Yushan National Park (14302)
Taiwan, China, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Yushan National Park
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.5167, Longitude: 120.9667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 300 to 3952
Area of KBA (km2): 1058.4507
Protected area coverage (%): 97.40
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Extent of this site: the eastern border runs from Malichia South Mt. and Kashipa South Mt. to the main ridge of Yuli Mt.; south along a line from Hsinkang Mt., Sancha Mt., the tunnel of Yakou, to the ridge line of Gong Mt.; the western border is from the stream valley on the western side of Meishan Village, Nanmian Mt., Hsunnan River forest road’s western ridge to Lulin Mt., Tongfu Mt.; north along the stream valley on the northern side of Dongpu Village District No. 1, Junda Mt., Hsunhayila River to the northern peak of Malichia South Mt. Annual precipitation is 3,000-4,700 mm. Two-thirds of the site is at elevations exceeding 2,000 m. So it is classified as a high-montane national park. Although this site only accounts for about 3% of the area of Taiwan, it includes over half of the native Taiwanese plants. Changes in the natural vegetation occur with changes in elevation and forests transform from subtropical and temperate to alpine forms. Abundant wild animals have been recorded. There are historical construction remains of the Ching Dynasty- the Patungkuan old passage. For these reasons, the entire area is rich in precious natural and cultural resources. The dominant tribal people are the Bunun at Dongpu Village, Hsinyi Village, Meishan Village and Taoyuan Village.
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: 10 endemic species are commonly seen here: including Mikado Pheasant, Taiwan Firecrest, Formosan Yuhina, Steere’s Liocichla, Formosan Barwing, White-eared Sibia, Formosan Yellow Tit, Collared Bush Robin, Formosan Whistling Thrush, Formosan Laughing Thrush. • At this Site 108 species have been recorded. Each year from August to October, the Brown Shrike and small Sylvidae pass through on migration, commonly seen from 7 pm in the evening until 3 am at Tzuchung. Non-bird biodiversity: • A total of 30 species of mammals has been recorded here, including the Formosan Black Bear Ursus thibetanus formosanus, Formosan Macaque Macaca cyclopsis, Formosan Serow Capricornis crispus swinhoei, and Formosan Sambar Cervus unicolor swinhoei. In addition, there is the nationally protected salamander Hynobius sp.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (99%) | tourism/recreation (1%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: • Although hunting is prohibited throughout the entire area, there is still a serious situation of hunters trapping and excessively capturing wildlife. • There are the felling of trees, opening of roads, and building of dams and other human development. • There are forest fires resulted from tourist activities or people deliberately setting them. • After alternate Saturdays were made days off for most people, the tourist volume increased. This not only creates disturbance and environmental pollution, but also increases the pressure to construct more facilities.
Additional information
References: • Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society. 1998, Chirrups no. 209. • Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society. 1998, Chirrups No. 210. • Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society. 1998, Chirrups No. 212. • Li, C. H. 1994. Animals of Yushan. Yushan National Park. Construction and Planning Administration, Ministry of the Interior. • Chen, L. S. 1999. Biodiversity and Its Protection at Yushan National Park. National Park Society. • Huang, M. H. and Y. Wang. Research of the ecology of the Formosan Black Bear at Yushan National Park- Initial investigation of the behavioral patterns. Proceedings of the Endemic Species Conservation Conference, Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute. • Yushan National Park Website: http://www.ysnp.gov.tw/