published_or_final_version / Botany / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

Lui Mei-kam. / Thesis submitted in: December 1999. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 156-175). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Table of Contents --- p.v / List of Plates --- p.ix / List of Tables --- p.x / List of Figures --- p.xiii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Waste Management in Hong Kong --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Landfilling of Wastes --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Waste Degradation and Landfill By-Products --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4 --- Revegetation Problems on Post-Closure Landfills --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Compact and shallow soil --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Drought --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Nutrient deficiency --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4.4 --- Toxicity --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5 --- Ecosystem Development on Post-Closure Landfills --- p.11 / Chapter 1.6 --- Site Description --- p.13 / Chapter 1.7 --- Objectives --- p.20 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Chemical Properties of Cover Soil on the Pillar Point Valley Landfill / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Soil collection and analysis --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Statistical analysis --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Soil properties --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.1.1 --- Organic carbon --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.1.2 --- pH --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.1.3 --- Electrical conductivity --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.1.4 --- Nitrogen --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.1.5 --- Phosphorus --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.1.6 --- Potassium --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.1.7 --- Cation contents --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Development of soils after revegetation --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Implications of soil property to vegetation development --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4 --- Conclusions --- p.36 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Vegetation Composition and Development on the Pillar Point Valley Landfill / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Vegetation cover --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Floristic analysis --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.3.1 --- "Diversity, evenness and similarity of sites" --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.3.2 --- Association of species and of quadrats --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.3.3 --- Classification of species --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Vegetation descriptions and analysis --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3.1.1 --- General vegetation cover --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3.1.2 --- Floristic composition --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.1.3 --- Ecological indices between sites --- p.61 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Species distribution along soil properties --- p.64 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Ecological development on landfills --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.3.1 --- After hydroseeding --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.3.2 --- After tree planting --- p.74 / Chapter 3.4 --- Conclusions --- p.76 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Seed Bank Composition and Development on the Pillar Point Valley Landfill / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.78 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.79 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Seed collection --- p.79 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Seed germination --- p.80 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.81 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.81 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Seed bank composition and analysis --- p.81 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Seed bank composition --- p.81 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Ecological indices between sites --- p.94 / Chapter 4.3.1.3 --- Similarity between seed banks and standing crops --- p.96 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Seed characteristics on the four sites --- p.100 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Grasslands --- p.100 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Woodlands --- p.102 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Ecological development on landfills --- p.103 / Chapter 4.3.3.1 --- After hydroseeding --- p.103 / Chapter 4.3.3.2 --- After tree planting --- p.109 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Performance of planted trees --- p.113 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusions --- p.115 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Ecophysiological Studies on Three Selected Tree Species on the Pillar Point Valley Landfill / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.117 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.120 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Field measurements --- p.120 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Statistical analysis --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Soil factors --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3.1.1 --- Soil moisture content --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3.1.2 --- Soil gas composition --- p.123 / Chapter 5.3.2. --- Ecophysiological expressions --- p.129 / Chapter 5.3.2.1 --- Fv/Fm --- p.129 / Chapter 5.3.2.2 --- Stomatal conductance --- p.134 / Chapter 5.3.2.3 --- Transpiration --- p.139 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Implications of ecophysiological studies --- p.146 / Chapter 5.4 --- Conclusions --- p.149 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- General Conclusions --- p.150 / References --- p.156

Ho So Man. / Thesis submitted in: July 2005. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-148). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.v / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.vii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.x / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xii / LIST OF PLATES --- p.xiii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- LANDFILLING --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Waste degradation and the by-products --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Restoration works on closed landfills --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Afteruses of closed landfills --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2 --- REVEGETATION ON CLOSED LANDFILLS - COMMON PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3 --- SOIL DEVELOPMENT ON DEGRADED LANDS --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4 --- NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY OF PLANTS ON CLOSED LANDFILLS --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5 --- ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT ON CLOSED LANDFILLS --- p.16 / Chapter 1.6 --- STUDY SITES --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Climate and weather --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Site description --- p.19 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Vegetation composition --- p.24 / Chapter 1.7 --- OBJECTIVES AND SIGNIFICANCES OF STUDY --- p.30 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- PROPERTIES OF COVER SOIL ON CLOSED LANDFILLS .… --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Field measurement and sample collection --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Soil analysis --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Landfill gas --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Soil texture --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Bulk density --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- pH --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Electrical conductivity --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Organic carbon --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Nitrogen --- p.46 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- Phosphorus --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.9 --- "Potassium, calcium and magnesium" --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3.10 --- Soil development on degraded land --- p.52 / Chapter 2.4 --- CONCLUSION --- p.54 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- LITTERFALL AND THROUGHFALL ON CLOSED LANDFILLS / Chapter 3.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Collection of throughfall and bulk precipitation --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Collection of litterfall --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Chemical analysis --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.3.1 --- Bulk precipitation and throughfall --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.3.2 --- Litter --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.59 / Chapter 3.3 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Bulk precipitation and throughfall --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3.1.1 --- Temporal variation of nutrient deposition --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3.1.2 --- Between site differences in nutrient flux --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Litter production --- p.77 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Nutrient flux in woodland --- p.84 / Chapter 3.4 --- CONCLUSION --- p.88 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- LITTER DECOMPOSITION STUDY ON CLOSED LANDFILL --- p.89 / Chapter 4.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Collection of litter --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Preparation of litterbag --- p.91 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Chemical analysis --- p.91 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.92 / Chapter 4.3 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION --- p.92 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Initial litter quality --- p.92 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Litter dry weight loss --- p.95 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Changes in litter composition --- p.99 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Nutrient dynamic of decomposing litter --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Litterfall and litter decomposition --- p.108 / Chapter 4.4 --- CONCLUSION --- p.110 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- NITROGEN MINERALIZATION ON CLOSED --- p.111 / Chapter 5.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.111 / Chapter 5.2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.113 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Soil sampling and incubation --- p.113 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Chemical analysis --- p.114 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- "Calculation for nitrogen mineralization, plant uptake and leaching loss" --- p.114 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.115 / Chapter 5.3 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION --- p.116 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- "Net ammonification, nitrification and nitrogen mineralization." --- p.116 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Leaching loss of mineral nitrogen --- p.126 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Plant uptake of mineral nitrogen --- p.128 / Chapter 5.4 --- CONCLUSION --- p.129 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- GENERAL CONCLUSIONS --- p.131 / REFERENCES --- p.135

Chan, Hoi Weun Kilkenny. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 233-248). / Abstract also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ABSTRACT (IN CHINESE) --- p.iv / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vi / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.viii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.xii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xiv / LIST OF PLATES --- p.xvi / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.xvii / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.xviii / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Conceptual framework --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Study objectives --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4 --- Significance of research --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5 --- Organization of thesis --- p.12 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- LITERATURE REVIEW / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2 --- The geographical setting of Hong Kong --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Climate of Hong Kong --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Geology of Hong Kong --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Soils of Hong Kong --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Vegetation of Hong Kong --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3 --- Forestry management in Hong Kong --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4 --- Land degradation and growth constraints --- p.20 / Chapter 2.5 --- Importance of ecological rehabilitation --- p.23 / Chapter 2.6 --- Use of exotic and native species in ecological rehabilitation --- p.27 / Chapter 2.7 --- Myths of native species --- p.32 / Chapter 2.8 --- Quarrying and quarry rehabilitation in Hong Kong --- p.34 / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Permit quarries --- p.34 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Contract quarries --- p.36 / Chapter 2.8.3 --- Quarry rehabilitation contracts --- p.37 / Chapter 2.9 --- Constraints of quarry rehabilitation --- p.39 / Chapter 2.10 --- Characteristics of quarry growth substrates --- p.41 / Chapter 2.11 --- Soil amendment materials --- p.42 / Chapter 2.12 --- Summary --- p.43 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- SCREENING OF SOIL AMENDMENT MATERIALS FOR THE GROWTH OF SCHIMA SUPERB A / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Experimental design --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Post-planting care --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Plant performance measurements --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3 --- Laboratory analysis --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Soils --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Amendment materials --- p.59 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Foliar nutrient contents --- p.60 / Chapter 3.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.61 / Chapter 3.5 --- Results and discussion --- p.61 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Physical and chemical properties of decomposed granite --- p.61 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Chemical properties of soil amendment materials --- p.64 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Plant growth performance --- p.68 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Effect of SAMs on growth performance of the seedlings --- p.78 / Chapter 3.6 --- Summary --- p.81 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- SOILS AND VEGETATION CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE RESTORED QUARRY SITES / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.85 / Chapter 4.2 --- Study area --- p.87 / Chapter 4.3 --- Methodology --- p.92 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Experimental design --- p.92 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Soil sampling --- p.93 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Vegetation survey --- p.94 / Chapter 4.4 --- Data processing and statistical analysis --- p.95 / Chapter 4.5 --- Results and discussion --- p.96 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Characteristics and properties of the restored soils --- p.96 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Vegetation survey --- p.110 / Chapter 4.6 --- Summary --- p.130 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE --- EFFECT OF ENGINEERING DESIGN AND RAINSTORM ON ECOLOGICAL REHABILITATION / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.133 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methodology --- p.135 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Experimental design --- p.135 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Assessment of plant growth and storm damage --- p.142 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Laboratory analysis --- p.143 / Chapter 5.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.143 / Chapter 5.4 --- Results and discussion --- p.143 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Physical and chemical properties of the growth substrate --- p.143 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Chemical properties of the soil amendment materials --- p.146 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- The weather and growth conditions in ARQ --- p.149 / Chapter 5.4.4 --- Damage caused by the rainstorm --- p.155 / Chapter 5.4.5 --- Survival rates of the seedlings --- p.161 / Chapter 5.4.6 --- Growth performance of seedlings 3 months after planting --- p.163 / Chapter 5.4.7 --- Lessons learnt from this experiment --- p.167 / Chapter 5.5 --- Summary --- p.174 / Chapter CHAPTER SIX --- GROWTH OF SCHIMA SUPERBA AND RHAPHIOLEPIS INDICA ON DECOMPOSED GRANITE (DG) AND DECOMPOSED VOLCANIC (DV) / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.177 / Chapter 6.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.179 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Experimental design --- p.179 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Plant performance measurements and data processing --- p.181 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Laboratory analysis --- p.182 / Chapter 6.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.182 / Chapter 6.4 --- Results and discussion --- p.183 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Properties of decomposed granite and decomposed volcanic --- p.183 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Properties of the soil amendment materials --- p.186 / Chapter 6.4.3 --- Survival rates of the seedlings --- p.188 / Chapter 6.4.4 --- Height growth of seedlings --- p.198 / Chapter 6.4.5 --- Stem basal diameter growth of seedlings --- p.201 / Chapter 6.4.6 --- Overall growth performance of seedlings --- p.203 / Chapter 6.5 --- Summary --- p.204 / Chapter CHAPTER SEVEN --- CONCLUSIONS / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.207 / Chapter 7.2 --- Summary of major findings --- p.207 / Chapter 7.3 --- Implications of the study --- p.216 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Screening of soil amendment materials to promote early growth of seedlings in decomposed granite --- p.216 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Successional development in the restored quarry sites under existing revegetation programme --- p.218 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- Constraints of quarry rehabilitation --- p.221 / Chapter 7.3.4 --- Potential use of native species in quarry rehabilitation --- p.225 / Chapter 7.4 --- Limitations of the study --- p.228 / Chapter 7.5 --- Suggestions for further study --- p.230 / REFERENCES --- p.233 / APPENDICES --- p.249

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

Wong Cheuk Yuet. / Thesis submitted in: July 2003. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 223-233). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.iv / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.ix / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xii / LIST OF PLATES --- p.xiv / LIST OF TABLES --- p.xv / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- About the thesis --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Background of Hong Kong --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Geography --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Climate --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Vegetation and their distribution --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Floristic composition --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Urban development and forestry history --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3 --- Restoration of degraded lands --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Importance of restoration --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Sites for restoration --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Substratum for restoration in Hong Kong --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Revegetation --- p.19 / Chapter 1.4 --- Species for plantation --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Exotics vs. natives --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Fields of controversy --- p.23 / Chapter 1.5 --- Project objectives and significances --- p.26 / Chapter 1.6 --- Study sites --- p.27 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Criteria for site selection --- p.27 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Shek O Quarry and Lam Tei Quarry --- p.27 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Rehabilitation of the quarries --- p.31 / Chapter 1.6.4 --- Site specificity and representativeness --- p.33 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- Characterization of CDG on Site --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Soil sampling --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Soil analysis --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4 --- Results and discussion --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Characterization and comparison of soil stock between two sites --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Comparison between raw soil and grassed soil --- p.46 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Comparison among phases --- p.49 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Comparison with other studies --- p.56 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Soil development in two quarries --- p.58 / Chapter 2.5 --- Conclusions --- p.59 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- Natives Performance in Revegetation on CDG - I. Common PlantationSpecies --- p.61 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.64 / Chapter 3.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.66 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results and discussion --- p.68 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Height and basal diameter at the beginning of study --- p.68 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Relative growth rates of different ages --- p.72 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Comparison between sites --- p.84 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusions --- p.89 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- Natives Performance in Revegetation on CDG ´ؤ II. the Neglected Species --- p.91 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.91 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Seed dispersal and rehabilitation --- p.91 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Conservation and rehabilitation --- p.92 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Framework species --- p.93 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Species selection --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Planting area --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Planting scheme --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Planting protocol --- p.100 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Field measurements --- p.102 / Chapter 4.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.106 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results and discussion --- p.107 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- General performance of the planted species --- p.107 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- General inter-specific comparison --- p.116 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Effect of aspect on seedling performance --- p.120 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Effect of elevation on seedling performance --- p.140 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Overall species evaluation --- p.147 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusions --- p.151 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- Further Exploration of Other Potential Pioneer Natives --- p.153 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.153 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.155 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.156 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Inter-site comparison --- p.161 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Inter-phase comparison --- p.163 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Ranking of species --- p.171 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Invaders for exploration --- p.171 / Chapter 5.4 --- Conclusions --- p.177 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- Performance of Five Natives under Different N:P Combinations --- p.180 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.180 / Chapter 6.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.181 / Chapter 6.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.185 / Chapter 6.4 --- Results and discussion --- p.186 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Height --- p.186 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Basal diameter --- p.193 / Chapter 6.4.3 --- Leaf number --- p.200 / Chapter 6.4.4 --- Total dry weight --- p.200 / Chapter 6.4.5 --- Aerial and underground dry weight --- p.202 / Chapter 6.4.6 --- "Chlorophyll florescence, stomatal conductance and transpiration" --- p.207 / Chapter 6.4.7 --- General species performance in treatments --- p.214 / Chapter 6.4.8 --- Comparison with seedling performance in field trial --- p.215 / Chapter 6.5 --- Conclusions --- p.216 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- General Conclusions --- p.217 / REFERENCES --- p.223 / APPENDIX I --- p.234 / APPENDIX II --- p.235 / APPENDIX III --- p.237 / APPENDIX IV --- p.238 / APPENDIX V --- p.241 / APPENDIX VI --- p.242

Lau Ka Wah Joyce. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-192). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.xi / List of Figures --- p.xiv / List of Plates --- p.xvi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Environment of Hong Kong --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1.1 --- Topography --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1.2 --- Climate --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1.3 --- Expanding population --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Landslide history in Hong Kong and government action --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Slopes in Hong Kong --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Stabilization means --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2 --- Biotechnical stabilization --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Concept --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- History --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Advantages and strengths of vegetation --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Other components in biotechnical stabilization --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3 --- The situation in Hong Kong --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Government policy on control of visual impact of slopes --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Landslip Preventive Measures (LPM) Program --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Slope landscaping proprietary systems --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.3.1 --- Proprietary systems --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.3.2 --- Problems and limitations --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4 --- Ecosystem reconstruction on slopes --- p.23 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Concept --- p.23 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Plant requirements --- p.24 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Potential challenges --- p.24 / Chapter 1.4.3.1 --- Steep gradient and related problems --- p.24 / Chapter 1.4.3.2 --- Thin soil --- p.24 / Chapter 1.4.3.3 --- Water supply --- p.26 / Chapter 1.4.3.4 --- Nutrient availability --- p.27 / Chapter 1.5 --- Species selection --- p.28 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Vegetation types --- p.28 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Natives or exotics --- p.29 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Currently employed species and problems --- p.29 / Chapter 1.6 --- The current study --- p.31 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Objectives --- p.31 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Significance --- p.31 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Soil status and vegetation of cutslopes --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Physical properties of substrates on slopes --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Gradient --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Aspect --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.1.3 --- Soil depth --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.1.4 --- Bulk density --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.1.5 --- Soil texture --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Chemical properties of substrates on slopes --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- pH --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Conductivity --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.2.3 --- Organic carbon --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.2.4 --- Carbon: nitrogen ratio --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.2.5 --- Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.2.6 --- Mineral nitrogen (Ammonium and nitrate) --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.2.7 --- Total phosphorus --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.2.8 --- Available phosphorus --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.2.9 --- Major extractable cations --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Other properties on slopes --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2.4.1 --- Green coverage --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2.4.2 --- Invaded species --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Physical properties of substrates on slopes --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Chemical properties of substrates on slopes --- p.51 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Other properties of the slopes --- p.58 / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- Green coverage --- p.58 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Invaded species --- p.60 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.61 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- The physical properties of substrates on slopes --- p.63 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Chemical properties of substrates and their seasonal changes on slopes --- p.66 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Green coverage and its seasonal changes --- p.70 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Comparison between the standards and results --- p.75 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Other problems --- p.78 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary --- p.79 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Species selection for cutslope revegetation --- p.81 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.81 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- The need to expand species variety for revegetation --- p.81 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Criteria for plant selection --- p.81 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Advantages of grasses and herbaceous legumes --- p.83 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Pot experiment --- p.85 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.86 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Summer grasses --- p.88 / Chapter 3.2.1.1 --- Germination rate --- p.88 / Chapter 3.2.1.2 --- Pot experiment --- p.88 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Summer legumes --- p.90 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Winter grasses --- p.90 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Winter legumes --- p.90 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.91 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Soil properties --- p.91 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Aboveground biomass production --- p.91 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- Summer grasses --- p.91 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Summer legumes --- p.98 / Chapter 3.3.2.3 --- Winter grasses --- p.101 / Chapter 3.3.2.4 --- Winter legumes --- p.106 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Foliar nutrient concentration --- p.111 / Chapter 3.3.3.1 --- Summer grass --- p.111 / Chapter 3.3.3.2 --- Summer legumes --- p.113 / Chapter 3.3.3.3 --- Winter grasses --- p.114 / Chapter 3.3.3.4 --- Winter legumes --- p.115 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.116 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Aboveground biomass production --- p.119 / Chapter 3.4.1.1 --- Summer grasses --- p.119 / Chapter 3.4.1.2 --- Summer legumes --- p.121 / Chapter 3.4.1.3 --- Winter grasses --- p.122 / Chapter 3.4.1.4 --- Winter legumes --- p.125 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Foliar nutrient concentration --- p.126 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Common nutrient application and the plant requirements --- p.128 / Chapter 3.5 --- Summary --- p.129 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Growth of summer grasses in a combination of stresses --- p.131 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.131 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.131 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Study species --- p.131 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Pot experiment --- p.132 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.132 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Pot experiment --- p.132 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Aboveground biomass --- p.132 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Foliar nutrient concentration --- p.138 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.140 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Pot experiment --- p.140 / Chapter 4.4.1.1 --- Aboveground biomass --- p.140 / Chapter 4.4.1.2 --- Foliar nutrient concentration --- p.141 / Chapter 4.5 --- Summary --- p.141 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Growth of summer grasses on simulated slopes --- p.143 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.143 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.145 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Study species --- p.145 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Artificial panel trial --- p.145 / Chapter 5.2.2.1 --- Experimental setup --- p.145 / Chapter 5.2.2.2 --- Growth pattern and green coverage --- p.147 / Chapter 5.2.2.3 --- Sediment runoff and change in soil thickness --- p.147 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.148 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Grass growth on artificial panels --- p.148 / Chapter 5.3.1.1 --- Aboveground biomass and green coverage --- p.148 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- "Relationship between rainfall, runoff and soil loss" --- p.149 / Chapter 5.3.2.1 --- Effect of rainfall on runoff --- p.149 / Chapter 5.3.2.2 --- Effect of runoff on soil loss --- p.151 / Chapter 5.3.2.3 --- Effect of rainfall on soil loss --- p.152 / Chapter 5.3.2.4 --- Effect of aspect --- p.154 / Chapter 5.3.2.5 --- Effect of green coverage on soil loss --- p.154 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Percentage of greening --- p.155 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Soil thickness --- p.157 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.159 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Grass growth on artificial panels --- p.159 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- "Relationship between rainfall, runoff and soil loss" --- p.160 / Chapter 5.4.2.1 --- Effect of rainfall on runoff --- p.160 / Chapter 5.4.2.2 --- Effect of runoff on soil loss --- p.160 / Chapter 5.4.2.3 --- Effect of rainfall on soil loss --- p.161 / Chapter 5.4.2.4 --- Effect of aspect on runoff and soil loss --- p.163 / Chapter 5.4.2.5 --- Effect of green coverage on runoff and soil loss --- p.164 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Effects of other variables --- p.165 / Chapter 5.4.3.1 --- Effect of green coverage --- p.165 / Chapter 5.4.3.2 --- Effect of aspect --- p.167 / Chapter 5.4.4 --- Soil thickness --- p.168 / Chapter 5.5 --- Summary --- p.168 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusion --- p.170 / Chapter 6.1 --- Summary of major finding --- p.170 / Chapter 6.2 --- Implications of the study --- p.172 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Growth medium --- p.172 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Species selection --- p.174 / Chapter 6.3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.175 / Chapter 6.4 --- Suggestions for further investigation --- p.175 / References --- p.177

Ecological changes in soil covers were studied in terms of physical, chemical and biological properties in the three quarries. Results show that all soils were classified as sand loam in texture, and high bulk density and low total porosity were common problems. Soils were strongly acidic to moderately acidic in reaction. Organic C, total N, extractable NO3 - and extractable cations increased with increasing rehabilitation age, but others did not show similar trends. The results of mineral N flux in soil show that ammonification predominated over nitrification in TH and LT, while nitrification predominated in SO in wet season. In dry season, ammonification predominated over nitrification in all phases, except TH. Net N mineralization increased with age. The results of soil microbial study show that older sites had the highest total microbial abundance and biomass C and N, while those in younger sites were low. Metabolic abilities of soil microbes developed gradually with ages in SO, but TH and LT had the similar patterns of carbon source utilization. The group of G- bacteria dominated in all sites, in which cy19:0 represented more than 15% of the total extracted FAMEs. The group of fungi and AM fungi decreased with increasing ages in the three quarries. / Lacks of seed rain and seed bank were major factors limiting vegetation regeneration. Physical and chemical problems of cover soils are still severe even after 10 years of rehabilitation. Therefore, adding native species with fleshy fruits to attract birds, and leguminous species to assist in the buildup of nitrogen capital should be recommended. Application of organic composts should be considered by quarry contractors and managers during early rehabilitation period to improve soil structure and raise nutrient storage capacities. / To evaluate the ecological succession in the floristic composition and structure of closed quarries, studies of the current vegetation development and seed dynamics were carried out in the three quarries, namely Turret Hill Quarry (TH), Lam Tei Quarry (LT) and Shek O Quarry (SO). The floristic composition shows that the species richness and Shannon index were higher on older phases than other younger phases in the overstorey and understorey vegetation. Although planted exotic species dominated the overstorey at different phases, some native species became more dominant in the understorey, and the importance value of native species accounted for more than 50%. Seed rain results show that older sites had higher seed number and seed species than younger sites. In terms of number of seeds, half were dispersed by birds, while 23% and 27% were dispersed by wind and civets, respectively. Seed germination experiment shows that most species from all twelve woody species had higher germination in SO, though most emerging seedlings finally died under the field condition. In the soil seed bank study, high seed species and density were recorded on older sites. Non-woody species predominated on all phases of the three quarries, but some pioneer tree and shrub species were better represented on older sites. / Zhang, Hao. / Adviser: L.M. Chu. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-02, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 238-280). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

by Tsang Po-yan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 173-191). / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / List of Tables --- p.iv / List of Figures --- p.v / List of Plates --- p.vi / List of Appendices --- p.vii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Conceptual framework --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4 --- Significance and scope of study --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.18 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- STUDY AREA / Chapter 2.1 --- Location --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2 --- Climate --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3 --- Geology --- p.25 / Chapter 2.4 --- Soils --- p.26 / Chapter 2.5 --- Vegetation --- p.27 / Chapter 2.6 --- Restoration and floristic composition of the rehabilitated communities --- p.29 / Chapter 2.7 --- Post-planting maintenance of the rehabilitated communities --- p.31 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESTORATION OF SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sampling --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Soil reaction --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Organic carbon --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Mineral nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate nitrogen) --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Total phosphorus --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Available phosphorus --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Exchangeable cations --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Exchangeable A1 and H --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Carbon : nitrogen ratio --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.40 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Chemical properties of the newly excavated soil --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Effect of rehabilitated communities on soil chemical properties --- p.42 / Chapter 3.4.2.1 --- Soil reaction and exchangeable acidity --- p.42 / Chapter 3.4.2.2 --- Organic matter and C:N ratio --- p.43 / Chapter 3.4.2.3 --- Total Kjeldahl N and mineral N --- p.43 / Chapter 3.4.2.4 --- Total and available phosphorus --- p.44 / Chapter 3.4.2.5 --- Nutrient cations --- p.44 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Intra-layer differences of soil properties --- p.44 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.46 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Properties of granitic soils awaiting restoration --- p.46 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Effect of rehabilitated communities on soil acidity --- p.49 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- "Effect of rehabilitated communities on SOM, N and P" --- p.51 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Changes in cation nutrients after rehabilitation --- p.57 / Chapter 3.5.5 --- Comparison of ecosystem rehabilitation with other studies --- p.60 / Chapter 3.6 --- Conclusion --- p.66 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- NITROGEN MINERALIZATION / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methodology --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- In situ incubation --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- "Determination of N mineralization, uptake and leaching" --- p.75 / Chapter 4.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Temporal variations of NH4-N and N03-N in the rehabilitated sites --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- "Net ammonification, nitrification and N mineralization in the rehabilitated sites" --- p.78 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Uptake of mineral N in the rehabilitated sites --- p.80 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Leaching loss of mineral N in the rehabilitated sites --- p.82 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.84 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Nitrogen mineralization in the rehabilitated sites --- p.84 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Uptake of mineral nitrogen in the newly rehabilitated sites --- p.92 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Leaching loss of and mechanisms to conserve mineral nitrogen in newly rehabilitated sites --- p.96 / Chapter 4.6 --- Conclusion --- p.98 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- SOIL RESPIRATION IN NEWLY REHABILITATED BORROW AREA / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.100 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methodology --- p.105 / Chapter 5.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.107 / Chapter 5.4 --- Results --- p.107 / Chapter 5.5 --- Discussion --- p.109 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Inherent microbial activities of the newly excavated soil --- p.109 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Effects of young plantations on soil respiration --- p.110 / Chapter 5.5.3 --- Comparison of soil respiration between the rehabilitated sites and secondary Pinus massoniana woodland --- p.114 / Chapter 5.6 --- Conclusion --- p.116 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND FOLIAR COMPOSITION OF REHABILITATED VEGETATION / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.118 / Chapter 6.2 --- Methodology --- p.122 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Growth performance measurements --- p.122 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Chemical analysis --- p.123 / Chapter 6.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.124 / Chapter 6.4 --- Results --- p.124 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Growth measurements --- p.124 / Chapter 6.4.1.1 --- Height --- p.124 / Chapter 6.4.1.2 --- Stem basal diameter (SBD) --- p.127 / Chapter 6.4.1.3 --- Crown coverage --- p.130 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Foliar nutrient composition of rehabilitated vegetation --- p.133 / Chapter 6.4.2.1 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen --- p.133 / Chapter 6.4.2.2 --- Total phosphorus --- p.134 / Chapter 6.4.2.3 --- Potassium --- p.136 / Chapter 6.4.2.4 --- Sodium --- p.137 / Chapter 6.4.2.5 --- Calcium --- p.138 / Chapter 6.4.2.6 --- Magnesium --- p.140 / Chapter 6.4.3 --- Element abundance among the rehabilitated species --- p.142 / Chapter 6.5 --- Discussion --- p.142 / Chapter 6.5.1 --- Species growth in the rehabilitated sites --- p.142 / Chapter 6.5.2 --- Role of nitrogen fixers in rehabilitating the borrow area --- p.144 / Chapter 6.5.3 --- Species selection in ecosystem restoration --- p.150 / Chapter 6.6 --- Conclusion --- p.154 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 7.1 --- Summary of findings --- p.156 / Chapter 7.2 --- Implications of the study --- p.161 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Ecosystem restoration strategy in Hong Kong --- p.161 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Can native species establish on degraded land? --- p.164 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Are the present findings transferable to other areas? --- p.167 / Chapter 7.3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.169 / Chapter 7.4 --- Suggestion for future studies --- p.171 / REFERENCES --- p.173 / APPENDICES --- p.192