Bulletin Spring‧Summer 2005

J L G IS Leads E f f o r t to M a p H ong K o n g 's T e r re s tria l H a b ita t T he Joint Laboratory for Geoinformation Science (JLGIS) has completed a study to update Hong Kong's terrestrial habitat mapping and ranking based on conservation value using the latest remote sensing and geospatial data and data collected from field surveys. The four-month study was commissioned by the Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) of the Administration Wing of the HKSAR government. The research team consisted of teaching staff, techn icians, surveyors, and graduate and undergraduate students from the Chinese University, and partners. The key deliverables of the study included a Digital Terrestrial Habitat Map and Conservation Assessment Map of Hong Kong based on 2004 SPOT satellite image and other geospatial data, and an expansive field database of 370 sites surveyed throughout Hong Kong's land territory. The study provides the most up-to-date information on habitat types and conversation values for Hong Kong. The habitat map allows for quantification and assessment of existing natural habitats and study of its status and trends when compared with the habitat maps developed in previous studies. The conservation map for each habitat portrays areas in detail with various levels of conservation status, and provides useful data for sustainability assessment. The field database also contains information on plant species and communities as well as the importance of conserving various habitat types. There are also panoramic photos of each site surveyed. to receive NIH support. The new centre w ill investigate botanicals w ith reported a b ility to modulate immune function and their relevance for cancer treatment. It w ill aim at advancing scientific knowledge about the safety, efficacy and mechanisms of anti- cancer herbs. Its key area of interest w ill be immunomodulating influences — either directly supporting the patient consumers, indirectly through support of existing resistance, or both. The ICM w ill draw up a list of herbs with anti-cancer potential, acquire samples, authenti cate quality, ensure consistency, and extract ac tive components. The MSKCC w ill work on the biological effects of the selected herbs with a view to setting standards for future development. (From left) P rof. Leung Ping-chung, cha irm an o f the Management Committee o fICM , D r. Barrie Cassileth, chief (integrative medicine), MSKCC, and Prof. Fung Kwok-pui, vice-chairman o fthe Management Committee o fIC M News in Brief 45