Bulletin Spring‧Summer 2005

↑ Entrance to Chung Chi College This slope has complicated hydrology and is located near a watershed. To ensure safety, it has to be stabilized with a concrete coating to reduce erosion by rain water. Tree rings were fixed on the slope surface to encourage the continual growth of native plants. O Next to the Friendship Lodge, New Asia College The direction and amount of sunshine a slope receives are factors affecting plant growth. ↑ University Residence 17 A green slope and fuschia flowers in striking harmony OBehind the Hui Yeung Shing Building The hydrology of this slope is complicated, so water channels are used to direct the rich sources of underground water to the stormwater drain. Workers removed the loose surface soil and recoated and stabilized the slope with new soil. This allows plants to grow and reduces surface soil erosion. S o c ia l d e v e lo p m e n t in e v ita b ly ch a n ge s th e n a tu ra l environment. The problem is n o t an easy one to resolve. Em inent plant taxonom ist and centenarian, Prof. H u Shiu-Ying, is passionate about plants. H e r connection w ith the Chinese U n iv e rs ity began in the late 1960's. She has w itnessed the changes on C U H K campus fo r several decades. W hile positive about the U n ive rsity's development, Prof. H u is also sad that preservation of the natural environment has been less than ideal. ‘Some excellent vegetation on campus has been damaged. Good vegetation should come in layers. The forest is a fam ily w ith both old and young grow ing naturally and in layers. This is how good vegetation should be. If the roots of trees are damaged, plants cannot grow naturally. Plants should be allowed to grow according to their ow n fashion and form a natural protective veil on slopes. This creates a natural environment.' Prof. H u explained that it does no t make sense to remove natural vegetation from slopes and replace it w ith grass. Trees have deep roots so they can grow in the shade. But grass has shallow roots. They w ill not last more than a few years in the shade. CUHK Campus • Slope Greening - Its Challenges and Benefits 17