ modified area located within the Project Site during the wet season survey.  The location of the Common Rat Snake was presented in Figure 8.4.  The remaining species are common locally.

            Freshwater Fish

A total of five freshwater fish species, including Guppy Poecilia reticulate, Mosquito Fish Gambusia affinis, Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii, Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and Variable Platyfish Xiphophorus variatus, were recorded.  All recorded freshwater fish species are introduced exotic species.  Common Mudskipper Periophthalmus modestus and Common Silver-biddy Gerres oyena, which is common in estuarine areas, were also recorded at the river mouth Lo Tsz River (S5) and Shan Liu River (S6).  The survey results are presented in Table 8.9 and Table 13 of Appendix G.

Table 8.9: Fish Species and Individuals Recorded from the Stream/ Channels at Lung Mei Study Area

+ = less than 20 individuals; ++ = 20-50 individuals; +++ = more than 50 individuals

For Lo Tsz River and Shan Liu River, Lower = Section of the stream located below Ting Kok Road.  Upper = Section of the stream above Ting Kok Road.

The species diversity of fish in the streams of the Study Area is considered to be low.  The absence of, or restricted number of, freshwater fishes in the Study Area may be due to the low quality and/or lack of undisturbed stream habitats.

8.7.3  Marine Ecological Resources

Intertidal Habitats

Sandy Shore

The sandy shores within the Study Area supported low diversity of species.  The sandy shores were predominantly covered by coarse grains and rubbles with increasing proportion of finer grains towards the lower intertidal zone.  Faunal species recorded were typical species that can be found on sandy and rocky shores in Hong Kong.  Sand snails Batillaria zonalis and Batillaria multiformis were commonly recorded at the sandy bottom area within the Study Area.  Other typical rocky shore snails such as Monodonta labio, Lunella coronata and Planaxis sulcatus, and bivalve Saccostrea cucullata were commonly found on the surfaces of small bounders and rubble.  All species found are regarded as common or very common species in Hong Kong.  Crab species including Metopograpsus spp. and Hemigrapsus penicillatus were also recorded during the surveys.

Mangrove

Mangroves are generally regarded as habitats of high ecological value, relatively undisturbed mangroves were found at the river mouth of Shan Liu River and Ting Kok SSSI.  The recorded dominant mangrove species were Kandelia obovata, Excoecaria agallocha, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Aegiceras corniculatum with the height ranging from 0.3m to 1.5m.  A total of 13 plant species were recorded within the mangrove habitat.  The floral species diversity and structural complexity of mangrove are considered to be moderate.  The photographic records of mangroves are shown in Figure 8.7. 

Artificial/ Disturbed Shoreline

Artificial/ disturbed shore was located at the east of the Study Area adjacent to the Tai Mei Tuk barbecue sites.  The artificial/ disturbed shoreline support a low diversity of species.  Animals recorded (Table 8.10 and Table 14 of Appendix G) were mainly sessile filter-feeders (Saccostrea cucullata and Isognomon isognomum), periwinkles Nodilittorina radiate, snails Monodonta labio and Planaxis sulcatus.  Barnacle Balanus amphitrite was also recorded with low covers (< 1 %) on middle and high intertidal zones.  Ligia exotica was a highly mobile organism observed during the survey on both artificial shoreline and seawall.

Table 8.10 : Mean Number of Individuals (m^-2) (± S.D.) of Intertidal Organisms Recorded from the Artificial / Disturbed Shoreline During the Intertidal Survey

Subtidal Soft Bottom Habitat and Benthic Assemblages

Subtidal soft bottom habitat within the Proposed Beach Development was covered by fine sediments with scattered rubbles (refer to the results of the dive surveys in the following section).  There were a total of 24 species and 300 individuals of benthic organisms (Table 8.11) recorded at the three water depths (0 mCD, -1 mCD, and -2 mCD) by core sampling.  The total biomass of benthic organisms recorded was 13.34g.  Organisms recorded were either from the Phyla Annelida, or Mollusca.  The number of individuals and biomass were highest at shallow water (0 mCD) and lowest in deep water (-2 mCD).  On the other hand, the total number of species was highest in deep water (13) and lowest in shallow water (11), but the mean number of species was the same in all depth zones (6.33).  No rare species were recorded from the survey.  Surveys conducted for this Study concluded that the assemblages were of a lower diversity and abundance than is observed in other areas in Hong Kong. 

Table 8.11: Number of Individuals, Species and Biomass (Wet Weight) (± S.D.) of Benthos Recorded Within the Subtidal Bottom of the Project Site.

Subtidal Hard Bottom Habitat and Dive Surveys within the Proposed Beach Development

Seabed condition

The survey was performed on 19 October 2006.   The weather was cloudy and the sea was calm.  The visibility was poor, ranging between 0.5m and 1.5m, therefore there is no photographic record of the seabed of the subtidal habitat can be shown.  The locations of the subtidal dive survey are shown in Figure 8.3.  The results of the qualitative survey were shown in Tables 15-17 of Appendix G.  Along each transect the seabed composition was identified and conditions were shown in Table 16 of Appendix G.  The seabed attributes of the transects are shown in Table 17 of Appendix G.  Artificial/ disturbed shoreline at Tai Mei Tuk and natural rocky shore at east of Ma Shi Chau were dominated by rocky substratum, where high cover of bedrocks and boulders were observed with rubbles and sand in-between.  Substratum of natural rocky shore at east of Yeung Chau was characterized by high cover of rocks, boulders and sand with some rubbles in-between.  Soft bottom habitat within and adjacent to the Proposed Beach Development were covered by fine sediments with scattered bubbles (Figure 8.8).  The benthic organisms recorded within the Proposed Beach Development were either Annelida or Mollusca which is common and typical in Hong Kong shallow subtidal areas.

Coral Assemblages

No corals were found at the two soft bottom habitats within and adjacent to the Proposed Beach Development.  Low number of coral colonies were only found in artificial/ disturbed shoreline at Tai Mei Tuk, natural rocky shore at east of Ma Shi Chau and natural rocky shore at east of Yeung Chau, with less than 10 colonies (coral cover less than 5 %) recorded in each site.  Coral species recorded included Oulastrea crispate, Cyphastrea serailia and Psammocora superficialis, which are regarded as common, dominant and abundant species in Hong Kong ^([48]).  No Soft or Black corals were recorded during the survey.  The relative positions and estimated sizes of corals were listed in Table 19 of Appendix G.  The abundance of each hard coral species at each area are shown in Table 8.12.

Table 8.12: Hard Coral Species Recorded in Transects 1 – 20

Note: The three coral species Oulastrea crispate, Cyphastrea serailia and Psammocora superficialis are regarded as common, dominant and abundant species in Hong Kong

The benthic fauna recorded along the survey route included sponges, ascidians, rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata, Pinctada sp., the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota, decorator urchins Temnopleura reevesi, sea urchin Anthocidaris crassispina and tube anemone Cerianthus filiformis.

8.7.4  Existing Conditions of the Proposed Beach Development 

The Project Site consisted of sandy shore with backshore vegetation (approximately 0.5ha), village/modified area (approximately 1.0ha) and lower course of Lo Tsz River (approximately 100m long) (Figure 8.8).  The landward site was found to be disturbed by littering, vegetation clearance and dumping of construction waste.  A total of 30 plant species were recorded within the Project Site and the dominant plant species were Albizia lebbeck, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Leucaena leucocephala and Macaranga tanarius.  All of the recorded plant species are common or very common in Hong Kong. 

The lower course of Lo Tsz River is less disturbed with sandy substratum (scattered with small rocks) and with semi-open riparian vegetation canopy.  Floating aquatic plant Lemna sp. was found in the section just below the existing culvert during the survey, indicated that the stream water is of high nutrient loading.  All of the freshwater fishes recorded were exotic species without any conservation value.  The stream mouth of Lo Tsz River is subject to tidal influence.

The sandy shores were predominantly covered by coarse grains and rubbles with increasing proportion of finer grains towards lower intertidal zone.  Approximately 80 mangrove seedlings/ plants (with a height below 0.5m) of Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia marina and Kandelia obovata were found scattered along the sandy shore within the site.  Subtidal soft bottom habitat within the Project Site was covered by fine sediments with scattered bubbles.  All marine organisms found within the Project Site are regarded as common or very common species in Hong Kong.

The subtidal habitats within or adjacent to the Proposed Beach Development were soft bottom habitat covered by fine sediments with scattered bubbles (see Figure 8.8).  No corals or species of conservation interests were found within and adjacent to the Proposed Beach Development.

The results of the field surveys indicated that the wildlife abundance (except bird) and species diversity recorded within the Proposed Beach Development were relatively low.  A Common Rat Snake Ptyas mucosus, considered as a species of conservation interests but common in Hong Kong, was found moving within the Project Site.  The photographic records of the Project Site are shown in Figure 8.8.

In conclusion, the ecological value of sandy shore with backshore vegetation, village/modified area, and the lower course of Lo Tsz River within the Proposed Beach Development are considered to be low.

8.8              Ecological Evaluation

In this section the ecological importance of the habitats and wildlife identified within the Study Area are evaluated in accordance with the criteria stipulated in Annex 8 of the EIAO-TM.  The evaluation is based upon the information presented in Section 8.7.  The ecological importance of each habitat type within the Study Area and the habitats within the Proposed Beach Development are presented in Tables 8.13 to 8.24.

Table 8.13: Ecological Evaluation of Secondary Woodland

Table 8.14: Ecological Evaluation of Shrubland

Table 8.15: Ecological Evaluation of Village/Modified Area

            Table 8.16: Ecological Evaluation of Streams

            Table 8.17: Ecological Evaluation of Channels

Table 8.18: Ecological Evaluation of Pond

            Table 8.19: Ecological Evaluation of Sandy Shore with Backshore Vegetation

Table 8.20: Ecological Evaluation of Mangrove

Table 8.21: Ecological Evaluation of the Intertidal Artificial/ Disturbed Shoreline

Table 8.22: Ecological Evaluation of Subtidal Soft Benthos Assemblages

Table 8.23: Ecological Evaluation of Subtidal Natural Rocky Shoreline of Yeung Chau and Ma Chi Chau and the Artificial Shoreline

Table 8.24: Ecological Evaluation of the Proposed Beach Development 

The lists and evaluations of the floral and faunal species of ecological interest recorded within the Study Area, according to the EIAO-TM, are given in Table 8.25.

Table 8.25: Evaluation of Floral and Faunal Species with Ecological Interest within the Study Area