Introduction
Fast growing pioneer exotic species were mainly selected in the early stage of the afforestation work to provide quick vegetation coverage as well as to reduce soil erosion. However, the biodiversity of these woodlands are low because of the single tree species as well as unfavourable foods provided for the local animals. Some exotic species will even excrete chemicals that suppress other vegetations to grow. Recent years, they are facing more problems like aging and dead. Therefore, The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched a programme named “Country Parks Plantation Enrichment Programme (PEP)” in 2009. Their work is to remove the aging exotic tree species as to provide more spaces to plant native species which can increase the biodiversity of the site. The Conservancy Association (CA) started to join the program in 2016 and invite different cooperates to work together in contributing the tree conservation work in Hong Kong.
Organizer
Supporting organizations
Sponsors (Sorted alphabetically)
Our plantation
Our plantation site is located in Tai Lam Country Park, Tai Shue Ha West Road, Yuen Long. Total area is about 1800m2. This was once a borrow area which was excavated in the 1990s. To restore the land after the closure of the borrow area, fast growing exotic species such as Acacia spp., Eucalyptus spp. were planted by the AFCD extensively in the area. The plantation site is about 21 years old. The woodland mainly consists of Acacia confusa, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium, Eucalyptus urophylla and Eucalyptus torelliana. Understorey consists mainly of Dicranopteris pedata and Blechnum orientale.
How does the Plantation Enrichment Program (PEP) work?
The aim of the PEP is to improve the woodland simplification problem as well as to increase the local biodiversity. We started the following work in late 2016:
1. Study the tree species distribution within the woodland and collect ecological baseline data
2. Remove the exotic species strategically
3. Planting native species
4. Conduct tree monitoring and caring (e.g. adding fertilizer and weeding) every year
5. Conduct ecological survey
It takes about 5-10 years for the seedlings to grow in order to achieve the enrichment objectives.
Tree Planting Event
We are grateful to two cooperates: AEON Stores (Hong Kong) and Manulife (International) Limited for their kind sponsorship and support on our PEP. Two tree planting days were organized in April and May 2017. Together with about 300 of their volunteers, we planted 900 native species seedlings in the site.
AEON Stores (Hong Kong) Tree Planting Day
Manulife (International) Limited Tree Planting Day
Native tree species
Planting native tree species not only helps to improve the structure of the woodland, but also provides tasty fruits to attract local animals and birds, or beautiful flowers to attract butterflies and bees, etc. Increase the biodiversity of the woodland.
Tree species that we planted
| Chinese Common Name | English Common Name | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 米碎花 | Chinese Eurya | Eurya chinensis |
| 梔子 | Cape Jasmine | Gardenia jasminoides |
| 小果鐵冬青 | Small-fruited Holly / Chinese Holly | Ilex rotunda var. microcarpa |
| 綠冬青 | Small-leaved Holly | Ilex viridis |
| 港柯 | Harland's Tanbark | Lithocarpus harlandii |
| 短序潤楠 | Short-flowered Machilus | Machilus breviflora |
| 野牡丹 | Common Melastoma | Melastoma malabathricum |
| 楊梅 | Strawberry Tree | Myrica rubra |
| 閩粵石楠 | Bentham's Photinia | Photinia benthamiana |
| 饒平石楠 | Rauping Photinia | Photinia raupingensis |
| 石斑木 | Hong Kong Hawthorn | Rhaphiolepis indica |
| 韓氏蒲桃 | Hance's Syzygium | Syzygium hancei |
Join us
To be our volunteers
Cooperates sponsorship
For enquires please call 27286781 or email to cahk@cahk.org.hk
