Middle Section of Coastal Mountain Range (14309)
Taiwan, China, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Middle Section of Coastal Mountain Range
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.1667, Longitude: 121.3167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 1680
Area of KBA (km2): 20.93194
Protected area coverage (%): 86.63
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Extent of this site: located in Taitung County’s Chenggong Township, encompasses Forest Compartments 41, 42, and 44 of the Chenggong Division of the Taitung Forest Administrative District. Because the land is not easily accessible, and precipitous mountains render communications inconvenient, there has been little disturbance from the outside. The native vegetation has been completely preserved, and for this reason, it supports an excellent diversity of wildlife habitats. The dominant tree species below 700 m in the low-elevation zone are those typical of tropical rainforests like Machilus spp. and Ficus spp.; above 700 m in the mid- to high-elevation zone, the predominant species in the subtropical forest formation are members of the families Lauraceae and Fagaceae.
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: A2 criterion species: Nine endemic species are commonly seen here: including White-throated Hill Partridge, Formosan Bulbul, Formosan Whistling Thrush, Formosan Blue Magpie, Formosan Yuhina, Steere’s Liocichia, and White-eared Sibia. • In 1992, 51 species in 21 families were recorded here including the protected species: Maroon Oriole, Asian Crested Goshawk, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Crested Serpent Eagle, Yellow-throated Minivet, Little Forktail and the Melodious Laughing Thrush. • At least 57 species occur here. Non-bird biodiversity: • There are 13 species of mammals here including the Formosan Serow Capricornis crispus swinhoei. This is the lowest elevation where the Formosan Serow occurs in Taiwan. There are 7 species of amphibians, 7 of reptiles, and 20 of butterflies. • In the virgin low-elevation broadleaf forests there is the protected Betal Tobago Cinnamon Tree Cinnamomum micranthum.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 7 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 2 | |
| Grassland | 1 | |
| Forest | 89 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: • There is illegal hunting, cutting of camphor trees, and collection of the Betal Tobago Cinnamon Tree and the mushroom grown on the tree species.
Additional information
References: • Yang, C. L. et al. 1994. National Forest Reserves. Taiwan Forestry Bureau, Department of Agriculture and Forestry. • Pei, J. C. 1992. Investigation of the faunal at Taitung Coastal Mountain Range broadleaf forest Reserve. Taiwan Forestry Bureau, Department of Agriculture and Forestry. • Taiwan Forestry Bureau, Council of Agriculture: http://www forest.gov. tw/frames/frame03.htm