Yuen Siu-man. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 158-180). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / Table of Contents --- p.ix / List of Tablcs --- p.xvi / List of Figures --- p.xix / List of Plates --- p.xx / List of Appendices --- p.xxi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- lntroduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Problem --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Towngas pipeline --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Environmental impact assessment (EIA) --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Landscape restoration --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3 --- Conceptual Framework --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Ecosystem disturbance and soil impacts of pipeline construction --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Scope and baseline --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Mitigation and restoration guidelines --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives of the Study --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5 --- Significance of the Study --- p.21 / Chapter 1.6 --- Scope of the Study --- p.22 / Chapter 1.7 --- Terminology in the Thesis --- p.23 / Chapter 1.8 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.26 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review / Chapter 2.1 --- Ecosystem Disturbance and Impacts of Pipeline Construction --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2 --- Soil as an Important Natural Resource --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3 --- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Theory and practice of EIA --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- EIA in Hong Kong --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Soil assessment in EIA --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Ecological impact assessment in EIA --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Mitigation --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Significance of impacts --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Weaknesses of EIA --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- "Post-project analysis, monitoring and audits" --- p.41 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Study Area and Methodology / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Climate --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3 --- Geology and Soils --- p.46 / Chapter 3.4 --- Study Plots --- p.48 / Chapter 3.5 --- Methodology --- p.56 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Experimental design --- p.56 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Fieldwork --- p.57 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Laboratory analysis --- p.58 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Date processing and statistical analysis --- p.61 / Chapter 3.5.5 --- EIA report review --- p.62 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Soil Baseline / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2 --- Results --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Texture --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Bulk density --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Soil acidity --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Exchangeable acidity and aluminum --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Soil organic matter (SOM) --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Total and mineral nitrogen --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Total and available phosphorus --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Exchangeable cations --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- "Effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), base saturation (BS) and aluminum saturation" --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2.10 --- C/N ratio --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3 --- Discussion --- p.74 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Acidity problem --- p.74 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Soil texture and bulk density --- p.75 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Soil organic matter and nitrogen --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Soil phosphorus --- p.78 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- "Exchangeable cations, ECEC. BS and aluminum saturation" --- p.78 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Implications on landscape restoration --- p.80 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusion --- p.82 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Impacts of Pipeline Construction on Soils / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.84 / Chapter 5.2 --- Results --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- "Soil acidity, exchangeable hydrogen and aluminum" --- p.86 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Soil texture and bulk density --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Soil organic matter --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Soil TKN --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Phosphorus --- p.91 / Chapter 5.2.6 --- Soil exchangeable cations --- p.94 / Chapter 5.2.7 --- "ECEC, BS and aluminum saturation" --- p.96 / Chapter 5.3 --- Discussion --- p.99 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Nature of the soil impacts --- p.99 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Causes of soil impact --- p.101 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Spatial difference of soil impacts --- p.108 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Significance of the impacts --- p.111 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Mitigation measures --- p.117 / Chapter 5.4 --- Conclusion --- p.120 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Improvement of EIA on Soil Management / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.122 / Chapter 6.2 --- Evaluation of Information Provided by the EIA --- p.124 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Need of more detailed soil baseline --- p.124 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Inadequate soil impact prediction --- p.126 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Need of site-specific soil mitigation --- p.128 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Soil management in EIA --- p.130 / Chapter 6.3 --- Soil Impact Assessment (SIA) --- p.136 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Soil baseline --- p.138 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Impact prediction and significance --- p.140 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Mitigation in SIA --- p.142 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Monitoring in SIA --- p.143 / Chapter 6.3.5 --- Post-project evaluation in SIA --- p.144 / Chapter 6.3.6 --- Application of SIA --- p.145 / Chapter 6.4 --- Conclusion --- p.146 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Conclusion / Chapter 7.1 --- Summary of Findings --- p.147 / Chapter 7.1.1 --- Undisturbed soil conditions --- p.147 / Chapter 7.1.2 --- Soil impacts and resultant soil properties --- p.149 / Chapter 7.1.3 --- Evaluation of the EIA Report --- p.151 / Chapter 7.2 --- Implications --- p.152 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Challenge to Aber's disturbance level theory --- p.152 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Consolidation of impacts assessment in EIA --- p.153 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Information for soil impact assessment --- p.154 / Chapter 7.3 --- Limitations of study --- p.154 / Chapter 7.4 --- Further Research --- p.156 / References --- p.158 / Appendices --- p.181

Leung Hoi-gok. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 188-205). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 槪論 --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.vii / List of Figures --- p.viii / List of Plates --- p.ix / List of Appendices --- p.x / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Problems --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3 --- Conceptual Framework --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4 --- Significance of the Study --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5 --- Scope of Study --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.19 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- STUDY AREA / Chapter 2.1 --- Physical Setting of Hong Kong --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- "Towngas Pipeline Project, the Land Section" --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3 --- Study Plots --- p.30 / Chapter 2.4 --- Observation on the Site --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5 --- Post-planting Care --- p.40 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- SOIL PROPERTIES AND IMPACTS BY PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sampling --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Bulk density --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Soil texture --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Soil reaction --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Organic carbon --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Total Kjedahl nitrogen (TKN) --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Available phosphate --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- "Exchangeable K, Ca and Mg" --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Soil texture --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Bulk density --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Soil pH --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Soil organic matter --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- Available phosphorus --- p.59 / Chapter 3.4.7 --- "Exchangeable potassium, calcium and magnesium ions" --- p.59 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.64 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Nutrient content of shoulder and proper soils --- p.64 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Causes for the change of soil properties --- p.72 / Chapter 3.5.2.1 --- Construction of the pipeline --- p.72 / Chapter 3.5.2.2 --- Influence of localized factors --- p.74 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Recommendations on soil management --- p.75 / Chapter 3.6 --- Conclusion --- p.77 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- SPECIES SELECTION IN RESTORATION PLANTING / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.79 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methodology --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Vegetation sampling --- p.83 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.85 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Species composition of the undisturbed habitats --- p.85 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Species composition of the restored vegetation --- p.88 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.95 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Inadequate baseline and impact prediction in project EIA --- p.95 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Restoration strategy --- p.98 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Species selection in restoration planting --- p.101 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Compatibility of species in restoration planting --- p.105 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.110 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF VEGETATION AND NATURAL INVASION IN THE SITES / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.112 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methodology --- p.117 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.119 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Growth performance of shrubs and trees --- p.119 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Ground cover --- p.131 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Species invading the pipeline corridor --- p.132 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.133 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Growth performance of the restored saplings --- p.133 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Site constraints --- p.135 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Natural invasion on the pipeline corridor --- p.140 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion --- p.141 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- RESTORATION TECHNIQUES AND MANAGEMENT / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.144 / Chapter 6.2 --- Overview of the Project EIA --- p.146 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Guidelines for site preparation --- p.146 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Planting techniques of the restored vegetation --- p.148 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Maintenance and aftercare --- p.149 / Chapter 6.3 --- Evaluation on Restoration Techniques and Aftercare --- p.149 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Site preparation --- p.149 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Restoration techniques of the vegetation --- p.151 / Chapter 6.4 --- Conclusion --- p.153 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- IMPROVEMENT ON ECOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.154 / Chapter 7.2 --- Integrative Discussion --- p.156 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Scoping and focusing procedures --- p.156 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Impact assessment --- p.160 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Impact mitigation --- p.161 / Chapter 7.2.4 --- Monitoring and auditing --- p.165 / Chapter 7.2.5 --- Guidelines of restoration in the technical memorandum of EIAO --- p.167 / Chapter 7.3 --- Conclusion --- p.169 / Chapter CHAPTER 8 --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 8.1 --- Summary of Findings --- p.171 / Chapter 8.2 --- Implications of the Study --- p.179 / Chapter 8.2.1 --- Criteria for the selection of species in restoration --- p.179 / Chapter 8.2.2 --- Silvicultural knowledge of native species --- p.180 / Chapter 8.2.3 --- Soil impact assessment for project involving soil alternation --- p.182 / Chapter 8.2.4 --- Improvement on environmental monitoring and auditing --- p.182 / Chapter 8.3 --- Limitation of the Study --- p.183 / Chapter 8.4 --- Suggestion for Further Studies --- p.185 / REFERENCES --- p.188 / APPENDICES --- p.206