Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Extent of this site: in the north from the levee on the north edge of the Amei Cultural Village south for 8 km to Provincial Highway 11; in the west from where the Mugua and Hualien Rivers converge at the Hualien Bridge east to below Lingding on the coastline to about the low tide line. County Road 193 is the primary transportation route. The natural landscape includes the convergence of the Hualien River and the Pacific Ocean, and the river beach wetlands.
From the Hualien River Bridge downstream to the estuary there is much silt which, under the interaction of the tidal influence, has formed wetlands where fresh and saltwater mix. Shallow water areas, muddy beaches, and sand flats are formed. Average annual temperature is about 22.78°C, average annual relative humidity is 53%~82%, and average annual precipitation is 2,400 mm. The Hualien River Estuary is one of the important sites on Taiwan’s east coast for migrating and over-wintering birds. The site includes the unique culture of the Amei Aboriginals, who have worshiped the sea at Chi’an for many generations.
IBA Al criterion species: Chinese Egret
• Each year in April and May Chinese Egret (CE) passes through this area, with a maximum of 38 birds:
Date 4/1995 5/1996 5/1997 4/1998 4/1999 5/2000
No. of CE 38 25 4 5 3 17
• At this site, 180 species have been recorded; important migrants include numerous Scolopacidae, Charadriidae, Anatidae and Ardeidae in fall: the Laridae is dominant in spring.
• Special birds include the globally threatened Chinese Egret, Black-faced Spoonbill, and Baikal Teal; the endemic Formosan Bulbul, the rare Mandarin Duck and Little Tern (up to 400 birds) can also be observed.
Non-bird biodiversity: • In 1997, the mangrove Kandelia Kandelia candel was restored in the estuary.
• Each November, there is the spectacular sight of young Varuna litterata crabs scurrying from the sea into the freshwater.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
• Wastewater from an industrial zone is discharged here.
• Gravel is extracted and processed here.
• Exotic species have invaded this area.
• There is filling in of the wetlands.
• The water quality of the Hualien River is affected by wastewater discharges from a paper-making plant, the nearby Guanghua Industrial Zone and the landfill site at Chian.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Lobbying Activities
• The 1994 Planning examples of environmentally sensitive areas at the coast of Taiwan listed the Hualien River Estuary as an ecologically sensitive area.
Legislation:
• The East Coast Special Scenic Area Administration has designated the Hualien River Estuary Nature Protected Area near Lingding on the east coast.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Hualien River Estuary (Taiwan, China). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/hualien-river-estuary-iba-taiwan-china on 23/12/2024.
