Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Extent of this site: The Tawushan Nature Reserve is situated on the eastern slope of the southern section of the Central Mountain Range, and includes the watersheds of five major rivers: Chihben, Taimali, Jinluen, Dachu, and Lichia rivers. The Hsuangkuei Lake Wildlife Major Habitat is situated on the border of Maolin Village in Kaohsiung County, Wutai Village in Pingdung County, and Yanping Village in Taitung County, and is part of the southern section of the Central Mountain Range.
Most of this area consists of national forests, and most still remains at very natural condition. Forests cover over 90% of the area, among which natural forests account for the greatest share. This IBA site is characterized with that it has the largest area and the most intact natural forests in Taiwan. Elevations range from 200 to 3,090 m, and annual precipitation is 4,400-4,800 mm. Forests of different climatic types can be found here. The biological resources are very diversified, and animals grow abundantly. Disturbance from humans is rare.
IBA A2 criterion species: Fourteen endemic species are common in this area : among which the Mikado Pheasant and Swinhoe’s Pheasant are more easily seen here than in other places in Taiwan.
• At this site, 113 species have been recorded including 20 protected species: Indian Black Eagle, Tawny Fish Owl, Maroon Oriole, Hodgson’s Hawk Eagle, Brown Wood Owl, Besra Sparrow Hawk, Asian Crested Goshawk, Crested Serpent Eagle, Melodious Laughing Thrush, and Rufous Laughing Thrush.
Non-bird biodiversity: • This site is the most possible location for sighting the Formosan Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa and the Formosan Black Bear Selenarctos thibetanus formosanus.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
• The proposed national southern cross-island expressway which is under the planning stage will pass through the reserve area.
• In 1998, the central government promulgated a plan for the expansion of national requirements. Taitung County government planed to open a cross highway from Dawu in Taitung County to Shuidiliao in Pingdung County without appropriate Environmental Impact Assessment. In March 2000, part of the construction work was contracted out. This highway is slated to pass through three reserves in the Central Mountain Range, seriously affecting the integrity of the vegetation and biological structure.
• In addition, there is illegal felling of trees, excessive hunting, and leisure activities.
• There are natural disasters like earthquakes.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Legislation:
• Based on the Cultural Heritage Conservation Law, the Council of Agriculture (COA) set up the Tawushan Nature Reserve in 1988. It occupies 1.3% of the forested land in Taiwan, and is the largest nature reserve and the third largest protected area in Taiwan. Five watersheds are included in this IBA site. Wildlife, their habitats, virgin forests, and high-mountain lakes are important conservation targets.
• In 1992, the Taiwan Forestry Bureau announced the Hsuangguei Lake Forest Reserve, and in February 2000, the COA announced the Hsuangguei Lake Wildlife Reserve. In October 2000, the COA announced the new Hsuangguei Lake Wildlife Major Habitat. The area is 47,723.75 ha. This is an important habitat for the Formosan Black Bear, Formosan Sambar Cervus unicolor swinhoei, and other large mammals.
PA
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Dawushan Nature Reserve and Shuang-guei Lake Major Wildlife Habitat (Taiwan, China). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dawushan-nature-reserve-and-shuang-guei-lake-major-wildlife-habitat-iba-taiwan-china on 22/11/2024.
