綠惜地球 植林優化計劃

The Green Earth - Plantation Enrichment Programme

綠惜地球
植林優化計劃

The Green Earth - Plantation Enrichment Programme

About PEP

簡介

About PEP

Woodlands were largely destroyed in World War II. The Hong Kong government has invested a lot of resources in massive afforestation work to restore barren hillsides and eroded slopes. Most areas were seriously eroded and due to the relatively higher adaptability of exotic tree species, they were strategically chosen to plant as pioneer trees to help land rehabilitation and soil erosion control. Before the 80s, exotic tree species such as Acacia confusa, Lophostemon confertus, Pinus elliottii were widely planted in local afforestation projects.

Though exotic tree species have had good performance in controlling soil erosion in the past, these woodlands are now facing with many problems such as aging, lack of growing space, low habitat diversity and species biodiversity, etc. Some of these exotic tree communities are even exclusive in nature. It is difficult for other tree species to grow underneath by natural succession, making rather slow natural regeneration of native plants.

In order to enhance the ecological values of these plantations, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched a programme named “Country Parks Plantation Enrichment Programme (PEP)” in 2009. Major measures include thinning of aging exotic tree species (such as Acacia confusa, Melaleuca cajuputi and Eucalyptus, etc) planting of native tree seedlings and post-planting maintenance. The Green Earth has started participating in the programme from Dec 2016 and gathering public efforts to build native tree woodland together. Through planting native tree seedlings in the existing woodlands, the programme aims to increase biodiversity and ecological values of plantations in country parks.

About PEP

Woodlands were largely destroyed in World War II. The Hong Kong government has invested a lot of resources in massive afforestation work to restore barren hillsides and eroded slopes. Most areas were seriously eroded and due to the relatively higher adaptability of exotic tree species, they were strategically chosen to plant as pioneer trees to help land rehabilitation and soil erosion control. Before the 80s, exotic tree species such as Acacia confusa, Lophostemon confertus, Pinus elliottii were widely planted in local afforestation projects.

Though exotic tree species have had good performance in controlling soil erosion in the past, these woodlands are now facing with many problems such as aging, lack of growing space, low habitat diversity and species biodiversity, etc. Some of these exotic tree communities are even exclusive in nature. It is difficult for other tree species to grow underneath by natural succession, making rather slow natural regeneration of native plants.

In order to enhance the ecological values of these plantations, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched a programme named “Country Parks Plantation Enrichment Programme (PEP)” in 2009. Major measures include thinning of aging exotic tree species (such as Acacia confusa, Melaleuca cajuputi and Eucalyptus, etc) planting of native tree seedlings and post-planting maintenance. The Green Earth has started participating in the programme from Dec 2016 and gathering public efforts to build native tree woodland together. Through planting native tree seedlings in the existing woodlands, the programme aims to increase biodiversity and ecological values of plantations in country parks.

Coordinator

TGE

Supported by

pep-afcd

Sponsors

PEP Website Logo

Story of Our Woodlands


Story of Our Woodlands

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Site 6 (TGE/2017-2021)

Vegetation was ruined by hillfire in 1999. Restoration plantation was carried out in 2000 to 2001. 20,000 seedlings were planted, in which around 35% were local species. After 17 years, Acacia confusa and Casuarina equisetifolia are now the dominant species in the woodland.

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Site 7 (TGE/2017-2021)

It is located next to South East New Territory landfill. The government has established the woodland with mainly Acacia confusa as a natural barrier. Another public plantation project was carried out in 2004. 10,000 seedlings were planted in which 60% were local species. As constantly affected by sea breeze, exotic trees performed better than native species. Acacia confusa has therefore become the dominant species.

Site 7 (TGE/2017-2021)

It is located next to South East New Territory landfill. The government has established the woodland with mainly Acacia confusa as a natural barrier. Another public plantation project was carried out in 2004. 10,000 seedlings were planted in which 60% were local species. As constantly affected by sea breeze, exotic trees performed better than native species. Acacia confusa has therefore become the dominant species.

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Site 7 (TGE/2018-2022)

It is located at mountainside of High Junk Peak, one of the three sharp peaks at Sai Kung. The existing woodland was established in around beginning of Millennium, formed by mainly Acacia confusa and Acacia auriculiformis, as well as Eucalyptus and Casuarina equisetifolia. Barbed climbers growing underneath and gravels on top soil increase the difficulty of tree-planting.

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Site 2 (TGE/2019-2023)

It is located in Shek Lung Kung, on Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail. Standing in front of the woodland, one can enjoy a panoramic view covering the whole Tsuen Wan district and 3 main bridges in Hong Kong (Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge and Stonecutters’ Bridge). Before we introduced new local trees, Acacia confusa, A. auriculiformis and Casuarina equisetifolia were dominant species in this woodland. It is also home of wild cattle. Special attention was made when we selected seedling species as naughty cattle may eat all the seedlings.

Site 2 (TGE/2019-2023)

It is located in Shek Lung Kung, on Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail. Standing in front of the woodland, one can enjoy a panoramic view covering the whole Tsuen Wan district and 3 main bridges in Hong Kong (Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge and Stonecutters’ Bridge). Before we introduced new local trees, Acacia confusa, A. auriculiformis and Casuarina equisetifolia were dominant species in this woodland. It is also home of wild cattle. Special attention was made when we selected seedling species as naughty cattle may eat all the seedlings.

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Site 7 (TGE/2019-2023)

This is TGE’s fourth PEP planting site on the Junk Peak Country Trail. As half of the woodland area is located at a steep slope, exotic species with strong adaptability like Acacia mangium and A. auriculiformis were selected when the woodland was established in around 2003. However these exotic trees have grown so fast and blocked the sunlight reaching understory of the woodland. Large amount of leaf litters underneath further slowed down the process of ecological succession. There is a need for us to introduce local plant seedlings.

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Site 12 (TGE/2020-2024)

This woodland is located near MacLehose Trail section 133, Shing Mun Country Park. Half of the trees in the woodland now were Acacia confusa which have been planted since around 2001. But they were found feeble after extraordinary weather events including frost and freezing rains as well as super typhoon Mangkhut. Planting more native plant species can revitalize the woodland and provide a wider variety of flowers and fruits, enhancing the biodiversity of this woodland.

Site 12 (TGE/2020-2024)

This woodland is located near MacLehose Trail section 133, Shing Mun Country Park. Half of the trees in the woodland now were Acacia confusa which have been planted since around 2001. But they were found feeble after extraordinary weather events including frost and freezing rains as well as super typhoon Mangkhut. Planting more native plant species can revitalize the woodland and provide a wider variety of flowers and fruits, enhancing the biodiversity of this woodland.

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Site 2 (TGE/2021-2025)

A Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus) woodland has established 32 years ago at Yuen Tun, Tai Lam Country Park. According to hill fire record, at least two fire incidents (1990 and 2014) happened at this location. Some of the Brisbane boxes were so tough and regrew by epicormic shoots. Yet, these shoots are usually weaker to withstand gales.

 

Another result of hill fire was that the underneath was conquered by thickets of weeds (mainly Dicranopteris pedata and Lepidosperma chinense in this site). They have made native species hard to thrive. This five-year programme aims to plant native trees here, so as to enhance woodland biodiversity.

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Site 3 & 4 (TGE/2022-2026)

These two adjacent planting sites are located at Yuen Tun Country Trail of Tai Lam Country Park. The woodlands were established more than 30 years ago and grown with mainly exotic species like Brisbane Box (Lophostemon confertus). It is observed that some of the trees were damaged by hill fire in the past. Although some of them have survived, the regenerated and thinner branches are less resistant to strong wind. The underneath area also has a thick layer of weeds (mostly Dicranopteris pedata), which makes local plants harder to come in and thrive. However, what has made us feel excited is traces of wild animals were found during our site preparation work. By introducing more local plant species to the woodlands in the coming five years, we aim to produce a wider variety of food sources to attract more wildlife and the place may become their habitat.

Site 3 & 4 (TGE/2022-2026)

These two adjacent planting sites are located at Yuen Tun Country Trail of Tai Lam Country Park. The woodlands were established more than 30 years ago and grown with mainly exotic species like Brisbane Box (Lophostemon confertus). It is observed that some of the trees were damaged by hill fire in the past. Although some of them have survived, the regenerated and thinner branches are less resistant to strong wind. The underneath area also has a thick layer of weeds (mostly Dicranopteris pedata), which makes local plants harder to come in and thrive. However, what has made us feel excited is traces of wild animals were found during our site preparation work. By introducing more local plant species to the woodlands in the coming five years, we aim to produce a wider variety of food sources to attract more wildlife and the place may become their habitat.

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planting
planting

How to convert the woodlands?

1. Divide the woodland into many study quadrats

2. Strategically remove exotic tree species within the designated quadrats

3. Replace with native tree species

4. Annual growth check and tree-care maintenance (like weeding and adding fertilizer)

5. Conduct ecological survey regularly

 

The process will take at least 5 years.

 

Different from normal tree-planting activity, all PEP procedures are conducted in existing woodlands. It will be a new experience to most members of the public.

How to convert the woodlands?

1. Divide the woodland into many study quadrats

2. Strategically remove exotic tree species within the designated quadrats

3. Replace with native tree species

4. Annual growth check and tree-care maintenance (like weeding and adding fertilizer)

5. Conduct ecological survey regularly

 

The process will take at least 5 years.

 

Different from normal tree-planting activity, all PEP procedures are conducted in existing woodlands. It will be a new experience to most members of the public.

Story of woodlands in Hong Kong

We have worked with Bupa Hong Kong, designed and published the virtual One Health Woodland. Please "come in" and get to know more about how to make our forests sustainable and flourishing again.

Native Tree Species

Native Tree Species

 

English Common Name Scientific Name
Hilo Holly Ardisia crenata
Pop-gun Seed, Pikpoktai Bridelia tomentosa
Caduous-petal Camellia Camellia kissii
Tea Camellia sinensis
Camphor Tree Cinnamomum camphora
Yellow Cinnamomum Cinnamomum parthenoxylon
Lidded Cleistocalyx Cleistocalyx nervosum
- Daphniphyllum calycinum
- Daphniphyllum oldhamii
Chinese Eurya Eurya chinensis
Lingnan Garcinia Garcinia oblongifolia
Cape Jasmine Gardenia jasminoides
Rough-leaved Holly Ilex asprella
Small-fruited Holly, Chinese Holly Ilex rotunda Thunb. var. microcarpa
Small-leaved Holly Ilex viridis
Sweet Gum Liquidambar formosana
Harland's Tanbark Lithocarpus harlandii
Fragrant Litsea Litsea cubeba
Short-flowered Machilus Machilus breviflora
Chekiang Machilus Machilus chekiangensis
Many-nerved Machilus Machilus pauhoi
Strawberry Tree, Yang Mei Morella rubra
Emarginate-leaved Ormosia, Shrubby Ormosia Ormosia emarginata
Hong Kong Gordonia, Gordonia Polyspora axillaris
Karnikar, Heterophyllous Winged-seed Tree Pterospermum heterophyllum
Callery Pear Pyrus calleryana
Reevesia, Buch-like Reevesia Reevesia thyrsoidea
Hong Kong Hawthorn Rhaphiolepis indica
Rhodoleia Rhodoleia championii
Mountain Tallow Tree Sapium discolor
Ivy Tree Schefflera heptaphylla
Schima, Chinese Gugertree Schima superba
Chinese Sloanea Sloanea sinensis
Hance's Syzygium Syzygium hancei
Melia-leaved Evodia Tetradium glabrifolium
Sweet Viburnum Viburnum odoratissimum
English Common Name Scientific Name
Hilo Holly Ardisia crenata
Pop-gun Seed, Pikpoktai Bridelia tomentosa
Caduous-petal Camellia Camellia kissii
Tea Camellia sinensis
Camphor Tree Cinnamomum camphora
Yellow Cinnamomum Cinnamomum parthenoxylon
Lidded Cleistocalyx Cleistocalyx nervosum
- Daphniphyllum calycinum
- Daphniphyllum oldhamii
Chinese Eurya Eurya chinensis
Lingnan Garcinia Garcinia oblongifolia
Cape Jasmine Gardenia jasminoides
Rough-leaved Holly Ilex asprella
Small-fruited Holly, Chinese Holly Ilex rotunda Thunb. var. microcarpa
Small-leaved Holly Ilex viridis
Sweet Gum Liquidambar formosana
Harland's Tanbark Lithocarpus harlandii
Fragrant Litsea Litsea cubeba
Short-flowered Machilus Machilus breviflora
Chekiang Machilus Machilus chekiangensis
Many-nerved Machilus Machilus pauhoi
Strawberry Tree, Yang Mei Morella rubra
Emarginate-leaved Ormosia, Shrubby Ormosia Ormosia emarginata
Hong Kong Gordonia, Gordonia Polyspora axillaris
Karnikar, Heterophyllous Winged-seed Tree Pterospermum heterophyllum
Callery Pear Pyrus calleryana
Reevesia, Buch-like Reevesia Reevesia thyrsoidea
Hong Kong Hawthorn Rhaphiolepis indica
Rhodoleia Rhodoleia championii
Mountain Tallow Tree Sapium discolor
Ivy Tree Schefflera heptaphylla
Schima, Chinese Gugertree Schima superba
Chinese Sloanea Sloanea sinensis
Hance's Syzygium Syzygium hancei
Melia-leaved Evodia Tetradium glabrifolium
Sweet Viburnum Viburnum odoratissimum

How you can participate?

How you can participate?

Join as a volunteer

Please register as TGE volunteer


Join as a volunteer

Please register as TGE volunteer


Corporate support

Please call 37088380 or email to [email protected]


Corporate support

Please call 37088380 or email to [email protected]


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