Skip to content

Shrubland, land dominantly covered by shrubs, may either be a naturally occurring community that remains stable over time or a transitional community that occurs temporarily due to disturbances, such as fire. In general, owing to natural succession, shrubs and other vegetation are shaded out by trees. Hence, shrubland is very often a temporary habitat that exists for a relatively short period of time (i.e. a few decades). Despite these, shrublands are an effective carbon store and they can protect the land against slips, they are also important feeding grounds and shelters for many wildlife such as birds and mammals.

As a result of frequent human-induced hillfires, many hillside habitats are alternating between shrublands and grasslands in Hong Kong. However, a few years without fire may allow shrubs to rapidly shade out grasses, creating a dense shrubland that is more resilient to fire.

Local shrublands mostly present an intermediate successional stage, which can vary significantly in habitat structure from a mixture of low shrubs and grasses to tall shrubs approaching the height and structure of vegetation in secondary forests. Shrublands are widely distributed in Hong Kong and the most common one is the Dwarf Mountain Pine (Baeckea frutescens) – Rose Myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) – Hong Kong Gordonia (Polyspora axillaris) community. Besides, bamboos and ferns are often present in local shrublands.

Shrubland at Ma On ShanDwarf Mountain Pine (<em>Baeckea frutescens</em>) is one of the most common plants in local shrublands. Rose Myrtile (<em>Rhodomyrtus tomentosa</em>) is a common native shrub that can recover quickly from fires, and its fruits are an important food source for birds. Hong Kong Gordonia (<em>Polyspora axillaris</em>) is a common native shrub in Hong Kong. Its large white flowers are in blossom in winter. As this species can tolerate poor soil and harsh environments, it is a pioneer species in secondary forests.Shrublands in Hong Kong are important habitats for many birds (e.g. Grey-backed Thrush (<em>Turdus hortulorum</em>)).Spotted Angle (<em>Caprona alida alida</em>) is a rare local skipper which is usually found near coastal shrublands in Hong Kong. Changeable Lizard (<em>Calotes versicolor</em>) prefers dry and open shrubland. Most native bamboos (e.g. Chinese Cane (<em>Indocalamus sinicus</em>)) in Hong Kong are pluricaespitose, which form groves on hills or woodland understory.

Top