Report

8 Ecological Impact Assessment

8.1.1 Requirements of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study Brief

8.1.1.1 The EIA Study Brief (EIA SB) No. ESB-305/2017 for the Project issued in February 2018 has stipulated the technical requirements for ecological impact assessment (EcoIA), i.e. Section 3.4.9 and Appendix G of EIA SB. The aim of the ecological impact assessment is to protect, maintain or rehabilitate the natural environment, in particular, to avoid or minimise impacts on recognised sites of conservation importance and other ecologically sensitive areas. The assessment is intended to identify and quantify as far as possible the potential ecological impacts associated from the Project, both directly and indirectly, on the natural environment and its associated wildlife and habitats or species.

8.1.2 Assessment Area for EcoIA

8.1.2.1 As stated in Section 3.4.9.2 of EIA SB, the assessment area for the purpose of the terrestrial ecological impact assessment includes areas within 500 metres of the boundary of the Project and the works of the Project as well as any other areas likely to be impacted by the Project. For aquatic ecological impact assessment, the assessment area is the same as for Water Quality Impact Assessment (see Figure 5.1), i.e. includes areas within 500m from the boundary of the Project and the works of the Project, and covers the Mirs Bay Water Control Zone and the water sensitive receivers outside the 500m boundary but in the vicinity of the Project.

8.1.3 Key Ecological Issues Stipulated in EIA Study Brief

8.1.3.1 Key ecological issues stated in the EIA Study Brief included but were not limited to the followings:

Wildlife Groups/Habitats of Conservation Importance

· Marine Park and associated marine habitats;

· coral communities and seagrass bed;

· mangrove habitat; and

· any other habitats/species identified as having special conservation importance by this EIA study.

Recognized Sites of Conservation Importance in the 500m Assessment Area and its vicinity

· Yan Chau Tong Marine Park (YCTMP); and

· Lai Chi Wo Beach (LCWB) SSSI.

8.1.3.2 Besides the above, Plover Cove Country Park also falls within the 500m Assessment Area.

8.2 Legislation, Standards and Guidelines

8.2.1 General

8.2.1.1 The relevant ordinances and regulations that are applicable to this Ecological Impact Assessment (EcoIA) include the followings:

· Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96) and its subsidiary legislation, the Forestry Regulations;

· Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170);

· Country Parks Ordinance (Cap. 208) and its subsidiary legislation;

· Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap. 476);

· Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) and the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (TM-EIAO); and

· Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) and its subsidiary legislation.

8.2.1.2 This EcoIA makes reference to the following guidelines and standards:

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

· PELB Technical Circular 1/97 / Works Branch Technical Circular 4/97, "Guidelines for Implementing the Policy on Off-site Ecological Mitigation Measures";

· EIAO Guidance Note No. 3/2010 – Flexibility and Enforceability of Mitigation Measures Proposed in an EIA Report;

· EIAO Guidance Note No. 6/2010 - Some Observations on Ecological Assessment from the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance Perspective;

· EIAO Guidance Note No. 7/2010 – Ecological Baseline Survey for Ecological Assessment;

· EIAO Guidance Note No. 10/2010 – Methodologies for Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecological Baseline Surveys; and

· EIAO Guidance Note No. 11/2010 – Methodologies for Marine Ecological Baseline Surveys.

8.2.1.3 This EcoIA makes reference to the following Mainland legislation:

· List of State Protected Wild Animals, promulgated by the State Council 國家重點保護野生動物名錄; and

· List of Wild Plants under State Protection國家重點保護野生植物名錄(第一批).

8.2.1.4 Other international conventions and guidelines that are relevant to this EcoIA include the following:

· Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ("CITES"). This Convention regulates international trade in animal and plant species considered to be at risk from such trade. Depending on the degree of threat posed by international trade, CITES classifies endangered species of animals and plants into three Appendices. Appendix I includes highly endangered species threatened with extinction. Commercial trade in these species is prohibited. Appendix II includes species which are not presently threatened with extinction but may become so unless trade is controlled. Trade of these species is allowed but is subject to licensing controls. Appendix III species are species identified by any Party to CITES as requiring cooperation in controlling their trade. Their trade is subject to permits or certificates of origin. Hong Kong's obligations under this Convention are enforced via the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586). The CITES authority for Hong Kong SAR is the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (AFCD).

· IUCN. The World Conservation Union maintains, through its Species Survival Commission, a “Red List” of globally threatened species of wild plants and animals (see http://www.iucnredlist.org). The Red List is considered the authoritative publication to classify species into nine groups as Extinct (EX) - No individuals remaining; Extinct in the Wild (EW) - Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range; Critically Endangered (CR) - Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild; Endangered (EN) - Very high risk of extinction in the wild; Vulnerable (VU) - High risk of extinction in the wild; Near Threatened (NT) - Likely to become endangered in the near future; Least Concern (LC) - Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a higher risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in these two categories: Data Deficient (DD) – Knowledge of the species is inadequate to enable assessment its risk of extinction; and Not Evaluated (NE) – Species not yet evaluated against the criteria.

· United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. This convention requires parties to regulate or manage biological resources important for the conservation of biological diversity whether within or outside protected areas, with a view to ensuring their conservation and sustainable use. It also requires parties to promote the protection of ecosystems, natural habitats and the maintenance of viable populations of species in natural surroundings. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity on 5thJanuary 1993. The HKSAR Government has stated that it is "committed to meeting the environmental objectives" of the Convention (PELB 1996).

· Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the "Ramsar Convention"), which requires parties to conserve and make wise use of wetlands, particularly those supporting waterfowl populations. The PRC ratified the Ramsar Convention on 31st July 1992, and various wetlands have since been listed as wetlands of international importance (i.e. Ramsar sites). One of these, Mai Po Marshes and Inner Deep Bay Ramsar site in Hong Kong SAR, was listed on 4 September 1995.

· Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (the Bonn Convention), which requires parties to protect listed threatened or endangered migratory species occurring within their boundaries.

8.2.2 Criteria of Evaluating Species of Conservation Importance

8.2.2.1 Species of flora and fauna with conservation importance were given special attention. In accordance with Table 3, Annex 8 of the TM-EIAO, the ecological value of species was assessed in terms of protection status, distribution, and rarity. For faunal species, the protection status (e.g. fauna protected under Cap. 170 (except birds as all wild birds are protected under the ordinance but their conservation importance is not equal), Cap. 586, and/or regional/global laws/conventions), the species distribution (e.g. endemic), and the rarity (e.g. rare or restricted, or level of concern highlighted in Fellowes et al. (2002)) were considered. Similarly, floral species of conservation importance are considered from protection status (e.g. listed under Forestry Regulations and Cap.586 in Hong Kong, listed by IUCN or CITES, or listed as Category I or II protected species in mainland China); species distribution (e.g. endemic); and rarity (e.g. considered rare or very rare by Corlett et al. (2000) and regarded as rare by AFCD (2010)). However, exotic invasive species, escaped cultivars or captive species, vagrants and introduced species are excluded.

8.2.2.2 The following laws/regulations and conventions for conservation were relevant with evaluation of the conservation importance of flora and fauna species.

· Forestry Regulations (Cap. 96A) which are subsidiary legislation of the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96);

· Category I/II in List of Wild Plants under State Protection;

· Considered ‘Rare’ or ‘Very Rare’ plant species listed in Corlett et al. (2000) and regarded as ‘Rare’ plant species by Yip et al. (2010);

· China Plant Red Data Book;

· Threatened Species List of China’s Higher Plants (Qin et al., 2017);

· Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap 170);

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

· Category I or II State Protected Wild Animals;

· PRC Wild Animal Protection Law;

· China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals;

· China Species Red List;

· Red List of China’s Vertebrates;

· The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (Species which are classified by IUCN as Least Concern (LC), Near Threatened (NT), Data Deficient (DD), or Not Evaluated (NE), and not covered by any other laws/regulations/conventions are not considered of conservation importance in the present EcoIA);

· The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); and

· Fauna species considered of concern in Fellowes et al. (2002).

8.2.2.3 The species identified as having conservation importance are further categorised in accordance with their relevance to potential impacts, which were assessed in accordance with the TM-EIAO criteria.

8.3 Methodology for Baseline Establishment

8.3.1 Literature Review Methodology

8.3.1.1 A literature review was conducted to characterise the existing conditions within the 500m assessment area as well as Mirs Bay Water Control Zone and to identify habitats and species of potential importance in the area. The literature review covered Government and private sector reports, independent and Government published literature, academic studies, vegetation maps and land use maps.

8.3.1.2 Reviewed information includes, but is not limited to the following:

· Annual reports of Monitoring of Marine Mammals in Hong Kong;

· Hong Kong Biodiversity – Newsletter of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD);

· Publications of AFCD;

· Development Permission Areas Plan, Draft Outline Zoning Plans and Outline Zoning Plans of Town Planning Board;

· Annual report and other publications of The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society;

· Memoirs of Hong Kong Natural History Society;

· Porcupine! Newsletter of Ecology & Biodiversity, The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong;

· Ecological studies in the area; and

· Relevant EIA reports.

8.3.2 Ecological Survey Methodology

8.3.2.1 The methodology of the ecological surveys made reference to the technical guidelines of ecological assessment in Annex 16 of TM-EIAO and the relevant EIAO Guidance Notes (GN 7/2010, GN 10/2010, and GN 11/2010).

8.3.2.2 Ecological surveys were carried out within the 500m assessment area to verify the preliminary ecological baseline established from the literature reviewed, update baseline information, and fill identified information gaps to facilitate the establishment of a complete ecological baseline of the assessment area and to facilitate the ecological assessment.

8.3.2.3 As the Project mainly involves marine-based works, marine ecological surveys including intertidal, coral and benthic were conducted for the EcoIA. Terrestrial ecological surveys were also conducted for the EcoIA so as to investigate and assess any potential impacts on terrestrial ecology due to the proposed construction works. The ecological survey programme covered terrestrial, intertidal and marine habitats, identified sites of conservation importance, and important habitats within the 500m distance during wet and dry seasons. The ecological surveys included habitat and vegetation, terrestrial mammal, bird, herpetofauna, dragonfly and butterfly, aquatic fauna, intertidal, subtidal and benthic biota. The ecological survey locations within the 500m assessment area of the Project are shown in Figure 8.2. Details of the survey methodology are discussed in the following sections.

8.3.2.4 The objectives of the baseline ecological surveys are as follows:

· To identify sensitive receivers (i.e. important ecological resources) present within the 500m assessment area;

· To establish an update general ecological baseline of the 500m assessment area in particular areas likely to be affected by the Project and describe the characteristics of each habitat and assemblage found;

· To update the distribution of flora/fauna of conservation importance identified from review literature; and

· To provide baseline ecological conditions for assessment of potential environmental impacts caused by the proposed Project activities and recommendation of mitigation measures to mitigate such impacts.

8.3.3 Terrestrial Survey

8.3.3.1 Habitat and Vegetation Survey: Habitats within the 500m assessment area were mapped based on government latest aerial photos and field ground-truthing. Representative areas of each habitat type and within the recognized sites of conservation importance (e.g. country park, special area) were surveyed on foot. Ravines with transient water flow after rains with no records of aquatic life were incorporated into adjacent habitat in the habitat map. Plant species of each habitat type encountered and their relative abundance were recorded with special attention to rare or protected species. Nomenclature and rarity of plant species in Hong Kong follow Hong Kong Herbarium (2019) and Corlett et al. (2000) respectively. Wherever applicable, the rarity of plant species recorded in floristic survey of marshes listed under by Yip et al. (2010) will be supplemented.

8.3.3.2 Mammal Survey: All sightings, tracks, and signs of mammals (including droppings) along sampling transects were actively searched (Figure 8.2). The location(s) of any mammal species of conservation importance encountered was(were) recorded, along with notable behaviour. Night surveys were conducted to survey nocturnal mammal species (e.g., bats). Hand torch was used to search for the nocturnal mammals; bat detector was adopted to locate bats, if necessary. Nomenclature for mammals followed Shek (2006).

8.3.3.3 Avifauna Survey: The avifauna of each habitat types within the 500m assessment area were surveyed using transect count method (Figure 8.2). The presence and abundance of avifauna species at various habitats observed from transects were recorded visually and aurally. Bird species encountered outside sampling transects but within the 500m assessment area were also recorded. Night surveys were conducted to record nocturnal avifauna (e.g., owls). The location(s) of any avifauna species of conservation importance encountered was(were) recorded, along with notable behaviour. Ornithological nomenclature in this study followed Hong Kong Bird Watching Society List of Hong Kong Birds 2018.

8.3.3.4 Herpetofauna Survey: Herpetofauna surveys in selected sampling transects (Figure 8.2) were conducted through direct observation and active searching in all potential hiding places such as among leaf litter, inside holes, under stones and logs along the survey transects within the 500m assessment area. During the surveys, all reptiles and amphibians sighted and heard were recorded. Auditory detection of species-specific calls was used to survey frogs and toads during night surveys. The location(s) of any herpetofauna species of conservation importance encountered was(were) recorded, along with notable behaviour. The nomenclature and conservation status followed Karsen et al. (1998) and Chan et al. (2005).

8.3.3.5 Dragonfly and Butterfly Survey: Dragonfly and butterfly surveys were conducted by transect count method (Figure 8.2). All the dragonflies and butterflies encountered were recorded and have their abundance recorded. Dragonfly and butterfly species encountered outside transects but within the 500m assessment area were also recorded. The location(s) of any dragonfly and butterfly species of conservation importance encountered was (were) recorded, along with notable behaviour. The nomenclature and conservation status for butterflies and dragonflies followed Chan et al. (2011) and Tam et al. (2011) respectively.

8.3.3.6 Freshwater Aquatic Assemblage Survey: Aquatic fauna, including freshwater macro-invertebrates (e.g. freshwater crabs, shrimps, freshwater molluscs and aquatic insect larvae) and fishes, in the watercourses were studied by direct observation and, active searching by hand nets, within relevant habitats of the 500m assessment area (Figure 8.2). Organisms were recorded and identified to the lowest possible taxon, and their relative abundance was reported. The location(s) of any freshwater species of conservation importance encountered was(were) recorded, along with notable behaviour. Nomenclature for fish followed Lee et al. (2004), whilst those for the macro-invertebrates followed Dudgeon (2003).

8.3.4 Marine and Intertidal Survey

8.3.4.1 Intertidal Survey: The intertidal surveys consisted of both qualitative walk-through survey and quantitative transect survey along the existing pier and accessible coastlines (e.g. natural and artificial, softshore and hardshore) in the 500m assessment area, so as to produce a comprehensive species list as well as the corresponding relative abundance of the assessment area. The surveys were conducted during low tide. The conservation status (including local, regional and international such as China Redlist and IUCN Redlist) of the recorded biota was provided, if any. Organisms encountered were recorded and their relative abundance were also noted.

8.3.4.2 Seagrass bed, mangrove and tidal pond habitats were identified in the vicinity of the 500m assessment area in Lai Chi Wo. These habitats were surveyed by means of qualitative walk-through surveys. Besides observing the inhabiting fauna, the extents of these habitats were also updated during the survey. The sampling locations for Lai Chi Wo are shown in Figure 8.2.

8.3.4.3 For quantitative transect surveys, one 50 m horizontal transect along the coastline was deployed at each of the three tidal levels: high, middle and low. On each transect, five quadrats (50 cm × 50 cm) were placed randomly to determine the abundance and diversity of flora and fauna. All organisms found in each quadrat were identified and recorded to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Sessile species, such as algae (encrusting, foliose and filamentous), barnacles and oysters, in each quadrat were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level and estimated as percentage cover on the rock surface, if absolute count cannot be made. In addition, should the transect locations prove to be soft shore, all organisms found in the top 50 cm × 50 cm × 5 cm layer (length x width x depth) of the substrate were recorded. However, the quantitative transect survey depended on the accessibility of the coastlines, as the piers are vertical; estimation of the relative abundance was made as qualitative walk-through survey.

8.3.4.4 Benthic Grab Survey: Benthic grab survey was conducted at 3 sampling locations in the subtidal soft-bottom habitats within the 500m assessment area. The sampling locations are shown in Figure 8.2.

8.3.4.5 At each sampling location, three grab samples were collected. Benthic sediments were sampled using a grab sampler to collect representative amount of sediments. Sediments from the grab samples were sieved on board of the survey vessel, washed onto a sieve stack (comprising 1 mm and 500 μm meshes) and gently rinsed with seawater to remove all fine materials. Following rinsing, any materials remaining on the two screens were combined and carefully rinsed using a minimal volume of seawater into pre-labelled thick triple-bagged Ziploc plastic bags. A 5% solution of formalin containing Rose Bengal in seawater was then added to the bag to ensure tissue preservation. Care was taken to ensure the concentration of solution is not adversely diluted through rinsing into the bags. Samples were sealed in plastic containers for transfer to the laboratory for sorting and identification.

8.3.4.6 Taxonomic identifications were performed using stereo dissecting and high-power compound microscopes. Taxa was identified to the lowest practicable level. Careful sampling procedure was employed to minimise fragmentation of organisms. If breakage of soft-bodied organisms occurred, only anterior portions of fragments were counted, although all fragments were retained and weighed for biomass determinations (wet weight).

8.3.4.7 Dive Survey: Dive surveys were conducted in the Project Site and the 500m Assessment Area to study corals and other marine organisms with conservation importance. Several types of dive surveys were conducted with different objectives, i.e. 1) reconnaissance spot check dives to check the site condition and to confirm the occurrence of corals as well as the major distributions; and 2) Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) transect survey to determine the general condition of coral and marine benthic communities within and in the vicinity of the Project Sites. The proposed pier, the proposed works area and within the 500m Assessment Area were checked by reconnaissance survey to search for occurrence and distribution of any corals and other marine organisms of conservation importance.

8.3.4.8 If corals or other sessile benthos of conservation importance are found in the reconnaissance survey, Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) by SCUBA diving would be conducted in accordance with EIAO Guidance Note No. 11/2010. The REA survey aimed at assessing the relative cover of corals, other major benthic groups and taxon abundance, as well as providing an inventory of sessile benthic taxa used to define community types. The length of REA transect was 100m. Survey locations are shown in Figure 8.2. and the rating of REA results is shown in Annex 8.1.

8.3.4.9 If any marine organisms of conservation importance other than corals were encountered during all these dive surveys, the species, sighting locations, and abundance would be recorded. Attentions were also paid on special features and observations such as habitat usage, behaviours, etc.

8.3.5 Survey Locations and Survey Programme

8.3.5.1 Due to the sub-tropical climate in Hong Kong, there are mainly two distinct seasonal weathers in the area, namely “wet season” and “dry season”. Wet season is between April and October with higher monthly temperature and rainfall, and the activities of organism are more active. On the other hand, dry season is between November and March with lower monthly temperature and rainfall, and the activities of organisms are less conspicuous.

8.3.5.2 According to the Clause 2(iii) in Appendix G of the EIA Study Brief, ecological surveys were carried out for a duration of at least 12 months. The ecological surveys were undertaken in the period between August 2018 and July 2019 (Table 8.1) covering both dry and wet seasons to collect ecological baseline information within and near the Project as well as the 500m assessment area.

Table 8.1 Ecological Survey Programme

Survey Type	2018					2019
	Wet			Dry					Wet
	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul
Marine Ecological Surveys
Intertidal fauna, seagrass bed and mangrove stand	√		√		√			√
Benthic community			√				√
Coral community		√									√
Terrestrial Ecological Surveys
Habitat mapping & vegetation	√							√
Avifauna	√			√			√			√
Terrestrial mammal	√			√			√			√
Herpetofauna	√			√			√			√
Dragonflies & butterflies	√			√			√			√
Aquatic fauna		√						√				√

8.4 Ecological Baseline Conditions

8.4.1 Literature Review - Recognized Sites of Conservation Importance, Important Habitats and Species

8.4.1.1 Lai Chi Wo Pier is located within Yan Chau Tong Marine Park (Figure 8.1). Waters within this marine park contain two important habitat types, i.e. seagrass bed and mangroves (AFCD website 2020). High coverage of Japanese eel grass Zostera japonica was recorded in Lai Chi Wo. Halophila ovalis is another seagrass species that inhabit within the waters of Lai Chi Wo. The seagrass bed functions as shelter for juvenile and larvae of marine organisms and to prevent the loss of coastal soil. These habitats provide nursery ground for larvae and juvenile fish, as well as other marine life. Lai Chi Wo is also one of the about 60 mangrove sites recorded by AFCD (AFCD website 2020). Mangroves have high ecological values such as providing diverse habitats, breeding sites and feeding grounds for a large variety of coastal species.

8.4.1.2 It should be noted that the area at 150m south of the pier was designated as Lai Chi Wo Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (Figure 8.1). Both seagrass bed and mangrove stand fall within the SSSI. Seagrass was also recorded in the abandoned ponds at Siu Tan.

8.4.1.3 No coral communities were identified within 500m from the Lai Chi Wo Pier according to reviewed literature. However, there is one Hong Kong Reef Check site (“Lai Chi Wo”) located to the northeast over 500m away from the Lai Chi Wo Pier (Figure 8.1). The coral coverage was about 44% in 2019; coral species found included Echinophyllia aspera, Favia maritima, Favia rotumana, Goniopora columna and Platygyra carnosus (Hong Kong Reef Check 2019).

8.4.1.4 There were also records of other marine fauna of conservation importance in Yan Chau Tong Marine Park. Blue-spotted pipefish Hippichthys cyanospilus was reported from seagrass bed in the Marine Park (Sadovy & Cornish 2000). This species was considered rare in Hong Kong. Besides, corals, mangroves and seagrass beds are also considered as habitats for the Spotted seahorse Hippocampus kuda and the Seaweed pipefish Syngnathus schlegeti might utilize seagrass beds (ibid.).

8.4.1.5 The Plover Cove Country Park, with 4,594 hectares in size, is within the 500m assessment area (Figure 8.1). Chinese Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura), Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and Chinese Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) are recorded mammal species. For birds, Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) and Red-winged Crested Cuckoo (Clamator coromandus) on Crooked Island and in Lai Chi Wo inside the park area. Rare butterfly species, including the Bi-spot Royal (Ancema ctesia) and Yellow Coster (Acraea issoria), were recorded in the park (AFCD website).

8.4.1.6 Lai Chi Wo Special Area, with approximately one hectare in size, falls partly within the 500m assessment area (Figure 8.1). It is located on a slope behind Lai Chi Wo Village. Over 100 species of plants have been recorded in the area, including Langkok Fig and Golden-leaved Tree, which are rare in Hong Kong. Autumn Maple and Camphor Trees, with height over 20 metres, were also recorded.

8.4.1.7 Area zoned as “Conservation Area” under the Approved Lai Chi Wo, Siu Tan and Sam A Tsuen Outline Zoning Plan No. S/NE-LCW/2 covers the wooded area to the north of the existing Lai Chi Wo Village which is a relatively undisturbed native woodland with mature trees and linked with the wide stretch of natural vegetation in the vicinity. The coastal area along the eastern boundary of Lai Chi Wo consists of mangroves, mangrove-associated plants and backshore vegetation including a large population of mature Heritiera littoralis and Derris alborubra with a high ecological and landscape value. The wetland system in Siu Tan comprising natural stream, intertidal ponds and marshes is also of ecological importance. The recognized sites of conservation importance under assessment is shown in Figure 8.1.

8.4.1.8 According to Biodiversity Baseline and Management Plan of Freshwater and Terrestrial Habitats of Lai Chi Wo (Policy for Sustainability Lab, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, August 2018), terrestrial and freshwater surveys were conducted, covering vascular plants, mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, butterflies, dragonflies, freshwater fishes and other invertebrates. A number of flora and fauna species of conservation importance was recorded in that study. However, all of them were located away from the proposed pier improvement area.

8.4.1.9 The existing Lai Chi Wo Pier lies in the Mirs Bay Water Control Zone (WCZ) as designated under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance. Besides Yan Chau Tong Marine Park, Tung Ping Chau Marine Park also lies within the Mirs Bay WCZ, but distanced over 10km away. Among all the 33 designated sites for Hong Kong Reef Check, 21 of them are located within the Mirs Bay WCZ. Beside the one site that lies to the northeast of the Lai Chi Wo Pier within the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park mentioned above, the remaining sites are located distant from the Project Site. Ngau Shi Wu Wan is the next closest one to Lai Chi Wo Pier, about 2km away. Other sites such as Au Yue Tsui are all further away. According to Field Guide to Hard Corals of Hong Kong (AFCD, 2005), a list of coral hotspots was mentioned and highlighted for the high coral richness. Port Island, Double Island, Kat O and Crescent Island were coral hotspots, and these locations are all located far away from Lai Chi Wo pier.

8.4.1.10 Within the Mirs Bay WCZ, there are 21 mangrove stands reported on AFCD website. Besides Lai Chi Wo, there are also other mangrove stands such as Siu Tan and Pak Kok Wan located along the shorelines in the vicinity.

8.4.2 Terrestrial Ecological Survey Results

8.4.2.1 Habitat and Vegetation: Eleven types of habitats were present within the 500m assessment area, including Agricultural Land, Developed Area, Shrubland/Grassland, Woodland, Marsh, Watercourse, Intertidal Shore (i.e. Sandy Shore, Rocky Shore, Mudflat), Mangrove, Seagrass Bed, Pond, and Sea (Figure 8.3 and Figure 8.4). The size of each habitat is shown in Table 8.2.

Table 8.2 Habitat Sizes within the 500m Assessment Area at Lai Chi Wo

Habitat Types	Project Site	500m Assessment Area (including Project Site)
Habitat Types	Area (ha)	Area (ha)	Length (m)
Agricultural Land	-	2.579	-
Developed Area	0.015	1.971	-
Shrubland/Grassland	-	16.858	-
Woodland	0.003	30.718	-
Marsh	-	0.043	-
Watercourse	-	-	526
Sandy Shore	0.339	1.96	-
Rocky Shore	-	1.31	-
Mudflat	-	6.07	-
Mangrove	-	2.354	-
Seagrass Bed	-	0.331	-
Pond	-	2.310	-
Sea	1.169	40.142	-
Total	1.526	106.646	526

8.4.2.2 Agricultural Land found to the south of the 500m assessment area was actively cultivated. Agricultural rehabilitation launched as the Sustainable Lai Chi Wo Programme (2013-2017) was accompanied by extensive vegetation clearance in 2015, restoring agricultural land patches within the 500m assessment area. Numerous crop species (e.g. Ipomoea aquatica, Lycopersicon esculentum, Nasturtium officinale and Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) and fruit trees (e.g. Dimocarpus longan, Musa x paradisiaca and Prunus persica) were cultivated.

8.4.2.3 Developed Area to the southwest of the 500m assessment area mainly comprises LCW Hakka Village, temple, footpath and telephone exchange. There are also landscape and ornamental plantings. Meanwhile, weedy herbs and climbers (e.g. Lantana camara, Mikania micrantha and Oxalis debilis subsp. corymbosa) readily colonized available growing space which is very limited in concrete-paved area.

8.4.2.4 Shrubland/Grassland within the 500m assessment area is undergoing natural succession and the floristic composition is highly typical of other shrubland/grassland within the territory of Hong Kong. Native shrub (e.g. Baeckea frutescens, Dicranopteris pedata, Lindera aggregata, Litsea rotundifolia var. oblongifolia, Melastoma sanguineum, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa and Rhus succedanea) and climber species (e.g. Tetracera asiatica) were frequently encountered. In some areas, a pioneer fern species Dicranopteris pedata readily formed monodominant patches. Some native, pioneer and early-successional tree species, such as Cratoxylum cochinchinense, Garcinia oblongifolia and Phyllanthus emblica, were established in certain areas. Most parts of the shrubland/grassland are within the Plover Cover Country Park.

8.4.2.5 Woodland within the 500m assessment area are interspersed with and partly fragmented by shrubland/grassland. Around two-third of the plant species recorded during surveys were recorded in the woodland within the 500m assessment area. The canopy of the woodland is dominated by native tree species like Acronychia pedunculata, Aporusa dioica, Litsea glutinosa, Machilus chekiangensis, Microcos nervosa, Schefflera heptaphylla, Sterculia lanceolata, Syzygium hancei, Syzygium levinei, Viburnum odoratissimum etc. In the mid-storey and understorey of the woodland, along with shade-tolerant native shrub species Ardisia quinquegona and Psychotria asiatica, the above native tree species were also found regenerating in the understorey and mid-storey, while the structure of the woodland is further complexed by native climber and vine species (e.g. Byttneria grandifolia, Caesalpinia crista, Dalbergia benthamii and Desmos chinensis) intertwining trees and shrubs. Most of the woodland areas are within Plover Cove Country Park, and small portions of the woodland are within the Lai Chi Wo Special Area.

8.4.2.6 The extent of LCW Fung Shui Wood mapped by Yip et al. (2004) is partly within the 500m assessment area but that mapped by Hau et al. (2018) is with a slightly different boundary. The boundary of LCW Fung Shui Wood for present EcoIA adopted Yip et al. (2004). It is notable that the woodland at the southwest part of the 500m assessment area surrounding LCW Fung Shui Wood, regardless of its exact extent, results in a transitional mix in flora species composition in that area. For instance, Adenanthera microsperma and Syzygium hancei, which are generally more readily found in some fung shui woods in Hong Kong, were also common in the woodland at the southwest part of the 500m assessment area. Therefore, vegetation of LCW Fung Shui Wood was not separately presented in the survey results but incorporated into the woodland.

8.4.2.7 The Marsh to the southwest of the 500m assessment area receives freshwater input from a perennial stream flowing downslope from hills but is not incessantly inundated throughout the entire year. The species composition of the marsh is inclined to wetland-dependent and hydrophilic herb species, such as Floscopa scandens, Hygrophila salicifolia, Persicaria muricata and Persicaria pubescens. Some terrestrial woody species, for instance Glochidion zeylanicum, were also recorded, displaying tendency to undergo succession to a more terrestrial environment.

8.4.2.8 Watercourse within the 500m assessment area mainly refer to two perennial streams. The major watercourse to the southwest of the 500m assessment area receives freshwater input from two major hillstream sources: from Tiu Tang Lung and Fan Kei Tok (to the south but outside the 500m assessment area) and Lo Fu Shek Teng and Pan Pui-Teng (to the north but outside the 500m assessment area). Despite being generally natural in nature, part of the lowland section of the watercourse is channelised with natural stony substrate and stream bank and sparse vegetation. This watercourse eventually joins the sea via mangrove and intertidal shore, where the mix of freshwater and marine salty water allow salt-tolerant species to prosper. The quality of water is generally good. A smaller, narrower but natural stream was found flowing through shrubland/grassland within the 500m assessment area. Boulders scatter along the stream and the quality of water is generally good. Although ravines were found within the 500m assessment area, no water and aquatic life were recorded. Only transient water flow after rains may be present, so that the ravines were incorporated into adjacent habitat in the habitat map.

8.4.2.9 Intertidal shore (i.e. sandy shore, rocky shore, mudflat) within the 500m assessment area encompasses one stretching from the northeast to the southeast coastline and one patch to the north. Halophilic environment and sandy soil suppress the growth of terrestrial species but favour Fimbristylis subbispicata, Ixeris japonica, Limonium sinense, Sporobolus virginicus and Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia which were dominant in the intertidal shore. Scarce individuals of true mangrove species, such as Aegiceras corniculatum, were also observed.

8.4.2.10 Mangrove to the south of the 500m assessment area was found between the agricultural land and mudflat. Six true mangrove species, namely Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Excoecaria agallocha, Heritiera littoralis and Kandelia obovata were recorded. True mangrove species were relatively more abundant in the seaward direction. Mangrove associated species, such as Clerodendrum inerme and Hibiscus tiliaceus, were encountered more frequently along the landward side.

8.4.2.11 The Seagrass Bed to the south of the 500m assessment area is closely adjacent to mangrove and is primarily composed of Zostera japonica, which is a species of conservation importance. Halophila ovalis is also a species of conservation importance recorded in the seagrass bed from literature review. It had been once reported from Lai Chi Wo but was not recorded during the surveys in this Study.

8.4.2.12 Some ponds were found to the south of the 500m assessment area, with only the northeastern pond actively managed for fish farming. Emergent vegetation is lacking within the pond area, but the pond margins are readily colonized by weedy herbs.

8.4.2.13 The Sea within part of Crooked Harbour (Kat O Hoi) accounts for around half of the 500m assessment area and is not vegetated by terrestrial plant species.

8.4.2.14 A total of 218 plant species, encompassing four plant species of conservation importance (Aquilaria sinensis, Ceratopteris thalictroides, Heritiera littoralis and Zostera japonica), were recorded. Among the 218 plant species recorded, 181 native species, 36 exotic species and 1 species of uncertain origin were recorded. Three of the 218 plant species recorded (Bauhinia corymbosa, Diplacrum caricinum and Solanum capsicoides) were not considered species of conservation importance by professional judgement, despite falling into any of the categories mentioned for the criteria of evaluating species of conservation importance. Bauhinia corymbosa and Solanum capsicoides were considered very rare and rare respectively by Corlett et al. (2000). However, these species are known to be introduced to Hong Kong and are therefore not regarded as species of conservation importance. Diplacrum caricinum had been considered restricted in the Biodiversity Survey of Hong Kong (Corlett et al. 2000) but was regarded as rare in the territory-scale floristic survey of marshes in Hong Kong by Yip et al. (2010). In the light that this species was only considered rare in marshy habitats in Hong Kong defined in the latter publication by Yip et al. (2010) and that it could be found in a wide range of habitats, such as wetland (Corlett et al. 2000), marsh (Corlett et al. 2000), farmlands (Hong Kong Herbarium and South China Botanical Garden 2011) and wastelands (Hong Kong Herbarium and South China Botanical Garden 2011), therefore, Diplacrum caricinum not treated as a species of conservation importance in this study.

8.4.2.15 Saplings and trees of Aquilaria sinensis were recorded in the woodland outside the Project Site (Figure 8.3 and Figure 8.4). Aquilaria sinensis is common in the lowland forests and fung shui woods of Hong Kong (Corlett et al. 2000) but is listed as one of the 100 rare and precious plants in Hong Kong (Hu et al. 2003). In south China, particularly Hong Kong, it is threatened by illegal felling and over-exploitation and is protected under Cap. 586 Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance in Hong Kong. Moreover, it is included in Illustration of Rare & Endangered plant in Guangdong Province, and wild individuals are protected under State protection (Category II) in Mainland China. It is also categorised as “Vulnerable” in China Plant Red Data Book (Fu and Chin 1992), the Threatened List of China’s Higher Plants (Qin et al. 2017) and IUCN Red List (IUCN 2019).

8.4.2.16 Ceratopteris thalictroides, categorised as vulnerable in China by Hu et al. (2003) and also in the Threatened List of China’s Higher Plants (Qin et al. 2017) and listed under State protection (category II) owing to its declining populations in China, was recorded in the marsh outside the Project Site (Figure 8.3 and Figure 8.4). Ceratopteris thalictroides is one of the few native fern species in Hong Kong that grows in wetland and is considered locally rare (Corlett et al. 2000).

8.4.2.17 Heritiera littoralis, a true mangrove species restricted to coastal habitats in Hong Kong (Corlett et al. 2000), was recorded in the developed area and mangrove outside the Project Site (Figure 8.3 and Figure 8.4). In addition to its local restrictedness, this species is listed as vulnerable in the Threatened Species List of China's Higher Plants (Qin et al. 2017).

8.4.2.18 Zostera japonica was the primary native seagrass species structuring the seagrass bed within the 500m assessment area (Figure 8.3 and Figure 8.4). This species is a locally rare marine herb species generally found in mudflats (Corlett et al. 2000) and is listed as one of the 100 rare and precious plants of Hong Kong (Hu et al. 2003).

8.4.2.19 Mammal: Only Domestic Ox was recorded within the 500m assessment area. It is widely distributed in countryside areas throughout Hong Kong, except Hong Kong Island and northwestern New Territories. It is not a species of conservation importance.

8.4.2.20 Bird: Twenty-nine species of bird were recorded in the 500m assessment area (Appendix 8.2). Seven species were considered of conservation importance. These were Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, Striated Heron Butorides striata, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Great Egret Ardea alba, Little Egret Egretta garzetta, Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela and Black Kite Milvus migrans. None of these species was recorded in the Project Site (Figure 8.3).

8.4.2.21 Herpetofauna: Only common and widespread herpetofauna were recorded in the 500m assessment area (Appendix 8.4 and Appendix 8.5). No species of conservation importance were recorded.

8.4.2.22 Dragonfly: Twelve species of dragonfly were recorded within the 500m assessment area (Appendix 8.6). None of the recorded species was considered of conservation importance.

8.4.2.23 Butterfly: Thirty-three species of butterfly were recorded within the 500m assessment area (Appendix 8.7). Apart from Common Awl Hasora badra, none of the recorded species was considered of conservation importance.

8.4.2.24 Aquatic Community: A total of 13 species of aquatic fauna including crustacean, fish and insect was recorded (Appendix 8.8). Most of them were common and widespread in Hong Kong, except Eclipse Puffer which is a rare species, and considered as Local Concern by Fellowes et al. (2002).

8.4.3 Marine and Intertidal Survey

8.4.3.1 Intertidal Community (Qualitative Walk-through): Within the 500m assessment area, qualitative walk-through survey was conducted along the accessible shorelines of the survey locations, to record organisms including highly mobile fauna such as crab encountered with their relative abundance.

8.4.3.2 The results of this qualitative survey showed that the shorelines along the survey locations mainly comprised vertical wall (existing pier), sandy shore, rocky shore, mudflat, seagrass bed, mangrove and tidal pond. The substrates in the sandy shore, similar with other sandy habitats in sheltered bays of Hong Kong, were a mixture of sand with boulders and bedrock, in particular at the high intertidal zone.

8.4.3.3 A total of 35 and 51 intertidal organisms were found in all the sampling locations during the qualitative surveys in wet season and dry season, respectively (Appendix 8.9 and Appendix 8.10). Balanus amphitrite and Saccostrea cucullata were the dominant species recorded in the existing pier. Balanus amphitrite, Grafrarium pectinatum and Nassarius festivus were the dominant species in sampling location I-A. Monodonta labio was the dominant species in sampling location I-B. Batillaria multiformis, Batillaria zonalis and Grafrarium pectinatum were the dominant species in the mangrove/seagrass bed (I-C). Japanese eel grass Zostera japonica was the only seagrass species recorded in the seagrass bed. Only Saccostrea cucullata was found inside the tidal pond at Siu Tan (I-D). All species recorded except Japanese eel grass were considered to be common and widespread as in other intertidal shores in Hong Kong. Other than Japanese eel grass, no species of conservation importance were recorded. Mangroves and seagrass beds are among the various habitats utilised by Spotted Seahorse and Seaweed pipfish (Sadovy & Cornish 2000) but neither was found during the present surveys.

8.4.3.4 Intertidal Community (Quantitative): Transects were deployed at two locations near the proposed pier (I-A and I-B). The transects covered high-shore, mid-shore and low-shore. Dominant species among the transects were found to be quite similar as in quantitative survey described above.

8.4.3.5 A total of 25 and 39 organisms were recorded during the quantitative surveys of wet season and dry season respectively. Dominant species found were typical species in that particular site as described in the qualitative survey (Appendix 8.11 and Appendix 8.12).

8.4.3.6 Table 8.3 shows the number of species (S), density (D i.e. individuals/m²), evenness (J) and Shannon Diversity (H’) of intertidal organisms recorded in the survey locations (both qualitative and quantitative surveys are present). The number of species in dry season was higher than that in wet season for both sampling locations I-A and I-B. The evenness were similar between seasons and sampling locations. The Shannon Diversity was higher in I-A than I-B for both seasons.

Table 8.3 Number of Species (S), Density (D individual/m²), Evenness (J) and Shannon Diversity (H’) of Intertidal Organisms Recorded from Qualitative and Quantitative Surveys at the Survey Locations in Lai Chi Wo

Season	Site	Qualitative surveys	Quantitative surveys
Season	Site	S	S	D	J	H'
Wet Season	Project Site	15	-	-	-	-
	I-A	24	24	71	0.80	2.53
	I-B	8	9	60	0.68	1.48
	I-C	23	-	-	-	-
	I-D	1	-	-	-	-
Dry Season	Project Site	14	-	-	-	-
	I-A	31	27	104	0.72	2.37
	I-B	26	29	206	0.62	2.10
	I-C	27	-	-	-	-
	I-D	1	-	-	-	-

8.4.3.7 Benthic Community: Subtidal benthic surveys at 3 sampling locations in the 500m assessment area showed that 459 and 115 individuals of organisms in 8 and 3 phyla, 45 and 15 families, and 50 and 17 species in 18 grab samples during wet and dry seasons, respectively (Table 8.4). Full lists of benthic data for abundance and biomass are shown in Appendix 8.13 to Appendix 8.16. All of the species recorded are common and widespread in Hong Kong.

8.4.3.8 In terms of infaunal abundance, the majority of the organisms recorded in the subtidal soft bottom habitat were from the phylum annelida in wet (~68%) and mollusca in dry (82%) seasons (Table 8.4). Annelida Notomastus latericens and mollusca Moerella culter were the dominant species recorded in the wet season, while mollusca Nitidotellina iridella was the dominant species in dry season.

8.4.3.9 In terms of infaunal biomass, organisms from the phylum mollusca contributed to about 16% and 47% of the total biomass recorded during wet and dry seasons (Table 8.4).

8.4.3.10 Benthic Shannon Diversity Index (H’) ranged from 2.08 – 2.48 during wet season and from 0.82 – 1.65 during dry season (Table 8.5). Pielou’s Evenness Index (J) was relatively high for all sampling locations for both seasons, which means the organisms were quite evenly distributed. Sampling locations B and C were away from the Project Site with higher Shannon Diversity Index than sampling location A which is within the Project Site.

8.4.3.11 The benthic assemblages within the 500m assessment area are relatively lower than that in Hong Kong waters. Previous studies of benthic surveys showed that value of value of H’ varied from 2.21 – 3.50 in the eastern waters, which is higher than Victoria Harbour (1.10 to 2.49), Tolo Harbour and Channel (1.51 – 1.85), western waters at outer Deep Bay (2.14 – 2.86) and southern waters (2.53 – 2.98) (CityU Professional Services Limited 2002).

Table 8.4 Benthic Fauna Compositions in Grab Samples from Lai Chi Wo

Phylum	No. of families		No. of species		No. of individuals		% of abundance		Biomass (g)		% of biomass
Phylum	Wet	Dry	Wet	Dry	Wet	Dry	Wet	Dry	Wet	Dry	Wet	Dry
Annelida	19	10	25	10	311	17	67.76	14.17	2.78	2.07	5.45	11.45
Arthropoda	5	2	5	2	19	9	4.14	7.50	1.05	0.11	2.06	0.63
Chordata	1	0	1	0	2	0	0.44	0	0.003	0	0.01	0
Echinodermata	1	0	1	0	1	0	0.22	0	0.01	0	0.02	0
Mollusca	10	3	14	6	121	94	26.36	78.33	47.16	15.90	92.35	87.92
Nemertinea	1	0	1	0	1	0	0.22	0	0.02	0	0.04	0
Plathyhelminthes	1	0	1	0	1	0	0.22	0	0.002	0	0.004	0
Sipuncula	1	0	2	0	3	0	0.65	0	0.04	0	0.07	0
Total	39	15	50	18	459	120	100	100	51.07	18.08	100	100

Table 8.5 Summary Results of Subtidal Benthic Survey (Dry and Wet Seasons) in Lai Chi Wo*

Location	No. of species		Abundance		Wet weight (g)		Evenness (J)		Shannon diversity (H’)
Location	Wet	Dry	Wet	Dry	Wet	Dry	Wet	Dry	Wet	Dry
B1	26	14	145	76	8.84	8.35	0.64	0.62	2.08	1.65
B2	23	4	139	34	39.25	2.86	0.79	0.79	2.46	0.82
B3	28	5	175	10	2.98	6.87	0.74	0.74	2.48	1.36
* replicates of sub-stations are pooled together

8.4.3.12 Coral Community: Dive survey was conducted at the existing pier and within the proposed construction/works area for coral communities. Spot dive surveys were also conducted at the sampling locations (Figure 8.2) by SCUBA diving for coral communities and associated marine fauna, including the proposed pier and the proposed works area.

8.4.3.13 A total of 3 common species of hard corals were recorded in the existing pier and 8 species in sampling location D-3 (near Kau Ma Shek, about 290m to the north of the Project Site) during the dive surveys (Figure 8.3, Figure 8.4 and Appendix 8.17). All the recorded corals are common or abundant and widespread in Hong Kong. Only 3 common and widespread species Oulastrea crispata, Porites lobata/lutea and Leptastrea purpurea were recorded at the 3 sides of seaward side of the existing pier (i.e. existing pier head) (Figure 8.3b); Oulastrea crispata was the dominant species. All these 3 species were mostly less than 5 cm in size and they were non-movable. Eight species of hard corals were recorded in sampling location D-3. All hard corals are protected under Cap 476, Cap 586 and CITES. No coral was recorded in sampling locations D-1 and D-2 (both sides of the existing pier), as there were no suitable substrate for corals (i.e. muddy substrate). Besides the existing pier head, no coral was found within the proposed works area.

8.4.3.14 Based upon the findings from the spot dive surveys, two sampling sites were recommended for REA. The two sites were the existing pier head and sampling location D-3. At each site, seabed compositions along the transects were recorded and presented in Appendix 8.18. Each taxon in the inventory was ranked in terms of relative abundance in the community.

8.4.3.15 The REA transect at the proposed pier was deployed around the existing pier head. Only the pier head consisted of hard substrate for coral colonization, whilst the substrate of seabed in the vicinity of the pier was mostly muddy. Hard coral colonies from the 3 species were present and accounted for less than 1% coverage along the REA transect. Other benthos include Rock Oyster, Sea Urchin, Sea Cucumber etc.

8.4.3.16 The REA transect at sampling location D-3 was deployed at about 290m to the north of the Project Site, and the seabed along the transect was mainly composed of mud & silt, sand with gravel and cobbles. Coral coverage was 5% along the REA transect of sampling location D-3.

8.4.3.17 Other Marine Organisms of Conservation Importance: During the intertidal surveys and dive surveys, besides corals, no other marine faunal species of conservation importance was recorded. According to literature, corals, mangroves and seagrass beds are among the various habitats utilised by Spotted Seahorse, while seagrass bed may be utilised by Seaweed pipefish (Sadovy & Cornish 2000), but they were not found during the present study.

8.4.4 Evaluation of Ecological Values

8.4.4.1 The ecological importance of the habitats within the 500m assessment area was evaluated in accordance with the criteria stipulated in Annex 8 of TM-EIAO (Table 8.6 to Table 8.17).

8.4.4.2 In accordance with Table 3, Annex 8 of the TM-EIAO, the ecological value of species was assessed in terms of protection status (e.g. fauna protected under WAPO (except birds), and flora and fauna protected under regional/global legislation/conventions), species distribution (e.g. endemic), and rarity (e.g. rare or restricted). Flora and fauna species of conservation importance recorded within the 500m assessment area are evaluated according to the TM-EIAO in Table 8.18 and Table 8.19 respectively.

Table 8.6 Evaluation of Agricultural Land within the 500m Assessment Area

Criterion	Description
Naturalness	Mostly man-made with retention of a few trees which already persisted prior to vegetation clearance in 2015
Size	2.579ha
Diversity	Low flora diversity Very low diversity of bird, dragonfly and butterfly
Rarity	No flora species of conservation importance Fauna species of conservation importance: Grey Heron
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	No fragmentation observed
Ecological linkage	Not linked to habitats of conservation importance
Potential value	Limited but more diverse agricultural habitats may favour a higher diversity of birds in winter
Nursery/breeding ground	No significant observation
Age	N/A
Abundance/richness of wildlife	Very low abundance of bird and butterfly, low abundance of dragonfly
Overall ecological value	Low

Table 8.7 Evaluation of Developed Area within the 500m Assessment Area

Criterion	Description
Naturalness	Man-made habitat
Size	1.971ha
Diversity	Low flora diversity Very low diversity of bird, dragonfly and butterfly
Rarity	One flora species of conservation importance: Heritiera littoralis No fauna species of conservation importance
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	No fragmentation observed
Ecological linkage	Not linked to habitats of conservation importance
Potential value	Limited
Nursery/breeding ground	No significant observation
Age	N/A
Abundance/richness of wildlife	Very low abundance of bird, dragonfly and butterfly
Overall ecological value	Very low

Table 8.8 Evaluation of Shrubland/Grassland (including the area inside Plover Cove Country Park) within the 500m Assessment Area

Criterion	Description
Naturalness	Mostly natural with graveyards established by villagers nearby
Size	16.858ha (14.18ha within Plover Cove Country Park)
Diversity	Low to moderate flora diversity Very low diversity of bird, dragonfly and butterfly
Rarity	No flora or fauna species of conservation importance
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	Fragmented as patches within the 500m Assessment Area
Ecological linkage	Not functionally linked to habitats of conservation importance
Potential value	Limited
Nursery/breeding ground	No significant observation
Age	N/A
Abundance/richness of wildlife	Very abundance of bird, dragonfly and butterfly
Overall ecological value	Low to moderate

Table 8.9 Evaluation of Woodland (including the area inside Plover Cove Country Park and Lai Chi Wo Special Area) within the 500m Assessment Area

Criterion	Description
Naturalness	Natural
Size	30.718ha (25.20ha within Plover Cove Country Park, 0.36ha within Lai Chi Wo Special Area)
Diversity	Moderate flora diversity Low to moderate diversity of bird and butterfly, very low diversity of dragonfly
Rarity	Flora species of conservation importance: Aquilaria sinensis Fauna species of conservation importance: Crested Serpent Eagle and Common Awl
Re-creatability	Re-creatable given sufficient time for succession in the absence of significant disturbance
Fragmentation	Fragmented as woodland stands within the 500m Assessment Area
Ecological linkage	Linked to woodland and other habitats within Plover Cove Country Park and Lai Chi Wo Special Area
Potential value	Provide mature habitats for wildlife
Nursery/breeding ground	May provide breeding habitats for birds, butterflies,
Age	At least 20 years
Abundance/richness of wildlife	Low to moderate abundance of bird and butterfly, very low abundance of dragonfly
Overall ecological value	Moderate to high

Table 8.10 Evaluation of Marsh within the 500m Assessment Area

Criterion	Description
Naturalness	Semi-natural due to the natural colonization of wetland herb species but possible abandonment of agricultural land by villagers in the past
Size	0.043ha
Diversity	Low flora diversity Very low diversity of bird, dragonfly and butterfly
Rarity	One flora species of conservation importance: Ceratopteris thalictroides Fauna species of conservation importance: Little Egret
Re-creatability	Difficult to recreate
Fragmentation	N/A
Ecological linkage	Linked to the watercourse from which freshwater was discharged to
Potential value	Limited
Nursery/breeding ground	Breeding ground for freshwater invertebrates
Age	N/A
Abundance/richness of wildlife	Very low abundance of bird and butterfly, low abundance of dragonfly
Overall ecological value	Low to moderate

Table 8.11 Evaluation of Watercourse within the 500m Assessment Area

Criterion	Description
Naturalness	Mostly natural with only a small section channelized but with natural substrate and bank
Length	526m
Diversity	Low flora and aquatic fauna diversity Very low diversity of bird, dragonfly and butterfly
Rarity	No flora species of conservation importance Three fauna species of conservation importance: Black-crowned Night Heron, Striated Heron and Eclipse Puffer
Re-creatability	Natural section difficult to re-create, channelized sections easy to recreate
Fragmentation	Stream habitat fragmented by the channelized section and the underground culvert, but the stream flow is still maintained
Ecological linkage	The hillstream watercourse is connected to the marsh, whereas the lowland stream is connected to Crooked Harbour
Potential value	Low
Nursery/breeding ground	May provide breeding habitat for freshwater and/or estuarine fish and invertebrates
Age	N/A
Abundance/richness of wildlife	Low abundance of aquatic fauna Very low abundance of bird, dragonfly and butterfly
Overall ecological value	Moderate

Table 8.12 Evaluation of Intertidal Shore (i.e. rocky shore, sandy shore, mudflat and vertical wall) within the 500m Assessment Area

Criterion	Description
Criterion	Rocky shore	Sandy shore	Mudflat	Vertical wall
Naturalness	Natural	Natural	Natural	Man-made
Size	1.31 ha	1.96 ha	6.07 ha	N/A (limited to existing pier)
Diversity	Low intertidal fauna and flora diversity Very low diversity of bird, dragonfly and butterfly	Low intertidal fauna and flora diversity Very low diversity of bird, dragonfly and butterfly	Low intertidal fauna and flora diversity Very low diversity of bird, dragonfly and butterfly	Low intertidal fauna diversity
Rarity	None	No flora and fauna species of conservation importance	Fauna species of conservation importance: Black Kite and Great Egret	None
Re-creatability	Difficult to recreate	Difficult to recreate	Difficult to recreate	Easy to recreate
Fragmentation	Not fragmented	Not fragmented	N/A	N/A
Ecological linkage	Connected to Crooked Harbour	Connected to Crooked Harbour	Linked to seagrass bed	Connected to Crooked Harbour
Potential value	Low. Unlikely to become an area of conservation value	Low. Unlikely to become an area of conservation value	Provide suitable substrate for seagrass colonization	Low. Unlikely to become an area of conservation value
Nursery/breeding ground	Breeding and nursery ground for intertidal organisms	Breeding and nursery ground for intertidal organisms	Breeding and nursery ground for intertidal organisms	Very limited
Age	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Abundance/richness of wildlife	Low abundance of intertidal fauna, bird, very low abundance of dragonfly and butterfly	Low abundance of intertidal fauna, bird, very low abundance of dragonfly and butterfly	Low abundance of intertidal fauna, bird, very low abundance of dragonfly and butterfly	Low abundance of intertidal fauna
Overall ecological value	Low to moderate	Low to moderate	Moderate	Very low

Table 8.13 Evaluation of Mangrove within the 500m Assessment Area

Criterion	Description
Naturalness	Natural
Size	2.354ha
Diversity	High diversity of mangrove species, all the eight species of true mangrove recorded in Hong Kong can be found at Lai Chi Wo Potential high diversity of intertidal fauna Very low diversity of bird, dragonfly and butterfly
Rarity	One flora species of conservation importance: Heritiera littoralis No fauna species of conservation importance
Re-creatability	Difficult to recreate
Fragmentation	N/A
Ecological linkage	Part of Lai Chi Wo Beach SSSI, linked to seagrass bed and mudflat
Potential value	Limited
Nursery/breeding ground	May provide breeding habitat for intertidal species and nursery habitats for juvenile of fishes and other marine invertebrates
Age	N/A
Abundance/richness of wildlife	Moderate abundance of intertidal fauna Very low abundance of bird, dragonfly and butterfly
Overall ecological value	Moderate to high

Table 8.14 Evaluation of Seagrass Bed within the 500m Assessment Area

Criterion	Description
Naturalness	Natural
Size	0.331ha
Diversity	Low flora diversity
Rarity	Two flora species of conservation importance: Zostera japonica and Halophila ovalis (from literature review only) No fauna species of conservation importance
Re-creatability	Difficult to recreate
Fragmentation	Fragmented as patches proximate to mangroves
Ecological linkage	Linked to mudflats (i.e. intertidal shore)
Potential value	High
Nursery/breeding ground	Nursery/breeding ground for intertidal fish and invertebrates
Age	N/A
Abundance/richness of wildlife	High abundance of intertidal species
Overall ecological value	High

Table 8.15 Evaluation of Pond within the 500m Assessment Area

Criterion	Description
Naturalness	Man-made
Size	2.310ha
Diversity	Low flora diversity, very low fauna diversity
Rarity	Seagrass (from literature review)
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable
Fragmentation	N/A
Ecological linkage	Not linked to habitats of conservation importance
Potential value	Limited
Nursery/breeding ground	No significant observation
Age	N/A
Abundance/richness of wildlife	Very low fauna abundance
Overall ecological value	Low

Table 8.16 Evaluation of Sea within the 500m Assessment Area

Criterion	Description
Naturalness	Natural
Size	40.142ha
Diversity	Very low fauna diversity
Rarity	Hard corals
Re-creatability	Difficult to re-create
Fragmentation	N/A
Ecological linkage	Connected to other marine waters and intertidal habitats
Potential value	Low
Nursery/breeding ground	Nursery grounds for fishes and invertebrates
Age	N/A
Abundance/richness of wildlife	Very low fauna abundance
Overall ecological value	Low to moderate

Table 8.17 Evaluation of the Project Site

Criterion	Description
Naturalness	Natural sandy shore and sea, existing pier is artificial (although part of the temporary pier falls within the woodland habitat, only connection work of the temporary pier and existing footpath will be carried out, and no trees/vegetation will be affected)
Size	1.526ha
Diversity	Low intertidal and subtidal organisms Low flora diversity No terrestrial fauna recorded
Rarity	Three hard coral species with low coverage
Re-creatability	Readily re-creatable for the existing pier, difficult to re-create for natural sandy shore and sea
Fragmentation	Not fragmented
Ecological linkage	Connected to Crooked Harbour
Potential value	Low
Nursery/breeding ground	No significant observation
Age	N/A
Abundance/richness of wildlife	Low abundance of intertidal and subtidal organisms
Overall ecological value	Low (as the area is very small)

Table 8.18 Evaluation of Flora Species of Conservation Importance

Species names	Locations	Protection status	Distribution ⁸	Rarity
Aquilaria sinensis	Recorded in woodland outside the Project Site	IUCN Red List (2019): Vulnerable ¹ China Plant Red Data Book: Vulnerable ² Listed in Illustrations of Rare & Endangered Plant in Guangdong Province ³ Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong: Near threatenedin China ⁴ Cap. 586 ⁵ State protection (category II) ⁶ Threatened List of China’s Higher Plants: Vulnerable ⁷	Lowland forest and fung shui woods	Common ⁸
Ceratopteris thalictroides	Recorded in marsh outside the Project Site	Listed in Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong: Vulnerable in China ⁴ State Protection (category II) ⁶	Wetland	Rare ⁴⁸; Common ⁹
Heritiera littoralis	Recorded in mangrove and developed area outside the Project Site	Threatened Species List of China's Higher Plants: Vulnerable ⁷	Coastal habitats	Restricted ⁸
Zostera japonica	Recorded in seagrass bed outside the Project Site	Listed in Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong ⁴	Mudflats	Rare ^{4 8}
Halophila ovalis (from literature only)	Recorded in seagrass bed outside the Project Site	Listed in Rare and Precious Plants in Hong Kong ⁴	Mudflats	Rare ⁸

1. IUCN (2019);

2. Fu & Chin (1992);

3. Wu and Hu (1988);

4. Hu et al. (2003);

5. Cap. 586 Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance;

6. List of Wild Plants under State Protection (promulgated by State Forestry Administration and Ministry of Agriculture on 4 August, 1999;

7. Qin et al. (2017);

8. Corlett et al. (2000);

9. Yip et al. (2010).

Table 8.19 Evaluation of Fauna Species of Conservation Importance

Common names	Locations	Protection status ^{1, 2}	Distribution ¹	Rarity ¹
Terrestrial
Black-crowned Night Heron	Recorded in watercourse outside Project Site	Fellowes et al. (2002): (LC)	Widely distributed in Hong Kong.	Common resident and winter visitor.
Striated Heron	Recorded in watercourse outside Project Site	Fellowes et al. (2002): (LC)	Widely distributed in Hong Kong.	Uncommon in summer visitor and scarce winter visitor
Grey Heron	Recorded in agricultural land outside Project Site	Fellowes et al. (2002): PRC	Found in Deep Bay area, Starling Inlet, Kowloon Park, Cape D'Aguilar.	Common winter visitor
Great Egret	Recorded in mudflat outside Project Site	Fellowes et al. (2003): PRC, (RC)	Widely distributed in Hong Kong.	Common resident and winter visitor
Little Egret	Recorded in marsh outside Project Site	Fellowes et al. (2005): RC	Widely distributed in coastal area throughout Hong Kong.	Common resident
Crested Serpent Eagle	Recorded in woodland outside Project Site	China Red Data Book Status: (Vulnerable); Fellowes et al. (2002): LC; Appendix 2 of CITES	Widely distributed in shrublands on hillsides throughout Hong Kong.	Uncommon resident
Black Kite	Birds observed soaring above mudflat outside Project Site	Cap. 586; Class 2 Protected Animal of China; CITES: Appendix II; Protected under WAPO; Fellowes et al. (2002): (RC)	Widely distributed in Hong Kong and occurs in many types of habitats	Common resident and winter visitor
Common Awl	Recorded in woodland outside Project Site	Fellowes et al. (2002): LC	Recorded in scattered localities including Wu Kau Tan, Lai Chi Wo, Hong Kong Wetland Park	Very Rare
Eclipse Puffer	Recorded in the watercourse outside Project Site	Fellowes et al. (2002): LC	Cape d’ Aguilar Marine Reserve and Ping Chau	Rare
Marine
Hard coral	Recorded at the existing pier head and waters away from the Project Site	Cap 476; Cap 586; CITES: Appendix II	Widely distributed in Hong Kong waters in particular northeastern, eastern and southeastern waters	See Appendix 8.11
Blue-spotted Pipefish (from literature)*	previously recorded at seagrass beds in Yau Chau Tong Marine Park	IUCN: Least Concern	Indo-West Pacific	Considered rare;

1: AFCD (2016), 2: Wang (1998). Level of concern: LC = local concern, PRC = potential regional concern, RC = regional concern, GC = global concern; Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence (Fellowes et al,.2002).

* Spotted seahorse and Seaweed pipefish were not reported in Yan Chau Tong Marine Park in Sadovy & Cornish 2000 but corals, seagrass beds and mangroves are considered habitats to be utilised by these species.

8.5 Identification of Ecological Impacts

8.5.1 Construction Phase

Identification of Key Works

8.5.1.1 Option selection process was performed based upon the basic requirements and safety standards for Public Pier, the occurrence and distribution of ecological resources in Yan Chau Tong Marine Park and Plover Cove Country Park, pros and cons of different forms and options of pier improvement works, engineering and environmental constraints. After considering different locations, forms and sizes, a preferred option with small footprint and associated impacts was derived (details see Chapter 2). The proposed LCW Pier will be constructed on top of the existing pier and will be supported by piles. The piled deck structure will be of a length of about 155m and widths ranging mainly from 6m to 8m (the width will increase to 15m at the pier head to accommodate both traditional pier head and floating pontoon provision). Along the total length of 155m for the new pier structure, there would be about 46 nos. of approximately 0.8m diameter bored piles and 6 nos. of approximately 1m diameter bored piles. An above-seabed downstand wall (around 15m long with 0.5m width) will be constructed to reduce wave actions around the floating pontoon. A temporary pier of prefabricated steel structure supported by piled foundation will also be deployed about 30m to the north of the existing pier and will be about 70m long and 3m wide to maintain the pier operation during construction. The temporary pier might be in different forms such as floating pontoon. In the present EIA, to take a conservative approach, it is assumed the temporary pier is of prefabricated steel structures supported by piled foundation (the form involved more construction works). The temporary pier will be demolished after the completion of the proposed LCW Pier, i.e. after around 28 months.

8.5.1.2 As discussed in Section 2.5, only small areas of Plover Cove Country Park adjacent to the existing footpath will be occupied for the walkways connecting the pier and temporary pier. Besides, no natural terrestrial habitats will be encroached.

8.5.1.3 The Project comprises the following works which may potentially give rise to ecological impacts during the construction phase. No specific activity during the operational phase is anticipated to bear ecological impacts as increased vessel frequency will not be expected.

l Carrying out site investigation works for detailed design (anticipated jack-up barge to be the main working vessel);

l Provision of plants, equipment and materials on working barge(s) for implementation of the Project (anticipated derrick barge to be the main working vessel);

l Provision of temporary berthing and mooring facilities (temporary pier) using floating pontoon and/or steel structures supported by piles to maintain access to Lai Chi Wo throughout the construction stage;

l Installation of piles for the new pier (anticipated derrick barge to be the main working vessel);

l Modification of the existing pier and construction of new pier structures (e.g. installation of precast elements of the pier structure etc.);

l Construction of associated facilities on the new pier; and

l Removal of temporary pier after completion of the improvement works on the existing pier.

Direct Impacts - Terrestrial

8.5.1.4 The Plover Cove Country Park is located immediately next to Yan Chau Tong Marine Park at Lai Chi Wo. The proposed LCW Pier and the works area will mainly cover the existing pier and the surrounding areas of intertidal and marine habitats, all inside the Marine Park. The only exceptions are two connecting walkways which will be constructed to connect the temporary pier and the proposed LCW Pier to the existing footpath within the Plover Cove Country Park. Though located within the intertidal habitats, parts of the connecting walkways and associated works areas fall within the boundary of the Plover Cove Country Park. On layout plan, it also shows a small part of the connecting walkway for the temporary pier overlapped with the woodland habitat. However, the overlapped area was intertidal habitats beneath tree canopy. So there will be no trees loss by the construction of the walkways, and no actual woodland loss will occur. According to the proposed pier improvement work, all the land-based construction activities would be limited to connecting the two walkways to the exiting footpath. While no tree loss will be caused by these land-based works, only small and/or manual handling equipment shall be deployed to construct the walkways, hence it would totally avoid disturbance to the woodlands and other natural habitats in the PCCP. Adverse ecological impact on the natural habitats in the PCCP is not anticipated. Hence, the potential direct impact to terrestrial ecology is ranked as Insignificant.

Table 8.20 Estimated Habitat Loss for the Proposed Lai Chi Wo Pier

Habitat	Permanent Loss (ha)	Temporary Loss (ha)
Developed Area⁺	0.015	-
Woodland	-	0.003^#
Sandy Shore	0.016	0.323
Sea*	0.125(from plan view), 0.0058 (actual area)	1.044
Total	0.156	1.37
+ existing pier # no actual woodland loss, the connecting walkway have to be constructed between the proposed LCW Pier and the existing footpath near the shore * actual area will be much smaller due to piling method

Direct Impacts – Marine

8.5.1.5 The proposed LCW Pier will be constructed on top of the existing LCW Pier and the pier desk structure will be supported by piles. Piles will be constructed through intertidal zone to the marine waters, thus direct encroachment of marine habitats (i.e. sandy shore and seabed as well as the water column) is expected. Although the plan view of proposed LCW Pier to be constructed would occupy a total area of 0.156 ha, the estimated marine habitats loss will be much smaller as only the piled foundation will directly encroach the marine habitats. According to the current design (see Section 2), there would be about 52 nos. piles with an average diameter of about 0.8m to 1m, and occupying about 0.0058ha. Additional area of marine habitats will be lost temporarily due to the works area (about 1.37 ha) which will be surrounded by silt curtains during pier improvement construction phase. It is expected that concrete mooring sinkers might need to be deployed for the works vessels and might temporary impact the muddy seabed, but the locations will be within the works area and thus the impact has been covered by the temporary habitat loss of the works area.

8.5.1.6 Due to the level difference in between the proposed LCW Pier and the existing footpath to Lai Chi Wo, a concrete connecting walkway will be inevitably needed. The connecting walkway is located within the intertidal zone near the boundary of Plover Cove Country Park (PCCP), and a temporary connecting walkway will also need to be constructed to connect the temporary pier and the existing footpath to Lai Chi Wo. A total of 0.016 ha of intertidal habitat (i.e. sandy shore) will be encroached. The proposed works area for two connecting walkways has been limited to only 2m wide on each side of both walkways. These all are located within the intertidal zone near the boundary of PCCP. Based on the ecological survey results, the ecological values of intertidal habitats within these occupied areas are ranked as Low to Moderate. The estimated loss of area of each habitat type is summarised in Table 8.20.

8.5.1.7 Low coverage (less than 1%, equivalent to about 0.006m²) of common hard coral mostly Oulastrea crispata was recorded in the subtidal area of the existing pier head. There is a potential risk of direct loss of the corals due to encroachment on the pier head. The proposed pier will be constructed on top of the existing pier without demolishing the existing structures, direct encroachment on the coral has thus been avoided.

8.5.1.8 As no open dredging or reclamation is required, the potential impacts due to loss of small areas of piled foundation (about 0.0058ha), small areas of intertidal habitats (about 0.016 ha) and the proposed works area (about 1.37ha) are ranked as Minor (without direct encroachment on the low coverage of common hard corals). It is anticipated that the piled foundation to support the proposed LCW Pier can provide new and additional hard substrates for coral colonization.

Indirect Impacts - Terrestrial

8.5.1.9 The Project Site with human activities will mainly be located in marine habitats and away from terrestrial habitat. No glare will occur as there will be no night works during construction phase. Adverse construction dust impacts are not anticipated as the construction works are mostly below water and there are only very limited exposed worksfronts. Good site practices such as covering of stockpiles on the barge could minimise the fugitive dust emission. Moreover, in view of scale of the Project and nature of works involved, construction works during the restricted hours is not anticipated. No adverse construction noise impact is anticipated with the implementation of enhancement measures, such as the use of quality powered mechanical equipment (QPME) and temporary noise barriers. Number of construction vessels will be limited and operated within the works area, potential impacts from marine traffic disturbance is also limited. Hence, the potential indirect disturbance impact on terrestrial fauna as well as habitats due to human activities, noise, dust, glare, and marine traffic is ranked as Insignificant.

Indirect Impacts - Marine

8.5.1.10 High suspended solids level might cause blockage of the gill of fish and other marine organisms and would affect the gaseous exchange, whilst the high turbidity would affect the foraging of organisms relying on eye sights. High sedimentation rate could also affect sessile benthos including subtidal ones such as coral and even the species on intertidal habitats. A lower oxygen level would affect stationary species, whilst mobile species would tend to temporarily avoid the area. The results could be a temporary reduction in aquatic life abundance. Nutrients and/or contaminants in the seabed sediment might be released into the marine waters when the sediment is disturbed and might have negative effects on water quality such as increasing the chances of algal bloom or accumulation of contaminants inside organisms.

8.5.1.11 Since piled foundation will be adopted to support the pier structures of the proposed LCW Pier, large scale release of suspended solids due to excavation or dredging would not occur. Site investigation and pier improvement construction works would cause much less disturbance on sediment. The suspended solids would be further minimized and localized with the use of casing and silt curtain during the works. The insertion of pile casing and silt curtain would only lead to minor disturbance to the seabed and thus insignificant release of suspended solids.

8.5.1.12 As the suspended solids are generated near the seabed, it could settle quickly to the seabed. The casing will also form a barrier and separate the sediment from the adjacent water body thus avoiding polluting the water during pile excavation works. Hence, the water quality effect on marine organisms as well as the seagrass bed in the vicinity and the coral community (i.e. sampling location D-3, near Kau Ma Shek) within the 500m assessment area would be Minor.

8.5.1.13 Although most of the pier structure of the proposed LCW Pier will be constructed by prefabrication method, pollutants or chemical spillage from the works area might still be anticipated. The magnitude is not expected to be significant and should be transient. The potential water quality impacts due to land works including site runoff, sewage from workforce, wastewater from various construction activities, and accidental spillage would be controlled through the implementation of suitable site facilities, and no adverse water quality impacts would be anticipated due to spillage, sewage from works forces and wastewater from construction works is ranked as Insignificant.

8.5.1.14 The low coverage of common hard corals on the existing pier head will be indirectly affected as the light intensity for the corals may be reduced due to the proposed pier improvement structures. Beside widely distributed in the Pacific, Oulastrea crispata is also extremely flexible with regard to the environment in which it can thrive (Rothig et al. 2020) and can survive or even continue to grow in the dark for extended durations (Denis et al. 2012). While another two hard coral species were also common in Hong Kong and tiny in size. As the coverage or area size of the hard corals was low and the colonies were tiny in size, and the species are very widespread and common in Hong Kong, the potential impacts to the corals are considered Minor.

8.5.1.15 Recommendations of translocation as a mitigation measure for corals should consider the conservation value of the species, the abundance/coverage of the colonies, the form of the species, the underlying substrates, etc. In the case of the LCW pier, given the commonness of the coral species, the low coverage, the small sizes of the colonies, it is not considered that a translocation is necessary. The encrusting (low-lying) form of the colonies and the concrete substrates also restrict the practicability of the translocation. It is thus considered a more effective approach to allow colonisation of new coral colonies on the future enhanced downstand walls and piles provided on the improved pier. To take a precautionary approach, it is recommended a pre-construction dive survey should be conducted to verify the conditions of these small coral colonies before any construction works. If it is found in the survey that those colonies have grown to a size suitable for translocation or other corals of higher conservation value have newly colonised on the existing pier, a translocation proposal might be proposed. For corals colonies not readily movable like in the case of LCW pier where the underlying substrates are part of the wall structures of existing pier, there are several possible approaches to conduct the translocation. The first is to isolate the substrates from the surrounding substrates such as hammering the part of the attaching substrates from the wall structures. Another approach is to separate the coral colonies from the underlying substrates. Often by hammer and pry, to careful separate the corals from their attaching substrates. It would be easier to separate corals of brain shape and branching shape with considerable sizes. For encrusting corals, it is possible that they need to be separated part by part. Similar method was applied in 2006 coral translocation of the Improvement Works to Tung Ping Chau Public Pier.

8.5.1.16 The temporary pier will be decommissioned after the completion of pier improvement works. The temporary pier will be cut into parts and shipped away by vessels. Piled foundation of temporary pier will be cut by wire saw, blade saw or similar method as close to the seabed as possible, and the demolished portions of the piled foundations will be removed off site. The remaining piled foundation embedded in the ground will be left untouched below the seabed. Neither dredging works nor disturbance to seabed is anticipated. Therefore, no adverse water quality impact that affects marine ecology is anticipated.

8.5.1.17 Number of construction vessels will be limited (typically 2-3 nos. of construction vessels and 2 nos. of transit vessels) and no vessel is allowed to pass through the high ecological sensitive areas (e.g. Lai Chi Wo Beach SSSI and Hong Kong Reef Check site “Lai Chi Wo” as well as the coral community near Kau Ma Shek). Potential impacts from traffic disturbance to marine organisms during construction is considered insignificant.

Impacts on Recognized Sites of Conservation Importance

8.5.1.18 As the Project mainly consisted of marine-based works, potential impacts to terrestrial recognized sites of conservation importance including Lai Chi Wo Special Area, Conservation Area, Fung Shui Woodland and the Ecologically Important Stream are not expected. Only two short walkways connecting the proposed Lai Chi Wo Pier and the temporary pier to the existing footpath inside Plover Cove Country Park will partly fall within the country park boundary, but the scale of works will be very small and will not cause any tree loss; significant impact to the country park is not anticipated.

8.5.1.19 The proposed Lai Chi Wo Pier is within Yan Chau Tong Marine Park and close to Lai Chi Wo Beach SSSI. Seagrass bed and mangrove are the two important habitats within the marine park and SSSI. However, no seagrass bed and mangrove will directly be affected. Both seagrass bed and mangrove are about 300m away from the proposed pier, water quality impacts to the two habitats are considered Minor due to the scale of the works and construction method.

8.5.1.20 The coral communities in Hong Kong Reef Check site “Lai Chi Wo” is located over 500m from the Lai Chi Wo Pier. Impacts to the coral communities are not likely both directly and indirectly.

Impacts on Species of Conservation Importance

8.5.1.21 Although Blue-spotted pipefish was previously reported at the seagrass beds in Yan Chau Tong Marine Park, and corals, seagrass beds and mangroves are among the habitats of Spotted seahorse while Seaweed pipefish may also utilise seagrass beds (Sadovy & Cornish 2000), direct or indirect impacts to these species or other marine species of concern are not likely due to the scale of the proposed works, the types of construction activities involved, and distance between the works area with their habitats. The proposed works area covered sandy intertidal shore and muddy seabed, both not the major habitat types for these concerned species and far away from their preferred habitats, i.e. established mangorves, seagrass beds and coral communities. Major marine works are piling which will be confined inside the pile casing and would not pose risks of physical injury to marine life. It is expected underwater noise generated during construction of piles would be insignificant as there will be no percussive piling. Hence, there will be no adverse impacts to any marine species of concerned during construction phase, mitigation measures specifically designed to minimize the potential impacts are not considered necessary. Risk for trapping marine life by the silt curtain will be remoted as there will be no frequent works vessels traffic and no need to maintain a large opening for vessels.

8.5.1.22 As the flora species of conservation importance were all recorded away from the Project Site, potential impacts to these florae are considered Insignificant. Although only Ardeid Great Egret was recorded in the intertidal habitat (i.e. mudflat), other ardeids (i.e. Black-crowned Night Heron, Straited Heron, Grey Heron and Little Egret) recorded within the 500m assessment area are only likely make use of intertidal habitats for feeding. In fact, these ardeid species generally utilise shallow water areas. The proposed pier improvement work will be carried out in deeper marine water areas infrequently utilised by ardeids. Hence the potential direct (habitat loss) and indirect (construction disturbance) impacts to these bird species is ranked as Insignificant.

8.5.1.23 No important habitat of Crested Serpent Eagle and Common Awl will be affected by the proposed pier improvement works. The potential direct (habitat loss) and indirect (construction disturbance) impacts to these two fauna species is ranked as Insignificant.

8.5.1.24 Black Kite also forages in coastal areas (Carey et al. 2001). The proposed pier improvement works will only affect small area of sandy shore and marine waters, which will only account for small proportion of the daily range of Black Kite. The potential direct (habitat loss) and indirect (construction disturbance) impacts to Black Kite is ranked as Insignificant.

8.5.1.25 Eclipse Puffer would not be affected significantly due to the small scale of the marine works, and the minor effects on water quality.

8.5.1.26 Besides the low coverage of common coral colonies found on the existing pier head, coral community was found at sampling site D-3 (near Kau Ma Shek) (about 290m to the north of the Project Site). However, indirect impacts by water quality to the coral community will be Minor due to the scale of the works.

8.5.2 Operational Phase

Direct Impacts - Terrestrial

8.5.2.1 The proposed LCW Pier will be constructed on top of the existing LCW Pier and the pier desk structure will be supported by piles. Pile will be constructed through the marine water. Only the connecting walkway has to be reconstructed between the proposed LCW Pier and the existing footpath to Lai Chi Wo during construction phase, there will be no loss of terrestrial habitat during operational phase.

Direct Impacts – Marine

8.5.2.2 Permanent marine habitat loss occurs during operational phase due to the presence of piles. However, the permanent loss of marine habitats is considered Insignificant.

Indirect Impacts - Terrestrial

8.5.2.3 The operation of the improved pier will be similar to the existing one, i.e., for getting on and off from vessels. It is also not expected that frequency of licenced kaito service will be increased during the operational phase. Hence, no adverse indirect impact to terrestrial habitats as well as the Plover Cove Country Park, Lai Chi Wo Special Area, Ecologically Important Stream, and associated wildlife due to human activities is anticipated.

8.5.2.4 There will be additional lights in the improved pier during operational phase. The lights will be installed at the new pier head for safety purpose and will not be strong. In addition, the new pier head will be further away from terrestrial habitats than the existing one. The potential impact to terrestrial ecology from increase of lighting level is ranked as Insignificant.

Indirect Impacts – Marine

8.5.2.5 As only a limited number of piles and a small above-seabed downstand (around 15m long with 0.5m width) wave wall will be constructed in the marine habitats, change in hydrodynamics is not expected. Pollution from marine traffics to marine waters is also not expected.

Impact on Recognized Sites and Species of Conservation Importance

8.5.2.6 The terrestrial fauna species of conservation importance listed in Table 8.13 mainly utilise terrestrial habitats. The Project will not affect any terrestrial habitat and Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park, or other recognised sites of conservation importance. No potential direct or indirect impacts to these fauna species is anticipated.

8.5.2.7 During the operation phase, the new piles and downstand wall for the pier will provide new hard substrates for coral colonization. As no maintenance dredging would be required for the public pier, impacts to amphioxus during operational phase are also not anticipated.

8.5.2.8 As the frequency of vessels will not increase due to the proposed pier extension, the potential impacts from increased marine traffic to Green Turtle or other marine species of concern such as Seaweed pipefish or Spotted seahorse are not anticipated.

8.6 Mitigation Measures

8.6.1 Mitigation Measures for Terrestrial Ecology

Considerations for Impact Avoidance

8.6.1.1 Different locations for the construction works of the connecting walkway between the proposed LCW Pier and the existing footpath to Lai Chi Wo were explored, the present proposed location is more appropriate given the need to reserve spaces for the works and berthing. Although the area of the connecting walkway between the proposed LCW Pier and the existing footpath to Lai Chi Wo is mapped as woodland, tree loss will be avoided. Hence, no woodland loss is confirmed. Encroachment of other terrestrial recognised sites of conservation importance including the Lai Chi Wo Special Area, Conservation Area, Ecologically Important Stream and Fung Shui Woodland have also been avoided.

Considerations for Impact Minimization

8.6.1.2 The connecting walkways have to be reconstructed between the temporary pier/ proposed LCW Pier and the existing footpath to Lai Chi Wo. The proposed works area for two connecting walkways has been limited (e.g. only 2m side on each side of both walkways would be occupied), the encroachment of Plover Cover Country Park has been minimized. Although a small part of connecting walkway is mapped as woodland, no trees will be affected, and no actual woodland loss will be occurred. Besides, only small and/or manual handling equipment shall be deployed to construct the walkways, in order to further minimize construction impacts to country park. Hence, the potential direct impact to terrestrial ecology is ranked as Insignificant.

8.6.1.3 No glare will occur as there will be no night works during construction phase. While during operational phase, additional lights in the new pier head will be kept to minimal for safety purpose, so that the impacts to nocturnal life can be reduced.

Considerations for Impact Mitigation

8.6.1.4 Since no significant impact to terrestrial habitats and associated wildlife is anticipated, no mitigation measure for terrestrial ecology is recommended. However, as a precautionary measure, inspection should be conducted to make sure no trees within the Plover Cove Country Park will be affected.

8.6.2 Mitigation Measures for Marine Ecology

Considerations for Impact Avoidance

8.6.2.1 Although the proposed works area is within the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park, important habitats such as mangrove and seagrass bed are totally avoided. Other recognised sites of conservation importance such as Lai Chi Wo Beach SSSI and the coral communities identified in Hong Kong Reef Check are also avoided.

Considerations for Impact Minimisation

8.6.2.2 Construction impacts to marine ecological resources have been largely avoided by adopting piled foundation to support the pier structures instead of open sea dredging and replaced by hard material to facilitate solid pier construction as pier improvement work. By adopting the piled foundation method, the seabed loss can be greatly reduced and water quality will not be affected significantly as there will be no dredging work of the seabed.

8.6.2.3 According to the water quality chapter, by adoption of the pile casing and silt curtain can further confine the sediment to prevent the release of muddy water to the adjacent sensitive receivers (e.g. mangrove, seagrass bed) as a result from the foundation work. Water contaminated with slurry / fragment should be stored in a barge and recycled for use again in the foundation works.

8.6.2.4 Wastewater coming from concreting of piles shall be treated in sedimentation tank placed in a barge before discharging offsite with a valid discharge license under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.

8.6.2.5 Emergency Spillage Plan should be established during the construction phase as precautionary measures so that appropriate actions to prevent or reduce risks to sensitive receivers in the vicinity can be undertaken in the event of an accidental spillage.

8.6.2.6 A no-dumping policy is simply a policy prohibiting dumping of wastes, chemicals, oil, trash, plastic, or any other substance that would potentially be harmful to marine habitats. It is mandatory that an educational program of the no-dumping policy be made available to all construction-site personnel for all project-related works. The policy needs to be strictly enforced and there need to be stiff fines for infractions. Unscheduled, on-site audits will also generally be required.

Considerations for Impact Mitigation

8.6.2.7 The mitigation measures for water quality impacts are stated in Chapter 5 - water quality impact assessment. Besides silt curtains and casing to confine the sediment, good site practices for water quality in marine works should be strictly followed. As there were no corals within the pier improvement works except the existing pier head, deployment of silt curtains and casing will not encroach any coral colonies.

8.6.3 Precautionary Measure

8.6.3.1 As a precautionary measure, site inspection should be conducted to make sure no trees within the Plover Cove Country Park will be affected.

8.6.3.2 To take a precautionary approach, it is recommended a pre-construction dive survey should be conducted to verify the conditions of the small coral colonies on the existing LCW pier before any construction works. If it is found in the survey that those colonies have grown to a size suitable for translocation or other corals of higher conservation value have newly colonised on the pier, a translocation proposal might be needed.

8.6.4 Enhancement Measures

8.6.4.1 As there will be a vertical above-seabed downstand wall and piles to support the new pier, the subtidal portion of many man-made structures could provide hard substrates for colonization of corals or other epibenthos. The submerged structures in the future new pier extension could also provide hard surface for colonization of marine sessile epibenthos. It is also known that by suitable design, the colonization of epibenthos would be faster and/or of higher abundance, and the ecological functions of epibenthic communities on the subtidal portions of these structures could be further enhanced.

8.6.4.2 It is proposed that the future design of the downstand wall and piles should take into account the enhancement of ecological functions. One of the approaches is to provide uneven surface or selected patterns on the future downstand wall and piles (either incorporating on the structures or installing additional panels/ tiles with such features). The enhanced surface could provide microhabitats for various marine organisms to colonise and grow, and develop into communities to provide feeding and hiding habitats for juveniles of marine fauna, and thereby effectively enhance biodiversity and ecosystem functions of the new man-made structures.

8.6.4.3 It is therefore recommended that during the detailed design of the pier improvement, a study should be conducted to explore and confirm the feasible enhancement measures to be adopted, to investigate the proper form of enhanced surface of the hard structures to be adopted for the above-seabed downstand wall and piles. The enhancement study report covering the recommendations of the proper form of design to be adopted, the detailed design and the implementation programme will be submitted for the approval of the authority before commencement of the works.

8.6.4.4 A summary of the impacts in construction and operational phases, with sources, receivers, nature, significance and mitigation required, are provided in Table 8.21.

Impact	Sources	Receivers	Nature of impacts						Significance of ecological impact	Mitigation required
Impact	Sources	Receivers	Habitat quality	Species affected	Size / abundance	Duration	Reversibility	Magnitude	Significance of ecological impact	Mitigation required
Construction Phase – Direct Impacts
Intertidal and subtidal seabed loss, and associated water column	Construction of piles	Water column of coastal waters and subtidal seabed in the close proximity of the existing pier	Low to moderate ecological value	Marine organisms	About 0.0058ha	Permanent	Non-reversible	Small	Minor	No
Intertidal habitat (i.e. sandy shore) loss (within the country park boundary)	Construction of walkways	Intertidal habitat adjacent to the existing footpath	Low to moderate	Nearby intertidal fauna	About 0.016 ha	Permanent	Non-reversible	Very small	Insignificant	Only small and/or manual handling equipment shall be deployed to construct the walkways
Temporary marine and intertidal habitat loss	Works area for Construction	Intertidal and subtidal seabed, and water column of coastal waters in the close proximity of the existing pier	Low to moderate ecological value	Marine organisms	1.37ha (including part of the intertidal zone for the walkway construction)	Temporary	Reversible	Small	Minor	No
Construction Phase – Indirect Impacts
Indirect disturbance impact due to human activities, noise, dust, glare, and marine traffic	Construction activities	Terrestrial fauna as well as habitat	Vary	Terrestrial fauna nearby	Vary	Temporary	Reversible	Small	Insignificant	Good site practices such as covering of stockpiles on the barges Enhancement measures, such as the use of QPME and temporary noise barriers
Marine water quality (suspended solids, dissolved oxygen depletion, nutrients, contaminants)	Site investigation works and construction of piles and temporary pier	Marine habitats including subtidal and intertidal habitats)	“Very low” for wall; “Low to moderate” for intertidal habitats, “Low to moderate” for subtidal habitats	Intertidal and subtidal organisms	Low abundance in intertidal and subtidal organisms	Temporary	Reversible	Small	Minor	Follow water quality mitigation measures
Pollutants (sewage from works forces and waste water) and chemical spillage	From works vessels	Marine habitats including subtidal and intertidal habitats)	“Very low” for wall; “Low to moderate” for intertidal habitats, “Low to moderate” for subtidal habitats	Intertidal and subtidal organisms	Low abundance in intertidal habitats, high diversity of hard coral in subtidal habitat	Temporary	Reversible	Small	Insignificant	Follow water quality mitigation measures
Marine traffic	Working vessels	Marine waters	“Low to moderate”	Marine fauna, in particular mobile spp.	Low	Transient	Reversible	Very small	Insignificant	Follow speed limit of marine parks
Reduction of sunlight	Presence of the structures of the proposed pier	Low coverage of common hard coral on existing pier head	“Very low”	Common and high tolerant hard coral species	Very low coverage and size, less than 1%, equivalent to 0.006m²	Permanent	Non-reversible	Very small	Minor	No Pre-construction dive survey as a precautionary measure
Operational Phase – Direct Impact
Permanent habitat loss	Pile locations and the above-seabed downstand wall	Water column of coastal waters and subtidal seabed	Low ecological value	Marine organisms	About 0.0058 ha	Permanent	Non-reversible	Small	Insignificant	No
Operational Phase – Indirect Impact
Artificial lightings	New pier head	Nocturnal fauna	Vary with habitat types	Mostly common species	Vary with locations	Permanent	Reversible	Insignificant	Insignificant	No

Concurrent Projects	Project Proponent	Programme		Potential cumulative impacts (Construction Phase)	Potential cumulative impacts (Operational Phase)
Concurrent Projects	Project Proponent	Start	Complete	Potential cumulative impacts (Construction Phase)	Potential cumulative impacts (Operational Phase)
Present Project	CEDD	2020	2025	-	-
Improvement of Trails and Provision of Facilities in Sha Tau Kok	HAD	-	2019	No overlapping of the construction programme and hence no cumulative impacts are expected.	No cumulative impacts are expected as there will not be an increment of tourist from the concurrent project

3. Do not delete this. This is for Table Number.