Dapingding and Hsutsuo Harbor (14274)
Taiwan, China, Asia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Dapingding and Hsutsuo Harbor

Central coordinates: Latitude: 25.0667, Longitude: 121.1833

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 10

Area of KBA (km²): 5.43251

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Extent of this site: the northwest border of this site in the Hohsu Creek from where the creek emerges with the sea to the Shazhen Bridge; the southwest border runs along the connecting road to the coastal highway starting from the Shazhen Bridge passing the Neizhen Bridge, No. 1, and No. 2 Hsutsuo Harbor Bridges to the border between Dayuan and Guanyin Village; the southwest border is the administrative border between Dayuan Village and Guanyin Village; the northwest border is the coastline of the Taiwan Strait. The geographic feature of this area is the sandy type of coast, well-developed watershed, intact rivermouth, intertidal area, marshes, sandbanks, ponds and agricultural lands all together consist of the diversified ecosystem at this area. In addition to the intertidal areas of the estuary and the wind-protection forests, the area is dominated by watermelon, paddy, and sweet potato fields. Most of these fields are left fallow in the fall and winter. Water is directed into the rest of the area where the soil is turned, or rape is planted. So with the tidal area and wind-protection forests, these fields form a great feeding habitat and roosting area for migrants.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)

Additional biodiversity: IBA Al criterion species: Chinese Egret. • Chinese Egret with a maximum of 39 birds in 1996 and a maximum of 72 birds in 1997, making this an important bird area. • At this site, 206 species have been recorded; during migration, numerous waders stop here. In winter, there can be hundreds of Dunlin and Pacific Golden Plover overwintering here. One Black-faced Spoonbill has been recorded here, as well as other endangered species listed on the Asian Red Data Book like the Japanese Yellow Bunting, Swan Goose, Saunders’s Gull, and Spotted Greenshank. • Bean Goose is a rare species recorded here in November 1999.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture (47%) | energy production and mining (1%) | urban/industrial/transport (38%) | water management (11%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Terrestrial	33
Marine Intertidal	33
Marine Coastal/Supratidal	33

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: • The Dayuan Industrial Zone and the Dayuan municipal area are located in the middle and upstream reaches of the Laojie and Hsuang Creeks, and both discharge highly polluted wastewater turning the water of the rivermouth at Hsutsuo Harbor reddish brown. • Provincial Highway 61 runs in the middle of the habitat most suitable for birds (Dapingding and Neihai). • The county government is planned to build an incinerator here. • There is a plan for oil tank construction.

Additional information