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 GEOPARK

The Hong Kong Global Geopark of China includes two regions covering eight geo-areas in the eastern part of Hong Kong, each with unique geological features.

Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region: This region displays hexagonal volcanic rock columns, which are world class in terms of size and coverage.

High Island Geo-Area: A splendid array of hexagonal volcanic columns is exposed along the coast of High Island, and the Tai Long Wan coast nearby showcases a coastal landform of volcanic rocks.

Ung Kong Group Geo-Area: The islands that made up the Ung Kong Group showcase some spectacular columnar joints and precipitous cliffs, such as the 30m and 45m high sea arches at Wang Chau and Basalt Island respectively.

Ninepin Group Geo-Area: The Ninepin Group is made up of East Ninepin, South Ninepin and North Ninepin, and several small rock islets. Imposing hexagonal columns of North Ninepin Island are particularly gigantic, with some measuring over two metres in diameter.

Sharp Island Geo-Area: The coasts of Jin Island and southwest Kau Sai are dominated by columnar joints of tetragonal or pentagonal shapes. Sharp Island is covered by different volcanic rocks such as lava and eutaxite.

Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region: This region represents the most comprehensive stratigraphy of sedimentary rocks in Hong Kong, ranging from Devonian sandstone and conglomerate of about 400 million years of age to Tertiary siltstone of 65 million years old.

Double Haven Geo-Area: As a result of the rise in sea level 6 000 to 8 000 years ago, the river valleys in Double Haven were flooded, therefore forming indented shorelines with headlands and bays. Famous landforms here include Hung Shek Mun, Camp Cove and Double Island.

Tolo Channel Geo-Area: The rocks along the north coast of Tolo Channel are the oldest in Hong Kong. Ma Shi Chau represents the sedimentary rocks formed some 280 million years ago; various igneous rocks and sedimentary rocks at Lai Chi Chong of south coast were formed 140 million years ago.

Port Island and Bluff Head Geo-Area: Bluff Head (Wong Chuk Kok Tsui) has the oldest rocks in Hong Kong, formed by deposits at estuarine deltas about 400 million years ago. Port Island (Chek Chau) is best known for its red conglomerate, sandstone and siltstone resulted from the iron components that oxidized about 100 million years ago.

Tung Ping Chau Geo-Area: Tung Ping Chau has the youngest rocks in Hong Kong which are only 65 million years old. The island displays a unique sedimentary rock landscape in Hong Kong with various abrasion landforms, such as Lung Lok Shui (literally meaning a dragon entering into the sea).

CONSERVATION

The nature conservation policy is to regulate, protect and manage natural resources that are important for the conservation of biological diversity of Hong Kong in a sustainable manner, taking into account social and economic considerations, for the benefit and enjoyment of the present and future generations of the community.

The proportion of land area put under the protected area system in Hong Kong compares favourably with other cities/places at similar stage of economic development. Moreover, despite its small size and rapid development over the years, Hong Kong still enjoys a rich biological diversity. AFCD, through its territory-wide survey programme, is identifying and monitoring the important components of our biological diversity. AFCD also publishes field guides to various animals and plants of Hong Kong and maintains the Hong Kong Biodiversity Online (www.hkbiodiversity.net) and Hong Kong Live Ecomap (www.hkecomap.net) to introduce our biological diversity to the community.

Habitat Protection: About 40 per cent of land in Hong Kong has been designated as country parks and special areas which provide statutory protection for the habitats of our diverse flora and fauna. In addition, 67 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) have been listed to recognise the scientific importance of these sites and to ensure that due consideration to conservation is given when developments in or near these sites are proposed. For example, Ma On Shan and Sha Lo Tung have been listed as SSSIs in recognition of the presence of the diverse populations of azaleas and dragonflies in Hong Kong respectively.

AFCD also implements active conservation programmes to enhance important habitats. These include creation of wetlands and butterfly gardens in country parks and management of vegetation in forests and egretries.

Flora: The flora of Hong Kong is diverse in character and surprisingly numerous in species. Many typical species of the Southeast Asian tropical flora are seen here at the limit of their northern distribution range. More than 3 300 species and varieties of vascular plants have been recorded in Hong Kong, approximately 2 100 of which are native and the rest are introduced or of exotic origin.

Hong Kong Herbarium: Established in 1878, AFCD's Hong Kong Herbarium is responsible for the systematic collection, identification and curation of plant specimens of the Hong Kong flora. The Herbarium also publishes the Check List of Hong Kong Plants, herbarium leaflet series and other related technical publications (e.g. Flora of Hong Kong). It plays a significant role in supporting the studies on taxonomy, ecology and conservation of Hong Kong flora. Currently it houses approximately 42 700 plant specimens and is equipped with a specialised library and a plant database (www.hkherbarium.net) to support its function.

Conservation of Flora: Efforts have been made to conserve our native flora. In addition to habitat protection, they are also conserved through the following approaches.

Species Protection: Under the Forests and Countryside Ordinance, damaging plant in any forest or plantation on government land is prohibited. Some rare and attractive species are specifically listed in the Forestry Regulations to control the sale and possession of such listed species as Camellia species, Enkianthus quinqueflorus, Iris speculatrix and Impatiens hongkongensis.

Propagation: Various methods such as seed collection, cutting, air layering, etc, have been attempted to propagate Hong Kong's native flora including rare and endangered species in the AFCD's plant nursery. The seedlings are planted out in countryside for enriching the plant diversity. Successful examples of propagation of rare species include Keteleeria fortunei, Camellia crapnelliana and Camellia granthamiana.

Ex-situ Conservation: A base for flora conservation has been set up at the Shing Mun Arboretum. About 300 species representative to the native flora, including some rare species have been propagated and established there for conservation and education purposes. A greenhouse has also been established for conservation of fragile species and orchids.