NCI 2024
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    Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Myxini – Hagfishes Petromyz' – Lampreys Sharks & rays Animals Holocep' – Chimaeras Ray-finned fishes Dipneusti – Lungfish Gastropoda – Snails & slugs Coelac' – Coelacanths Insecta – Insects / bugs Arachnida – Spiders & scorpions Malacostraca – Malacostracans Diplopoda – Millipedes Bivalvia – Marine molluscs Cephalopoda – Squids & octopuses Chilopoda – Centipedes Pycnogonida – Sea spiders Merostomata – Horseshoe crabs More Classes
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    Despite its limited land area, Taiwan hosts a strikingly rich array of biodiversity, representing 3.8% of the world’s species while only covering 0.02% of the Earth’s surface. This extensive diversity is linked to the island’s varied geographical features, which include towering mountains, expansive grassy lowlands, and a range of diverse ecosystems. Taiwan’s unique environmental conditions are shaped by its climate, topography, and surrounding ocean.

    Being an island, it is entirely encircled by the ocean, which influences its climate and biodiversity. The rugged mountains that slice through its center challenge transportation but also contribute to the variety of habitats. Additionally, its tropical climate, characterized by heat and humidity for most of the year, plays a crucial role in supporting the island’s diverse flora and fauna.

    Score Rank Change
    Total Score – NCI 2024 53.49 114 N/A
    Land Management 45 143 N/A
    Protected Areas (Terrestrial) 65 89 N/A
    Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 65 64 N/A
    Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 54 92 N/A
    Protected Areas (Marine) 4 89 N/A
    Pristine Habitat (Converted Land) 80 151 N/A
    Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)
    Sustainable Pesticide Use 4 149 N/A
    Threats to Biodiversity 48 176 N/A
    Threatened Species (Terrestrial) 89 72 N/A
    Threatened Species (Marine) 67 52 N/A
    Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas 85 112 N/A
    Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas 77 111 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial) 26 118 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Marine) 0 10 N/A
    Depleted Fisheries 0 39 N/A
    Fishery Pressure in the High Seas 0 144 N/A
    Invasive Species Pressure 89 139 N/A
    Capacity and Governance 73 18 N/A
    Total Management Cost
    Conservation Culturomics
    Conservation Legislation
    Ratification of CBD
    Ratification of CITES
    Political Stability and Absence of Violence 70 3 N/A
    Control of Corruption 70 28 N/A
    Government Effectiveness 78 16 N/A
    Future Trends 48 57 N/A
    Climate Change Mitigation 48 57 N/A

    Four pillars elaborated:

    Land Management

     Taiwan is home to 9 national parks and 22 nature reserves that span a range of landscapes, from majestic mountains to untouched coral reefs. These protected zones are vital for preserving unique ecosystems and providing spaces for outdoor activities. Beyond these, Taiwan also has numerous forest reserves and significant wildlife habitats that protect essential natural resources and endangered species. Additionally, acknowledging the critical role of its marine environments, Taiwan has set up several marine protected areas. These include the Liuqiu Aquatic Organisms Propagation and Conservation Zone and the East Coast National Scenic Area, which are crucial for protecting marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable fishing practices.

    Threats to Biodiversity

     Taiwan’s rich biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss due to urbanization, climate change, invasive species, pollution, overexploitation of resources, and challenges in the enforcement of conservation laws. Urban expansion and agricultural activities have led to the fragmentation of habitats, while global warming and non-native species disrupt local ecosystems. Pollution from various sources further degrades these environments, and excessive harvesting puts additional pressure on wildlife. Effective conservation will require comprehensive and coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to address these diverse threats and protect Taiwan’s unique ecological heritage.

    Capacity and Governance

     The Taiwanese government has made significant strides in biodiversity conservation through a series of legislative, protective, and collaborative measures. Key legislation such as the Wildlife Conservation Act and the establishment of protected areas like national parks and wildlife refuges help safeguard diverse habitats and species. Additionally, Taiwan has developed a biodiversity conservation network involving government bodies, NGOs, and research institutions to promote conservation research and public awareness.

    Special projects focus on endangered species, incorporating strategies like breeding and reintroduction. Furthermore, environmental impact assessments are mandated for development projects to minimize ecological damage. Taiwan also engages in international cooperation to align its conservation efforts with global best practices and contribute to regional environmental initiatives.

    Future Trends

     Taiwan’s future biodiversity conservation plans are comprehensive and adaptive, focusing on expanding protected areas, integrating climate change adaptation strategies, and enhancing biodiversity monitoring and research. The government aims to engage the public more actively through educational initiatives and community-based projects, fostering greater environmental stewardship. Moreover, Taiwan is committed to enhancing international cooperation in biodiversity conservation, despite its unique diplomatic challenges. These plans also include promoting sustainable practices across industries and agriculture to minimize environmental impacts, along with updating existing laws and policies to ensure they are robust and effective in protecting the diverse ecological systems across the island.


    Biodiversity

    The mountainous regions of Taiwan, particularly the Central Mountain Range, are home to dense forests that host a variety of plant and animal species. These forests range from subtropical at lower elevations to temperate and alpine at higher elevations. Notable plant species include various types of ferns, orchids, and Taiwan’s iconic national flower, the plum blossom. The high-altitude areas are home to unique species such as the Taiwan fir and the Yushan cane. The fauna includes endemic species like the Formosan black bear, Formosan rock macaque, and the Mikado pheasant, which are emblematic of Taiwan’s natural heritage.

    Taiwan’s coastal and marine ecosystems are equally diverse. The island’s extensive coastline features coral reefs, mangroves, and tidal flats that support a wide variety of marine life. The coral reefs, particularly around the southern tip of Taiwan and the offshore islands, are rich in biodiversity, hosting numerous species of fish, invertebrates, and marine plants. The coastal wetlands, such as the Zengwen Estuary Wetland and the Chigu Lagoon, are important habitats for migratory birds, including species like the black-faced spoonbill and various shorebirds.

    In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Taiwan only):


    Species
    (World rank)    		 Threatened % Threatened Endemic % Endemic
    Mammals 107 (#103) 19 17.8%
    Birds 375 (#93) 25 6.7% 27 7.2%
    Reptiles 119 (#79) 9 7.6% 21 17.6%
    Amphibians 45 (#63) 10 22.2% 18 40.0%
    Fishes 2,974 (#8) 149 5.0% 18 0.6%
    Plants 5,628 (#54) 989 17.6% 1,067 19.0%

    Go To 2024 National Nature Conservation Index Main Page

    Taiwan

    Celebrated for its ecological diversity and cultural vibrancy

    Score:

    53.49 / 100

    Rank:

    114 / 180