Widely reported indicators of biodiversity within the pressure -stateresponse paradigm largely comprise (i) lists of 'threatened' species, (ii) threatened species as a percentage of total native species (a state indicator) and (iii) statistics on the proportion of terrestrial or marine areas designated as 'protected' (a response indicator). It is arguable, however, that these reported indicators do not provide effective measures of the pressures on marine ecosystems resulting from human activities. For example, lists of threatened species do not, of themselves, reflect biodiversity loss.
In Hong Kong, growing degradation of coastal waters, due to pollution, large-scale reclamation projects, dredging of marine sands, disposal of contaminated muds and over-fishing, seriously threatens local marine biodiversity. The need for appropriate indicators of biodiversity in the Hong Kong context is compelling. This paper examines the concept of biodiversity and how it can be measured by the use of indicators and considers the appropriateness of existing measures for the development of indicators of marine biodiversity in Hong Kong. Possible local indicators of marine biodiversity are then identified and their limitations explored.