Update on the Handling of Undesirable Species Leucaena Leucocephala (銀合歡) in Tree Preservation and Removal Proposal

Invasive and alien species (IAS) could damage the local ecosystem, and the management and control of IAS is important. Leucaena Leucocephala (銀合歡) is one of the most concerned IAS in Hong Kong due to its aggressive and invasive growing habits and ability to prevent natural succession of native species. It is also considered as one of the 100 worst invasive species by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). In Hong Kong, it is commonly seen in vacant lands, forest edges, hillside, parks and roadsides and should be removed immediately and as much as possible to avoid its spreading and damage to the ecosystems.

We reviewed the relevant government policies concerning the handling of this invasive tree species and noted differences in compensatory replanting requirements for removing this species.

We raised our concern on Leucaena Leucocephala (銀合歡) in Hong Kong and its treatment to the Development Bureau (DB) in February 2021:

Enquiry by ESCM to the Development Bureau – Enquiry about the handling of undesirable species Leucaena Leucocephala (銀合歡) in Tree Preservation and Removal Proposal (4 February 2021)

We are very pleased that the DB has dealt with this issue seriously and has taken a proactive approach to align the tree felling and compensation requirements for the benefits of native conservation. A positive reply was received in November 2022 that the Lands Department has recently updated its compensatory replanting requirement regarding removal of undesirable species in private projects by excluding Leucaena leucocephala from counting of the total number for compensatory trees (Paragraph 13 of the Practice Note)

Reply from the Development Bureau to ESCM (12 April 2021)

Reply from the Development Bureau to ESCM – Updates of Guidance Note by the Lands Department (10 November 2022)

“Guidance Notes on Tree Preservation and Removal Proposal for Building Development in Privates Projects – Compliance of Tree Preservation Clause Under Lease” under Lands Department’s Practice Note No. 2/2020 (Rev. Aug 2022)

Through the updated guideline, it is anticipated that this IAS would be removed more effectively without the need to consider preserving the trees in situ or to compensate due to felling, thus may help to slow down its spread and damage to the local ecosystems.

Managing Director

Dr. Man Chi Sum

Dr. Man is an environmental strategic planner. He obtained his doctorate degree in the Centre for Urban Planning and Environmental Management at The University of Hong Kong. His research interests include environmental policy, environmental impact assessment and environmental planning in Hong Kong and China. He has 20 years of experience in conducting ecological and wildlife researches in Hong Kong. He also has extensive experience with Hong Kong EIA process and Town Planning process especially EIA Ordinance and Technical Memorandum, as well as planning applications.

He has served in a number of environment and sustainability related advisory committees of the Hong Kong Government. In recognition of his contribution to environmental protection in Hong Kong, he was appointed Justice of the Peace in 2006.

Committee memberships

• Member of the Advisory Council on the Environment in Hong Kong
• Member of the Country and Marine Parks Board in Hong Kong
• Member of the Steering Committee on Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in Hong Kong
• Member of the Town Planning Appeal Board in Hong Kong
• Member of the Advisory Committee on Water Resources and Quality of Water Supplies in Hong Kong
• Member of the Energy Advisory Committee in Hong Kong

Principal consultant

Mee-Ling Yau

Mee-Ling has broad academic background and practical experience in plant ecology. She is also familiar with application of Geographic Information System (GIS) technique including GPS and ArcView GIS for habitat mapping, surveys of flora and fauna, data analysis and interpretation and impact assessment. After earning her master’s degree in Ecology at University of California, Davis in USA, she served as plant ecologist/GIS specialist in the consulting business since 1994 and conducted vegetation surveys and habitat mapping for over 150 projects and studies well covering the territory of Hong Kong.

Besides ecological surveys, she has extensive experience with Hong Kong EIA process and is familiar with the application of EIA Ordinance and Technical Memorandum. She is also experienced in project management and has managed various projects including planning studies, EIA studies, planning applications under Section 12A and Section 16, conservation management plan, habitat creation and management plan, and eco-garden planning and design.

Mee-Ling also organised various conservation education programmes for private sectors and government. Tasks included design of conservation education posters and signage, presentation of nature conservation talks, organising guided field visit and tree planting activities. She served as a member of the Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) Terrestrial Biodiversity Working Group from 2013 to 2016.

Principal consultant

Cammy So

Cammy is an environmental conservationist. She earned her master degree in Environmental Science at University of Aberdeen, UK and has strong background in both lepidopteran taxa and trees.

She has broad experience in conducting ecological studies and surveys, with special focus on butterflies and has conducted training on butterflies to the public. She is also experienced in eco-garden planning and design. She is an ISA Certified Arborist and has coordinated tree planting programmes in various districts in Hong Kong. She also has extensive experience in planning and leading conservation and education programmes for schools and the public, e.g. citizen butterfly surveyor programme, river education and monitoring programme, establishment of tree education trails and butterfly gardens; and writing educational materials.

Expert Resources

We team up with local experts in projects associated with biodiversity conservation and nature education.

Dr. Michael Lau

Michael is an ecologist and herpetofauna specialist. He has more than 20 years of experience in conducting field studies, ecological and wildlife researches, wetland management and formulating conservation programmes in Hong Kong and South China. He earned his doctorate degree in the Department of Ecology & Biodiversity at The University of Hong Kong studying the habitat use of Hong Kong amphibians and the conservation of Romer’s Tree Frogs. He has written books, reports, papers and articles on biodiversity and conservation. He is the author/co-author for more than 50 publications.

He has served in several Hong Kong Government advisory bodies and is a member of several specialist groups of IUCN Species Survival Commission.

Committee memberships

• Member of the Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Species Survival Commission, IUCN
• Member of the Amphibian Specialist Group, Species Survival Commission, IUCN
• Member of the Advisory Council on the Environment in Hong Kong
• Member of the Lantau Development Advisory Committee in Hong Kong
• Member of the Advisory Committee on Water Supply in Hong Kong

Professor Peter Ronald Hills

Peter Hills is an Emeritus Professor of the University of Hong Kong, having worked at the University from 1982 - 2016. He was appointed Professor in 1993 and was Director of the Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management from 1992 - 2008, and subsequently Director of the Kadoorie Institute from 2008 - 2012. He served on various statutory and advisory bodies in Hong Kong including the Advisory Council on the Environment, the Town Planning Board, the Energy Advisory Committee, the Environmental Campaign Committee and the Wetland Advisory Committee. He has worked as a consultant for various international organizations including the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UNEP, ADB and the European Union. He specializes in sustainability studies, climate change and energy and environmental policy, and has published extensively in these areas.

Dr. Michelle Cheung

Michelle is a marine biologist. She earned her doctorate degree at The Hong Kong University of Science of Technology, focusing on transfer of pollutants in intertidal ecosystem.

Michelle was a post-doctoral research fellow at The University of Hong Kong after graduation. Her project mainly focused on the impact of tributyltin on marine gastropods in Hong Kong water.

Michelle is the team leader of several research projects such as “Finding Pipefish in Hong Kong” and “Distribution of Seahorse in Hong Kong”. She has worked on the issue of marine alien species in Hong Kong since 2014 and her recent research focus on the biology, distribution and impact of exotic hybrid grouper, Tiger Grouper (Epinephelus Fuscoguttatus) X Giant Grouper (E. Lanceolatus) Hybrid, in Hong Kong waters.

Michelle is also the project manager of the Wo Shang Wai Wetland Restoration Area since 2012, the main focus of the project is to manage the wetland habitat to enrich biodiversity of the Wetland Restoration Area.

Mahler Ka

Mahler is a naturalist and expert on Odonata. He is also a renowned landscape and nature photographer. He has published over 10 books and pictorials on natural landscapes, including Natural Wonders of Sai Kung《西貢自然美》(2002), Hong Kong Country Parks - Nature in Focus 《郊野情報 ─ 攝影篇》(2003), and is preparing to publish a new book on dragonflies (*《香港蜻蜓探索》under preparation).

Mahler has conducted dragonfly surveys in Sha Lo Tung, Hok Tau, Lautau and Sha Po and discovered a new Hong Kong dragonfly record - White-tipped Grappletail (Heliogomphus retroflexus) at Sha Lo Tung in collaboration with Green Power in 2009. He has established the website Checklist of Hong Kong Odonata (http://hkdragonflies.blogspot.hk/).