According to The World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong's Ecological Database, published in 1993, highlighted the SAR's large number of species: 210 seaweeds; 175 ferns; 1,900 flowering plants, including 120 orchids; 2,000 moths; 200 butterflies; 93 dragonflies; 96 freshwater fish; 23 amphibians; 78 reptiles; 422 birds; and 57 mammals. And, Recent surveys indicate that there have been further increases in the numbers of some local species: 107 dragonflies; 232 butterflies (one sixth of the total butterfly species in China); 452 birds (one third of the total bird species in China). 

The primaeval forest, dominated by the oak and laurel families, had a wide mix of species. The number of local primaeval plant species is estimated to be about 3,100 - as today's species numbers suggest.

Moreover, there have been new recordings of endemic species, and even some discoveries are “new to science? One example is the dragonfly named Melligomphus moluami, sleek and black-bodied, unknown to the world until July 1993 - when it was first described to science from its Mount Butler "type locality".

All these evidences above can indicate the richness of species diversity in Hong Kong. Apart from the strong relation with its subtropical climate and wide range of terrain and habitats, it is also thanks to the efforts of the Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department in afforestation, hill fire controlling and legislation for protecting wildlife specie. As a result, large pieces of vulnerable area and wildlife are conserved. These factors helped the gradual spread of native habitats, and the resurgence of native animal populations.