Conservation in Hong Kong: citizen scientists enlisted to record and safeguard city’s amazing biodiversity
More coral species than the Caribbean, more bird species than New York or London, over a quarter of China’s marine species – nature is bountiful in Hong Kong, and citizens of all ages are being encouraged to record and safeguard it
In his bag, the 11-year-old budding ant expert had a camera and some boxes, hoping to add to his collection of six colonies as well as the 20 videos he has uploaded on his YouTube channel, “AntsHongKong”.
Nearby, genetic biologist Gert Grobler mixed wine with strawberries in one trap and nail polish with alcohol in another, in a bid to attract beetles – one of the world’s most diverse family of insects. Meanwhile, beyond the fence, wild boar crashed through the trees and bats whizzed overhead.
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Welcome to Tai Tam Tuk BioBlitz, a 24-hour event held last month that attracted more than 350 people aged between three and 80, all eager to record as many species of plants and animals as possible.
Organised by the Tai Tam Tuk Foundation and funded by the Hong Kong government’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department as part of its biodiversity festival, it is the latest in a series of “citizen science” events. Its aim is to encourage Hongkongers to step beyond the covered walkways and subway tunnels of urban Hong Kong to document what’s in the sea and on land around them.
The guest of honour was a pioneer of citizen science, bird expert Jim Flegg.
Flegg was born in Hong Kong and once called Tai Tam Tuk home. Between 1968 and 1976, he was director of the British Trust for Ornithology, helping connect volunteers with scientists to gather information on birds.