Rewilding Hong Kong; Mapping the Hidden Biodiversity and Carbon Services of Forest Soils

Forest soils are central to the maintenance of ecological health, hosting a quarter of all biodiversity on Earth and storing three times the carbon found in the atmosphere. Forest biodiversity and carbon ecosystem services make them essential for the mitigation of climate change and the preservation of biodiversity. However, soil ecosystems are experiencing unprecedented pressure from anthropogenic disturbances, such as urbanization and climate change. While the importance of forest soils is gaining significant global focus, the integrity of Hong Kong’s forest soil health remains poorly characterized. This presents a major knowledge gap and policy priority for environmental conservation in the SAR.

This study will map the biodiversity and carbon services of soils in Hong Kong, providing the first comprehensive baseline assessment of soil health in the region.