Conservation and Environmental Protection (Hong Kong)

Assessment of Winterting of Black-faced Spoonbill, Hong Kong

  • Client: Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, The Government of Hong Kong SAR
  • Components: Ecological Study

Assess the age ratio of wintering Black-faced Spoonbills Platalea minor in Mai Po Inner Deep Bay area, one of the most important wintering sites for the bird, and to provide related photographic records.

Ramsar Site Monitoring, Hong Kong

  • Client: Agriculture and Fisheries Department, Government of Hong Kong SAR
  • Lead consultant: Hyder Environmental Consultants
  • Components: Design and field trial of conservation monitoring programme

Project to develop an environmental and ecological monitoring programme for Hong Kong’s first Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. The consultant team drafted a monitoring programme covering tidal mudflat fauna, migratory and resident bird life, water quality and weather conditions, and trial-ran the programme in 1998-99. The finalised monitoring programme will be the Hong Kong Government’s main tool for identifying and assessing changes in conditions at the Ramsar Site. The site requires detailed and frequent monitoring due to its position in a highly polluted estuary adjacent to rapidly developing urban centres in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, Mainland China.

Study on South East New Territories Development Strategy Review, Hong Kong

  • Client: Planning Department, Government of Hong Kong SAR
  • Lead consultant: City Planning Consultants Ltd.
  • Components: Ecological baseline survey, subregional-scale conservation planning

Strategic Government study on development in the South East New Territories, an area of Hong Kong dominated by protected areas and undeveloped land. A focus of the study is identifying opportunities to improve biological conservation in the area, both for its own sake and to support other objectives such as recreation and tourism. Ecosystems Ltd. developed a baseline description of terrestrial and coastal ecology in the area, provided guidance on resources of highest conservation importance, and explored with Government authorities traditional and innovative approaches to protecting these. The study focused on ways to increase the tourism and educational opportunities inherent in valuable conservation sites while protecting them from over-use.

Deep Bay Water Quality – Regional Control Strategy, Hong Kong

  • Client: Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong Government
  • Lead consultant: AXIS Environmental Consultants
  • Components: Water pollutant modelling, ecological impact assessment

Study to determine the sources and fate of the major pollutants affecting the Deep Bay system in north-western Hong Kong. Major pollution sources include industrial and domestic sewage producers on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen (PRC) sides of the Bay. The Bay is of international importance as a migratory and wintering bird site and as the site of one of the largest mangrove stands remaining in South China. Results of the study will be used to develop effective pollution reduction and mitigation strategies for areas draining into Deep Bay.

Marine Sensitivity GIS, Hong Kong

  • Client: Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong Government
  • Lead consultant: AXIS Environmental Consultants
  • Components: Ecological assessment

Coastal zones in Hong Kong were surveyed for sensitivity to various anthropogenic impacts, including pollution of marine waters. The consultants described and categorised the ecological sensitivity of coastal, intertidal, and estuarine habitats in terms of flora and fauna. Information gathered was entered into a Geographic Information System for use by the Environmental Protection Department.

Shek O Quarry Rehabilitation, Hong Kong

  • Client: Pioneer Quarries, Hong Kong
  • Lead consultant: Golden Ace Environmental Consultants
  • Components: Habitat restoration planning

Ecosystems Ltd. provided environmental input to a proposal for ecological and landscape restoration of a quarry on Hong Kong Island. The consultant provided advice on design and provisioning of nest platforms in the quarry highwall for raptors, particularly species of conservation concern such as the Peregrine Falcon.