Taiwan Today

Taiwan studies, protects and showcases a stunning array of flora and fauna.

Last spring researchers at the Ministry of Agriculture’s (MOA) Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute (TBRI) released exciting news to the public: their team had discovered a new species in the Angelica genus. The finding was the result of a comprehensive survey of the medicinal herb group conducted in collaboration with local universities. Their meticulous sampling and analysis uncovered the newly coined A. aliensis, which grows in the mountainous areas of southern Taiwan at altitudes of 800-1,200 meters above sea level. The development followed the announcement of two novel spider species identified in southern Taiwan’s Hengchun Peninsula in 2023.

  “These discoveries underscore the importance of ongoing research to explore and document the hidden treasures of Taiwan’s ecosystems,” said TBRI Director Yang Jia-dong (楊嘉棟), who noted that the country is home to 86 mammal species, over 600 bird species and nearly 24,000 insect species—astonishing for a land area of just 36,000 square kilometers. It also boasts more than 5,300 distinct vascular plant varieties, about a quarter of which are endemic. “The complexity of the terrain greatly contributes to the richness of local wildlife,” he added.

Amid Taiwan’s remarkable biodiversity, iconic species like the Formosan black bear, Formosan landlocked salmon and black-faced spoonbill naturally capture public attention. However, less prominent organisms, such as invertebrates, also play vital ecological roles. TBRI has made significant strides in this field, as evidenced by its part in identifying 59 of the country’s 75 known endemic earthworm species. “Earthworms are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems,” said Yang, an expert in nonvascular flora like mosses and liverworts. “These plants serve a similarly critical function because they act like sponges, regulating forest water cycles by storing moisture and releasing it during dry conditions.”

Proactive Measures
While new discoveries highlight Taiwan’s ecological bounty, the government places equal emphasis on protecting at-risk wildlife. In 2016 and 2017 TBRI published a landmark series of reports on local birds, terrestrial mammals, terrestrial reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish and vascular plants. These comprehensive studies represent the most detailed assessments to date, thanks to years of fieldwork by experts across the country. “The Red List of Vascular Plants of Taiwan,” for example, involved over 50 researchers and nearly a decade of dedication, underscoring national commitment to preserving natural heritage.
  The reports adopt the classification system of the Red List of Threatened Species developed by Switzerland-based International Union for Conservation of Nature, the leading global authority on safeguarding biodiversity. Updated editions of the five animal reports were published at the end of 2024, integrating the latest data to reflect changes in species’ risk levels or protection priorities.

In collaboration with the MOA’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA), TBRI began carrying out 22 action plans targeting critically endangered animal species like pangolins and leopard cats in 2017. The following year the government announced the Cabinet-level Taiwan Ecological Network, which Yang regards as a major milestone in protecting biodiversity. By identifying vulnerable habitats located in low-elevation mountains, plains and coastal areas, the initiative aims to safeguard flora and fauna in urban-rural transition zones.

Other FANCA measures include the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) project, a key program promoting environmental stewardship that initially provided financial incentives to encourage farmers in central Taiwan to discontinue the use of herbicides and pesticides and other practices that inadvertently harm leopard cats. Residents were also educated on ways to reduce potential threats to endangered species, such as ensuring dogs are always leashed when outdoors. To further engage the community, individuals who captured images of leopard cats with automatic cameras were eligible for financial awards. Building on its early success, PES has since expanded to support the conservation of other species, including the Eurasian otter, grass owl and pheasant-tailed jacana.

Grassroots Power
As government policies guide Taiwan toward a more sustainable future for wildlife, public awareness of the importance of its protection measures continues to grow. “Before the 1980s ecological conservation was rarely discussed and wildlife was often considered peripheral to daily life,” said Hsu Fu-hsiung (許富雄), an associate professor in the Department of Biological Resources at National Chiayi University in southern Taiwan. “This mindset has gradually shifted thanks to education.” Hsu also highlighted increased interest within the academic community, pointing out that the inaugural Congress of Animal Behavior and Ecology in 1990 drew only a few dozen participants, while the event now attracts over 1,000 attendees annually.

The trend for citizen science is adding momentum to the conservation campaign. A major driving force behind this phenomenon is TBRI, whose researchers organize and mentor groups of amateur enthusiasts dedicated to observing and documenting the natural world. “Members typically exchange ideas online, but annual conferences offer vibrant opportunities for in-person interaction,” Yang said. “These passionate citizen scientists photograph flora and fauna across Taiwan, uploading their findings to TBRI’s database. Their contributions greatly enhance our understanding of the current status of the country’s wildlife.”

Meanwhile, the more than 27,000 members of the Taiwan Roadkill Observation Network (TaiRON) document wildlife-vehicle collisions and identify high-risk areas across the country. The data collected is shared with government agencies responsible for road construction and maintenance, enabling targeted measures to mitigate such incidents. Clearing blocked drainage pipes beneath roads, for example, has proven effective in creating safe passageways for animals.

Private companies are also stepping up as valuable partners. Carrefour Taiwan began collaborating with farmers in the central county of Nantou in 2019 to promote leopard cat-friendly produce, providing stable sales channels while safeguarding wildlife. “Farmers used to worry they couldn’t balance income with conservation, but humans and the cats can both thrive,” Yang said. A project from U.S.-headquartered Garmin that similarly benefits Taiwan’s vulnerable fauna incorporated data from TaiRON into its navigation systems in 2021 to alert drivers when they approach areas frequented by endangered species like leopard cats. By late 2024 around 270,000 vehicles in Taiwan were equipped with the feature. “Many of our users are nature enthusiasts,” said Jay Shen (沈致瑋), managing director of Garmin’s Asia OEM Group. “Supporting biodiversity not only enriches their outdoor experience but also shows our commitment to environmental protection.”

International Connection
Global engagement is another cornerstone of Taiwan’s conservation strategy, with the country actively collaborating with international organizations to share knowledge and information. One key partnership is with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), an initiative dedicated to free and open access to data on all types of life on Earth since 2001. Taiwan joined this network the same year and established the Taiwan Biodiversity Information Facility (TaiBIF) as one of GBIF’s participant nodes in 2003. Funded by FANCA and the National Science and Technology Council, TaiBIF develops information services and infrastructure while facilitating international collaboration.

“Participation in GBIF is vital for connecting Taiwan with biodiversity experts worldwide,” said TaiBIF Executive Director Tuanmu Mao-ning (端木茂甯), who is also an associate research fellow at Academia Sinica’s Biodiversity Research Center. “Scientific research and policymaking depend on the free exchange of information, including species lists, illustrations and observation records.” This aligns with Target 21 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to ensure that high-quality data and knowledge are accessible to decision-makers, specialists and the public. The framework was an outcome of the 15th Conference of Parties (COP) to the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Canada in 2022.
  Taiwan’s commitment to biodiversity is further reflected in its growing leadership role in the region and beyond. In addition to overseeing TaiBIF, Tuanmu is the deputy representative for GBIF’s Asian nodes, acting as a vital liaison conveying insights and member priorities during regular online meetings. Taiwan also holds two spots on GBIF’s four-person team supporting conservation efforts in countries without established nodes and actively contributes to U.N.-led initiatives despite being excluded from membership in the global body. In late 2024 over 20 experts from Taiwan attended the parallel events of the CBD COP16 conference in Colombia. “Taiwan’s dedication isn’t just about protecting our own ecosystems,” said Tuanmu, who joined the delegation. “It’s about sharing knowledge, driving collaboration and ensuring a thriving planet for generations to come.”

Write to Oscar Chung at mhchung@mofa.gov.tw