Chu'an (14315)
Taiwan, China, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Chu'an
Central coordinates: Latitude: 24.8167, Longitude: 121.7833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 17
Area of KBA (km2): 23.43251
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Extent of this site: to the south are Ilan County Roads 192 and 6; to the west is the railway; to the north is Chinmian River to Chuan Estuary; and to the east is the coastline. Birdwatching sites include Chu’an, Hsiapu, Dachuwei, Wugu, and Wendi. The area around Chu’an was once a large swamp encompassed Chu’an, Hsiapu, Dachuwei, Wugu and Wendi and served as habitat for many migratory waterbirds in the past. However, after aquaculture ponds were established in 1986, this area was developed for fisheries and agricultural use, which was very unfavorable to birds. In recent years, the aquaculture industry has been deeply hurt by diseases, and many ponds have been deserted, a situation favorable for birds. Unfortunately, the plan of constructing a highway will adversely affect the birds again. Nevertheless, this area is still one of the important resting spots for migratory birds in northern Ilan County. Regarding land use at the site, 35% is occupied by aquaculture ponds. 55% is fallow rice fields in fall and winter, and 5% is residential use.
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 A1 criterion species: Black-faced Spoonbill • Black-faced Spoonbills visit the Lanyang River Estuary during their back and forth movements, with a maximum of 8 birds in April 1998. • Chinese Egrets use this area annually in spring and autumn, with a maximum of 8 birds. • Saunders’s Gulls form mixed flocks with Black-headed Gulls. A maximum of 21 birds was recorded, but numbers are decreasing. • Baer’s Pochard often winters here, with a maximum of 4 birds recorded. Baikal Teals mix with Green-winged Teal in winter. Spoon-billed Sandpipers are recorded occasionally. • At this site, 212 species of birds have been recorded, including the following vagrants: Lesser Frigate Bird, Japanese Cormorant, Eurasian Bittern, White Spoonbill, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Bean Goose, and Black Stork. Purple Herons are winter migrants with the maximum record of 6. • This IBA site is the northernmost range of the endemic Formosan Bulbul.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (78%) | military (1%) | not utilised (7%) | urban/industrial/transport (6%) | water management (19%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 32 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 32 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 32 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: • The current construction of the Taipei-Ilan Express along with the planned interchange at Dachuwei will bring destructive consequences to this IBA site. • As aquaculture ponds are filled in, habitat for waterbirds decreases. • Construction of roads among aquaculture ponds has brought increased traffic and disturbance. • The former swamps have been almost completely developed into aquaculture ponds and agricultural fields.
Additional information
References: • Wild Bird Society of Ilan. 1988-1999. Investigation report of waterbird at wetlands. • WBFT. Investigation and research on the waterbird resources of Ilan Counry from July 1990 to June 1991. Commissioned by the Ilan County Government.