Ecological Performance of the Restored South East New Territories (SENT) Landfill in Hong Kong (2000–2012)

South East New Territories (SENT) landfill (Phase I) was saturated with wastes and capped with a cover system to prevent rainfall infiltration and gas emission and to support plant growth. Subsequently, a revegetation program was conducted in 1997. Line transects were used for monitoring (i) the restored area (AT), (ii) the area adjacent to AT (BT) and (iii) the area outside AT, which served as control (CT). Flora and fauna diversities, plant performance (chlorophyll florescent and stomatal resistance of Acacia confusa) and soil properties were monitored during 2000–2012. There were 28, 24 and 23 plant species, and 61, 39 and 61 animal species found at AT, BT and CT during the past 13 years, respectively. The total number of plants recorded at AT fluctuated considerably, and was more stable at BT, especially CT. The results of similarity analyses showed that the plant community at AT were significantly different (P < 0·01) from those at BT and CT, whereas no difference was noted among fauna communities at different sites. Soil properties, including pH, bulk density, moisture content, total organic content, organic matter, total Fe and total Zn were significantly different (P < 0·05) among sites. The decreasing trend of soil pH in all sites indicated that regional soil acidification may have occurred. Soil moisture content and stomatal resistance of A. confusa were negatively correlated, which showed that AT was more subjected to drought than BT and CT. Plants in restored area were more sensitive to the changes in environmental conditions compared with those of control site.