Stand of Sonneratia
directly outside the border fence..
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Due to their fast growth and ability to grow
in a variety of habitats, they have been used widely in southern
China as part of many coastal mangrove replanting schemes, even
though they are an exotic species. It is thought that the Sonneratia
now in Deep Bay may have come from the seeds dispersed by those
same trees planted elsewhere on the Mainland side of Deep Bay or
around the Pearl River Estuary.
Flower, Sonneratia
spp.
Developing
fruits, Sonneratia spp.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (AFCD) has a programme to remove those trees which are
found with the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site but the problem
appears to be an on-going one, with new trees appearing not long
after the previous trees have been removed. Furthermore, there are
now many Sonneratia trees growing amongst the mangroves and tidal
channels outside of the Ramsar Site, such as along the sides of
the Shenzhen River. Apart from their impacts on the ecology of the
Deep Bay, there is also their potential to obstruct the flow of
water down these rivers during heavy rains and typhoons, so increasing
the risk of flooding in neighbouring low-lying areas. Therefore,
the matter of the arrival of Sonneratia should not only be a concern
for AFCD, but for other government departments such as Drainage
Services Department as well.
The
problem of Sonneratia is beginning to affect Mai Po Nature
Reserve (MPNR) as well. On 9 January 2004, several Sonneratia
trees were found growing outside of the Closed Area Fence
at MPNR by gei wai #7. Several of thee trees were up to
some 4m in height and some of the branches held flower
or were producing fruits. It is therefore urgent that government
devise an overall programme to remove these trees and those
around Deep Bay as soon as possible.
