294 The Environment
Flora
Hong Kong is situated near the northern boundary of the distribution of tropical Southeast Asian flora, sharing similar species and structure with the flora of Guangdong Province. Despite its small size, Hong Kong has a rich flora with about 3 100 species of vascular plants, of which 2 100 are native to Hong Kong. Continual efforts in afforestation coupled with various conservation measures have transformed formerly bare hillsides and slopes into impressive woodlands. Besides greening and beautifying the countryside, woodlands are important habitats for wildlife and are essential to protecting water catchments from soil erosion. They also provide recreational opportunities for the public.
Remnants of the original forest cover, either scrub forest or well-developed woodlands, are still found in steep ravines or behind traditional villages in rural areas. They have survived as a result of their location in precipitous topography and the moist winter micro-climate, or because they are protected for cultural reasons.
Terrestrial Fauna
Hong Kong's climate and physical environment provide a wide range of habitats. and support for a rich and varied fauna which include about 500 species of birds, over 50 species of mammals, over 100 species of amphibians and reptiles, 238 species of butterflies and 115 species of dragonflies.
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 area has been listed as a 'Wetland of International Importance' under the Ramsar Convention. About 1 500 hectares of inter-tidal mudflats, fish ponds, marshes, reedbeds and dwarf mangroves provide a rich habitat for migratory and resident birds, particularly ducks and waders.
Some 380 species of birds have been observed in this area. Thirty-five species are considered globally threatened and near-threatened including the Black-faced Spoonbill, Baer's Pochard, Nordmann's Greenshank and Spoon-billed Sandpiper. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) implements a wetland conservation and management plan to conserve the ecological value of the area.
The traditional fung shui woods near old villages and temples and the secondary forests provide important habitats for many woodland birds. Birds sighted in the wooded areas include warblers, flycatchers, robins, bulbuls and tits.
Areas around the Kowloon reservoirs are inhabited by monkeys which are the descendents of individuals released there in the early twentieth century. There are breeding groups of Rhesus Macaque and hybrids of Rhesus Macaque and Long- tailed Macaque. Some monkeys have migrated to the forested areas of Shing Mun Reservoir and Tai Po Kau. Feeding of monkeys has been prohibited since July 1999 to make them revert to foraging for natural food in the countryside.
Other mammals such as Red Muntjac, and Eurasian Wild Pig are very common in the countryside, while the Leopard Cat, Small-toothed Ferret Badger and Masked