Mai Po

Research and Monitoring

Information for Researchers

	© Bena Smith / WWF Hong Kong
	© Bena Smith / WWF Hong Kong

WWF Hong Kong encourages researchers from academic institutions to undertake research projects at Mai Po and believes that both the Mai Po Reserve and the academic institutes obtain great benefits from such research cooperation.

The Research and Monitoring Section has a permanent field base at Mai Po Nature Reserve with basic facilities such as a small wet laboratory and reference library that can be used by researchers. To facilitate academic research work WWF can offer the following:

• Free entry permits to research students undertaking short duration field work activities.
• Assistance to students who need to apply for personal entry permits.
• Help to students applying for permits to collect research samples.
• Free accommodation (only when available) at the Peter Scott Field Studies Centre for students needing to undertake field work during unsociable hours.
• Free use of the wet laboratory, equipment and reference library at the reserve.
• Basic on-site logistical support.

Guidelines

• Persons wishing to conduct research at the Mai Po Nature Reserve should first submit a brief outline of their proposal to WWF Hong Kong for information and if necessary, for approval by the Mai Po Management Committee before commencing the project.
• Researchers are responsible for making all necessary arrangements to obtain permits/licenses required for work in the reserve from government.
• As far as possible, researchers should bring their own equipment for use at the reserve. The reserve management cannot be held responsible for any damage or theft of the equipment whilst at the reserve. Researchers are advised to insure their equipment.
• Reserve management will, as far as possible, provide logistical support for researchers at Mai Po. The researcher or his/her supervisor will be responsible for any damage or loss of equipment borrowed from the reserve management.
• Please inform the Reserve Manager/Officer of the location of any research equipment left in the field for collecting or monitoring purposes. This is to minimise interference with the equipment by visitors to the Reserve. Such equipment must be removed on completion of the project. Similarly, any research equipment left inside the Closed Border Area must be agreed with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in advance.
• Researchers should inform the Reserve Manager/Officer in advance when they wish to stay overnight in any accommodation on the reserve.
• It is the responsibility of the researcher to inform the Lok Ma Chau Immigration Police and AFCD warden at Mai Po, several days in advance, if study work involves the collection of data at the Closed Border Area.
• One copy of any report (interim or final), thesis, scientific paper, etc. in which Mai Po was used as the study site, needs to be given to WWF Hong Kong and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

Priority Research Topics at Mai Po

A list of priority research topics relevant to the Deep Bay wetlands has been compiled by WWF and members of the Mai Po Management Committee (a group of wildlife experts, conservationists and academic professionals). The list provides a focus for research work and is intended to encourage new or further study in research areas considered important to help conserve and protect Deep Bay's wetland biodiversity . Copies of thesis from previous research projects are held in a small reference library for use by researchers.

A reference/bibliography list of known research subjects and topics relating to the Mai Po area (including the surrounding wetland habitats) can be downloaded here. Full copies and selected abstracts of some of those listed will be made available through this web page later in 2006/07.