Ecological Survey Appraisal Report for DPA Area Hoi Ha, Sai Kung Job Ref.: 12/612/254 NEWB-HHW Date: 16th November 2012 Ecological Survey Appraisal Report for DPA Area Hoi Ha, Sai Kung Name Signature Prepared by: Various Reviewed by: Geoff Carey Date: 16th November 2012 Job Ref.: 12/612/254 NEWB-HHW 127 Commercial Centre, Palm Springs, Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2486 2885 Email: [email protected] Ecological Survey Appraisal Report for DPA Hoi Ha, Sai Kung Job Ref.: 12/612/254 NEWB-HHW CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 1 RESULTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 CONCLUSIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 14 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................. 17 LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Herpetofauna species recorded at or near Hoi Ha (source D. Willott), and their conservation status. Table 2 Amphibian species recorded at Hoi Ha on 6 August 2012, and number of individuals recorded (no species of conservation significance recorded). Table 3 Reptile species recorded at Hoi Ha on 6 August 2012, and number of individuals recorded. Table 4 Odonate species recorded at Hoi Ha on 6 August 2012, and their respective number of individuals recorded (no species of conservation significance recorded). Table 5 Butterfly species recorded at Hoi Ha on 6 August 2012, and the number of individuals. Table 6 Habitats in the Study Area at Hoi Ha, and their ecological value. LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A – Habitat Map with Locations of Species of Conservation Appendix B – Plates of Habitats in Study Area Appendix C – Plates of Flora and Fauna species of conservation interest within the Study Area Appendix D – List of Butterflies recorded at Hoi Ha by Hong Kong Lepidopterists’ Society Appendix E – Bird species recorded or presumed to occur in Hoi Ha DPA Appendix F – Flora species recorded in Hoi Ha DPA area on 6th August 2012 Appendix G – Insect species recorded in the Hoi Ha area Appendix H – Recommended zonings for Hoi Ha DPA based on ecological factors October 2012 Ecological Survey Appraisal Report for DPA Hoi Ha, Sai Kung Job Ref.: 12/612/254 NEWB-HHW INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background 1.1.1 Hoi Ha is an enclave within Sai Kung West Country Park. It has been zoned ‘Unspecified Use’ under the Approved Hoi Ha Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan- DPA/NE-HH/2. It is the intention of the Planning Department (PlanD) and the Town Planning Board (TPB) that this DPA Plan is replaced by an Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) at which time the ‘Unspecified Use’ zoning will be replaced by appropriate zoning(s) taking into account land use pattern, infrastructural provisions and local needs. 1.2 Site location and survey methodology 1.2.1 Hoi Ha is located on mainly private land surrounded on the landward side by Sai Kung West Country Park to the east, south and west; to the north lies the sea and the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. The total area of the site at Hoi Ha is 87,458m², or approximately 8.75ha. 1.2.2 Surveys were carried out of flora and fauna in order to prepare an Ecological Assessment (EA) of habitats present in the vicinity of the existing village. These surveys covered flora and the key groups of fauna: mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, freshwater fish and terrestrial invertebrates. For all faunal groups apart from birds, a single survey was carried out on 6th August 2012; for birds, surveys were carried out monthly from August to October. 1.2.3 Habitat mapping was based on aerial photographs and subsequently ground-truthed by on- site survey. In addition, review of available literature was carried out to provide further detail regarding flora and fauna of the area. 1.2.4 Data from the desktop study and field work was utilised to provide a qualitative assessment of the ecological importance of the site as a whole, together with identification of habitats or locations where flora or fauna of conservation importance were found or where such presence may be inferred or suspected. 1.2.5 As this Ecological Assessment will be utilized to assist in the process of OZP preparation, areas where natural features might be maintained or enhanced to provide opportunities for recreational or educational activities have also been identified. Should further data regarding the ecological value of the DPA come to light, the report will be revised and used to inform comments on the draft OZP when issued. RESULTS 1.3 Habitats/ Vegetation Present within the Study Area 1.3.1 Eleven habitats were identified within the Study Area, comprising shrubland - grassland, secondary woodland, Fung Shui woodland, modified woodland, marsh, seasonally wet grassland, stream, sandy shore, sea, village area and urban area. A habitat map of the Study Area is provided in Appendix A. Shrubland - grassland 1.3.2 In the west of the Study Area, close to Hoi Ha Stream, a small area (3,206m²) of long- abandoned paddy is located on which an area of shrubland-grassland has developed. The area shows evidence of previous human modification in the form of terraces, while the current grassy areas are maintained by grazing, and it appears to be disturbed by human activities October 2012 Page 1 of 24 Ecological Survey Appraisal Report for DPA Hoi Ha, Sai Kung Job Ref.: 12/612/254 NEWB-HHW (primarily camping). No standing water was present during the survey. This area is dry throughout the year, and wetland plant species were not recorded. Common native herb species, including Chrysopogon aciculatus, Elephantopus scaber and Vernonia cinerea were present. A total of 31 species were identified within this habitat, with no species of conservation concern. Secondary woodland 1.3.3 Native secondary woodland was identified in the north, west and east of the Study Area, with the total area being 42,457m²; this comprises the dominant habitat-type in the Study Area. The mixed canopy consists mainly of the native tree species Sterculia lanceolata, Symplocos cochinchinensis var. laurina and Schefflera heptaphylla. A total of 94 plant species were recorded in this habitat, including three species of conservation concern: Aquilaria sinensis, Gnetum luofuense and Pavetta hongkongensis. Secondary woodland provides suitable habitat for a high diversity of butterfly species, and the data on this faunal group support this. Similarly, mature secondary woodland of this type also supports a high diversity of bird species, and it is likely it provides suitable habitat for a diversity of woodland birds, especially in late autumn and winter. Fung Shui woodland 1.3.4 A mature Fung Shui woodland surrounds the landward side of the village area, extending beyond the DPA boundary where it is linked with surrounding areas of secondary woodland; within the DPA, it has an area of approximately 19,826m². Vegetation is mainly composed of a closed canopy of native tree species such as Sterculia lanceolata and Aquilaria sinensis with a well-developed understory dominated by shrubs (such as Desmos chinensis) and climbers (such as Entada phaseoloides and Bauhinia glauca). The trees within the woodland are generally of mature size with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of around 30-50cm. The presence of mature trees and well-developed climbers indicate that it is an old-growth woodland. A total of 89 species were identified with seven flora species of conservation concern recorded, including Aquilaria sinensis, Entada phaseoloides, Gnetum luofuense, Morinda cochinchinensis, Neottopteris nidus, Pavetta hongkongensis and Sargentodoxa cuneata. Modified woodland 1.3.5 Surrounding the village, and between the village and the undisturbed secondary woodland or coastal area is present an area of open woodland that is disturbed and anthropogenically modified via the planting of fruit trees, pruning or previous clearance. Consequently, it lacks the ecological value of the secondary woodland, but is linked to it, as well as providing a link between the woodland and the developed village area. The total area is 3338m², and typical species of this area include Musa x paradisiaca, Macaranga tanarius var. tomentosa, Mikania micrantha, Ipomoea triloba, Osmanthus marginatus, Ficus variegata, and Vernicia fordii, . Marsh 1.3.6 A freshwater marsh area was identified in the west of the Study Area, totalling 1,070m². This marsh habitat has developed as a result of natural succession following the cessation of agricultural activities in an area of poor drainage. Most species present are wetland- associated, dominated by native species including Impatiens chinensis, Paspalum distichum, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Eleocharis ochrostachys and Commelina diffusa. October 2012 Page 2 of 24 Ecological Survey Appraisal Report for DPA Hoi Ha, Sai Kung Job Ref.: 12/612/254 NEWB-HHW Seasonally Wet Grassland 1.3.7 A very small area (410m²) of grazed, seasonally wet grassland is present to the east of the village, alongside the seasonal stream where it enters the sea; few wetland-associated plant species are present (herb species such as Chrysopogon aciculatus dominate in this area). Stream 1.3.8 Two natural streams were identified in the Study Area, one in the west, which is 61.7m in length inside the DPA boundary, and the