published_or_final_version / Geography and Geology / Master / Master of Philosophy

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