Daxueshan, Xueshankeng, Wushikeng, Taichung City (14280)
Taiwan, China, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Daxueshan, Xueshankeng, Wushikeng, Taichung City
Central coordinates: Latitude: 24.2833, Longitude: 120.9833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 670 to 3000
Area of KBA (km2): 155.67001
Protected area coverage (%): 12.03
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Extent of this site: situated between the Da-an and the Tachia Rivers, and includes the Dahsuehshan forest recreational area, the Wushihkeng low-elevation research station of the Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute (TESRI), and the Hsuehshankeng Nature Reserve of Miaoli County. On the south are Pochinjia Mt., Hsaolai River, and Wuwowei Mt.; on the east is Hsiaohsueh River; to the west is Wushihkeng River; and to the north is Mabihao River. Because the change in elevation is great, stretches across four types of forest types of subtropical, warm, temperate, and frigid forest zones. Because Dahsuehshan is a mid to high-elevation mountain area, the area’s birds will descend to lower elevations at Wushihkeng and Hsuehshankeng in the winter, and the ecology of these three areas are very Closely related. Within this area there are several settlements of Atayal Aboriginals.
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 A2 criterion species: Nine endemic species are commonly seen here: Formosan Barwing, Formosan Blue Magpie, Steere’s Liocichla, White-eared Sibia, Formosan Yuhina, Formosan Laughing Thrush, Taiwan Firecrest, Collared Bush Robin, Formosan Yellow Tit, Formosan Whistling Thrush, White-throated Hill Partridge, Swinhoe’s Pheasant, and Mikado Pheasant. • At this site, 163 species of birds have been recorded. This is an important site for observing the endemic pheasants of Taiwan. • At Wushihkeng, 104 species in 33 families have been recorded, among which are 7 endemic species, and 41 endemic subspecies. • Dahsuehshan is one of the best birding places in Central Taiwan. One hundred and forty-two species were recorded including the protected Indian Black Eagle. At Hsuehshankeng River Nature Reserve, 89 species have been recorded. Non-bird biodiversity: • There are rich and abundant Formosan Red Cypress Chamaecyparis formosensis, False cypress Chamaecyparis taiwanensis and Taiwan hemlock Tsuga formosana virgin forests, this being an essential zone for Taiwan’s natural forests. • The endemic Formosan Black Bear Selenarctos thibetanus formosanus has been recorded at the Dahsuehshan area. • The mammals recorded at Wushihkeng include 19 species in 12 families. The endemics include Formosan Macaque Macaca cyclopis, Spinous Country-rat Niviventer coxihgi, and the Brown Country Rat Rattus losea. Thirteen species in three families of amphibians have been recorded among which are 6 endemics including Moltreche’s Green Tree Frog Rhacophorus moltrechti, Chirixalus idiootocus, Brown Tree Frog Rhacophorus robustus, Rhacophorus aurentiventris, Rana saureri and Rana longicrus. • The Hsuehshankeng River Nature Reserve is home to 7 large mammals including Formosan Macaque Macaca cyclopis, Formosan Serow Capricornis crispus swinhoei, Formosan Reeve’s Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi micrurus, Formosan Wild Boar Sus scrofa taivanus, Formosan Gem-faced Civet Paguma larvata taivana, Chinese Mink Mustela sibirica devidiana, and the White-faced Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista alborufus lena.
Delineation rationale: 2015: 2001 IBA site area has changed from 15,060 ha to 14,409 ha.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (2%) | not utilised (78%) | water management (1%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 28 | |
| Forest | 58 | |
| Grassland | 1 | |
| Shrubland | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: • There is illegal cutting of trees and opening of agricultural fields. • There is illegal hunting. • There are large volumes of tourists.
Additional information
References: • Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute. 1994. Wushihkeng Animal Resources. • He, J. R. 1995. Butterfly Resources of Wushihkeng. Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute. • Chiu, J. J., H. H. Lin, and D. W. Li. 1993. Executive results of the 1993 experimental research plan-Wushihkeng River Fish Habitat Investigations. Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute. • Lin, L. G. 1997. Summary of Hsuehshankeng River Nature Reserve animals investigation. Taiwan Provincial Government, Taiwan Forestry Bureau. • Taiwan Forestry Bureau. 1997. Investigation and Research on Forest Bird Ecology of Central Taiwan. Taiwan Provincial Government. • Luo, H. R. 1997. Bird communities on Hsuehshan Trails. Proceedings of the First Bird Conference. Compilers Ching-hung Li, Taichieg Chou