Wong, Man Man. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-164). / Abstracts in English and Chinese; appendix in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Table of contents --- p.vi / List of tables --- p.x / List of figures --- p.xii / List of plates --- p.xiv / List of appendices --- p.xv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Study background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Conceptual framework of the study --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives of the study --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4 --- Significance of the study --- p.10 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1 --- Overview of world plantations --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- Restoration through the establishment of exotic plantations --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Rationale for restoration --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Restoration principles --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Use of exotic plantations in restoration --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Role of exotic species in plantations --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Problems associated with exotic plantations --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3 --- Transforming exotic woodlands to native forests --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Options of woodland transformation --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Woodland transformation in Hong Kong --- p.26 / Chapter 2.4 --- Summary --- p.28 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- The Study Area --- p.29 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2 --- Geological setting of Hong Kong --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Climate --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Geology --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Soils --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Vegetation --- p.32 / Chapter 3.3 --- Study area --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Site selection --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Tai Lam Country Park and characteristics of Acacia confusa plantations --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Site description --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Site management --- p.38 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Feral cattle disturbance --- p.40 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Environmental Changes after Clearfelling --- p.41 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.41 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.42 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Instrumentation and microclimatic measurements --- p.42 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Data processing and statistical analysis --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Solar radiation and temperature after clearfelling --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Relative humidity and wind velocity after clearfelling --- p.48 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Effect of clearfelling on exotic woodland transformation --- p.52 / Chapter 4.4 --- Summary --- p.53 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Changes in Soil Properties after Clearfelling --- p.55 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.55 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.58 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Soil sampling --- p.58 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Laboratory analysis --- p.58 / Chapter 5.2.2.1 --- Texture --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2.2.2 --- Soil reaction pH --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2.2.3 --- Soil organic carbon (SOC) and organic matter (SOM) --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2.2.4 --- Tokal Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) --- p.60 / Chapter 5.2.2.5 --- Carbon: nitrogen ratio --- p.60 / Chapter 5.2.2.6 --- Available phosphorus --- p.60 / Chapter 5.2.2.7 --- Exchangeable cations --- p.60 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Data processing and statistical analysis --- p.61 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.61 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Temporal change of soil texture and reaction pH after clearcutting / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Temporal change of soil organic matter after clearcutting --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Temporal change of Total Kjedahl Nitrogen after clearcutting --- p.69 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Temporal change of exchangeable cations after clearcutting --- p.71 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Temporal change of available phosphorus after clearcutting --- p.74 / Chapter 5.3.6 --- Soil nutrient status after clearfelling --- p.76 / Chapter 5.3.7 --- Importance of tree retention on nutrient cycling --- p.78 / Chapter 5.4 --- Summary --- p.80 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Soil Nitrogen Fluxes after Clearfelling --- p.81 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.81 / Chapter 6.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.83 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- In situ core incubation --- p.84 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Sampling method --- p.84 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Laboratory analysis of mineral N --- p.86 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- "Calculation of N mineralization, leaching and uptake" --- p.86 / Chapter 6.2.5 --- Statistical analysis --- p.89 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.89 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Seasonal variation of NH4-N and N03-N --- p.89 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- "Net ammonification, NH4-N leaching and NH4-N uptake" --- p.92 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- "Net nitrification, NO3-N leaching and NO3-N uptake" --- p.94 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- "Net mineralization, leaching and uptake" --- p.95 / Chapter 6.3.5 --- Mineral nitrogen budget --- p.101 / Chapter 6.4 --- Summary --- p.103 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Growth Performance of Recruited Trees and Restocked Species after Clearfelling --- p.105 / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.105 / Chapter 7.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.106 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Species identification --- p.106 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Sampling method --- p.106 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.107 / Chapter 7.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.107 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Effect of overstorey removal on the growth of recruited native trees / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Effect of overstorey removal on growth of restocked native seedlings --- p.112 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- Importance of tree retention and seedling restocking in native forest re-establishment --- p.114 / Chapter 7.3.4 --- Species selection for clearcut site --- p.115 / Chapter 7.3.5 --- Browsing damage by feral cattle and its prevention --- p.118 / Chapter 7.4 --- Summary --- p.120 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- Effect of Shade and Water on the Growth of Selected Native Species --- p.121 / Chapter 8.1 --- Introduction --- p.121 / Chapter 8.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.124 / Chapter 8.2.1 --- Study sites --- p.124 / Chapter 8.2.2 --- Experimental design --- p.124 / Chapter 8.2.3 --- Light and water treatments --- p.124 / Chapter 8.2.4 --- Growth performance analysis --- p.126 / Chapter 8.2.5 --- Statistical analysis --- p.127 / Chapter 8.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.127 / Chapter 8.3.1 --- Height growth --- p.127 / Chapter 8.3.2 --- Basal diameter growth --- p.132 / Chapter 8.4 --- Summary --- p.135 / Chapter Chapter 9 --- Conclusions --- p.136 / Chapter 9.1 --- Introduction --- p.136 / Chapter 9.2 --- Summary of major findings --- p.137 / Chapter 9.3 --- Implications of the study --- p.141 / Chapter 9.3.1 --- Transformation of Acacia confusa woodland into native forest by clearfelling --- p.141 / Chapter 9.3.2 --- When and where to undertake clearfelling --- p.144 / Chapter 9.4 --- Limitations of the study --- p.146 / Chapter 9.5 --- Suggestions for further study --- p.147 / References --- p.149 / Appendices --- p.165