| 5.3 |
SITE SELECTION AND METHODOLOGY FOR ECOLOGICAL FIELD SURVEYS |
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Having identified the information gaps for individual habitat types to be surveyed, sites were selected and proposed for ecological field surveying in an attempt to fill the information gaps identified (see TR2 for details). Survey sites were chosen based on the rationale provided in TR2 and which is summarised in Table B1 (Annex B) of this report. Overall locations of the survey boxes identified for each habitat type are provided in Annex C. Details on survey methodology for habitat verification and ecological value assessment were described in TR2. Survey methodologies of some habitat categories have been modified based on actual field experience of our surveyors and these were finalised and are presented in Annex D of this report.
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| 5.4 |
USAGE OF HKU BIODIVERSITY SURVEY DATA FOR SUSDEV 21 BASELINE SURVEYS |
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Prior to field surveys of selected sites, the Study Team has used the HKU Biodiversity CD-ROM database to preview which species have been found in the area, thereby increasing the surveyors' existing knowledge of the site prior to the survey, and allowing them to focus their on-site efforts toward collecting those data which are most useful in accurately mapping the ecological value of the sites.
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| 5.5 |
SURVEY SCHEDULE |
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Ecological field surveys commenced on 6 August 1999 and were completed on 10 March 2000. Wherever possible, surveys were conducted during the optimal survey period identified for individual habitat categories (ie when ecological resources are most likely to be detectable and thus accurately recorded). In addition, wherever possible, surveys of particular habitat types were scheduled during the same season to allow direct comparability of results within a habitat type. Survey schedule of each of the surveyed habitat is presented in Table E1 of Annex E. |
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