A look at some recent projects carried out by AEC provides an overview of the team’s competencies and capabilities.

KCRC Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Ecological Compensation Area (Client: KCRC; AEC service: Provision of ecological monitoring and technical support).  Design and supervision of Hong Kong’s first constructed wetland, including all construction phases, ongoing management programme and monitoring of compliance with ecological targets set out in the EP.

KCRC East Rail Extensions ― Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (Client: KCRC; AEC service: Environmental Impact Assessment).  Study and report on potential impact on bird communities, preparation of ecological input to environmental assessment and development of ecological mitigation measures, provision of expert witness testimony at EIA appeal hearing.

Study on Preventative Measures to Minimise Cormorant Predation in Commercial Fishponds (Client: AFCD; AEC service: Lead consultant plus follow-up work testing the effectiveness of measures adopted).  Design and implementation of study focusing on Great Cormorant feeding ecology in the Deep Bay area, particularly as it affects commercial fisheries.  Identification and monitoring of appropriate measures to minimise impact.

Birdstrike Control Professional Services at Hong Kong International Airport (Client: Hong Kong Airport Authority; AEC service: Monitoring and advice regarding bird control and birdstrike reduction). Term contract to monitor bird use of the airport (currently Asia’s third busiest for passenger traffic) and advice on measures to discourage birds, including active deterrents and vegetation management.

KCRC West Rail Wetland Mitigation Area (Client: KCRC; AEC service: Monitoring establishment of wetland mitigation area).  Monitoring programme, including radio-telemetry study of use of wetland by Greater Painted-snipe and systematic assessment of colonisation by herpetofauna and invertebrates.

Fung Lok Wai — Proposed residential development (Client: Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd; AEC service: Ecological surveys and egretry-related mitigation proposals). Survey of part of the Deep Bay wetlands, including mapping of plant communities and numbers/distribution of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, dragonflies and butterflies.  Detailed study of possible impacts of proposed development on an existing egretry plus design of mitigation measures.

Focal Study of Black-faced Spoonbills — Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay Area (Client: AFCD; AEC service: Radio-telemetry studies of Black-faced Spoonbills and analysis of data).  To gather detailed information on the ecology of the critically endangered Black-faced spoonbill, particularly day- and night-time habitat use.

Field Study on Habitat Requirements of Anatidae Species — Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay Area (Client: AFCD; AEC service: Studies of habitat selection and movements of duck populations of regional importance).  Survey utilising a wide variety of trapping, marking and radio-telemetry techniques.

South Lantau and Mui Wo Development Feasibility Study (Client: Planning Dept of HKSAR Government; AEC service: Assessment of ecological impact and eco-tourism potential).  Surveys, analysis and reporting on impacts on terrestrial ecology of potential development nodes, plus potential for eco-tourism development.

Influenza Studies in Hong Kong Wild Bird Populations (Client: University of Hong Kong, Dept of Microbiology; AEC service: Bird-trapping and sample collection). Use of species-appropriate trapping techniques to catch wild birds. Collection of samples for Avian Influenza testing programme.