Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River Students’ Workbook
Contents Page
1. Lai Chi Wo River and the fieldwork sites 2
2. About Lai Chi Wo River 3
3. Enquiry questions 4
4. Fieldwork site A: Estuary 6
5. Fieldwork site B: Lai Chi Wo Hakka Walled Village 8
6. Fieldwork site C: Fung Shui Wood 10
7. Fieldwork site D: Chu Mun Tin (Fei Keng Stream) 12
8. Fieldwork site E: Weir 14
9. Fieldwork site F: Coastal Heritiera and Derris Forest 16
10. Fieldwork site G: Viewing Point 18
11. The farming landscape and land use pattern of Lai Chi Wo 20
12. The farming constraints in Lai Chi Wo 22
13. How irrigation works in Lai Chi Wo 23
14. How Fung Shui Wood helps Lai Chi Wo 25
15. Ecology in river mouth area 28
16. Can the river help the community development of Lai Chi Wo 31
17. Conclusion 32
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 1
1 Lai Chi Wo River and the fieldwork sites
Map 1.1: Lai Chi Wo River and the fieldwork sites
The fieldwork sites (refer to 1.1)
A • Estuary (河口) B • Lai Chi Wo Hakka Walled Village (荔枝窩客家圍村) C • Fung Shui Wood (風水林) D • Chu Mun Tin (Fei Keng Stream) (珠門田 (飛頸河)) E • Weir (水堰) F • Coastal Heritiera and Derris Forest (銀葉古林及白花魚藤) G • Viewing Point (觀景台)
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 2
2 About Lai Chi Wo River
Lai Chi Wo (荔枝窩), located in the northeastern New Territories, is where a traditional Hakka village with a history of over 300 years is situated. The headwater of Lai Chi Wo River is located at Tiu Tang Lung (吊燈籠). The main stream begins at the northern slopes of Tiu Tang Lung, and then flows northeastward into the gentle river valley. It joins another major tributary near Lai Chi Wo village before entering Yan Chau Tong (Double Haven) (印 洲塘). The length of Lai Chi Wo River is about 2.6 km, with a catchment area of around 2.7 km2.
“Rivers@HK Database” [Lai Chi Wo River > Lai Chi Wo River Location and Catchment > About Lai Chi Wo River] https://bit.ly/2SJ65QT
“Heritage and River – Story of Lai Chi Wo River”
https://bit.ly/2TXctFr
Refer to Map 1.1.
1. What is the drainage pattern of Lai Chi Wo River?
2. Describe the direction of flow of Lai Chi Wo River.
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 3
3 Enquiry questions
Knowledge Recap: What is sustainable agriculture? Sustainable agriculture can be defined in many ways, but, in short, sustainable agriculture is: i. economically viable: If it is not profitable, it is not sustainable; ii. socially supportive: The quality of life of farm communities is harmonious; and iii. ecologically sound: It must preserve the diversified resource and natural environment.
And the three must be in harmony.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. (2012). What is
Sustainable Agriculture?. https://bit.ly/2GOZamQ
The fundamental enquiry for the field study of Lai Chi Wo River is: How does Lai Chi Wo River help the sustainable development of the agricultural settlement?
Farmers of sustainable agriculture seek to integrate three main objectives into their work: (i) a diversified environment; (ii) economic profitability; and (iii) maintenance of a harmonious community.
The enquiry can be carried out with reference to the economic, ecological and social aspects of sustainable development, and can be sub-divided into the following enquiry questions:
(a) What is the farming landscape and land use pattern of Lai Chi Wo in relation to the river? (b) What are the farming constraints in Lai Chi Wo? (c) Describe how the farmlands are irrigated in Lai Chi Wo. (d) The relationship between the Fung Shui Wood and farming and settlement development in Lai Chi Wo. (e) How does the river breed the ecological development in the river mouth area? (f) Can the river promote the community development of the area?
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 4
Figure 3.1: The framework of enquiry on how Lai Chi Wo River help the sustainable development of the agricultural settlement
ECONOMIC (c) Irrigation work (economic profitability) (d) Fung Shui Wood
ECOLOGICAL Farming in SOCIAL
(diversified Lai Chi Wo (maintenance of environment) a harmonious
community) (e) River (a) Farming landscape and
mouth land use pattern (f) Village ecology (b) Farming constraints develop- ment
(d) Fung Shui
Wood
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 5
4 Fieldwork site A: Estuary
Ecological value and conservation of the estuary The estuary of Lai Chi Wo River is a part of Yan Chau Tong Marine Park. Apart from the mudflat and mangrove habitats, the most extensive seagrass bed of Dwarf Eel Grass (Zostera japonica) in Hong Kong, can also be found at the beach, providing shelter and food for a wide variety of marine wildlife, especially the larvae of fish and crustaceans. Given its significant ecological value, the estuary has been designated as a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ (SSSI).
‘My River, My Community’ – WISE Choice
[Site A: Estuary]
https://bit.ly/2tSjPPk
Map 4.1: Field study site at Estuary
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 6
Figure 4.1: Mudflats at the estuary of Figure 4.2: Mangroves at the estuary Lai Chi Wo River
Figure 4.3: Dwarf Eel Grass (Zostera japonica) (© Henry Lui)
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 7
Fieldwork site B: Lai Chi Wo Hakka Walled 5 Village
Lai Chi Wo Hakka walled village Lai Chi Wo village, located in the northeastern New Territories, is a Hakka walled village with a history of over 300 years. A semi-enclosed Fung Shui Wall was built in the front of the village, and there are over two hundred houses and three ancestral halls, constructed mainly with blue bricks and mud bricks. Houses have been arranged along nine horizontal and three vertical lanes. It is one of the few traditional Hakka walled villages in Hong Kong which has its layout preserved intact.
‘My River, My Community’ – WISE Choice
[Site B: Lai Chi Wo Hakka walled village]
https://bit.ly/2tSjPPk
Map 5.1: Field study site at Lai Chi Wo Hakka Walled Village
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 8
Figure 5.1: Lai Chi Wo Hakka Figure 5.2: East Gate of the Fung Walled Village (© Lau Kin Ming) Shui Wall
Figure 5.3: The layout of Lai Chi Wo Hakka Walled Village
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 9
6 Fieldwork site C: Fung Shui Wood
Fung Shui wood is found at the hillside behind Lai Chi Wo village. Thanks to its extraordinarily high ecological value, it is designated as a Special Area and is under legal protection. More than 100 plant species have been recorded, which includes rarely found species like Artocarpus hypargyreus and Artabotrys hongkongensis. In particular, three ancient trees with distinctive features are preserved and listed in the Register of Old and Valuable Trees. They are the “Hollow Tree”, the “Marriage Tree” and the “Five-fingered Camphor”.
‘My River, My Community’ – WISE Choice
[Site C: Fung Shui Wood]
https://bit.ly/2tSjPPk
Map 6.1: Field study site at Fung Shui Wood
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 10
Figure 6.1: The “Hollow Tree” Figure 6.2: The “Marriage – Autumn Maple Tree Tree” – an Autumn Maple entangled with a Banyan Tree
Figure 6.3: The “Five-fingered Camphor” – Camphor Tree
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 11
Fieldwork site D: Chu Mun Tin (Fei Keng 7 Stream)
The river section near Chu Mun Tin area belongs to the middle-upper course of Lai Chi Wo River. The river has remained largely pristine with extraordinarily high ecological value, and its middle course has been designated as an “Ecologically Important Stream” by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. An ecological study carried out by the Policy for Sustainability Lab (PSL) of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong (2018) has recorded 46 freshwater fish species at the river, including Japanese Eel (Anguilla japonica) and Indo-Pacific Tropical Sand Goby (Favonigobius reichei), which are listed as ‘Endangered’ and ‘Near Threatened’ in the IUCN Red List respectively.
‘My River, My Community’ – WISE Choice
[Site D: Chu Mun Tin (Fei Keng Stream)]
https://bit.ly/2tSjPPk
Map 7.1: Field study site at Chu Mun Tin (Fei Keng Stream)
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 12
Figure 7.1: Stream near Chu Mun Tin Figure 7.2: Stream near Chu Mun Tin (towards upstream) (towards downstream)
References for the Ecological Value and Conservation of Lai Chi Wo River:
Hau, B. C. H., Lo, K. W. F., & So, K. Y. K. (2018). Living Water and Community Revitalization - An Agricultural-led Action, Engagement and Incubation Programme at Lai Chi Wo: Biodiversity Baseline and Management Plan of Freshwater and Terrestrial Habitats of Lai Chi Wo. Hong Kong: Policy for Sustainability Lab, Faculty of Social Sciences, The
University of Hong Kong. https://bit.ly/2UPcPy1
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 13
8 Fieldwork site E: Weir
Irrigation Lai Chi Wo River is the primary irrigation water source for villagers. An irrigation system was built decades ago by villagers, with weirs to store water and divert river water to fields. Nowadays, these weirs can still be found at Lai Chi Wo.
‘My River, My Community’ – WISE Choice
[Site E: Weir]
https://bit.ly/2tSjPPk
Map 8.1: Field study site at Weir
E
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 14
Figure 8.1: One of the weirs at Figure 8.2: Lai Chi Wo River section Lai Chi Wo at the weir
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 15
Fieldwork site F: Coastal Heritiera and 9 Derris Forest
At the lower course of Lai Chi Wo River, more than a hundred Coastal Heritiera (Heritiera littoralis) were grown next to the village, forming the largest and oldest Coastal Heritiera wood in Hong Kong. White-flowered Derris (Derris alborubra), a native climbing species in Hong Kong, can also be found twining around the mangroves. They grow side by side with the Coastal Heritiera wood, forming a unique natural landscape.
‘My River, My Community’ – WISE Choice
[Site F: Coastal Heritiera and Derris Forest]
https://bit.ly/2tSjPPk
Map 9.1: Fieldwork site at Coastal Heritiera and Derris Forest
F
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 16
Figure 9.1: Coastal Heritiera (Heritiera Figure 9.2: Fruit of Heritiera littoralis littoralis) is a mangrove species
Figure 9.3: White-flowered Derris (Derris alborubra)
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10 Fieldwork site G: Viewing Point
The Viewing Point is located in the southeast of the Lai Chi Wo village, overlooking the village and the estuary of Lai Chi Wo River. Besides, Yan Chau Tong and nearby islands such as Kat O, Fun Chau etc. could also be seen.
‘My River, My Community’ – WISE Choice
[Site G: Viewing Point]
https://bit.ly/2tSjPPk
Map 10.1: Field study site at Viewing Point
G
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 18
Figure 10.1: A bird’s-eye view of Lai Chi Figure 10.2: An overview of Yan Chau Wo estuary from Viewing Point Tong from Viewing Point
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 19
The farming landscape and land use pattern 11 of Lai Chi Wo
Study at the following field sites:
A Estuary B Lai Chi Wo Hakka Walled Village C Fung Shui Wood D Chu Mun Tin (Fei Keng Stream) E Weir F Coastal Heritiera and Derris Forest G Viewing Point
1. At Fieldwork Site G (Viewing Point), observe the overall view of Lai Chi Wo drainage basin and complete the following sketch by filling:
Lai Chi Wo Hakka walled village Fung Shui Wood Cultivated fields Mangroves
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 20
2. Complete the generalised land use map of Lai Chi Wo area.
3. Refer to the above generalised land use map. Complete the following transect on land uses from A to B. A land use transect between A and B
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 21
The farming constraints in Lai Chi Wo 12
Study at the following field sites:
A Estuary B Lai Chi Wo Hakka Walled Village C Fung Shui Wood D Chu Mun Tin (Fei Keng Stream) E Weir F Coastal Heritiera and Derris Forest G Viewing Point
1. The physical and socio-economic environment in Lai Chi Wo poses constraints on farming practices. Let’s find out the farming constraints faced by farmers in Lai Chi Wo by:
(a) interview farmers at Lai Chi Wo; (b) observe installations that used to overcome the constraints; and (c) secondary data (e.g. climatic conditions).
How do farmers overcome the constraints? Support Farming constraints What are the constraints? your answer with field evidence
Water shortages
Physical Farmland constraints quality
Pests and wild
animals
Inadequate farm
Socio- labour economic constraints Marketing of
farm produces
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 22
How irrigation works in Lai Chi Wo 13
Study at the following fieldwork sites:
A Estuary B Lai Chi Wo Hakka Walled Village C Fung Shui Wood D Chu Mun Tin (Fei Keng Stream) E Weir F Coastal Heritiera and Derris Forest G Viewing Point
1. Complete the following annotated diagrams (Figure 13.1 and 13.2), which show how river water is diverted to the fields and irrigated the crops.
Figure 13.1: The annotated diagram showing how river water is diverted to the fields (1)
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Figure 13.2: The annotated diagram showing how river water is diverted to the fields (2)
Observation on how the irrigation works:
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 24
How Fung Shui Wood help Lai Chi Wo 14
Study at the following field sites:
A Estuary B Lai Chi Wo Hakka Walled Village C Fung Shui Wood D Chu Mun Tin (Fei Keng Stream) E Weir F Coastal Heritiera and Derris Forest G Viewing Point
1. Refer to the map below.
Map 14.1: Lai Chi Wo Village
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 25
(a) Mark your location on the map.
(b) Colour
(i) the area covered by Fung Shui Wood in green;
(ii) Lai Chi Wo Village in brown;
(iii) Lai Chi Wo River in blue.
2. Study the characteristics of the Fung Shui Wood. Complete the following table.
(a)
Fung Shui Wood at Lai Chi Wo
History The oldest Fung Shui Wood dates back more than 300 years
Area 0.01km2 in area (1 hectare)
Canopy
Undergrowth
Tree Sizes
Plant Species
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 26
(b)
Functions of Fung Shui Wood Field evidence from Lai Chi Wo
Natural barrier to rural village
Summer: mitigating the devastating impact of typhoons
Winter: keep away the chilly north wind
Halt landslide
References for Ecological Value and Conservation of the Fung Shui Wood
Hong Kong Herbarium. An Overview of Fung Shui Woods in Hong Kong. Fung Shui Woods. https://bit.ly/2BNCAYr
Wu, Fadong, et al. (2009). Wu Kau Tang to Lai Chi Wo: Geopark field guide, Hong Kong: Friends of the Country Parks, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Cosmos Books.
Yip, Joseph K. L., et al. (2004). Venturing fung shui woods, Hong Kong: Friends of the Country Parks, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Cosmos Books.
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 27
Ecology in river mouth area 15
Study at the following field sites:
A Estuary B Lai Chi Wo Hakka Walled Village C Fung Shui Wood D Chu Mun Tin (Fei Keng Stream) E Weir F Coastal Heritiera and Derris Forest G Viewing Point
Along the coast of Sam A Wan and the area of Lai Chi Wo river mouth, you can see deposits mainly comprising mud-dominated sediments washed down from the river. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department show that Hong Kong records eight species of true mangrove. All the eight species are found in the river mouth area of Lai Chi Wo. Can you identify these species in the field?
Kandelia (秋茄) Many-petaled mangrove True mangrove (木欖) species recorded in Hong Kong (Source and Photos from Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department)
Milky mangrove (海漆) Black mangrove (白骨壤) River mangrove (桐花樹)
Leather Fern (卥蕨) Coastal Heritiera (銀葉樹) Lumnitzera (欖李)
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 28
1. Complete the following annotated map to show the favourable conditions for the development of mangrove habitat at Lai Chi Wo.
Other observations:
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 29
References for ecological value and conservation of the estuary
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Local Mangroves, Mangroves in Hong Kong. https://bit.ly/2IxIhQ0
Wu, Fadong, et al. (2009). Wu Kau Tang to Lai Chi Wo: Geopark field guide, Hong Kong: Friends of the Country Parks, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Cosmos Books.
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 30
Can the river help the community 16 development of Lai Chi Wo
Study at the following field sites:
A Estuary B Lai Chi Wo Hakka Walled Village C Fung Shui Wood D Chu Mun Tin (Fei Keng Stream) E Weir F Coastal Heritiera and Derris Forest G Viewing Point
Conduct an interview with a farmer at Lai Chi Wo to explore more detailed information on (a) the incubation of socio-economic methods to promote rural revitalisation; and (b) can the river help the community development of Lai Chi Wo.
Reminder: (i) Write and thank the interviewees and the farmers at Lai Chi Wo afterwards. (ii) The interview may involve a lot of writing, so you might consider recording the interview. You have to ask permission from the interviewees beforehand. (iii) Students are advised to list the operational questions for the interview and take records.
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 31
Conclusion 17
Group discussion and report writing:
With reference to the information collected in the field, write a field study report on how Lai Chi Wo River help the sustainable development of the agricultural settlement. Enrich your discussion by using secondary data.
Field Study of Lai Chi Wo River: Students’ Workbook 32