Misplaced Pages

#299700

58-528: Nam Sang Wai is a wetland area in San Tin , New Territories , Hong Kong to the north of Yuen Long . It is considered ecologically important, and serves as a stopping place for migratory birds. It is also a popular recreational destination, especially on weekends. Since the 1990s, various development proposals have been made at Nam Sang Wai by a consortium of Henderson Land and KHI Holdings Group. These plans have been challenged by environmentalists, politicians,

116-711: A sink or a source of carbon, depending on the specific wetland. If they function as a carbon sink, they can help with climate change mitigation . However, wetlands can also be a significant source of methane emissions due to anaerobic decomposition of soaked detritus , and some are also emitters of nitrous oxide . Humans are disturbing and damaging wetlands in many ways, including oil and gas extraction , building infrastructure, overgrazing of livestock , overfishing , alteration of wetlands including dredging and draining, nutrient pollution , and water pollution . Wetlands are more threatened by environmental degradation than any other ecosystem on Earth, according to

174-402: A frequency and duration to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally included swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.' For each of these definitions and others, regardless of the purpose, hydrology is emphasized (shallow waters, water-logged soils). The soil characteristics and

232-1248: A polar climate, wetland temperatures can be as low as −50 °C (−58 °F). Peatlands in arctic and subarctic regions insulate the permafrost , thus delaying or preventing its thawing during summer, as well as inducing its formation. The amount of precipitation a wetland receives varies widely according to its area. Wetlands in Wales , Scotland , and western Ireland typically receive about 1,500 mm (59 in) per year. In some places in Southeast Asia , where heavy rains occur, they can receive up to 10,000 mm (390 in). In some drier regions, wetlands exist where as little as 180 mm (7.1 in) precipitation occurs each year. Temporal variation: Surface flow may occur in some segments, with subsurface flow in other segments. Wetlands vary widely due to local and regional differences in topography , hydrology , vegetation , and other factors, including human involvement. Other important factors include fertility, natural disturbance, competition, herbivory , burial and salinity. When peat accumulates, bogs and fens arise. The most important factor producing wetlands

290-540: A portion of the overall water cycle, which also includes atmospheric water (precipitation) and groundwater . Many wetlands are directly linked to groundwater and they can be a crucial regulator of both the quantity and quality of water found below the ground. Wetlands that have permeable substrates like limestone or occur in areas with highly variable and fluctuating water tables have especially important roles in groundwater replenishment or water recharge. Substrates that are porous allow water to filter down through

348-423: A protective barrier to coastal shoreline. Mangroves stabilize the coastal zone from the interior and will migrate with the shoreline to remain adjacent to the boundary of the water. The main conservation benefit these systems have against storms and storm surges is the ability to reduce the speed and height of waves and floodwaters. WWF Hong Kong WWF Hong Kong ( WWF HK ) is the independent branch of

406-422: A strong influence on wetland water chemistry, particularly in coastal wetlands and in arid and semiarid regions with large precipitation deficits. Natural salinity is regulated by interactions between ground and surface water, which may be influenced by human activity. Carbon is the major nutrient cycled within wetlands. Most nutrients, such as sulfur , phosphorus , carbon , and nitrogen are found within

464-677: A two year global initiative in Education programmes, engaging youth with Connect with the nature platform, bringing educational resources to the professional teaching community and in interacting with schools in Hong Kong in the City Nature Challenge and in experiential learning visits to WWF outdoor centres at Hoi Har marine park, Island House Tai Po and Mai Po nature reserve. The online panda e academy has been launched in March 2020 in co-operation with

522-410: A unique kind of wetland where lush plant growth and slow decay of dead plants (under anoxic conditions) results in organic peat accumulating; bogs, fens, and mires are different names for peatlands. Variations of names for wetland systems: Some wetlands have localized names unique to a region such as the prairie potholes of North America's northern plain, pocosins , Carolina bays and baygalls of

580-546: A vehicular bridge spanning the Shan Pui River. It proposed compensatory measures in response to the ecological damage the proposal would inflict on the environment. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) responded that it considered "avoidance of any ecological impact as a priority ahead of compensation". It opposed the plans, stating that the development would "[encroach] on habitats of high ecological value". Likewise, WWF Hong Kong voiced opposition to

638-508: A wetland is "an ecosystem that arises when inundation by water produces soils dominated by anaerobic and aerobic processes, which, in turn, forces the biota, particularly rooted plants, to adapt to flooding". Sometimes a precise legal definition of a wetland is required. The definition used for regulation by the United States government is: 'The term "wetlands" means those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at

SECTION 10

#1732848255300

696-422: A wetland system includes its plants ( flora ) and animals ( fauna ) and microbes (bacteria, fungi). The most important factor is the wetland's duration of flooding. Other important factors include fertility and salinity of the water or soils. The chemistry of water flowing into wetlands depends on the source of water, the geological material that it flows through and the nutrients discharged from organic matter in

754-403: A wetland) affects hydro-periods (temporal fluctuations in water levels) by controlling the water balance and water storage within a wetland. Landscape characteristics control wetland hydrology and water chemistry. The O 2 and CO 2 concentrations of water depend upon temperature , atmospheric pressure and mixing with the air (from winds or water flows). Water chemistry within wetlands

812-558: A whole. To replace these wetland ecosystem services , enormous amounts of money would need to be spent on water purification plants, dams, levees, and other hard infrastructure, and many of the services are impossible to replace. Floodplains and closed-depression wetlands can provide the functions of storage reservoirs and flood protection. The wetland system of floodplains is formed from major rivers downstream from their headwaters . "The floodplains of major rivers act as natural storage reservoirs, enabling excess water to spread out over

870-577: A wide area, which reduces its depth and speed. Wetlands close to the headwaters of streams and rivers can slow down rainwater runoff and spring snowmelt so that it does not run straight off the land into water courses. This can help prevent sudden, damaging floods downstream." Notable river systems that produce wide floodplains include the Nile River , the Niger river inland delta, the Zambezi River flood plain,

928-607: Is considered to be a landmark case in the history of Hong Kong’s planning law regime, the Privy Council upheld the decision of the Town Planning Appeal Board approving development of a large scale residential, golf course, and nature reserve at Nam Sang Wai with conditions. The validity of planning permission was extended three times. In late 2010 a further extension was denied by the Town Planning Board. The area

986-440: Is determined by the pH , salinity , nutrients, conductivity , soil composition, hardness , and the sources of water. Water chemistry varies across landscapes and climatic regions. Wetlands are generally minerotrophic (waters contain dissolved materials from soils) with the exception of ombrotrophic bogs that are fed only by water from precipitation. Because bogs receive most of their water from precipitation and humidity from

1044-412: Is hydrology, or flooding . The duration of flooding or prolonged soil saturation by groundwater determines whether the resulting wetland has aquatic, marsh or swamp vegetation . Other important factors include soil fertility, natural disturbance, competition, herbivory , burial, and salinity. When peat from dead plants accumulates, bogs and fens develop. Wetland hydrology is associated with

1102-451: Is the only place in the world where both crocodiles and alligators coexist. The saltwater crocodile inhabits estuaries and mangroves. Snapping turtles also inhabit wetlands. Birds , particularly waterfowl and waders use wetlands extensively. Mammals of wetlands include numerous small and medium-sized species such as voles , bats , muskrats and platypus in addition to large herbivorous and apex predator species such as

1160-483: Is threatened by illegal logging and by fires (see below), on land owned by the Nam Sang Wai Development Company, that environmental advocates called "suspicious" and "professionally started". The area is popular for recreational cycling. A proposal was made for a cycle track loop, but this has not been built. Nam Sang Wai has been the subject of various residential development proposals. In 1992,

1218-545: Is usually saturated with water". More precisely, wetlands are areas where "water covers the soil , or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season". A patch of land that develops pools of water after a rain storm would not necessarily be considered a "wetland", even though the land is wet. Wetlands have unique characteristics: they are generally distinguished from other water bodies or landforms based on their water level and on

SECTION 20

#1732848255300

1276-1009: The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department , the World Wildlife Fund , the Conservancy Association , and the Town Planning Board . Nam Sang Wai covers a roughly triangular area. It is bordered by the Shan Pui River in the west, separating it from Yuen Long Industrial Estate , the Kam Tin River in the east and a branch of the Kam Tin River in the south. It is home to many birds, including seagulls , northern pintails ( Anas acuta ), yellow-nib ducks ( Anas zonorhyncha ) and black-faced spoonbills ( Platalea minor ). Flora includes reeds and mangroves . In what

1334-618: The Court of Final Appeal , which refused the request for appeal on 16 February 2017. KHI Holdings Group, which retains 50 per cent of the Nam Sang Wai Development Company Limited (NSWD), took over the role of project manager in 2011. They put forward a new proposal. The group has initiated the planning process under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance by submitting a project profile to

1392-654: The Mai Po Marshes nature reserve. The surveys have also incorporated citizen science participation, and using this approach to further monitor biodiversity across Hong Kong, WWF have incorporated iNaturalist and the City Nature Challenge into activities at their Mai Po and Hoi Ha Wan centres. Other Citizen Science activities they’ve helped coordinate  in Hong Kong include the ecological survey and impact of clam dogging in Shui Hau Lantau and looking at

1450-492: The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment from 2005. Methods exist for assessing wetland ecological health . These methods have contributed to wetland conservation by raising public awareness of the functions that wetlands can provide. Since 1971, work under an international treaty seeks to identify and protect " wetlands of international importance ." A simplified definition of wetland is "an area of land that

1508-666: The Pantanal in South America, and the Sundarbans in the Ganges - Brahmaputra delta. Wetlands contribute many ecosystem services that benefit people. These include for example water purification , stabilization of shorelines, storm protection and flood control . In addition, wetlands also process and condense carbon (in processes called carbon fixation and sequestration ), and other nutrients and water pollutants . Wetlands can act as

1566-575: The World Wide Fund for Nature in Hong Kong. It was established in December 1981 as World Wildlife Fund Hong Kong . Being a leading environmental organization in Hong Kong, WWF has teams working on key environmental issues, with a priority on Oceans and marine protected area designation, for 30% of Hong Kong’s waters to be protected by 2030 and active engagement with business and business leadership around Green Cities & Environmental Finance, through

1624-444: The atmosphere , their water usually has low mineral ionic composition. In contrast, wetlands fed by groundwater or tides have a higher concentration of dissolved nutrients and minerals. Fen peatlands receive water both from precipitation and ground water in varying amounts so their water chemistry ranges from acidic with low levels of dissolved minerals to alkaline with high accumulation of calcium and magnesium . Salinity has

1682-576: The beavers , coypu , swamp rabbit , Florida panther , jaguar , and moose . Wetlands attract many mammals due to abundant seeds, berries, and other vegetation as food for herbivores, as well as abundant populations of invertebrates, small reptiles and amphibians as prey for predators. Invertebrates of wetlands include aquatic insects such as dragonflies , aquatic bugs and beetles , midges, mosquitos , crustaceans such as crabs, crayfish, shrimps, microcrustaceans, mollusks like clams, mussels, snails and worms. Invertebrates comprise more than half of

1740-490: The Environmental Protection Department and applying for a study brief. The NSWD recently launched a website detailing their plans for development. After the second proposal was rejected, the developer put forward a new proposal, consisting of 28 high-rises (ranging in height from 19 to 25 storeys) and 140 houses to accommodate approximately 6,500 residents. For improved car access, the developer proposed

1798-590: The Hong Kong Institute of Education. In the city visitors can interact and participate in activities at the sustainability hub at 1, Tramway Path At Mai Po nature reserve visitors can meet the WWF Hong Kong research team under Dr Carmen Or who is carrying out citizen science activities and biodiversity research across Hong Kong, such as the Camera trap mammal and firefly surveys to map more than 2050+ species across

Nam Sang Wai - Misplaced Pages Continue

1856-592: The Hong Kong Police said they found no CCTV footage at the site. A small boat in the southern part of Nam Sang Wai serves as a ferry across the Kam Tin River towards the village of Shan Pui Tsuen , north of Yuen Long Kau Hui . A road, the Nam Sang Wai Road, runs along the eastern edge and most of the western edge of Nam Sang Wai. Nam Sang Wai is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 74. Within

1914-425: The Nam Sang Wai Development Company and Kleener Investment Limited (owned by Henderson Land Development ), proposed a residential development and a golf course. The plan was originally refused by the Town Planning Board (TPB), but was accepted after the developer appealed. The plans approved in 1996 included a 43-hectare golf course and 2,550 homes. The plans subsequently submitted by the developers were rejected by

1972-619: The Okavango River inland delta, the Kafue River flood plain, the Lake Bangweulu flood plain (Africa), Mississippi River (US), Amazon River (South America), Yangtze River (China), Danube River (Central Europe) and Murray-Darling River (Australia). Groundwater replenishment can be achieved for example by marsh , swamp , and subterranean karst and cave hydrological systems. The surface water visibly seen in wetlands only represents

2030-701: The Our planet Our Business programme. WWF has been managing the Mai Po nature reserve habitat and research programme since 1983 and as a lead EAAFP partner is providing grants to support the WWF Flyways initiative and protect coastal wetlands throughout the Flyways range from Myanmar to Siberia and working to train the next generation of wetland managers. WWF Hong Kong is now upgrading the training and research facilities at Mai Po, to be completed in 2021-2022 and welcomes public visitors to

2088-511: The Southeastern US, mallines of Argentina, Mediterranean seasonal ponds of Europe and California, turloughs of Ireland, billabongs of Australia, among many others. Wetlands are found throughout the world in different climates. Temperatures vary greatly depending on the location of the wetland. Many of the world's wetlands are in the temperate zones , midway between the North or South Poles and

2146-457: The TPB in 2010, which ruled that the proposal did not meet the conditions laid out in the earlier decision and had to be resubmitted as a fresh application owing to the substantial changes made to their plans. The developers petitioned the Town Planning Appeal Board, which ruled that the TPB had to reconsider. In turn, the TPB had this decision overthrown on judicial review . The developers then approached

2204-494: The US, the best known classifications are the Cowardin classification system and the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system. The Cowardin system includes five main types of wetlands: marine (ocean-associated), estuarine (mixed ocean- and river-associated), riverine (within river channels), lacustrine (lake-associated) and palustrine (inland nontidal habitats). Peatlands are

2262-610: The United States' commercial fish and shellfish stocks depend solely on estuaries to survive. Amphibians such as frogs and salamanders need both terrestrial and aquatic habitats in which to reproduce and feed. Because amphibians often inhabit depressional wetlands like prairie potholes and Carolina bays, the connectivity among these isolated wetlands is an important control of regional populations. While tadpoles feed on algae, adult frogs forage on insects. Frogs are sometimes used as an indicator of ecosystem health because their thin skin permits absorption of nutrients and toxins from

2320-530: The dominant plants and the source of the water. For example, marshes are wetlands dominated by emergent herbaceous vegetation such as reeds , cattails and sedges . Swamps are dominated by woody vegetation such as trees and shrubs (although reed swamps in Europe are dominated by reeds, not trees). Mangrove forest are wetlands with mangroves , halophytic woody plants that have evolved to tolerate salty water . Examples of wetlands classified by

2378-622: The equator. In these zones, summers are warm and winters are cold, but temperatures are not extreme. In subtropical zone wetlands, such as along the Gulf of Mexico , average temperatures might be 11 °C (52 °F). Wetlands in the tropics are subjected to much higher temperatures for a large portion of the year. Temperatures for wetlands on the Arabian Peninsula can exceed 50 °C (122 °F) and these habitats would therefore be subject to rapid evaporation. In northeastern Siberia , which has

Nam Sang Wai - Misplaced Pages Continue

2436-494: The following areas: According to the Ramsar Convention: The economic worth of the ecosystem services provided to society by intact, naturally functioning wetlands is frequently much greater than the perceived benefits of converting them to 'more valuable' intensive land use – particularly as the profits from unsustainable use often go to relatively few individuals or corporations, rather than being shared by society as

2494-464: The interface between truly terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic systems, making them inherently different from each other, yet highly dependent on both." In environmental decision-making, there are subsets of definitions that are agreed upon to make regulatory and policy decisions. Under the Ramsar international wetland conservation treaty , wetlands are defined as follows: An ecological definition of

2552-462: The known animal species in wetlands, and are considered the primary food web link between plants and higher animals (such as fish and birds). Depending on a wetland's geographic and topographic location, the functions it performs can support multiple ecosystem services , values, or benefits. United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and Ramsar Convention described wetlands as a whole to be of biosphere significance and societal importance in

2610-832: The plants and animals controlled by the wetland hydrology are often additional components of the definitions. Wetlands can be tidal (inundated by tides) or non-tidal. The water in wetlands is either freshwater , brackish , saline , or alkaline . There are four main kinds of wetlands – marsh , swamp , bog , and fen (bogs and fens being types of peatlands or mires ). Some experts also recognize wet meadows and aquatic ecosystems as additional wetland types. Sub-types include mangrove forests , carrs , pocosins , floodplains , peatlands, vernal pools , sinks , and many others. The following three groups are used within Australia to classify wetland by type: Marine and coastal zone wetlands, inland wetlands and human-made wetlands. In

2668-427: The proposal. The TPB rejected this proposal on 24 February 2017. In response, the developer said it would appeal. Nam Sang Wai has been subjected to repeated fires regarded as suspicious by authorities. Commentators have alleged the fires have been set by arsonists attempting to reduce the environmental value of the area. A suspicious fire occurred in 2010. Another fire on 21 December 2016 scorched an area "larger than

2726-594: The reserve and other locations with eco visits and arrangement of permits by booking online at wwf.org.hk/en/. The WWF Hong Kong team is now leading a key initiative Across 24 Asian offices to close Asia’s Illegal Wildlife markets and stop the trade into and around Asia of species that have no place being traded. WWF Hong Kong has over 150 full-time staff for conservation impact and a new deal for nature and people. Visitors are welcome at some five centres located Central 1, Tramway path, Island House Tai Po , Mai Po , and Hoi Ha Wan . The WWF Hong Kong team are also leading

2784-490: The school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and one government school: Yuen Long Government Primary School (元朗官立小學). 22°27′36″N 114°02′12″E  /  22.459978°N 114.03667°E  / 22.459978; 114.03667 Wetland Wetlands exist on every continent , except Antarctica . The water in wetlands is either freshwater , brackish or saltwater . The main types of wetland are defined based on

2842-482: The size of a football pitch". A series of fires appeared again in 2018, the first two happening on 12 and 13 March. The Fire Services Department considered these suspicious, and the Hong Kong Police Force are investigating possible arson. Another fire was discovered on 22 March, followed by yet another on 2 April . A video clip later emerged in local media showing two potential witnesses at the scene, even though

2900-429: The soil and underlying rock into aquifers which are the source of much of the world's drinking water . Wetlands can also act as recharge areas when the surrounding water table is low and as a discharge zone when it is high. Mangroves , coral reefs , salt marsh can help with shoreline stabilization and storm protection. Tidal and inter-tidal wetland systems protect and stabilize coastal zones. Coral reefs provide

2958-537: The soil of wetlands. Anaerobic and aerobic respiration in the soil influences the nutrient cycling of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, and the solubility of phosphorus thus contributing to the chemical variations in its water. Wetlands with low pH and saline conductivity may reflect the presence of acid sulfates and wetlands with average salinity levels can be heavily influenced by calcium or magnesium. Biogeochemical processes in wetlands are determined by soils with low redox potential. The life forms of

SECTION 50

#1732848255300

3016-412: The soils and plants at higher elevations. Plants and animals may vary within a wetland seasonally or in response to flood regimes. There are four main groups of hydrophytes that are found in wetland systems throughout the world. Submerged wetland vegetation can grow in saline and fresh-water conditions. Some species have underwater flowers, while others have long stems to allow the flowers to reach

3074-515: The sources of water include tidal wetlands , where the water source is ocean tides ); estuaries , water source is mixed tidal and river waters; floodplains , water source is excess water from overflowed rivers or lakes; and bogs and vernal ponds , water source is rainfall or meltwater . The world's largest wetlands include the Amazon River basin , the West Siberian Plain ,

3132-406: The spatial and temporal dispersion, flow, and physio-chemical attributes of surface and ground waters. Sources of hydrological flows into wetlands are predominantly precipitation , surface water (saltwater or freshwater), and groundwater. Water flows out of wetlands by evapotranspiration , surface flows and tides , and subsurface water outflow. Hydrodynamics (the movement of water through and from

3190-709: The surface of the water. When trees and shrubs comprise much of the plant cover in saturated soils, those areas in most cases are called swamps . The upland boundary of swamps is determined partly by water levels. This can be affected by dams Some swamps can be dominated by a single species, such as silver maple swamps around the Great Lakes . Others, like those of the Amazon basin , have large numbers of different tree species. Other examples include cypress ( Taxodium ) and mangrove swamps. Many species of fish are highly dependent on wetland ecosystems. Seventy-five percent of

3248-490: The surface. Submerged species provide a food source for native fauna, habitat for invertebrates, and also possess filtration capabilities. Examples include seagrasses and eelgrass . Floating water plants or floating vegetation are usually small, like those in the Lemnoideae subfamily (duckweeds). Emergent vegetation like the cattails ( Typha spp.), sedges ( Carex spp.) and arrow arum ( Peltandra virginica ) rise above

3306-457: The surrounding environment resulting in increased extinction rates in unfavorable and polluted environmental conditions. Reptiles such as snakes , lizards , turtles , alligators and crocodiles are common in wetlands of some regions. In freshwater wetlands of the Southeastern US, alligators are common and a freshwater species of crocodile occurs in South Florida. The Florida Everglades

3364-440: The types of plants that live within them. Specifically, wetlands are characterized as having a water table that stands at or near the land surface for a long enough period each year to support aquatic plants . A more concise definition is a community composed of hydric soil and hydrophytes . Wetlands have also been described as ecotones , providing a transition between dry land and water bodies. Wetlands exist "...at

#299700