Survey of Hong Kong Freshwater Wetlands

An ecological study commissioned by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department on the freshwater wetlands of Hong Kong was recently completed. As one of the most threatened habitats in the territory, the need for information on the biology of these areas was essential. The study’s aims were to identify wetlands of high faunal and floral biodiversity, to classify wetlands into groups and identify environmental variables that influence their characteristics, to rank sites based on their conservation value and recommend sites worthy of conservation, to identify species which are endangered, threatened, or have ecological significance and to identify those taxa which may be used as environmental indicators.

Thirty-three sites throughout the territory were sampled of which only one was located within Country Park boundaries. Twenty-four sites were marshland and nine were ponds. Managed fish ponds, reservoirs, and freshwater streams were not included in the scope of this study.

Seventy-two rare species of macroinvertebrates were discovered in the study, including first Hong Kong records of the families Corethrellidae (Diptera) and Hydrochidae (Coleoptera). Amphibians of note included the near-endemic Hong Kong Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) and Romer’s Tree Frog (Philautus romeri) as well as the extremely rare and threatened Floating Frog (Occidozyga lima). Of greater significance, however, was the discovery of the Black Paradise Fish (Macropodus concolor). No previous records have existed of wild populations of this fish. Its rarity in a global context cannot be overstated and the five sites where the fish is found deserve high conservation priority.

Of all the sites sampled, the following were regarded as having the highest conservation value: Luk Keng, Sam A Tsuen, Yung Shue O, Shuen Wan and Sham Chung marshes and Cheung Sheung and Lamma Island ponds. Other sites of significance include Yi O, Sha Lo Tung, Leung Uk, and Pui O marshes and Sunset Peak pond.

Eddie Chan

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