Action Response Plan
Sensor alert system will be activated after sensor installation and software platform development phase till the end of data collection phase. A trial-based action response plan for each type of sensor is listed below. For long run, an action response plan will be developed through fine tuning after the completion of review and evaluation of IoT system phase.
Scenarios (Trigger level) <Action Response>
A. Water level too high/ too low (The initial limit of high/low water level will be set with reference to the optimal levels set in the Mai Po Management Plan) <1. Staff may decide if field check is needed and whether action shall follow. Normally, field check would be arranged. 2. Perform site check to confirm the water level is out of range. 3. If yes, mark the alert as true alarm and arrange adjustment of water level back to optimal range. 4. If no, mark the alert as false alarm.>
B. Water quality out of range (Alerts will be set based on the normal range from past water quality data in Mai Po Nature Reserve) <1. Staff may decide if field check is needed and whether action shall follow. Normally, field check would be arranged. 2. Perform site check to confirm the water quality is out of range. 3. If yes, mark the alert as true alarm and decide if water exchange shall be performed for the sensor at Gei wai #12 For the sensor near Northern hide, record need to be kept and informed to relevant parties if necessary. 4. If no, mark the alert as false alarm.>
C. Buffalo out of fence (Tracker out of geofence) <1. Staff may decide if field check is needed and whether action shall follow. Normally, field check would be arranged. 2. Perform site check to confirm buffalo is out of fence. 3. If yes, mark the alert as true alarm. Followed by tracking of the buffalo with the assistance of AFCD Cattle Team and identification of reason of escape 4. If no, mark the alert as false alarm>
Insight Gained from the IoT System
Waterbirds’ sensitivity to water level : Correlation between water level and waterbird usage at the major high-tide roosting site (gei wai #16/17) was evaluated. Based on the available shorebird count data, all shorebirds seem to avoid using gei wai #16/17 when the water level is above 1.65m.
Effectiveness of water exchange: For the water quality sensor at gei wai, results showed no significant difference in pH, dissolved oxygen level, temperature, chlorophyll-a and salinity before and after water exchange. (Based on the 6-month data during the reporting period in which twelve times of water exchange were performed)
Area use pattern of buffalo: The tracking data suggests that the buffaloes have contributed to vegetation control during the reporting period. Consequently, since the vegetation has been kept in acceptable height, it is concluded that no further habitat management efforts are required at this time. (Based on the 6-month tracking data collected from 1st December 2023 to 31st May 2024)