published_or_final_version / Botany / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Applied Geosciences / Master / Master of Science

by Yau Mei-sze. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-141). / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / List of Tables --- p.iv / List of Figures --- p.v / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Fire as an ecological factor in Hong Kong --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Conceptual framework of the study --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives of the study --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5 --- Significance of the study --- p.12 / Chapter 1.6 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.12 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- STUDY AREA / Chapter 2.1 --- Location --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2 --- Climate --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3 --- Geology --- p.18 / Chapter 2.4 --- Soil --- p.19 / Chapter 2.5 --- Vegetation --- p.20 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- EFFECTS OF HILL FIRE ON SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology --- p.26 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sampling --- p.26 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Soil reaction --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Mineral nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate nitrogen) --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Total phosphorus --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Available phosphorus --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- "Exchangeable K, Na, Ca and Mg" --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Exchangeable A1 and H --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Organic carbon --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Carbon : nitrogen ratio --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.30 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Effects of fire on soil chemical properties --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.1.1 --- Soil acidity --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.1.2 --- Nutrient cations --- p.32 / Chapter 3.4.1.3 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen and mineral N --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4.1.4 --- Soil organic matter and C:N ratio --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4.1.5 --- Total and available phosphorus --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Seasonal changes of soil chemical properties after fire --- p.34 / Chapter 3.4.2.1 --- Soil pH and exchangeable acidity --- p.34 / Chapter 3.4.2.2 --- Nutrient cations --- p.35 / Chapter 3.4.2.3 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen and mineral N --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4.2.4 --- Soil organic matter --- p.37 / Chapter 3.4.2.5 --- Total and available phosphorus --- p.38 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.38 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Effects of fire on soil chemical properties --- p.38 / Chapter 3.5.1.1 --- Immediate effects of fire on soil acidity --- p.38 / Chapter 3.5.1.2 --- "Immediate effects of fire on organic matter, N and P" --- p.40 / Chapter 3.5.1.3 --- Immediate effects of fire on cation nutrients --- p.41 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Seasonal changes of soil chemical properties after fire --- p.42 / Chapter 3.5.2.1 --- Seasonal changes of soil acidity after fire --- p.42 / Chapter 3.5.2.2 --- Seasonal changes of nutrients after fire --- p.43 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Overall fertility of the fire-affected soil --- p.44 / Chapter 3.6 --- Conclusion --- p.46 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- NITROGEN MINERALIZATION AFTER FIRE / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methodology --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- In situ incubation --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- "Determination of N mineralization, leaching and uptake" --- p.53 / Chapter 4.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.55 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.56 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Seasonal variations of nh4-N and no3-N --- p.56 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- "Net ammonification, leaching and uptake" --- p.57 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- "Net nitrification, leaching and uptake" --- p.58 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.59 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Post-fire ammonification --- p.59 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Post-fire nitrification --- p.62 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Net nitrogen mineralization of the burnt soil --- p.65 / Chapter 4.6 --- Conclusion --- p.68 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- EFFECTS OF LIME AND PHOSPHORUS ON THE MINERALIZATION OF NEW BURNT SOIL / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.70 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methodology --- p.73 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Sampling of soil --- p.73 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Lime treatment --- p.73 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Phosphorus treatment --- p.74 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Combined lime and phosphate treatment --- p.74 / Chapter 5.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.75 / Chapter 5.4 --- Results --- p.75 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Chemical properties of the unamended soil --- p.75 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Lime treatment --- p.76 / Chapter 5.4.2.1 --- Effect of lime on nh4-N production --- p.76 / Chapter 5.4.2.2 --- Effect of lime on no3-N production --- p.78 / Chapter 5.4.2.3 --- Effect of lime on PO4 production --- p.78 / Chapter 5.4.2.4 --- Effect of lime on exchangeable A1 --- p.78 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Phosphorus treatment --- p.79 / Chapter 5.4.3.1 --- Effect of phosphorus on NH4-N production --- p.79 / Chapter 5.4.3.2 --- Effect of phosphorus on NO3-N production --- p.80 / Chapter 5.4.3.3 --- Effect of phosphorus on PO4 production --- p.80 / Chapter 5.4.4 --- Combined lime x P amendment and mineralization of N and P --- p.81 / Chapter 5.4.4.1 --- Effect of lime x P on nh4-N production --- p.81 / Chapter 5.4.4.2 --- Effect of lime x P on NO3-N production --- p.83 / Chapter 5.4.4.3 --- Effect of lime x P on po4 production --- p.83 / Chapter 5.5 --- Discussion --- p.83 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Effect of soil acidity on ammonification --- p.83 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Effect of soil acidity on nitrification --- p.88 / Chapter 5.5.3 --- Effect of lime on the mineralization of P --- p.89 / Chapter 5.5.4 --- Effect of combined lime x P on the mineralization of N and P --- p.89 / Chapter 5.6 --- Conclusion --- p.90 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- VEGETATION REGENERATION AND NUTRIENT COMPOSITION AFTER FIRE / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.92 / Chapter 6.2 --- Methodology --- p.96 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Vegetation regeneration analysis --- p.96 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Chemical analysis --- p.96 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results --- p.97 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Vegetation regeneration --- p.97 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Nutrient composition of regenerated species --- p.100 / Chapter 6.3.2.1 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen --- p.100 / Chapter 6.3.2.2 --- Total phosphorus --- p.101 / Chapter 6.3.2.3 --- Potassium --- p.102 / Chapter 6.3.2.4 --- Calcium --- p.103 / Chapter 6.3.2.5 --- Magnesium --- p.104 / Chapter 6.3.2.6 --- Sodium --- p.105 / Chapter 6.4 --- Discussion --- p.106 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Vegetation regeneration after fire --- p.106 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Nutrient composition of regenerated species --- p.108 / Chapter 6.4.3 --- Recovery and erosion control --- p.112 / Chapter 6.5 --- Conclusion --- p.112 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 7.1 --- Summary of findings --- p.114 / Chapter 7.2 --- Implications of the study --- p.118 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Is hill fire hazardous or beneficial to the local environment? --- p.118 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Mechanisms to conserve nutrients in a fire-prone environment --- p.121 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Natural regeneration or reforestation? --- p.122 / Chapter 7.3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.123 / Chapter 7.4 --- Suggestion for future study --- p.126 / REFERENCES --- p.130

Chan Wing Kan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 158-173). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ABSTRACT (CHINESE) --- p.iii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iv / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.vi / LIST OF TABLES --- p.ix / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xi / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.xiii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Problems --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Conceptual Framework --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives of the Study --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5 --- Significance and Scope of Study --- p.10 / Chapter 1.6 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.11 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- STUDY AREAS --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1 --- Geographical Setting of Hong Kong --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Climate --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Geology --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Soil --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Vegetation --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2 --- Site Selection --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3 --- Site Description --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Tai Mo Shan --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Wu Kau Tang --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Tai Lam --- p.24 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- EFFECTS OF PARENT MATERIAL ON SOIL CHARACTERISTICS ON FIRE-AFFECTED SITES --- p.25 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.25 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Soil Sampling --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Sample Preparation --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Soil Texture --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Soil Reaction --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Total Exchangeable Acidity --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Organic Carbon --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Mineral Nitrogen (N03-N and NH4-N) --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Total Phosphorus --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Available Phosphorus (PO4-P) --- p.34 / Chapter 3.2.11 --- "Exchangeable Cations (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn)" --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3 --- Data Processing and Statistical Analysis --- p.34 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results and Discussion --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Soil Texture --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Soil Reaction --- p.38 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Total Exchangeable Acidity (TEA) --- p.42 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Soil Organic Matter (SOM) --- p.44 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) --- p.47 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- The Carbon: Nitrogen Ratio (C: N Ratio) --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4.7 --- Mineral Nitrogen --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.8 --- Soil Total and Available Phosphorus --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4.9 --- Soil Exchangeable Cations --- p.59 / Chapter 3.4.10 --- Effective Cation Exchange Capacity and Base Saturation --- p.67 / Chapter 3.4.11 --- Soil Trace Elements --- p.71 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusion --- p.77 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- EFFECTS OF PARENT MATERIAL ON VEGETATION DEVELOPMENT ON FIRE-AFFECTED SITES --- p.81 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.81 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methodology --- p.87 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Field Survey --- p.87 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Nomenclature --- p.87 / Chapter 4.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.88 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Floristic Analysis and Indices --- p.88 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Ordination --- p.89 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Classification --- p.90 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results and Discussion --- p.92 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Overall Floristic Characteristics --- p.92 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- The Effects of Parent Materials on Vegetation Communities --- p.101 / Chapter 4.4.2.1 --- Floristic Characteristics of individual site --- p.101 / Chapter 4.4.2.2 --- Ecological Indices --- p.105 / Chapter 4.4.2.3 --- Ordination (Detrended Correspondence Analysis) --- p.108 / Chapter 4.4.2.4 --- Two Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) --- p.114 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.125 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- INTEGRATED DISCUSSION --- p.128 / Chapter 5.1 --- Nature of Disturbance --- p.128 / Chapter 5.2 --- Site Characteristics --- p.134 / Chapter 5.3 --- Rate of Vegetation Regeneration --- p.136 / Chapter 5.4 --- Species Selection --- p.141 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSION --- p.150 / Chapter 6.1 --- Summary of Findings --- p.150 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- Soil Properties --- p.150 / Chapter 6.1.2 --- Vegetation Regeneration --- p.153 / Chapter 6.2 --- Limitation of the Study --- p.154 / Chapter 6.3 --- Suggestion for Future Study --- p.156 / REFERENCES --- p.158 / APPENDIX --- p.174