Our Work

OUR WORK

Plantation Enrichment Programme

Self Photos / Files - pep-forest-woodland

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

Self Photos / Files - pet-ca

 

Supporting organizations 

漁農自然護理署Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

 

Sponsors (Sorted alphabetically)

 

  恒生銀行 Self Photos / Files - WIK_logo

  

 

 

 

 

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

CA Volunteer registration 

Cooperates sponsorship

For enquires please call 27286781 or email to  cahk@cahk.org.hk

 

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大欖郊野公園,大樹下西路
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