Boosting Conservation Efforts Via AI

Fung Yuen, located in the suburbs of Tai Po and approximately 2km from the town centre, is one of the 12 priority sites for enhanced conservation under the Government’s New Nature Conservation Policy.

The Environmental Association manages Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve, providing a suitable habitat for butterflies.

Initially, Fung Yuen hosted about 70 to 80 butterfly species. Over the past 20 years, this number has increased to over 220 species, representing approximately 90% of all butterfly species present in Hong Kong.

Revolutionising conservation

In addition to continuing its conservation efforts, the association has decided to incorporate smart technology to enhance such initiatives.

Environmental Association Chief Executive Officer Yau Wing-kwong noted that Hong Kong is home to over 200 butterfly species, each having a distinct appearance. Some of the species even look different between dry and wet seasons. As such, accurately identifying these species by visual comparison with reference books is challenging, prompting the introduction of an artificial intelligence (AI) system.

Currently in its early stage, the system can identify 10 butterfly species, including Danaus genutia, with high accuracy. The association aims to expand its capabilities to recognise 245 species within two years.

Mr Yau stated that the system will be made public once it operates smoothly, allowing citizens to upload photos of butterflies from the suburbs to identify their species and obtain related information instantly.

He said: "At a later stage, the system will be used for conservation analysis. That means we can put a camera in butterfly gardens that we developed, and then the camera will capture images of butterflies. The system will then tell us how many species have been there, and their relationship to the plants and to the environment.

“And it will help us in the future with how we do the conservation work with even better efficiency and less manpower."

Critical funding

The Environmental Association has received funding from the Environment & Conservation Fund and the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme successively to implement the Nature Conservation Management Agreement Project in Fung Yuen.

Furthermore, the AI butterfly identification system is also funded by the latest round of the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme.

Mr Yau expressed gratitude to the Government for its ongoing support.

"Conservation works actually need money and resources. We appreciate the Government’s efforts in providing all these resources, both in monetary terms and support."

Established in 2018, the Countryside Conservation Office under the Environment & Ecology Bureau co-ordinates and promotes sustainable development in remote countryside areas.

In October 2019, the office launched the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme, which approved 50 projects with total funding of approximately $270 million by the end of 2024.

High-quality habitats

Environment & Ecology Bureau Countryside Conservation Manager Matthew Tang outlined that the approved projects encompass various topics, including nature conservation and countryside revitalisation. Notably, the nature conservation management agreement projects protect approximately 560 hectares of wetlands and about 10 hectares of traditional farmland, creating suitable habitats for diverse species.

Mr Tang also highlighted the importance of such projects.

“These conservation projects not only maintain a stable number of species in the conservation sites but also continue to record protected species and new species, reflecting that the projects have effectively enhanced the ecological value of the conservation sites.”