An island ecosystem
Arriving in Taipei often comes as a shock to visitors, who discover a veritable hive of human activity. Fortunately, it doesn't take long to discover the diversity of the island's natural riches. In less than an hour, you find yourself lost in the middle of nature, with only birdsong and the sound of the wind to keep you company. This contrast, which gives the island its charm, is due to the fact that most of Taiwan's surface area is occupied by mountains. Inhabitants have therefore taken refuge on the west coast and to the north. The mountains have remained sanctuaries for animals. The environment has thus been preserved for some 70 mammal species, 500 bird species (40% of which are endemic to the island), 100 reptile species, 34 amphibian species, 2,500 fish species and 18,000 insect species (including 400 butterfly species). The barrier represented by the inlets protects the island's residents from rival or more resistant species. Among the island's most representative mammals, the rock formosan monkey is found in Yangmingshan National Park, where you can also encounter Formosa fallow deer; even rarer, the island's largest mammal, the Formosan bear, shares its habitat, Taroko National Park, with the clouded leopard, which, despite the adoption of the Wildlife Conservation Law (WCL) in 1989, remains on the brink of extinction; explorers and poachers have hunted it extensively for its fur, and the species was declared extinct in 2013. However, hope remains as a panther has been spotted in 2019 near Taitung.
Bird Island
Taiwan, sometimes called Bird Island, is a birdwatcher's paradise. With its mountains, marshes, estuaries and fish-filled coastlines, many endemic bird species have made the island their home. What's more, in autumn and winter, large waves of migratory birds wash over the island. The most remarkable of these is the black-headed spoonbill, one of the world's fifty rarest bird species. It lives mainly in northeast China and on the Korean peninsula. It only migrates to the more southerly parts of China, Vietnam and Taiwan in winter, in search of a milder climate. The wader can be seen near Tainan in the south of the country, in the Tsengwen estuary. Finally, the Tansui mangrove, the most northerly mangrove in the northern hemisphere, is also a favorite spot for avian species. This diversity can also be explained by Taiwan's forest cover. Between 2,500 m and 3,000 m, this is the zone of alpine plants and coniferous massifs, then from 1,800 m to 2,500 m that of mixed forests of conifers and deciduous trees: cedars, cypresses, maples. The dense tropical forest begins below 1,800 m, with acacia, camphor and bamboo.
Measures to protect the environment
From the 1980s onwards, Taiwan achieved the feat of dividing its territory into zones of national interest to protect the environment. A mission all the more meritorious given the island's already high population density. Park managers have to juggle with the demands of aboriginal populations, private individuals and businesses already established on the island. Taiwan currently boasts nine national parks, the most famous of which are Taroko, Kenting and Yangmingshan. While terrestrial fauna and flora have benefited from government protection, it wasn't until the 2000s that marine national parks were created, such as the Pratas Islands. Unfortunately, the proximity of the Chinese coast has forced the government to close these areas to tourists. What's more, over the past fifty years or so, Taiwanese industry has expanded without anyone worrying about the consequences for the environment. Traffic congestion and the high concentration of factories have precipitated air pollution to alarming levels. There are over 10 million two-wheelers and almost 6 million cars in a population of 23 million. This excess of motorized vehicles is said to be the main cause of pollution in large cities. These indicators have prompted the development of public transport, including metro systems in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung.
The Taiwanese government is also encouraging the market for electric scooters in Taipei. A popular craze, these scooters use collaborative batteries. When the battery is empty, simply go to one of the city's many 24-hour grocery stores, plug in the battery and pick up a new one. The government is currently considering banning combustion-powered scooters, given the success of this 100% made-in-Taiwan system. While more remains to be done, the results are nonetheless satisfactory.
Ecological awareness
Taiwan, rich in biodiversity, makes a point of preserving its environment. Ecological efforts include the protection of national parks such as Taroko and Kenting, and the conservation of endangered species such as the Formosa lizard and the Taiwanese dolphin. The country favors renewable energies, notably solar and wind power, and has strict waste management and recycling policies in place. Taiwan is also working to restore marine and forest ecosystems.
