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In the current protected area system, 40% of Hong Kong has been designated as Country Parks.
Despite this fact, the wetlands have yet to receive adequate protection, causing them to be vulnerable
to pervasive human activities such as waste disposal and port construction.
To begin with, wetlands provide water quality improvement, flood protection and shoreline erosion
control via their hydrological interactions with the environment. Wetlands function as natural sponges
that retain and slowly release surface water, groundwater, rain and floodwaters. Meanwhile, wetlands
Improving Hong Kong: Volume 7, Autumn 2010 p22
also filter surface water runoff and retain excess nutrients, pollutants and suspended sediments. In
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addition, mangroves protect shorelines against erosion by buffering the storm surges from typhoons .
In addition, wetlands provide various recreational and educational opportunities for people to have a
better understanding of the environment. For instance, Hong Kong Wetland Park, comprising a 60-
hectare wetland reserve and a 10,000 square meter visitor center, functions in conservation, promotes
education and ecotourism, and provides integral facilities including galleries, theaters and resource
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centers to convey wetland conservation messages .
Prior to any management and planning strategy, comprehensive studies should be conducted to
investigate the ecology of the remaining wetlands, such as distribution, status and conservation value.
Different wetlands may have different ecological characteristics, thus they usually require different
management and protection strategies. On the one hand, wetlands of high conservation value require
vigorous protection. Designation and legislation of these wetlands as natural reserves, protected sites
or equivalents are essential to maintain their physical, chemical and ecological functions. Any
hydrological alternation, pollution input and vegetation damage should be strictly prohibited in these
Improving Hong Kong: Volume 7, Autumn 2010 p23
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areas . On the other hand, wetlands of high commercial or industrial value require sustainable
development of the environment and the local industry. Impact of any infra-structural developments in
such areas must be thoroughly assessed through detailed environmental impact assessments, and
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adequate mitigation measures must be provided .
The success of the above protection methods depends largely on the publics understanding and
support. A wide variety of education, outreach, and training programs are needed to motivate people
to take action and raise awareness of the importance of wetlands to the environment. The improved
public awareness can encourage the cooperation of various sectors to protect the wetlands in Hong
Kong. Wetland protection is currently of great urgency and calls for cooperation of all sectors in the
local community of Hong Kong.
References
1. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. What are wetlands. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
[online] 2009. Available from: http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-about-faqs-what-are-
wetlands/main/ramsar/1-36-37%5E7713_4000_0__. Accessed 2010 March 3.
2. Hong Kong Wetland Park. Factsheets. Hong Kong Wetland Park [online] 2009. Available
from: http://www.wetlandpark.com/en/download/booklets_education_factsheets.asp. Accessed 2010
March 3.
3. Dudgeon D and Corlett R. The Ecology and Biodiversity of Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Joint
Publishing; 2004. 336 p.
4. Tam NFY and Wong YS. Conservation and sustainable exploitation of mangroves in Hong Kong.
Trees 2001; 16:224229.
5. Ornes H. Wetland. The Digital Universe, Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for
Science and the Environment [online] 2008. In: Cleveland CJ, editor. Encyclopedia of Earth.
Available from: http://www.eoearth.org/article/Wetland. Accessed 2010 March 3.
6. Tsui HW. Wetland restoration and port back-up facilities in Kam Tin [Thesis]. Hong Kong:
Univeristy of Hong Kong; 2009. Available from: The University of Hong Kong Libraries. 142 p.
7. Wong S. A critical review of wetland protection in Hong Kong [Thesis]. Hong Kong: Univeristy of
Hong Kong; 2001. Available from: The University of Hong Kong Libraries. 86 p.