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Site description (2001 baseline):

Extent of this site: The Kaoping River, also called the Lower Tanshui River, or Tanshui River, runs from Chishan to the Linyuan Industrial Area where it empties into the sea. It forms the boundary between Kaohsiung and Pingdung Counties, and this is the origin of its name. The Kaoping River is 170.9 km long, and its source is Yushan at an elevation of 3,997 m. The watershed encompasses 3,256.85 km2, and flows through 24 administrative districts of Kaohsiung and Pingdung. The Kaoping River is the second largest river in Taiwan. Abundant ecological resources can be found along the river. Lofty peaks and ridges of the high mountains and precipitous stream valleys are the characteristics of the upstream section where high-mountain birds can be found at the stream banks. When the river reaches the middle section, the river valleys slowly broaden, forming several alluvial valleys which attract many mid-elevation birds that move about and feed. There are agricultural fields along much of the lower reaches to the estuary at the sea, and the banks are covered with dense growth of grasses which forms important shelter and habitats for many migrating birds as well as local resident species. Diversified wild birds can be observed at the estuary wetlands, tidally influenced flats, agricultural lands, and areas of flowing water. Various bird species come to visit this site with the changes in tides, in the climate, and in the seasons.

IBA Al criterion species: Black-faced Spoonbill with a maximum of 5 birds (Aug. 1994). IBA A4i criterion species: Great Cormorant with a maximum of 1,200 birds (Jan. 2000). • At the estuary, a total of 141 species has been recorded including the rare Black Stork, Tufted Duck, and White-fronted Goose. • Several investigations of different scopes have been carried out on terrestrial birds along the Kaoping River: from the estuary upstream for 8 km, 125 species in 38 families have been recorded; in the section of river containing the Linyuanwan, Kaoping and Liling Bridges, 109 species were recorded; and from mid to upstream sections at Chongdashu Village to the estuary, 142 species were recorded in 39 families.

Non-bird biodiversity: • Ecological investigations in the Kaoping River watershed have revealed 31 endemic freshwater fish in 26 genera and 12 families. • Numerous crab species of abundant quantity can be observed, including the commonly seen fiddler crabs Uca arcuata, U. lactea, and U. borealis, as well as other species like Helice formosensis, and many of the rare U. dussumieri and U. perplexa.

• The principal source of pollution in the Kaoping River is the discharge of wastewater from pig farms, accounting for 1/3 of the pollution load. Domestic waste water, and industrial wastewater account for another 1/3. In addition there is pollution from trash in the riverbed. All theses pollutants have seriously threatened the Kaoping River. The river has no appropriate fish channel design, which affects the upstream movements of fish species, leading to a decrease in fish populations. So the construction of dams is the greatest killer of fish. In an analysis of the water quality, except for the upstream sections that are mostly free of pollution, the remaining sections of the river have medium to serious levels of pollutants. • There is new construction of small-scale incinerators. • Excessive gravel extraction plus flushing by river, leading to bridge support columns being exposed and affecting public safety. On 27 August 2000, because of serious decrease in the level of the riverbed of the Kaoping River, the Kaoping Bridge collapsed and fell into the river. • The proposal of constructing Meinung Reservoir implies another threat. • On 12 July 2000, 250-ton organic solvent was dumped into the river and seriously polluted to river.

Lobbying Activities • The 1994 Planning Examples of Environmentally Sensitive Reserves of the Coastal Areas in Taiwan listed the Kaoping River watershed and its estuary as ecologically sensitive areas. • The Kaohsiung County Government, in an effort to restore the mangrove species Kandelia Kandelia candel, Black Mangrove Avicennia marina, and Lumnitzera Lumnitzera racemosa to conserve the wetland ecosystem at the estuary. Facilities, such as birdwatching trails, are provided for the public. Legislation: • A Kaoping River self-defense team has been formed which monitors pollution incidents along the waterway 24 hours a day.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kaoping River (Taiwan, China). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kaoping-river-iba-taiwan-china on 23/12/2024.