9
ECOLOGICAL MONITORING
Monitoring
Requirements and Protocol
9.1
As
required under Section 12.3.2.5 of the 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 is 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 the methodology
specified in Table 12.1 in the Updated EM&A Manual.
9.3
Monitoring
in Long Valley followed the methodology adopted by the
regular HKBWS bird monitoring programme in order to obtain comparable results and a complete
coverage of the area in the shortest possible time.
Monitoring
Frequency
9.4
High
tide and low tide avifauna monitoring was required to be carried out on a
weekly basis. Additional
night-time avifauna monitoring in Long Valley was required to be carried out twice
monthly from September to April.
|
Date
of avifauna monitoring: |
4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 21, 27 and 28 December 2023 |
|
Date of night-time monitoring: |
11 and 18 December 2023 |
Monitoring
Location
9.5
The
avifauna monitoring was carried out at Ng Tung River, Sheung Yue River and Long
Valley in the reporting
month according to the construction programme.
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
9.6
As
the sensitive receivers (large waterbirds) were easily visible, the transect
route only needed to follow one bank of the rivers.
9.7
The location of
Transects T1, T2, T3 and T5 is shown in Figure
9 for reference.
Monitoring
Parameters
9.8
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 were marked as “heard”, while birds flying over the survey area were
marked as “flight”. Species of conservation significance were specified.
9.9
Other
information at the time of survey such as weather condition, tidal condition,
tide level and noticeable natural or anthropogenic activities were documented.
9.10 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
Results
9.11
In total, 78
species of birds were recorded during the bird surveys within assessment area.
Among the recorded birds, there were 31 species of waterbirds. The detailed
list of waterbirds and all recorded birds are shown in Appendices L1m and L1n respectively.
9.12
Among the four
transects, 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.
9.13
Along transect
T5 in Long Valley, species with conservation interest such as Himantopus himantopus, which is a passage migrant, was
commonly observed in shallow water habitats.
9.14
Construction works were observed in T5 in
the reporting month.
9.15
Transect T3 was
conducted along 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.
9.16
Transects 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. Potential
anthropogenic sources of disturbance observed along T1 and T2 including the usage
of remote control boats.
9.17
Avifauna
monitoring in construction phase was conducted during the reporting month and
the detailed results are attached in Appendix
L1.
9.18 Table 9.1 summarises the avifauna monitoring
results during the reporting month.
Table 9.1 Summary
Table of Avifauna Monitoring Results to Corresponding Action and Limit Levels.
|
Monitoring Parameter |
Result
in Reporting Month |
Baseline
Level in Corresponding Month |
Action
Level |
Limit
Level |
|
Mean abundance of large water birds* using Ng Tung River,
Sheung Yue River and Shek Sheung River |
57 |
34 |
24 |
17 |
|
Mean abundance of Ardeola
bacchus using Ng Tung River, Sheung Yue River
and Shek Sheung River |
14.5 |
11 |
7 |
5 |
|
Mean Abundance of Bird recorded in LVNP |
1438.5 |
901 |
631 |
451 |
|
Mean Abundance of Ardeola bacchus recorded in LVNP |
21 |
15 |
11 |
8 |
|
Environmental disturbance and damage from activities in
LVNP |
- |
- |
Activity
likely to cause unacceptable environmental disturbance or damage noted in
LVNP. |
Activity
causing unacceptable environmental disturbance or damage noted in LVNP. |
|
*Note Large Waterbirds includes: Ardea alba, Ardea cinerea, Egretta eulophotes,
Egretta garzetta, Ardea intermedia and Phalacrocorax carbo |
||||
9.19 No
Action or Limit Level exceedance in avifauna monitoring was recorded during the
reporting month.
Monitoring
Requirements and Protocol
9.20 As required under Section 12.3.2.14
of the Updated
EM&A Manual, aquatic faunal monitoring should be carried out during the
construction phase.
9.21 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
9.22 Quantitative aquatic
fauna replicate surveys of stream fauna was required to be carried out on a monthly basis only during wet season. Three replicates
for invertebrates sampling and direct counting of fish fauna should be performed
respectively.
Monitoring
Location
9.23
During
wet season, the monitoring locations required to be carried out in Ma
Tso Lung Stream 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 |
9.24 The location of monitoring
stations
is shown
in Figure 10 for reference.
Monitoring
Parameters
9.25
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
9.26 Other information at the time of
survey such as weather conditions and noticeable natural or
anthropogenic activities were recorded.
Monitoring
Status
9.27
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
9.28 As required under Section 12.3.2.17
of the Updated
EM&A Manual, monitoring of measures to minimise impacts should be carried out
during the construction phase.
9.29 The purpose of survey is to monitor
the effectiveness of measures to minimise impacts on ecologically sensitive
habitats from disturbance and pollution by standard faunal transect surveys.
Mammal survey
9.30 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.
9.31 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)
9.32 Both day-time and night-time amphibian
surveys should be conducted whenever possible 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.
9.33 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)
9.34 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
9.35
Monitoring
surveys of ecological sensitive receivers such as mammals, insects (butterflies
and dragonflies), and herpetofauna was undertaken on a monthly
bases.
|
Date of monitoring
surveys of ecological sensitive receivers: |
5, 12
December 2023 |
Monitoring
Location
9.36
The
transect routes in the reporting month according to the 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.
9.37 The location of Transects is shown
in Figure 11 for reference.
Monitoring
Parameters
9.38
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
Results
Mammal
9.39
During the survey, a total of 5 mammal species were recorded from
transects. Two (2) species of conservation importance were recorded, namely Callosciurus erythraeus and
Pipistrellus abramus.
9.40
Domestic dogs, Canis lupus familiaris,
were commonly found at transect T3, T4, T5 and T6, where associated with human
settlements, whilst domestic cats, Felis
catus, was found at T1.
9.41
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).
9.42
Identification
of bat species encountered in the surveys was made with consideration of the
possible bat species suggested by the bat detector, the distribution of
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).
9.43
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).
9.44
Bat species, Pipistrellus
abramus were recorded in flight at nighttime at transect
T1, T4, T5 and T6.
Herpetofauna (Amphibians and Reptiles)
9.45
Among the transects,
a total of 9 herpetofauna species were observed. Species including toads,
frogs, skinks and geckos were recorded near wetland
habitats and watercourse. Transects T5 had the highest species diversity among
all transects.
Insects (Butterfly and Dragonfly)
9.46 During the insect survey, a total of 58 butterfly
species were recorded from transects. Eight (8) species of butterfly recorded
was of particular conservation interest, namely Catochrysops
Strabo, Charaxes marmax, Hasora badra, Horaga
onyx, Jamides alecto, Jamides celeno, Pieris rapae, and Zizula hylax. Transect T5 had recorded the highest butterfly
diversity among all transects.
9.47 10 species of odonata
were recorded in the reporting month. Transect T1 had recorded the highest
odonatan diversity among all transect.
9.48 Ecological sensitive receivers such
as mammals, insects (butterflies and dragonflies), and herpetofauna monitoring during
construction phase was conducted in the reporting month and the results
are attached in Appendices
L2 to L5.
9.49 Table 9.4 summarises the mammal monitoring
results during the reporting month.
Table 9.4 Summary
Table of Mammal Monitoring Results to Corresponding Action and Limit Levels.
|
Number of Native Species Recorded in each
transect |
Result
in Reporting Month |
Baseline
Level in Corresponding Month |
Action
Level |
Limit
Level |
|
T1 |
1 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
|
T3 |
0 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
|
T4 |
1 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
|
T5 |
2 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
|
T6 |
1 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
9.50 Table 9.5 summarises the herpetofauna
monitoring results during the reporting month.
Table 9.5 Summary
Table of Herpetofauna Monitoring Results to Corresponding Action and Limit
Levels.
|
Number of Native Species Recorded in each
transect |
Result
in Reporting Month |
Baseline
Level in Corresponding Month |
Action
Level |
Limit
Level |
|
T1 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
T3 |
1 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
|
T4 |
0 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
|
T5 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
T6 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
9.51 Table 9.6 summarises the butterfly monitoring
results during the reporting month.
Table 9.6 Summary
Table of Butterfly Monitoring Results to Corresponding Action and Limit Levels.
|
Number of Species Recorded in each transect |
Result
in Reporting Month |
Baseline
Level in Corresponding Month |
Action
Level |
Limit
Level |
|
T1 |
26 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
|
T3 |
17 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
|
T4 |
24 |
2 |
NA |
1 |
|
T5 |
35 |
2 |
NA |
1 |
|
T6 |
16 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
9.52 Table 9.7 summarises the odonata
monitoring results during the reporting month.
Table 9.7 Summary Table of Odonata
Monitoring Results to Corresponding Action and Limit Levels.
|
Number of Native Species Recorded in each
transect |
Result
in Reporting Month |
Baseline
Level in Corresponding Month |
Action
Level |
Limit
Level |
|
T1 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
T3 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
T4 |
2 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
|
T5 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
T6 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
9.53 Two (2) Action Level exceedances and
two (2) Limit Level exceedance was recorded in non-aquatic fauna monitoring
during the reporting month.
9.54 For the monitoring conducted on 12 December
2023 at
Transect T5, a section of the transect route was found located within a private
property and hence not
accessible. The inaccessible part are shown in Photo 1 below. The adjusted accessible
transect route is shown in Figure 11.
|
|
|
Photo
1. Inaccessible part of transect T5 located within a private property. |
Results and Observation
Action and Limit Level Exceedance
9.55 Two (2) action level exceedance and two
(2) limit level exceedance for non-aquatic fauna were recorded at T3 and T6.
The exceedances were considered non-project related.
9.56 Large proportion of vegetative
habitat along T3 (including some shrubs, wood and tall
grass) were observed either removed, tarmacked, and concreted as haul road by
construction works outside of project, first reported in the Monthly Monitoring
Report in December 2021. The altered condition at transect might have been less
favourable to inhabitance of odonates,
as some species of these taxonomic groups prefers wet vegetated habitats that
provides shelters, as opposed to open and dry habitat
such as a tarmacked haul road. Previous odonate
monitoring results see a drop in odonate records
between summer of 2021 and 2022, during the period which construction
activities outside of project were observed.
9.57 Herpetofauna surveys at T6 were
mainly conducted by actively searching appropriate microhabitats such as
stones, pond bunds, crevices, and leaf litter/debris. Besides the active
searching, observations and noting down of exposed, basking, and foraging herpetofauna
were conducted. The result of herpetofauna monitoring at T6 in reporting month
also aligned with results in the previous year within the monitoring period,
suggesting that environmental factors taking place. Monitoring result will be
continuously reviewed for ongoing assessment.
9.58 For the transect of T3 & T6,
necessary Ecological mitigation measures were provided by all nearby project-related
sites. In addition, no exceedance in other environmental parameters was
recorded around 5th &12th December, suggesting that
it is unlikely that the exceedance recorded during ecological monitoring in T3
& T6 was project-related. No evidence to suggest that the exceedance was
related to project activities, as supported by environmental monitoring data.
Future results of these transects will be continuously reviewed.
Details of the Influencing Factors
Major Activities
9.59
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.
9.60
The
anthropogenic activities affected only a small area of the habitat in Long
Valley during monitoring and would only pose minor disturbances to the birds..
9.61
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.
9.62
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.
Weather Conditions
9.63 According to the observation during
survey, temperature and the rain flow records in the reporting month (Reference: http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/pastwx/metob202312.htm), weather conditions
might pose influence towards the monitoring results.
9.64 The detailed ecological
monitoring results are attached in Appendix
L.
References
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)