Climber Clearance Works

© Bena Smith

The extensive inter-tidal mangrove forest stands at Mai Po are an important habitat, supporting a diverse range of wetland wildlife. Generally, mangrove stands do not require management, but on occasion invasive climbers have to be removed.

This is because the climbers, if left unchecked, can grow very fast and dominate the entire canopy layer. This blocks sunlight and eventually reduces the health of mangrove trees growing beneath.

To overcome this problem WWF will be clearing climbers from a 20 metre wide zone surrounding the floating boardwalk areas. The roots of each climber plant will be slashed using hand tools and the aerial part left to wither and die off. The work commences in mid-November 2007 and will be complete by the end of December 2007.