CEI 2013 Research Presentations

Research Presentations

Research 1

Justification on the development of a mangrove area

Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College, Hong Kong SAR, China

Jason LAM, Brian SHIU

The use of mangrove areas for urban development has long been a controversial issue. Recently in the society, the development of a mangrove area for swimming facilities has triggered a wide-spread discussion. The discussion is intensified when the mangrove area is found to have significant ecological value for marine animals like seahorses, starfishes etc.

In the present research, extensive field survey has been carried out with the focus on mangroves only. Mangrove is the starting point of food chain in a mudflat ecosystem. The growth and extent of mangrove reflects the ecological value of the mudflat to a great extent.

To investigate the importance of the mudflat in a local context, the same survey was also employed in another piece of mangrove area, which is the largest accessible one in the city.

Through the surveys, the ecological values of the mudflat are investigated, consequently calling for a greater local concern on the conservation of the mangrove areas in our city.

Research 2

Comparison between conservation strategies in Hong Kong

Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College, Hong Kong SAR, China

Ryan CHUNG, Sammi WONG

Among the many strategies of conservation adopted, natural reserve and Wetland Park are two contrasting ones in Hong Kong.

In a natural reserve, except trekking trails and recreational areas, the rest area in the Reserve remains inaccessible. While visitors enjoy their recreational activities, flora and fauna are away from most disturbances of human.

In contrast, Wetland Park was built on former fish ponds. These ponds were reclaimed for the construction of the Park. In the Park, visitor center, paved roads leading to bird-watching towers, floating bridges passing through afforested mangroves on built mudflats are found. Although some hectares of wetland is restricted, many parts of the Park remain artificial.

Based on field studies and literatures, we are going to discuss the effectiveness of these two conservation strategies. It also aims to justify, from the perspective of sustainability, the strategy of destruction-conservation shown in the case of Wetland Park.