Introduction of the alien Xenostrobus securis (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) into Hong Kong, China: Interactions with and impacts upon native species and the earlier introduced Mytilopsis sallei (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae)

Acacia spp. are exotic tree species that have been widely planted on man-made slopes in Hong Kong since the 1960s. However, as they become mature and senescent, they may become a concern and cause various problems, including soil constraints for plant growth, decreasing provision of intended ecosystem services, declining syndromes, arrested succession, and high risk of failure. In this perspective paper, we present and discuss these problems using practical examples of Acacia-dominated urban forests on man-made roadside slopes in Hong Kong, based on a cross-disciplinary survey and a literature review. To conclude, we suggest that selective cutting, specific silvicultural operations of Acacia plantations, and the management of plantation edge and soils can be exercised, along with the planting of native species, to potentially alleviate these problems associated with mature Acacia plantations, by promoting the establishment of native forests, enhancing biodiversity, expediting succession, and providing better ecosystem services.

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The recently introduced bivalve Xenostrobus securis has higher thermal and salinity tolerance than the native Brachidontes variabilis and established Mytilopsis sallei

Marine Pollution Bulletin ◽

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.02.046 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 118 (1-2) ◽

pp. 229-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Juan C. Astudillo ◽

Timothy C. Bonebrake ◽

Kenneth M.Y. Leung

Keyword(s):

Salinity Tolerance ◽

Mytilopsis Sallei ◽

Xenostrobus Securis

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Rapid assessment of the invasive Xenostrobus securis on cultured oysters in Hong Kong

Regional Studies in Marine Science ◽

10.1016/j.rsma.2017.11.008 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

pp. 11-16

Author(s):

Sally C.Y. Lau ◽

Dominic L.D.F. Brettell ◽

Juan C. Astudillo

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Rapid Assessment ◽

Xenostrobus Securis

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The invasive Caribbean Mytilopsis sallei (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae): A short review

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development ◽

10.29037/ajstd.483 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (1-2) ◽

pp. 133-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Koh Siang Tan ◽

Teresa Tay

Keyword(s):

Zebra Mussel ◽

Dreissena Polymorpha ◽

Native Species ◽

Short Review ◽

Tropical Species ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

South And Southeast Asia ◽

Mytilopsis Sallei ◽

The Caribbean ◽

Growth And Reproduction

The mussel-like bivalve species from the Caribbean, Mytilopsis sallei, is now well established in the vicinities of several ports in South and Southeast Asia. Although it may not be as notorious as its relative the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha, this brackish-water bivalve has the ability to colonise and displace native species in intertidal and subtidal habitats. It is also another testament to how well a tropical species can travel beyond its natural biogeographical boundaries. Here we briefly review its taxonomy, morphology, growth and reproduction, habitat and distribution, as well as its impact on natural habitats after invasion, based on published literature.

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Vegetation regeneration on natural terrain landslides in Hong Kong: direct seeding of native species as a restoration tool

10.22541/au.164198933.37527762/v1 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Ying Ki Law ◽

Calvin Lee ◽

Chun Chiu Pang ◽

Billy Hau ◽

Jin Wu

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Seed Germination ◽

Native Species ◽

Forest Restoration ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Direct Seeding ◽

Species Selection ◽

Seed Coating ◽

Pioneer Species ◽

Coating Formulation

Landslides are common in tropical and subtropical regions with hilly terrains and heavy rainstorms, which cause significant economic, ecological, and social impacts. Natural forest succession is usually slow on landslide scars due to poor soil structure and the lack of seeds of woody plant seeds, and often comes with a higher risk of repeated landslide. Ecological forest restoration has recently been suggested as an effective alternative to restore the exposed landslide scars, however, a comprehensive study to identify effective landslide restoration strategies remains lacking, particularly associated with seed treatment methods and species selection. Here we evaluated the effectiveness of different seed coating treatments of both pioneer and later successional tree species of different seed sizes on seed germination in a one-year study on three landslides in Hong Kong. Our results show that bare seeds had germination rates of 17 to 67% across all selected species (n=7). Biochar-dominant seed coating formulation boosted an additional 9.33 (SE= 0.04) in seed germination rate, while the clay-dominant seed coating formulation did not show significant effect on germination. Our results also show that medium and large-seeded non-pioneer species have significantly higher germination rates than pioneer species. These results collectively suggest that direct seeding using a biochar seed coat is a manageable and useful method to enhance tree seed germination—an essential first step to restore the forests after landslide disturbances in Hong Kong, with potential to be extended to other humid tropical and subtropical forests.

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