ENG-2005 — Page 355

The Environment | 305

polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Flora

Hong Kong is near the northern limit 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. Various conservation measures have transformed the formerly bare hillsides and slopes into impressive woodlands. Besides greening and beautifying the countryside, woodlands are important habitats for wildlife and are essential for 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 through 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 a rich and varied fauna. These include about 465 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, over 100 species of amphibians and reptiles, 230 species of butterflies and 110 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 1500 hectares of mudflats, fish ponds, marshes, reedbeds and dwarf mangroves provide a rich habitat for migratory and resident birds, particularly ducks. and waders. Some 300 species of birds have been observed in this area, many of which are considered globally threatened and endangered, such as the black-faced spoonbill, Oriental stork, Nordmann's greenshank and Saunders' gull. The 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. Sightings in wooded areas include warblers, flycatchers, robins, bulbuls and tits.

Areas around the Kowloon reservoirs are inhabited by monkeys descended from individuals which were released or which escaped from captivity. There are breeding groups of rhesus macaques and a few long-tailed macaques, and their hybrids. Feeding of monkeys has been prohibited since July 1999 to prevent unnatural growth of the population. Other mammals like barking deer, leopard cats, Chinese porcupines, Chinese ferret badgers, masked palm civets, small Indian civets, wild boars and bats are quite common in the countryside. Sightings of less common species such as Eurasian otters, Javan mongooses and Chinese pangolins are occasionally reported.