| The importance of bio-diversity keeps growing with the soaring population of the world, because its abundance directly determines its intrusion/interference ability and its stability. In fact, “Convention on Biological Diversity” has been championed by The United Nations since 1992, stressing the responsibility for States/Regions to protect bio-diversity on Earth and, Hong Kong is also one of the members. When it comes to bio-diversity, most of us may connect it to conservation area or green field. In fact, biological value of farmland should not be under-estimated. Different species thrive on different habit and require a particular environment, such as moisture level and soil quality, which leads to an ecosystem deriving from the diversification of the food chain. Therefore, it is possible that there are several mini-ecosystems within the same agriculture field, which has also been verified by “Bio-Diversity in Paddy Field Wetland Ecosystem” published on No. 497 Science Development, mentioning that the change of water level in paddy field influence species’ like frogs and dragonfly migration1. Besides, in a recent media interview, Mr. Chow Sung-ming, a Hong Kong scholar, pointed out, “farmland also played a role as a buffer zone, separating urban/rural areas with the conservation areas and reducing their overlap.” He further added, “for the benefit of the ecosystems, agriculture must be part of the conservation.”2    The farmland in front of the Yung Shue Ha Old Village of Lamma Island was once a rice field but was eventually abandoned when villagers moved out. Since July 2014, we have started a pilot project for Permaculture on 800 square feet of the abandoned farmland as the first step to full restoration of farming there. This is our " Lamma Island Refarming Campaign". As a matter of fact, Lamma Island has a high level of biodiversity, which provides a solid foundation for Permaculture. This field doesn’t require fertiliser for there are earthworms and millipedes contribute making of thick humus; nor do we need to worry about sustainability for butterflies and bees are natural and effective pollinators; not even protecting crops from insects because spiders and dragonflies will prey on them. In addition, this field is well irrigated by a perennial stream course. All these nurture a natural ecosystem. Given time, this land will produce good crops. The record harvest in late 2014 proved that Permaculture can be implemented here. In addition to rice, we have also planted basil, mint, edible herbs and potatoes with a goal to increase the species diversity and genetic diversity to ensure productivity and soil quality.
1Bio-diversity in rice paddies, P18-23, Issue 497 of Science Development (《科學發展》，第497 期，《水稻田濕地生態的生物多樣性》，第18頁至23頁，范美玲、林泰佑、林立、蔡思聖、黃鵬。) |
