The Process

Preparation:

1.     Divide yourselves into groups of 5 so that members in each group can help other members

2.   You also need to have an understanding of mangroves ecosystems in Hong Kong, like distribution, species, adaptative features to the harsh environment and examples of associate organisms. You may find the following websites helpful.

WWF mangrove factsheet

http://www.wwf.org.hk/eng/pdf/education/cd-rom/E_factsheet5.pdf

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

http://www.afcd.gov.hk/conservation/eng/mangrove.htm

Complete introduction of mangroves ecosystem

Mangroves of Singapore

http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/contents.htm

Hong Kong Flora and Vegetation

http://www.hkflora.com/v2/mangrove/mangrove.php

The World Conservation Union, IUCN

http://www.iucn.org/tsunami/docs/ob--mangroves-coastal-forests-chn.pdf

Pictures of floras and faunas in mangrove stands

樹木谷 (in Chinese)         

http://www.hktree.com/general/mangrove_list.htm

我的空中花園 (in Chinese)

http://hk.geocities.com/wanfaat/

Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, University of Hong Kong

http://ecology.hku.hk/jupas/Mangrove.htm

Book reference:

Chu, M.W.L., 2005 Hong Kong Coastal Plants Hong Kong Discovery: Hong Kong

Tam, N.F.Y. and Wong, Y.S., 2000 Hong Kong Mangrove Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and City University of Hong Kong: Hong Kong

When you browse the websites or read the books pay attention to:

      Special environmental stresses faced by mangrove plants

      Adaptation of mangrove plants to the harsh environment

      Ecological and economical importance of mangroves.

Hint: as there are quite a number of useful resources, you can divide the reading tasks within your group.

Field visit

      Visit one of the mangrove stands in Hong Kong, you can find out the location of them in the following websites:

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

http://www.afcd.gov.hk/conservation/Images_Wetland/mangomap.jpg

Hokoon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre

http://www.jcctm.edu.hk/~biology/teach/md.html

      In the field trip, you are required to:

      identify and take photos with the true mangrove plants, and find out the associate plants and other faunas.

      find out adaptative features of different mangrove plants

      observe the human activities / traces of human activities and think of the possible effect to the mangrove stands

         Hint:

a. some of the mangrove stands are located in marine parks, you are requested to follow the visitors code of marine parks, you can check the locations of marine parks and visitors codes in the following website

http://parks.afcd.gov.hk/newmarine/eng/Oparks_info/index.htm

b. always remember, safety is very important, make sure you know the safety measures to be carry out for outdoor activities.

Discuss your findings among members of your group after your visit.

Design a pamphlet:

Design a pamphlet of 1200 – 1600 words to promote the awareness of mangrove conservations for the Environmental Education Week of the school.

In order to make the conservation messages effectively delivered, you can include

      brief introduction of mangrove communities, like adaptation of mangroves and associated plants and animals

      ecological and economical importance of mangroves

      threats faced by mangrove communities

      suggest what we can do to conserve the mangroves

Be remind that you should use the information from the web resources AND observations in the field studies. Marks will be deducted for solo reliance on information form websites or observations in field studies.

Avicennia marina and its pneumatophores