It can be argued that all species, both individually and collectively, and the habitats which support them, have scientific value and offer subjects for research. It is therefore difficult to isolate individual species and habitats for particular review, and since the scientific value of species is closely linked with their ecological value, a more detailed review is provided in Section 4 (Ecological Resources Capital Stock) of this report, in which it is argued (Section 4.4) that better scientific understanding of the ecological resource and the processes within it are key to future conservation of the capital stock.

Cultural and Heritage Resources

The cultural heritage baseline resource was reviewed in Section 6 of this report. The archaeological sites, artefacts and historical monuments of Hong Kong have scientific value to archaeologists, historians and anthropologists and they provide an ongoing resource for research. This value is derived from the interpretation of archaeological sites and the evidence they yield in terms of past settlement patterns and human activity. As new archaeological sites and monuments are discovered following surveys and excavations, the body of scientific information grows, although the resource itself and future possibilities for further research may be depleted if such sites are subsequently lost to development.

The scientific value of the natural capital stock is closely related to the intrinsic values of the stock for natural, ecological and heritage resources. Impacts to the integrity of these resources (as discussed in previous sections) will also affect the scientific value since species, ecosystems, biodiversity and cultural remains are imperfectly understood. Science, and by implication, human welfare, therefore stands to benefit from maintenance of these resources since depletion of these resources may result in irreversible change. For example the destruction of a unique natural habitat removes the opportunity for further scientific research or for its use as an educational resource. Similarly there is an emphasis on the preservation in situ of archaeological remains (for example in preference to their immediate excavation) since future excavation and surveying techniques potentially offer means of obtaining greater scientific understanding from such resources (see Section 6.3 - Heritage Functions Capital Stock).

Despite the intense pressure for development and the associated incidences of pollution exceeding environmental quality objectives, Hong Kong still has a great diversity of natural and cultural features, habitats and species which provide a significant scientific and educational resource. The level of scientific understanding and research into the natural capital stock is, however, influenced by the quality of this resource. The concept of sustainability emphasises the importance of passing on undepleted capital to future generations. As with elements of the capital stock such as natural and ecological resources, the ability of future generations to develop scientific understanding depends in part upon the maintenance of current levels of capital stock and diversity on which to focus that research. Declining natural, cultural and ecological resources can therefore be linked to reduced value for science.