9
ECOLOGICAL MONITORING
Monitoring of Measures to Minimise
Disturbance to Water Birds in Ng Tung River, Sheung Yue River, Shek Sheung River and Long Valley
Monitoring
Requirements and Protocol
9.1
As
required under Section 12.3.2.5 of Updated EM&A Manual, where development
under the NDAs project is undertaken within 200m (the maximum distance at which
it is predicted there may be some disturbance, and hence a reduction in
numbers, of large waterbirds) of Sheung Yue River and Long Valley, weekly
transect at both high and low tides should be followed (It is considered high
tide when the tidal levels are above 1.5m and low tide when the tidal levels
are below 1.5m at Tsim Bei Tsui
Station).
9.2
The
purpose of the survey was to identify and enumerate all bird species utilizing
the river channels and Long Valley Nature Park (LVNP) and identify any sources
of actual or potential disturbance to birds due to construction activities
throughout the construction period according to Methodology specified in Table
12.1 in Updated EM&A Manual.
9.3
Monitoring
in Long Valley should follow the methodology adopted by the regular HKBWS bird
monitoring programme in order to obtain comparable
results and complete coverage of the area in the shortest time possible.
Monitoring
Frequency
9.4
High
tide and low tide avifauna monitoring is required to be carried out on weekly
basis.
Additional night-time avifauna
monitoring in Long Valley is required to be carried out twice monthly from
September to April.
|
Date
of avifauna monitoring: |
3rd, 4th, 7th,
11th, 15th, 18th, 21st, 25th,
29th March 2022 |
|
Date
of night-time monitoring: |
4th, 18th March 2022 |
Monitoring
Location
9.5
The
avifauna monitoring was carried out at Ng Tung River, Sheung Yue River and Long
Valley in reporting month according to construction works. The transect routes
in the Reporting Month were as follows:
•
T1. Ng Tung
River
•
T2. Ng Tung
River
•
T3. Sheung Yue
River
• T5. Long Valley
As
the sensitive receivers (large waterbirds) are easily visible, the transect
route will only need to follow one bank of the rivers.
9.6
The location of
Transects T1, T2, T3 and T5 is shown in Figure
9 for reference.
Monitoring
Parameters
9.7
The monitoring
parameters and survey methodology for each transect are described below:
•
Abundance of
birds
•
Types of
habitat of which birds in use
•
Notable bird behaviours such as roosting, feeding, nesting and presence
of juveniles
• Birds heard through birdcalls that could not be
located would be marked as “heard”, while birds flying over the survey area
would be marked as “flight”. Species of conservation significance would be
specified.
9.8
Other
information at the time of survey such as weather condition, tidal condition,
tide level and noticeable natural or anthropogenic activities would be
documented.
9.9
For
Avifauna survey, Ornithological nomenclature would make reference to The
Avifauna of Hong Kong (Carey et al.
2001), The Birds of Hong Kong and South China (Viney et al. 2005), and the most recent
updated list from other sources (e.g. Hong Kong Bird Watching Society).
Monitoring
Result
9.10
In total, 66
species of birds were recorded during the bird surveys within assessment area.
Among the recorded birds, there were 23 species of waterbirds. The detailed
list of waterbirds and all recorded birds are shown in Appendix L1k and L1l respectively.
9.11
Among the four
transects, the transect T5 had a higher species diversity and abundance due to
its diverse habitat types within Long Valley. Species such as Ardeola bacchus and Egretta garzetta were commonly
found roosting and foraging at wetland habitats such as agricultural lands and
shallow water habitats.
9.12
Along the
transect T5 in Long Valley, species with conservation interest such as Himantopus himantopus, which is a passage migrant, and Tringa nebularia which
is a passage migrant and winter visitor, were commonly observed in swallow
water habitat. In addition, Calidris ferruginea, a spring passage migrant species with
conservation interest, was observed in wet agricultural land in the reporting
month.
9.13
Construction works were observed in T5 in
the reporting month.
9.14
Transect T3 was
conducted along the Sheung Yue River. Bird species such as Ardeola bacchus and Egretta garzetta were commonly
observed feeding and roosting on the river bank and river bed. Construction
works were observed beside Sheung Yue River.
9.15
Transect T1 and
T2 are located at Ng Tung River. Ardeola bacchus and Egretta garzetta were commonly found feeding and roosting along
the Ng Tung River. Fishing activities were observed at both T1 and T2, while
construction activities were observed beside T2 during the avifauna monitoring.
Other potential anthropogenic sources of disturbance observed along T1 and T2
includes the usage of remote control boats and helicopters.
9.16
Avifauna
monitoring in construction phase was conducted during the reporting month and
the detailed results are attached in Appendix
L1.
Monitoring
Requirements and Protocol
9.17 As required under Section 12.3.2.14
of Updated EM&A Manual, aquatic faunal monitoring should be carried out
during the construction phase.
9.18 Larger organisms such as fish should
be monitored by direct counting, while kick-netting and sweep-netting should be
used for invertebrate sampling. There should be three replicates for
invertebrate sampling at each sampling point. For kick-netting, the net should
be placed with the opening facing the water current, and the substrate should
be disturbed by kicking to dislodge organisms from the stream bed. Sweep-netting
should be conducted when kick-netting is not feasible, such as in area with no
water current. Small organisms that could not be identified with naked eye
should be brought to the laboratory for identification under the dissecting
microscope.
Monitoring
Frequency
9.19 Quantitative aquatic fauna replicate
surveys of stream fauna is required to be carried out on monthly basis during
wet season. Three replicates for invertebrates sampling and direct counting of
fish fauna should be performed respectively.
Monitoring
Location
9.20
During
wet season, the monitoring location required to be carried out in Ma Tso Lung
Stream according to construction works are as follow:
|
•
MS_01 |
•
MS_02 |
•
MS_03 |
•
MS_04 |
•
MS_05 |
|
•
MS_06 |
•
MS_07 |
•
MS_08 |
•
MS_09 |
•
MS_10 |
|
•
MS_11 |
•
MS_12 |
•
MS_13 |
•
MS_14 |
•
MS_15 |
9.21
The
location of Monitoring Stations shown in
Figure 10 for reference.
Monitoring
Parameters
9.22
The
monitoring parameters and survey methodology for each monitoring station are
described below:
•
Species
composition
•
Abundance
•
Distribution for
invertebrates and fish fauna
•
Species of
conservation significance would be specified
9.23 Other information at the time of
survey such as weather condition and noticeable natural or anthropogenic
activities would be recorded.
Monitoring
Status
9.24
According to the
Updated EM&A Manual, quantitative aquatic fauna replicate surveys of stream
fauna is required to be carried out on monthly basis during wet season. During
the reporting Month, no aquatic fauna replicate surveys was carried out.
Monitoring
Requirements and Protocol
9.25 As required under Section 12.3.2.17
of Updated EM&A Manual, monitoring of measures to minimize impacts should
be carried out during the construction phase.
9.26 The purpose of survey is to monitor
the effectiveness of measures to minimize impacts on ecologically sensitive
habitats from disturbance and pollution by standard faunal transect surveys.
Mammal survey
9.27 Mammal survey should be performed
during both day and night times, in areas along the transect routes which may
potentially be utilized by terrestrial mammals. Field signs such as droppings,
footprints, diggings and burrows left by larger terrestrial mammals should be
observed. Mammals directly observed should be recorded, and identification
should be made as accurate as possible form the field signs observed.
9.28 Bat survey should be conducted along
the transect routes shortly after sunset, with the use of a bat detector to
record the echolocation calls. The relative abundance of the species
encountered should be estimated with reference to the baseline monitoring
results, i.e. using a scale from one (species recorded within transect routes)
to three (dominant species within transect routes), for comparison between
baseline results and the current monitoring results. Nomenclature of mammal
should be based on Shek (2006).
Herpetofauna survey (Amphibians and
Reptiles)
9.29 Amphibian surveys should be conducted
whenever possible on evenings following or during periods of rainfall, focusing
on areas suitable for amphibians (e.g. forest, shrublands, grasslands, streams,
ponds, marshes, etc.). Calling amphibians should be recorded, supplemented by
visual observation of eggs, tadpoles, adult frogs, and toads.
9.30 Active searching of appropriate
microhabitats such as stones, pond bunds, crevices and leaf debris should be
performed mainly. Observation of exposed, basking and foraging reptiles should
also be conducted. Nomenclature of amphibian and reptile should be based on
Chan et al. (2005) and Karsen et al. (1998),
respectively.
Insect survey (Butterfly and Dragonfly)
9.31 Butterflies and dragonflies observed
along the transects should be identified and counted. Preferable habitats of
the insects such as watercourses, fishponds, and vegetated areas should be
observed with special attention. Nomenclature and protection status of the
species should be based on Lo et al. (2005) for butterflies and Tam et al.
(2011) for dragonflies
Monitoring
Frequency
9.32
Monitoring
surveys of ecological sensitive receivers such as mammals, insects (butterflies
and dragonflies), and herpetofauna should be undertaken on a monthly bases.
|
Date of Monitoring
surveys of ecological sensitive receivers: |
17th
, 23rd March 2022 |
Monitoring
Location
9.33
The
transect routes in the Reporting Month according to construction works are as
follows:
•
T1. Ma Tso Lung
riparian zone and associated wetland habitats;
•
T1. Green belt
areas E1-8, D1-8 and G1-3 in KTN NDA;
•
T1. AGR one C2-4
and C2-2 in KTN NDA;
•
T1. Area north of
Ng Tung River;
•
T3. Area west of
Siu Hang San Tsuen Stream
•
T4. South side
of Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road in the
vicinity of Pak Shek Au;
•
T5. Area west
and east of the southern limit of the FLN NDA work area; and
•
T6. Areas in the
western part of KTN
9.34 The location of Transects is shown
in Figure 11 for reference.
Monitoring
Parameters
9.35
The
monitoring parameters and survey methodology for each transect are described
below:-
•
Species
composition
•
Abundance
•
Distribution
for fauna observed
•
Species of conservation
significance would be specified
Monitoring
Result
Mammal
9.36
During the
survey, a total of 3 mammal species were recorded from transects T1, T3, T4, T5
and T6. A total of 1 species of conservation importance was recorded, namely bat Pipistrellus abramus.
9.37
Domestic cat, Felis catus was
found at T1. Domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris, was found at T1 and T4, where associated
with human settlements.
9.38
Echolocation
calls of bats were recorded with a bat detector. The bat detector would list
out possible bat species having similar echolocation calls in pattern and
frequency. The structure of the echolocation calls from the recordings was
later analysed to identify species as far as possible
(the lack of literature on echolocation call structure makes the field
identification of some bat species in Hong Kong difficult, and some species
could only be identified to genus level, or remain unidentified from the
recordings).
9.39
Identification
of bat species encountered in the surveys was made with consideration to the
possible bat species suggested by the bat detector, the distribution of the
suggested bat species in Hong Kong, previous records of bat species in the EIA
Report and Baseline Monitoring Report, and the structure of echolocation calls
of the recordings (including call structure, frequency, duration, inter pulse
interval etc., with reference to relevant literatures).
9.40
Pipistrellus abramus was recorded with FM/QCF call structure and frequency around 45 kHz to
68 kHz (Ma et al., 2010, p.319). The above characteristics were further
compared with data from relevant literatures to confirm the identities.
References were also made to Tong (2016).
9.41
Bat species, Pipistrellus
abramus was recorded in flight at nighttime at all of the transects.
Herpetofauna (Amphibians and Reptiles)
9.42
Along the
transects, a total of 5 herpetofauna species were observed. No species of
conservation importance were recorded. Species including toads and geckos were recorded
near wetland habitats and watercourse. Transect T5 had higher species diversity
than other transects.
Insects (Butterfly and Dragonfly)
9.43 During the insect survey, a total of 17 butterfly
species and 2 odonata species were recorded from the
transects, with all butterfly species being common or very common, except an
uncommon species with conservational interest recorded at T5, Charaxes marmax.
Transects T4 and T5 had higher butterfly species diversity than other
transects.
9.44 Adverse weather condition including heavy rain and
sudden drop in temperature during the survey of T1 & T6 on 23rd
March 2022 might have led to the difference in recorded species diversity at T1
& T6 compared to other transects.
9.45 The 2 species of odonata
recorded this month were both recorded at T5. Neither of the species were of
particular conservation importance.
9.46 Ecological sensitive receivers such
as mammals, insects (butterflies and dragonflies), and herpetofauna monitoring
in construction phase was conducted during the reporting month and the results
are attached in Appendix L4 to L7.
9.47 Since activities of odonata can fluctuates with environmental conditions, in
addition to potential effects of surrounding human activities and alteration to
their natural habitat (vegetative clearance and construction works outside of
the projects observed at various transect), more attention should be paid to
future monitoring results, potential sources of disturbance and other relevant
ecological data.
9.48 For the monitoring conducted on 17th
March 2022 on Transect T/5, a section of the transect route was found located
within private property, and was not accessible. Another section on transect T5
was found blocked by new accumulation of fallen trees. The inaccessible part
are shown in Photo 1 and Photo 2 below. The adjusted accessible
transect route is shown in Figure 11.
|
|
|
|
Photo
1. Inaccessible part of transect T5 located within private property. |
Photo 2. Inaccessible part of
transect T5 blocked by the fallen trees. |
Results and Observation
Details of the Influencing Factors
Major Activities
9.49
During the survey
of Monitoring of Measures to Minimise Disturbance to
Water Birds in Sheung Yue River and Long Valley, anthropogenic activities
including soil turning with excavator and other construction activities were
observed in Long Valley. Construction works were observed beside Sheung Yue
River.
9.50
The
anthropogenic activities affected only a small area of habitat in Long Valley
during the monitoring and would only pose minor disturbances to the birds. Acridotheres cristatellus
and Bubulcus coromandus were observed foraging near
the excavators.
9.51
During the
survey of Monitoring of Measures to Minimise
Disturbance to Water Birds in Ng Tung River, anthropogenic activities including
construction works beside T2, recreational usage of remote control boats and
helicopters at both T1 and T2, and recreational fishing by fishing rod at both
T1 and T2 were observed.
9.52
During the
survey of Monitoring of Measures to Minimise Impacts
on Ecological Sensitive Habitats from Disturbance and Pollution, construction
activities NOT under this project were observed at T3 and T5. Dust plumes and
considerable alteration of vegetative habitat were observed as a result of
these activities.
Weather Conditions
9.53 According to the observation during
survey, temperature and the rain flow record in the Reporting Month (Reference:
http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/pastwx/metob202203.htm), weather condition
might pose influence towards the monitoring result.
The detailed Ecological monitoring results are attached in Appendix L.
Reference
Ma, J., Jones, G., Zhu, G. J., & Metzner, W. (2010). Echolocation behaviours
of the Japanese pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus abramus
during foraging flight. Acta Theriologica, 55(4),
315-332.
Tong, C. F. (2016).
Distribution and preference of landscape features and foraging sites of
insectivorous bats in Hong Kong urban parks. (Master dissertation)