South China was once dominated by subtropical evergreen broadleaf and tropical seasonal forests, supporting exceptional biodiversity. However, millennia of human disturbance have left only small, isolated patches of original forest mostly in inaccessible areas. In Hong Kong, all remaining forests are secondary, and some hilltops are dominated by grasslands. These vegetation types are largely dominated by a few "winner" species, and natural recovery is hindered by factors such as arrested succession, alternative stable states, limited gene flow, and extinction debt. The local species pool is often severely depleted, making it difficult for forest to recover naturally. Effective forest restoration must be based on a deep understanding of both remnant and regional biodiversity. This requires systematic vegetation surveys—including forest dynamics plots and satellite plots—as well as plant specimen collection and research. Herbaria play a critical role in curating these specimens and documenting biodiversity. Equally important are native plant nurseries that cultivate a broad spectrum of regional flora, ensuring the availability of appropriate seedlings for restoration efforts. These facilities are central to conservation-oriented botanical gardens, which also serve as hubs for training in taxonomy, applied ecology, ex situ conservation, and land management. Since 2013, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) has implemented a maximum-diversity, experimental approach to forest restoration. Over 100,000 native individuals—comprising more than 300 woody species and hundreds of herbaceous taxa—have been planted, guided by a bioclimatic reference model. Restoration treatments include tree guards, weeding mats, fertilisation, and ongoing aftercare such as pruning and enrichment planting. Systematic monitoring and data sharing underpin the initiative. KFBG’s practices align with The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS), a site-based certification scheme emphasising biodiversity and ecosystem function. In recognition of its efforts, KFBG became the world’s first site to achieve the Premium Tier under TGBS.
 

subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest,biodiversity,Biodiversity–ecosystem functioning,The Global Biodiversity Standard