by Au Pui Sze. / Thesis submitted in: December 2000. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-150). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.iii / Acknowledgement --- p.iv / Table of contents --- p.vi / List of tables --- p.x / List of figures --- p.xi / List of appendices --- p.xii / Chapter Chapter one --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- The role of plantations in ecosystem rehabilitation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Reforestation history in Hong Kong --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Conceptual framework of the study --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives of the study --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5 --- Scope and significance of the study --- p.16 / Chapter 1.6 --- Organisation of the thesis --- p.17 / Chapter Chapter two --- The Study Area / Chapter 2.1 --- Geographical setting of Hong Kong --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Climate --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Geology --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Soils --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Vegetation --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2 --- Site selection --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3 --- Site description --- p.26 / Chapter 2.4 --- Nature and extent of disturbance prior to planting --- p.30 / Chapter 2.5 --- Planting techniques and post-planting maintenance --- p.31 / Chapter Chapter Three --- Stand Characteristics of Acacia Plantations / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sampling plots design --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Tree density --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Tree growth parameters --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Data processing and statistical analysis --- p.38 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Growth dynamics of acacias --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Growth characteristics of the reforested species --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Sustained growth and natural regeneration of acacia plantations --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Rehabilitation of degraded lands by exotic species plantations --- p.52 / Chapter 3.4 --- Conclusion --- p.54 / Chapter Chapter Four --- Cover Soil Characteristics of Acacia Plantations / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methodology --- p.60 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Soil sampling --- p.60 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Laboratory analysis --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Texture --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Soil pH --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Organic carbon --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Carbon : nitrogen ratio --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Mineral nitrogen (NH4-N and N03-N) --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- Available phosphorus --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.10 --- Exchangeable cations --- p.64 / Chapter 4.3 --- Data processing and statistical analysis --- p.64 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results and discussion --- p.65 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Effect of acacias on soil texture and pH --- p.65 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- "Effect of acacias on SOM, TKN and mineral N" --- p.69 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Effect of acacias on the available P and exchangeable cations… --- p.77 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Soil nutrient status of the plantations --- p.82 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.90 / Chapter Chapter Five --- Understorey Vegetation of Acacia Plantations / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.92 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methodology --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Understorey plant sampling --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Species identification and nomenclature --- p.98 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Plant growth parameters --- p.98 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Data processing and statistical analysis --- p.99 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.100 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Floristic composition of the acacia plantations --- p.100 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- "Species richness, diversity and woody abundance of the understories" --- p.101 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Species composition and structure of the understories --- p.106 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Mechanisms and pathway of succession in the exotic plantations --- p.115 / Chapter 5.4 --- Conclusion --- p.116 / Chapter Chapter Six --- Conclusion / Chapter 6.1 --- Summary of findings --- p.118 / Chapter 6.2 --- Implications of the study --- p.122 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Ecological value of exotic plantations in Hong Kong --- p.122 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Restoration strategies for borrow areas --- p.125 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Enrichment planting after fire --- p.128 / Chapter 6.3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.131 / Chapter 6.4 --- Suggestion for future study --- p.132 / References --- p.135 / Appendices --- p.151