A number of the SAR's areas of designated or managed natural and ecological importance similarly have scientific value. These are reviewed in this section.

Designated areas of conservation such as Country Parks, Special Areas and SSSIs have inherent scientific value by virtue of the habitats, species and ecological processes which contribute to overall conservation importance. Although the primary value of such sites is associated with the ecological resource they provide, because such areas tend to provide key habitat for rare and endangered species, there is additional value as a scientific resource.

Mai Po Marshes, a site of international conservation importance (see Paragraph 3.2.1.15 - Land Use and Land Supply and Paragraph 4.2.1.26- Terrestrial Habitats and Species) is a particularly important scientific and educational resource for natural science, supporting globally important populations of rare and endangered bird species. The site is visited by over 40,000 people a year and over a dozen invertebrate species new to science have been recorded there.

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden is a facility which undertakes a range of conservation-related activities including captive breeding of native bird species and conservation programmes for rare and endangered plants. The farm has scientific value due to the land and organisms within its boundaries and from the ongoing scientific study conducted on the site. This reserve has additional importance for education purposes including public visits to displays and awareness programmes.

In the marine environment, Hong Kong's marine reserve at Cape D'Aguilar (also see Paragraphs 3.2.1.9 - 3.2.1.11 and 4.2.2.9) has been designated specifically for education and conservation purposes and is reserved for scientific and educational research.