Media

The first urban park butterfly study in HK
HKU ecologists reveal causes of butterfly diversity and suggest ways to improve habitats

22 Sep 2016

Hong Kong is home to a dazzling diversity of over 250 butterfly species, many of which can be found during a casual walk through urban parks in the city. Nonetheless, while urban areas are not often regarded as important habitats for them, what determines which butterfly species end up in different parks? In recent years, there is an increasing emphasis on the importance of urban green spaces as habitats for greater biodiversity. Dr Timothy Bonebrake, Assistant Professor at the School of Biological Sciences, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and his PhD student Mr Toby Tsang, set out into the urban wilderness to find out how parks serve as a habitat for butterflies. Their recent research published in the journal Landscape Ecology revealed that butterfly diversity and species in local urban parks are attributed by both environmental factors and spatial properties.

Dr Bonebrake and Mr Tsang will meet the media to elaborate the relevance of the environment and disturbances in urban parks to butterfly diversity and make some recommendations on park design to improve the habitats. Details of the media briefing are as below:

Date:   September 29, 2016 (next Thursday)
Time/Activity/Venue:
10:50    Gathering at the main entrance of the Main Building, Main Campus, Pokfulam, HKU (Map)
11:00    Photo taking at Main Building
11:15    Press briefing at Conference Room, Room 6N-11, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building

Spokespersons:
Dr Timothy Bonebrake, Assistant Professor, School of Biological Sciences, HKU
Mr Toby Tsang, PhD student, School of Biological Sciences, HKU

Media enquiry:
Communication and Public Affairs Office Ms Rhea Leung (Tel: 2857 8555/ 9022 7446; email: rhea.leung@hku.hk)
Faculty of Science Ms Cindy Chan (Tel: 3917 5286/ 6703 0212; email: cindycst@hku.hk)