ENG-1998 — Page 485

THE ENVIRONMENT

tropical cyclones affected Hong Kong and the first signal of the year was hoisted on August 9, the latest date for hoisting this signal in post-war years.

The mean minimum temperature of 26.2 degrees in September was the fourth highest for the month and the Standby Signal No. 1 was hoisted only once.

In October, the mean temperature of 26.1 degrees and the mean minimum temperature of 24.3 degrees were the third- and second-highest respectively for October. Two tropical cyclones necessitated the hoisting of warning signals in the month.

Temperature records were broken again in November. Both the monthly mean temperature of 23.2 degrees and the mean minimum temperature of 21.4 degrees exceeded previous highs.

In December, the mean temperature of 19.1 degrees and the mean minimum temperature of 17.4 degrees were the sixth- and the third-highest respectively on record for the month.

Flora

Hong Kong is near the northern limit of the distribution of tropical Asian flora and has an estimated 2 800 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 fire 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. Some 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 territory. Yim Tso Ha, also a restricted area, is the largest egretry in Hong Kong. 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.

Areas around the Kowloon reservoirs are inhabited by monkeys descended from animals which had been released or had escaped from captivity. There are breeding

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