Biodiversity
Biological diversity
1. Current amount of biodiversity?
- number of described species ~1.5 millioin
- estimated number of species ~5 to 15 million
- well studied groups: mammals & birds
- underexplored groups: bacteria, fungi
- underexplored habitats: deep sea floor, tropical rain forests
2. Hong Kong’s biodiversity
3. How much biodiversity is being lost worldwide?
- hard to estimate but probably great
- major cause – disappearance of tropical rain forests
4. What are the causes of extinction/loss of biodiversity?
- habitat loss and degradation
- commercial hunting
- ivory trade
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora
(CITIES)
- HK legislation - The Animals & Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance
- cyanide & dynamite fishing in Asia Pacific Islands
- cyanide & dynamite fishing in Hong Kong
- Pollution
- Alien species
- ballast water
5. Hong Kong’s status
1. HK has high biodiversity
2. HK’s biodiversity is declining
3. much of HK’s biodiversity is in a small proportion of HK’s area
- Country Park + Special Area
- Marine parks
4. SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and CA (Conservation Area)
5. Fire & litter are major problems for biodiversity in Country Parks
- Forest & Countryside Ordinance
- Wild Animal Protection Ordinance
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