Nature and biodiversity Hong Kong

Woodlands

Hong Kong’s green hills have different histories. Naturally regenerating woodland and planted forest can develop different mixes of trees. A 2021 study compared their recovery and biodiversity; a green patch on a map should not be read as one uniform habitat.

Nichol & Abbas · 2021 · CC BY 4.0

Coral communities

Corals are animals. In Hong Kong, communities attach to coastal rock rather than forming extensive tropical reefs. Eastern waters generally support richer coral growth than the more turbid Pearl River estuary; avoid standing on or touching colonies.

Mangroves

Mangroves occupy the sheltered intertidal shore. Roots, mud and tidal channels provide shelter for juvenile marine life. Lai Chi Wo’s mangroves connect with nearby seagrass; walking across exposed ground can disturb the habitat.

Seagrass beds

Seagrasses are flowering plants, unlike seaweeds. Their shallow coastal beds provide shelter and feeding habitat. At Lai Chi Wo they sit beside mangroves, linking habitats across the shore; a low tide does not make the bed a walking route.

Estuarine waters

The Pearl River changes salinity, sediment and food availability in western waters. This helps explain dolphin habitat around Lantau. Dolphins and finless porpoises are wild animals; protected waters do not guarantee encounters.

Freshwater habitats

Freshwater connects hillsides, streams and wetlands. Amphibians and dragonflies use these environments, but their life cycles and habitat needs differ. Use the checklist to identify names and taxonomy; it does not locate a species at a particular stream.