Located at the boundaries of Taipei and Ilan Counties and with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,600 feet, the Fushan Botanical Garden is one of the few large-sized natural forests in Taiwan which remains largely undisturbed by human beings. It is widely regarded as a paradise for plants and animals.
The sun does not often shine here. As a matter of fact, rain is a more frequent visitor. The meteorological data records the mean annual precipitation at 126 inches, with relative humidity at eighty-eight percent. However, this doesn't seem to bother the plants growing in the Fushan experimental forest in northeastern Taiwan. They demonstrate great vitality, and are considered fortunate to be able to live their own lives in such a well-protected environment. Established in 1990, the Fushan Station divides its 4.24-square-mile natural forest into three districts in tandem with different natural environments, special resources and founding objectives: the botanical garden (1,012 acres); the Hah-Pen Nature Preserve (822 acres); and the water source reserve (878 acres).
Lin Kuo-chuan, chief and senior scientist of the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute's Fushan Station, explains that his station is interested primarily in ecological research, environmental education, and the conservation of plant genes. Conser vation is given the highest priority, but Lin is quick to assert that "conservation" means much more than simply forbidding people to enter selected natural forests; rather, it calls for the adoption of more constructive means such as the aggressive cultivation of trees and the development and preservation of soil quality, to maximize its efficiency.
Ever since it was established, the station has conducted systematic conservation, collection, and cultivation of broadleaf tree species, including endangered ones, from medium and low elevations. Greenhouses and nurseries facilitate the rapid growth of various plants, and a permanent reserve area is also planned in order to house a gene bank for endemic species (mainly varieties of lauraceae and fagaceae) from all over the island, as well as to monitor changes and evolution within the plant community.
Lin goes on to explain that to prevent human beings from having an adverse effect on the growth of plants and the living habits of wild animals, the station has adopted several measures. For one thing, though the botanical garden covers nearly 1,000 acres, less than one-tenth is developed, and with only a few necessary facilities. "Our primary concern is to maintain the original features of this natural forest so that it can enjoy sustained operations," Lin emphasizes. To promote a nature education program, the station has also set up a plant exhibition region, and opened it to the public.
The site is divided into sections of pteridophyta, gymnosperms, gamopetals, bamboos, rhododendrons, and herbaceous plants, according to the Engler classification system. In addition, certain plants are grouped in terms of special characteristics and function, such as medicine, fiber, and aromatic substance. So far, more than 500 species have been collected and dis played. A pond is included to restore some rare aquatic plants, including Ludwigia ovalis, Callitriche verna, and Sparganium fallax.
Upon their arrival, visitors are directed to the Forestry Education and Extension Center, where they can watch videotapes and slideshows that introduce the botanical garden and Taiwan's forestry development as a whole. In certain exhibition spots, guides offer more detailed explanations of plants--simultaneously reminding visitors to keep their voices down, and to refrain from littering and feeding the fish and other animals. "Most of the visitors have been really cooperative with our policies. It proves the public can be educated," Lin states. "We hope that visitors will find some relief here from their busy life schedules, but also that after their visit they will take the conservation concept with them and influence the people around them."
In the meantime, to scale down the negative impact of human disturbance and destruction of the natural environment, the station began to impose garden admission limits in 1994. The number of daily visitors allowed in is set at 300, with an additional quota of 100 allocated to grade-school students. Anyone interested in seeing the garden should file an application fifteen to sixty days prior to their anticipated visit.
To maintain the cleanness of the environment and to curb pollution, no garbage cans are installed within the garden. Visitors are required to take their litter with them as they leave. "All these measures are designed and implemented from the viewpoint of conservation," Lin explains. "And we are glad and proud to see that the ecological system of the natural broadleaf forest in Fushan has been conserved rather well, in the presentation of its primitive features."
To better understand how the whole ecological system operates, the station has been teaming up with university profes sors, academic institutes both at home and abroad, and a number of experts, to conduct long-term ecological research. The major focus is placed on the function, composition and structure of plants as well as the living habits of animals. So far, preliminary studies on plants, birds, insects and fish have all been completed. At least 515 plant species in 320 genera and 124 families in this region are recorded.
Currently, the station is working with the National Science Council and the Council of Agriculture on several research projects. One of the more pressing tasks is the conducting of phenology investigations on native plants through close obser vation of their growth conditions. Various data such as the dynamics of a plant's life cycle--from sprout, blossom, the bearing of fruit and the shedding of leaves--how they are affected by climate and environment, as well as their height and width are recorded in detail. Such survey reports, Lin explains, will serve as important information with regard to understanding when the seeds should be collected and propagated.
Since the Fushan Station is still rather young, it has lots of things to accomplish. To establish its international profile, the station will step up its collecting of herbarium and international exchange of seeds. Also, future efforts will focus on the extensive collection and massive cultivation of important native plants from different parts of the island and the rest of the world. The diversity of species will enable visitors to know more kinds of plants, and researchers to make comparisons of the growing conditions of plants in different places. "With hope, through our joint efforts, the Fushan Botanical Garden can become a prominent plant museum where various activities like gene preservation, promotion of ecological education, and research can proceed apace," Lin concludes.