The research and concervation documentary of Taiwan's National Parks

Introduction--Why is this film produced?

To be able to conduct research or survey of their own natural environment is a blessing and meaningful task for conservation researchers. Especially with the great diversity of Taiwan’s ecology, field surveys and studies have always been full of surprises. As a consequence, researchers have remained highly motivated in devoting their life time to study and protect the wonderful ecological diversity of Taiwan. Immersing yourself in the national parks of Taiwan, you will be mesmerized by the diversity and richness of the parks’ ecology and environment. What kind of love of a place can be more profound than a life-long park researcher’s love to Taiwan’s national parks?

More than 30 years have passed since the first national park of Taiwan was established. Both natural conservation and cultural heritage have been core value and accomplishment is satisfying. Every year, many conservation workers and researchers perform surveys and studies in national parks to collect data and information for ecological conservation. In this documentary film, many discoveries and experience of conducting research are shared with passion. We hope that you will enjoy the treasures presented in this film. Let’s cherish and protect the wonderful diversity and beauty of the land of Taiwan’s national parks together!

The national park projects focus on both natural assets and cultural heritage. They include the areas of zoology, botany, geology, topography, vernacular architectures and historic sites. For instance, researchers have studied birds of prey at Yangmingshan and Kenting National Parks, and the black-faced spoonbill at Taijiang National Park for their ecological changes. The studies on black bears and Formosan sambar deer in three alpine national parks are great cases of transboundary integrated collaboration. The study of Formosan salamander as an Ice Age survivor is another case of alpine heritage. In Shei-Pa National Park, the studies of Formosan land-locked salmons, the improvement of check dams for their habitats, long-term integral monitoring of stream habitats, salmons’ life history, and their re-habitation are critical in understanding the ecological change of Taiwan. Other studies of monitoring active volcano of the Yangmingshan National Park, and the vernacular architectures and Eurasian otters of Kinmen National Park are just recent endeavors with significant results.

Different expertise has contributed to the national parks. Some surveys and research are done by scholars and experts, some done by the collaboration between the park rangers and local volunteers, and some even accomplished by the collaboration between the park rangers and local tribal community members. Some of the precious study results are even applied to encourage local economic transformation and some to develop eco-tourism. In a few cases, the local economy is improved to the degree that the local tribal communities are motivated to conserve their environment better for further progress. Thus, the activities of conservation patrol, beach cleaning, and ocean cleaning for better coral reef habitat become popular.

Thanks to the long term endeavors and wisdom of the nameless heroes and heroines, we are now able to understand the wonderful habitats and ecology of Taiwan's National Parks better. In this film, the studies and surveys of bats, sambar deer, and coral reefs are documented. Let us follow the researchers' footsteps to see how they work to produce and practice knowledge for the ecological conservation, the ecological habitats, and the bio-diversity of Taiwan’s national parks. We hope that you will enjoy the documentary and join us to protect our environment.

свернуть