Tree Planting - 17/3/2007

Forest Succession

Succession ------------->

Disturbed - Land -----> Grassland -----> Shrubland -----> Broad-leaved secondary forest
Disturbance <-------------
Reforestation can occur naturally by ecological succession. Grasslands persist largely in areas that have been burned in the 5 - 10 years and graudually replaced by shrubland in the absence of fire.
However, hill fires retard the process of succession, thus the freguently burned areas are kept in the stage of grassland.
On favourable sites, native Machilus - dominated secondary forest, 10-15 m in height, can develop in 30-50 years after destruction, provided that there is no any other disturbance.
Forest succession is apparently much slower on sites, which are remote from treeseed sources or where the soil has been severely degraded.
The natural secondary forests in HOng Kong have developed since 1945.
There are some 400 native tree species in Hong Kong. The majority are confined to the upland remnant sites, which have not succeeded in invading secondary forests. Their seed dispersers have been wiped out in Hong Kong due to habitats destruction. Therefore, by planting native tree species that are not naturally well dispersed can enhance the diverity of our forests.
Above article is extracted from Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden printout.
Due to the heavy mist in the upper farm, The Tree Planting activity is changed into a Guided Tour in Lower farm.
Causes of Deforestation in Hong Kong : ????
Afforestation : coming soon