About This Project
This research project "Terrestrial Vegetated Ecosystems in Lantau Island" is led by the research team from the Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and funded by the Lantau Conservation Fund (the LCF) from the Sustainable Lantau Office (the SLO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department of the HKSAR Government. The project period will cover from 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2027.
Lantau Conservation Fund
The Government announced in the 2018 Policy Address to set up a $1 billion Lantau Conservation Fund (LCF) to promote conservation of Lantau, and to pursue minor local improvement works in villages and communities in support of conservation initiatives.
The LCF will support projects that would contribute to the overall conservation of Lantau, raise community awareness on the conservation of Lantau, and engage the community to put conservation into practice, with a view to fostering a quality living environment for the current generation and beyond.
For more detailed information, you may click below to access the homepage of the LCF.
Research Background
Terrestrial vegetated ecosystems (e.g. forests, shrublands, grasslands, etc.) are some of the most promising nature-based climate solution owing to their considerable areal coverage and high rates of carbon dioxide update. Yet, there is at present a paucity of local field studies quantifying the magnitude and controlling factors of carbon storage and sequestration in the terrestrial ecosystems in Hong Kong. Moreover, the effect of ecological succession over time on the carbon sequestration potential of terrestrial forests is poorly understood.
Key Objectives
Quantify the amount of carbon storage in the vegetation and soils in various types of terrestrial vegetated ecosystems on Lantau Island, including forests, shrublands, and grasslands
Determine the magnitude of carbon storage in different types of terrestrial forests, including Fung Shui forests, lowland secondary forests, montane forests, and plantations
Examine the influence of ecological succession and stand age on the magnitude of carbon storage and sequestration by terrestrial forests
Estimate the total carbon storage in the vegetation and soils of all terrestrial vegetated ecosystems across the whole Lantau Island
Our Fieldwork
- Measure the height and diameter at breast height of trees
- Collect aboveground biomass samples of woody and non-woody plants
- Collect soil core samples
Public Participation and
Engagement Activities
- Share scientific knowledge on our Facebook Page and Project webpage
- Organize public seminars and exhibitions
- Launch a citizen scientist programme
- Distribute informational pamphlets