Ecological Monitoring
Butterfly Monitoring
The survival of butterflies relies not only on host plants and nectar plants; but their populations are also extremely sensitive to the changes in the environment. A vast tract of plants favorable for butterfly breeding was replaced with weeds ever since the villagers gave up farming in the 70s. With the funding support from the Environment and Conservation Fund, the Fung Yuen butterfly conservation program was launched and different plants were replanted in the abandoned farmland. Over 200 butterfly species have been recorded since the commencement of the program and the results are encouraging. To monitor the ecological quality of Fung Yuen, monthly butterfly surveys are being conducted by experts to record the number of butterfly species.
Bird Monitoring
Habitat diversity of Fung Yuen can be reflected in the number of bird species; the ecological environment of Fung Yuen includes valley terrain at Cloudy Hill, scrubland and grassland in the hillside as well as woodland and orchards, over 100 bird species have been bred in the area. Since the commencement of the program, bird surveys are carried out by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society on a quarterly basis to record the number of bird species within the area of Fung Yuen Valley, record the effect on how the conservation program has affected the number of bird species.
Host Plant Monitoring
There is a wide range of plants in Fung Yuen, host plants of the most common wildflowers and weeds (e.g. Oxalidaceae) as well as rare and protected climber can also be found. Nearly all butterfly larva have designated host plants (plant for butterfly larva), their habitat will not be far away from the host plants. For example, India Birthwort would be found nearby in the presence of Common Birdwing and Common Rose.
The purpose of host plant monitoring is to outline the species of host plants and their locations, thus one is able to infer the possible butterfly species within the area. For example, the population of Tailed Jay and Common Jay will be possible with the planting of Prynne trees in that area. Fung Yuen has commissioned the Department of Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong to be responsible for the monitoring activities.
Nocturnal Reptiles and Amphibian Monitoring
Reptiles and amphibian are predators of nature; their diversity can reflect the number of prey such as insects, small mammals and frogs. Amphibian are very sensitive to water quality changes, hence the changes of their numbers can be reflected if the streams nearby are contaminated.
To better understand the environmental circumstances and biodiversity in the vicinity of Fung Yuen, Reserve committee members, advisers and volunteers will be arranged periodically to conduct reptiles and amphibian survey. Since reptiles and amphibian are mostly nocturnal animals, therefore, related surveys and records are to be carried out at night.
Moth Monitoring
Butterflies and moths are both insects of theorder Lepidoptera, their body structure, life cycles and feeding habits are very similar. The survival of moth is the same as butterfly which relies on the distribution of host plants. Fung Yuen has a great variety of plants and butterflies, and is consequently an ideal site for the study of Hong Kong moths. In 2009 expert from Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden was commissioned to undertake moth surveys in order to enhance the understanding of the moth species in Hong Kong as well as the habitat diversity of Fung Yuen, and work out a more comprehensive conservation measure.
Environmental Monitoring
The survival of animals and plants at Fung Yuen are closely linked to the variation in environmental quality, the biodiversity of Fung Yuen cannot be sustained without good environmental factors. In recent years, adjacent development project have threatened the surroundings of Fung Yuen. In order to monitor the environmental variation in the face of the project, The Education University of Hong Kong conducts water, air and noise monitoring regularly at Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve. This consequently allow us to take prompt, effective assessment and response to the various effects on ecology and residents of Fung Yuen.