1 Disneyland development: Benefit or loss? - IntroductionIntroduction - Differences between two aerial photographsDifferences between two aerial photographs - Is “greening” (plantation) always environmentally- friendly? (Q3)Is “greening” (plantation) always environmentally- friendly? (Q3) - Compare natural and artificial habitat (Q4)Compare natural and artificial habitat (Q4) - Compensation for urban development (Q6)Compensation for urban development (Q6) Activity 1 Click the links below to access the slides:

2 Do you know where this is? The aerial photo reproduced with permission of the Director of Lands.© The Government of Hong Kong SAR, License No. 21/ It’s Penny’s Bay where Disneyland was built!

The aerial photos reproduced with permission of the Director of Lands.© The Government of Hong Kong SAR, License No. 21/ What are the major differences between the two photographs? Think about it: Which one is “greener”? When Phase II of the Theme Park is completed, the total green area will be further increased 2005

Is artificial greening always environmentally- friendly? 4

Greening of Disneyland involves transplantation of expensive exotic species: environmentally-friendly? Ming Pao (6 May 2005) We discovered a 10 m high Bottle Tree with bare branches fallen to the ground near the backstage area. According to botanists, the tree died due to improper transplantation. It was worth over $100,000 and its export from Australia will be restricted starting next year. ……The park claimed earlier that over 18,000 trees of over 300 species are planted within the park, and the hotel area, of which 40% were bought from Australia, Thailand and Malaysia. The Bottle Tree was selected due to its peculiar appearance. Three such trees which are over 100 years old have been planted in Tomorrowland surrounded by 20 smaller ones. Bottle Tree ( 瓶子樹 ) 5

What is the environmental impact of land clearance and reclamation on biodiversity? 6

Competition: How many types of habitats can your group list? List the available habitats that can be found - Before & - After building of the Disneyland. Image courtesy of Chow Chi-yui, Shirley Image courtesy of Janet Lee 7

8 Before building of Disneyland Woodland Grassland

9 Before building of Disneyland Freshwater stream

10 Before building of Disneyland Mangrove Rocky shore

11 After building of Disneyland Artificial forest (With artificial animals!) Artificial grassland (With real flowers)

12 After building of Disneyland Artificial lake (Inspiration Lake) Artificial coastline with more monotonous structure

13 After building of Disneyland Concrete buildings

  Habitat diversity decreases Marine, coastal, grassland, shrubland and secondary woodland habitats were already lost before planting with introduced species!! 14

15 Can artificial greening compensate for the loss of natural habitats? 15

In urban development, does greening compensate for the loss of natural habitats? e.g. Hong Kong Wetland Park 16

17 Acknowledgements Chao Yeuk Lan, Crystal Chow Chi-yui, Shirley Janet Lee Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department, HKSAR