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SECTION
8 Summary : THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF HONG KONG'S Environmental
Baseline
| 8.2 |
Pressures
and Constraints |
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| 8.2.1.10 |
Despite the impacts associated with human activity and rapid urbanisation of Hong Kong in recent decades, it is often reported that the territory still has a particularly diverse flora and fauna with more native plant and animal species, for example, than the whole of the United Kingdom. The integrated nature of the natural capital stock is such that although different elements of the resource may be identified (ie ecological, natural, assimilative resources), impacts to one aspect of the resource usually can be shown to degrade the overall capital stock. This is particularly true for impacts to ecology and biodiversity since the habitats on which they depend also form key natural and assimilative capacity resources. |
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| 8.2.1.11 |
There are serious threats to biodiversity and resource protection in Hong Kong, in particular from terrestrial habitat loss and fragmentation associated with urbanisation, pollution of aquatic habitats and disturbance from human activities. Marine habitats and species have also been impacted by pollution, intensive trawling activity and reclamation, suggesting a need for co-ordinated policy responses which take account of ecological and fisheries management or land creation issues simultaneously. Whilst there are a number of protected areas for habitats and species in Hong Kong, there is a dearth of lowland and coastal areas, and only around 1.5% of our seas is covered by Marine Parks and Reserves. The level of protection offered by the different designations (in particular the varying terrestrial designations) is not consistent since different designations are created for different purposes. Many ecologically important areas (particularly outside of Country Parks) receive little protection from development. A coherent conservation strategy is needed to address these pressures and strengthen and co-ordinate the system of ecological protection and designated areas. In addition, there is a need to better manage the public's interaction with ecological resources (eg through formal training and better links with NGOs) together with stricter enforcement of regulations protecting habitats and species. |
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| 8.2.1.12 |
The lack of a fully integrated conservation policy also has implications for the way in which conservation areas are managed. Country Parks, for example, are managed for multiple uses simultaneously and in all geographic areas. Such a management scheme does not fully address the inherent conflicts between ecological conservation and recreation, or the benefits of reforestation for water gathering versus the disadvantage of the promotion of monoculture. Indeed, efforts by the HKTA to promote tourism within Country Parks is likely to place further pressure on the resource, requiring additional attention to the management of visitors and conservation objectives. |
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