Cedric Zhe Wang
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Fengshui Woodlands in New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
There are more than 100 Fengshui forests in Hong Kong. Fengshui forests are generally located on the hillsides behind the villages and have been protected by villagers for generations following the feng shui belief. Studies have shown that the Fengshui forest is the forest type with the highest biodiversity and the oldest in Hong Kong. It is also an important cultural landscape in the city's countryside.
In 2021, we conducted a study on the Fengshui forest behind two villages (She Shan Village and Tai Om Village) located at the bottom of Lam Tsuen valley in Hong Kong. In order to understand the ecosystem services of the Fengshui forest, especially the biomass and carbon sequestration capacity, we systematically collected the forest inventory data.
Tai Om Village
Trees in Fengshui forests can be very high (>20m), presenting a landscape of a "green backrest" for the village.
Ancestral Hall was build right in front of the Fengshui forest.
Trees in the adjacent secondary forest of Tai Om's Fengshui forests are smaller. These forests usually have lower canopy cover, enabling bamboos to grow.
Trees in Fengshui forests can be very high (>20m), presenting a landscape of a "green backrest" for the village.
She Shan Village
We found very high above-ground biomass in both lowland Fengshui forests, an indicator of high carbon sequestration. Big trees (dbh>=60cm) has contributed significantly to the high biomass.
The She Shan Fengshui forest: a front view.
Many lines are observed in the Fengshui forest of Sheshan. However, some lines have been artificially cut off - the evidence of human impacts.
We found very high above-ground biomass in both lowland Fengshui forests, an indicator of high carbon sequestration. Big trees (dbh>=60cm) has contributed significantly to the high biomass.