THE ENVIRONMENT
Hong Kong on record. Black Rainstorm Warning Signals were issued on August 23 and 24.
September was again wetter than normal with three tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong during the month. The Hurricane Signal, No. 10 was hoisted on September 16 during the passage of Typhoon York. Severe Tropical Storm Cam traversed Hong Kong on September 26 and necessitated the No. 8 signal.
October was warmer and drier than normal. Typhoon Dän became the last tropical cyclone that necessitated hoisting of local warning signals in the year.
November was again warmer and drier than normal.
The mean temperature of December was below normal. An intense surge of the winter monsoon brought cold and dry weather to Hong Kong on December 19 and the Cold Weather Warning was issued by the Observatory for the first time. Temperatures dropped to the year's minimum of 5.8 degrees on December 23. Formation of ice and thin frost were reported on high grounds and in the northern part of the New Territories.
Flora
Hong Kong is near the northern limit of the distribution of tropical Asian flora and has an estimated 2 900 species of vascular plants, both native and introduced. Various conservation measures have transformed the formerly bare hillsides and slopes into areas with trees of local and introduced species. Besides greening and beautifying the countryside, woodlands are important habitats for wildlife and are essential in protecting water catchments from soil erosion and in providing recreational opportunities for the public.
Remnants of the original forest cover, either scrub forest or well-developed woodlands, are still found in steep ravines. They have survived the destructive influences of man and hill fires through their location in precipitous topography and the moist winter micro-climate.
Terrestrial Fauna
Hong Kong's physical and climatic environment provides woody and grassy habitats. for a wide variety of animals and plants. Under the pressures of urbanisation, larger animal species are rarely seen, but reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects are still
common.
The Mai Po Marshes form one of the most important wildlife conservation sites in Hong Kong. Together with the Inner Deep Bay area, the Mai Po Marshes were listed as a 'Wetland of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat' under the Ramsar Convention in September 1995. About 1 500 hectares of mudflats, fish ponds, marshes and dwarf mangroves provide a rich habitat, particularly, for migratory and resident birds as well as ducks and waders. Some 300 species of birds have been observed in this area, and at least 110 of them are rarely seen elsewhere in the HKSAR.
The traditional fung shui woods near old villages and temples have provided an important habitat for many birds. Sightings in wooded areas include warblers, flycatchers, robins, bulbuls and tits.
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