First Virtual Plant Study Trails Launched

Mr. Wong Kwan-yu (right) and Prof. Paul But (left) at the launch ceremony

With support from the Quality Education Fund (QEF),the University's Department of Biology and 63 secondary schools jointly created the world's first virtual plant study trails. The three virtual trails were launched on 26th November. Guests of honour were Mr. Wong Kwan-yu of the QEF Steering Committee, Prof. Hu Shiu-ying of CUHK, and Dr. Kan Wing-kay of Hong Kong IT Joint Council.

Through the Internet (website: http://hkflora.com/qef/index_c.php), viewers can visit the three trails which are located respectively at Victoria Peak, Pui O Beach and CUHK Campus. When they move the mouse sideways, they would see the plants as if they are actually strolling along these trails of over a kilometer long each. When the mouse pointer touches a plant on the screen, its name would appear. Besides, viewers can look up old photos and literary works concerning these three places in the archives.

The project team, headed by Prof. Paul But, creatively combined web technology and botanical knowledge to create these three virtual plant study trails. Secondary students took photos of plants at those sites and wrote reports, through which they learned how to identify plants and the techniques for field studies. Teachers and students as well as parent-teacher associations can make use of these trails to formulate outdoor activities. The literary and historical entries in the archives are useful for general studies. The trails would also be of interest to the local ecotour industry.