A forest restoration initiative on the slopes of Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest peak, is yielding positive results as native wildlife returns and diverse plant species take root after years of degradation. The project, led by conservation experts at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), aims to recreate a functional subtropical forest on land previously affected by agricultural use and frequent wildfires.

Since its launch in 2013, the restoration effort has planted over 50,000 seedlings representing hundreds of native species. The goal is to reestablish a complex ecosystem similar in structure and biodiversity to the well-preserved South China-Vietnam subtropical evergreen forest. KFBG’s ecology team has been focused on more than just tree planting, emphasizing the importance of a living forest system that includes a variety of plants such as shrubs, epiphytes, herbs, and climbers, alongside animals, fungi, and pollinators.

The project has faced challenges, including soil erosion and the absence of seed dispersers caused by past human activity, making natural biodiversity recovery difficult. To address this, ecologists have carefully selected seeds from diverse populations in Hong Kong’s wild areas, aiming to preserve genetic diversity. These seeds are nurtured in KFBG’s nursery, where horticultural staff propagate rare and threatened species, some of which have never been widely cultivated before. For example, seedlings of the Lofty Strangling Fig (Ficus altissima), collected from limited wild trees on a small island, are now growing under controlled conditions.

Once seedlings are robust enough, they are transplanted to the restoration site. Arborists improve soil quality using organic amendments like biochar and leaf litter, and protect young plants from animal browsing with specialized tree guards. These measures help ensure higher survival rates in the degraded landscape.

The restoration has attracted a gradual return of native fauna. The fauna conservation department at KFBG has recorded presence or activity of nearly all local mammal species and identified more than 50 bird species within the area. Experts anticipate continued canopy expansion and the onset of natural regeneration processes over the next five to ten years. However, they note that fully restoring the forest’s ecological structure and function will require at least a century.

Global concerns about deforestation remain high, with recent assessments indicating forest loss rates well above targets set for 2030. In this context, Hong Kong’s restoration success underscores the importance of active conservation in urban and semi-natural areas. KFBG staff stress the direct benefits of healthy ecosystems for the community, highlighting how the city’s extensive green spaces contribute to resident well-being through outdoor recreation.

For those involved, the work carries both scientific and personal significance. Craig Williams, a horticultural manager at KFBG, described the effort as a rare opportunity to conserve native flora on a substantial scale, reflecting a long-term vision for the region’s natural heritage. Similarly, restoration ecologist Fernanda Cardoso emphasized the connection between biodiversity recovery and everyday quality of life in Hong Kong.