Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Extent of this site: the valleys and ridges of the Hsueh-shan Mt. Range form the boundary of this IBA site. To the east is Loyehwei Mt., west is Tunghsishui Mt., south is Yulowei Mt. and north is Chingchieh Mt.
This IBA is situated on the most important section of the Hsuehshan range, the Hsuehshan Graben. Within the park, there are high mountains everywhere and the topography is high and lofty: from Ta-an River valley at 760 m to the peak of Hsuehshan at 3886 m. High mountains, rivers, and complex topography contain and support unique and elegant landforms and ecological environments. Here there are 51 peaks above 3000 m, including 19 peaks on the list of Taiwan’s highest 100, with Tapa Peak being the most representative. In addition, the popular Wuling and Kuanwu are situated within the area.
The Sheipa National Park has been considered the territory of the tribe people of Atayal and Saisiat since ancient times. Also, there are important cultural and historical resources at the Chijia Bay Relic.
IBA A2 criterion species: 12 endemic species are commonly seen here: Formosan Laughing Thrush, Collared Bush Robin, Mikado Pheasant, White-eared Sibia, Formosan Yellow Tit, Formosan Yuhina, Formosan Barwing, Swinhoe’s Pheasant, White-throated Hill Partridge, Steere’s Liocichla, Formosan Whistling Thrush, and Taiwan Firecrest.
• At this site 159 species have been recorded including 26 protected species, among which are Wren, Alpine Accentor, Collared Bush Robin, Streak-throated Fulvetta, Formosan Laughing Thrush, Taiwan Firecrest, Coal Tit, Vinaceous Rosefinch, and Large-billed Crow, which can all be seen year round from the trails of Hsuehshan.
Non-bird biodiversity: • The Chijiawan Creek at Wuling holds the nationally treasured Taiwan Trout Oncorhynclus masou formosanus, also the Formosan Black Bear Selenarctos thibetanus forinosanus, the butterfly Agehana maraho, Taiwan Sassafras Sassafras randaiense, Impatiens devolii, Dumasia miaoliensis, Cacalia hwangshanica.
• There has been long-term ecological research on the Mandarin Duck at Wuling.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
• There is illegal logging.
• Leisure, recreational, and mountain climbing activities impact on the ecosystems; each year the number of visits reaches 300,000.
• New land is being opened for the cultivation of high-mountain vegetables and fruits.
• On 11 February 2001, there was a large forest fire on the slopes of the 2,748-m Mawuba Mt., with over 50 ha scorched, possibly reaching and threatening the ecological reserves within the park.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Legislation:
• In 1992, the Interior Ministry established the Sheipa National Park with an area of 76,850 ha.
• In 1995, Taichung County announced the 7,095-ha Wuling Taiwan Trout Oncorhynclus masou formosanus Important Habitat on the Chijiawan River of the upper reaches of the Dachia River.
• Taiwan Forestry Bureau has announced this area as the Sheipa Nature Reserve with an area of 21,254.09 ha, to conserve the virgin Himalaya Ceder Cedrus deodara forest, virgin coniferous-broadleaf forests, unique topography, glacier features, and wild animals.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Shei-Pa National Park (Taiwan, China). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/shei-pa-national-park-iba-taiwan-china on 25/11/2024.
