ENG-2011 — Page 350

302 The Environment

in the first eight rounds, involving grants of $42 million, and 32 of them have been completed so far.

To facilitate the integration of sustainability considerations in the decision. making process, the Government has adopted a sustainability assessment system since 2001, the implementation of which is overseen by the Sustainable Development Division. All bureaux and departments are required to conduct sustainability assessments of their major initiatives and programmes and to explain. the implications in their submissions to the Policy Committee and Executive Council.

Government Laboratory

The Government Laboratory supports the enforcement of environmental protection legislation and the implementation of various environmental programmes through provision of comprehensive analytical and advisory services. In 2011, it conducted numerous tests on environmental samples of air, water, sediment, soil, biota, waste, motor vehicle fuel including biodiesel and other substances, providing a large volume of useful data for various environmental programmes. To support government departments in pursuing action items proposed under the HKSAR Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Government Laboratory has commenced providing testing services for additional groups of chemicals that have come under the control of the convention in recent years.

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 510 species of birds, over 50 species of mammals, over 100 species of amphibians and reptiles, 235 species of butterflies and 116 species of dragonflies.

Besides having a rich terrestrial fauna biodiversity, a number of species are endemic to Hong Kong. Examples include Romer's Tree Frog, Bogadek's Burrowing