Guardians of the Pearl River Delta

Nestled deep within one of the many bays of the Pearl River delta, a rare patch of mangrove forest can be found hidden between the towering skyscrapers on the Hong Kong–Shenzhen border. Egrets laze in the sun as small crabs scuttle at their feet, a mountainous skyline of construction cranes looming behind them.

Mangroves are small trees that grow along the coastlines of more than 100 countries in tropical and subtropical regions. They were once widespread on the Pearl River delta and around the inlets and islands of the neighbouring Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). Now there are only about 60 small patches remaining in Hong Kong – each of varying sizes and levels of protection.

After years of degradation, a recent survey conducted by Dr Stefano Cannicci from Hong Kong University’s Integrated Mangrove Ecology Lab found that mangroves are now making a gradual recovery in the region - albeit at an inconsistent and uneven scale.

Originally published in China Dialogue.

Tai O, Hong Kong – 12 September 2020 - Salted fish and shrimp paste... READ ON

[China Dialogue] Guardians of the Pearl River Delta - Tai O, Hong Kong – 12 September 2020 - A...

Tai O, Hong Kong – 12 September 2020 - A grandmother talks about how... READ ON

On the other side of Hong Kong about an hour's drive away, a small beach and nearby cove respectively called "Starfish Bay" and "Three Fathoms Cove" can be found. Originally named after the little crabs and starfish that could be found here, starfish can no longer be easily found on the beach due to rapid urban development. Though Starfish Bay is still considered a marine ecological hotspot in Hong Kong, it has not been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and is therefore not protected.

Mangrove associates can be seen nearby for now, which serves as an ecological home for wildlife such as fish and crabs, prevents coastal erosion, protects typhoon damage, purifies water, and stores carbon. At high tide, the water level would reach all the way up to the mangroves, with the main road and buildings on the other side.

[China Dialogue] Guardians of the Pearl River Delta - Starfish Bay, Hong Kong – 19 September 2020 - A...

Starfish Bay, Hong Kong – 19 September 2020 - A family huddles under... READ ON

[China Dialogue] Guardians of the Pearl River Delta - Starfish Bay, Hong Kong – 19 September 2020 - Mr....

Starfish Bay, Hong Kong – 19 September 2020 - Mr. So, a resident of... READ ON

[China Dialogue] Guardians of the Pearl River Delta - Three Fathoms Cove, Hong Kong – 19 September 2021 -...

Three Fathoms Cove, Hong Kong – 19 September 2021 - A floating house in... READ ON

[China Dialogue] Guardians of the Pearl River Delta - Three Fathoms Cove, Hong Kong – 19 September 2020 -...

Three Fathoms Cove, Hong Kong – 19 September 2020 - A local fisherman... READ ON

Three Fathoms Cove, Hong Kong – 19 September 2020 - Bartosz Majcher, a... READ ON

Mai Po, at the head of Deep Bay (also known as Shenzhen Bay), is the largest patch of mangroves in the Pearl River Delta.

Protected by the Mai Po Nature Reserve, this mangrove forest and the surrounding mudflats has been designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention since 1995. It is part of a Hong Kong success story, albeit a limited one.

After years of degradation, a recent survey conducted by Dr Stefano Cannicci from Hong Kong University’s Integrated Mangrove Ecology Lab found that mangroves are now making a recovery in the region.

[China Dialogue] Guardians of the Pearl River Delta - Hong Kong Wetland Park, Hong Kong - 13 June 2020 - The...

Hong Kong Wetland Park, Hong Kong - 13 June 2020 - The construction of 19... READ ON

[China Dialogue] Guardians of the Pearl River Delta - Mai Po, Hong Kong – 18 September 2020 – A...

Mai Po, Hong Kong – 18 September 2020 – A worker with a raincoat... READ ON

Mai Po, Hong Kong – 18 September 2020 – A researcher from the... READ ON

Mai Po, Hong Kong – 18 September 2020 – A Black-faced Spoonbill... READ ON

Mai Po, Hong Kong – 18 September 2020 – A private fish farm can... READ ON

[China Dialogue] Guardians of the Pearl River Delta - Mai Po, Hong Kong – 18 September 2020 – Dr....

Mai Po, Hong Kong – 18 September 2020 – Dr. Xianji Wen, the WWF... READ ON

[China Dialogue] Guardians of the Pearl River Delta - Mai Po, Hong Kong – 18 September 2020 –...

Mai Po, Hong Kong – 18 September 2020 – Increasing coastal... READ ON

To read the complete article and see more of the images, please visit China Dialogue.

KATHERINE KY CHENG
Photographer and Videojournalist

[China Dialogue] Guardians of the Pearl River Delta

Guardians of the Pearl River Delta

Katherine KY Cheng

Katherine Cheng is a documentary photographer and videojournalist based between Toronto and Hong Kong, covering breaking news, daily events, and feature stories.

KATHERINE KY CHENG Photographer and Videojournalist

[China Dialogue] Guardians of the Pearl River Delta

Guardians of the Pearl River Delta

Katherine KY Cheng

Katherine Cheng is a documentary photographer and videojournalist based between Toronto and Hong Kong, covering breaking news, daily events, and feature stories.

KATHERINE KY CHENG
Photographer and Videojournalist