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Chapter
7 ECOLOGICAL FIELD SURVEY RESULTS - ECOLOGICAL VALUE
ASSESSMENT
| 7.4 |
ECOLOGICAL
VALUE JUSTIFICATION AND ADJUSTMENT OF DESIGNATED
AREAS BASED ON EXISTING INFORMATION |
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Ecological
values assigned to areas within the Sites of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSIs), the Wetland Conservation
Area (WCA) and the Wetland Buffer Area (WBA) have been
reviewed and justified (if necessary, ie when the ecological
value assigned is lower than expected). Existing information
(if available) on these designated areas has been reviewed
by the Study Team and those which were considered relevant
and appropriate to substantiate adjustment (upgrade)
of ecological value of SSSIs and WCA and WBA are shown
in Table 7.4a and Table
7.4b, respectively. Justification of ecological
value was not conducted for those areas which were
designated because of non-ecological reasons, eg geological
SSSIs, but other conservation value, such as landscape,
may be considered. The importance of individual designated
areas and their dates of approval/designation are also
provided for reference.
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| 7.4.1 |
Sites
of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) |
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Since
1975, a total 64 SSSIs have been designated
in Hong Kong. The concept of SSSI is primarily
a planning measure to ensure due consideration
is taken of the scientific importance of a
particular site when proposals to change land
use or other developments are being considered.
The SSSI designation enables the identification,
recognition and registration of certain sites,
terrestrial or aquatic, which are of Special
Scientific Interest by reason of their flora,
fauna, geographical or physiographical features.
Justification of ecological value of areas
within the SSSIs are presented in Table
7.4a.
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| 7.4.2 |
Wetland
Conservation Area (WCA) and Wetland Buffer
Area (WBA)
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According
to the Town Planing Board Guidelines for Application
for Developments within Deep Bay Area (Under
Section 16 of the Town Planning Ordinance) -
TPB PG-NO. 12B (Revised April 1999), the planning
intention of the WCA is to conserve the ecological
value of the fishponds which form an integral
part of the wetland ecosystem in the Deep Bay
area. For the WBA, the intention is to protect
the ecological integrity of the fishponds and
wetland within the WCA and prevent development
that would have a negative off-site impact on
the ecological value of the fishponds. Ecological
value of the WCA and WBA designated areas has
also been reviewed and justified based on existing
information (if any) (Table
7.4b).
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