Taiwan Biodiversity Hotspots
30-Second Overview: In November 2024, a Formosan black bear named Daguali was released into the wild again in Zhuoxi Township, but found its way back into human communities. This is no accident—Taiwan is home to only 200–600 black bears, yet this 36,000 km² island contains over 59,000 known species, a biodiversity density 100 times the global average. The question is: on the most densely populated living stage on Earth, how much space have we left for wildlife?
A Living Island 100 Times More Crowded Than Tokyo
In February 2025, a surveillance camera at a school in Yuli, Hualien captured a heartbreaking scene: Daguali, a Formosan black bear, wandered through the schoolyard like a lost child. This was already the third time it had encountered humans unexpectedly.
Trapped and injured in July 2023, rescued in November the same year, captured again in March 2024 for disturbing indigenous settlements, and released again in December 2024—Daguali's story mirrors Taiwan's broader ecological crisis: there is simply not enough space.
According to the latest statistics from Taiwan's Forest and Nature Conservation Agency, Taiwan has recorded over 59,000 species of organisms, with estimates suggesting the actual total exceeds 150,000 species. When placed on 36,000 km² of land, these figures mean approximately 1.6 known species per square kilometer—if undescribed species are included, the density exceeds 4 species per square kilometer.
Compare this to Germany's 357,000 km² hosting 45,000 species, or the United Kingdom's 243,000 km² hosting 30,000 species. Taiwan's biodiversity density is 100 times the global average.
Vertical 4,000 Meters: A Climate Elevator
Taiwan's biodiversity secret lies in a single word: three-dimensionality.
From the sea level near Tainan to Yushan's main peak at 3,952 meters, the horizontal distance is merely 200 kilometers, yet the climate change is equivalent to traveling from Taiwan directly to Norway. For every 1,000 meters of elevation gain, temperature drops approximately 6°C, equivalent to a latitudinal shift of 800 kilometers northward.
This "climate elevator" creates extraordinarily complex ecosystems. From tropical rainforests at sea level to alpine grasslands at Yushan's summit, Taiwan recreates half the planet's climate zones within an area smaller than many metropolitan areas. Organisms at different elevations evolved separately, forming a clearly stratified ladder of life.
Taiwan's young geology is another critical factor. At only 5 million years old, Taiwan continues to rise—gaining 2–3 centimeters annually. Ongoing orogeny creates extraordinarily complex microhabitats, providing endless opportunities for species differentiation.
The Ark of the Ice Age
The very existence of the Formosan Landlocked Salmon is a miracle in itself. This is the world's lowest-latitude salmon species, a living Ice Age relic.
Twenty thousand years ago during the last glacial period, Taiwan's climate resembled modern-day northeastern China, allowing salmon to thrive in lowland river systems. As temperatures rose after the ice age ended, they were forced to "climb the mountains"—today they can barely survive only in the Qijiawan Creek at 1,700 meters elevation.
The miracle is that they survived. By 1995, only 253 individuals remained globally. Through 30 years of efforts by Shei-Pa National Park, the population reached 15,374 individuals in 2023—a 60-fold increase from 1995. This is regarded as one of Taiwan's most successful conservation stories.
The Taiwan Mountain Salamander is another Ice Age relic. This ancient amphibian is distributed only between 1,500–2,500 meters elevation and is extremely sensitive to temperature, thriving only below 15°C. Climate change has reduced its habitat from 11 locations to 7, with projections suggesting only 3 populations might survive by 2050.
Kingdom of Endemic Species: 30% Unique to Earth
Over 30% of Taiwan's species are endemic—found nowhere else on Earth. This proportion ranks among the highest on any island globally.
Taiwan Macaques migrated from mainland China 200,000 years ago but, isolated by the Taiwan Strait, evolved distinct characteristics: smaller body size, darker fur, and redder facial skin. They remain Taiwan's only native primate besides humans.
Formosan Black Bears display a distinctive V-shaped white marking on their chests—a characteristic of Taiwan's population that differs from the crescent-shaped marking found in other Asian black bear populations. According to Yushan National Park estimates, approximately 200–600 individuals remain across Taiwan, with potentially 250–300 within the park itself. Each individual requires 30–40 km² of activity space.
Taiwan Blue Magpies were selected as Taiwan's "national bird" in a 2007 online vote. Beyond their striking blue plumage, their most distinctive feature is their "family system"—older offspring remain to help raise younger siblings, a cooperative breeding behavior remarkably rare among birds.
Another Taiwan in the Ocean
Taiwan is surrounded by sea, and its marine biodiversity is equally remarkable. Taiwan's waters record approximately 3,000 fish species, with coral reef fish exceeding 1,000 species. Kenting National Park's marine waters record about 300 reef-building coral species, comprising one-third of all reef-building corals globally.
Yet Taiwan's coral reefs are experiencing catastrophe. In summer 2020, water temperatures exceeded 29°C for consecutive weeks, causing massive coral bleaching in Kenting, Green Island, and Orchid Island, with coral coverage declining over 50% in some areas.
Green Island's Sunrise Hot Spring is one of the world's rare submarine thermal springs. The mineral-rich thermal water creates a unique marine environment where scientists have discovered multiple heat-resistant microorganisms with potentially significant applications for biotechnology and medicine.
International Airport for Migratory Birds
Taiwan lies at the core of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, one of the world's most critical bird migration corridors. Each spring and autumn, over 150 species and 1 million individual birds migrate through Taiwan.
Black-faced Spoonbills are the most famous international visitors. In 1992, only 294 individuals remained worldwide, on the brink of extinction. Through international conservation efforts, the population has grown to approximately 5,000, with roughly 2,000 choosing to winter in Taiwan.
Grey-faced Buzzards create spectacular "raptor rivers" during their October migration through Manzhou, Pingtung. The single-day passage record was set on October 13, 2003, when 53,688 individuals passed through—commemorated as the "National Day Eagles."
Vanished Royalty and Present Threats
The extinction of the Taiwan Clouded Leopard represents the most tragic lesson in Taiwan's ecological history. Once the forest king, this beautiful big cat required 30–40 km² of activity space per adult. With deforestation and road development fragmenting habitats, these cats lost their living space.
The last confirmed sighting was in 1983 in Taitung. Pingtung Scientific University deployed 1,500 automatic cameras for 13 years of monitoring but found no evidence. In 2013, the Council of Agriculture officially declared the Taiwan clouded leopard "functionally extinct."
Road kill is the most severe present-day threat. Taiwan has the world's second-highest road density at 2.4 kilometers of road per square kilometer of land. According to the Road Kill Observation Network, Taiwan loses millions of wild animals annually to vehicular collisions. Formosan Wildcats are particularly affected, with 100 individuals recorded dead from traffic accidents over nine years.
Rescue Efforts: Hope and Challenges
Formosan Wildcat conservation demonstrates hope. Through establishing wildlife corridors in Miaoli, Taichung, and Nantou, promoting wildlife-friendly agriculture, and monitoring population dynamics, wildcat numbers increased from fewer than 500 in 2013 to approximately 800–1,000 in 2024.
Wildlife-friendly farming played a crucial role. At the Dacheng Wetland in Changhua, farmers promoting "Black-faced Spoonbill-friendly farming methods" adjusted harvest timing to preserve feeding habitats for migratory birds. Participating farmers received higher prices for their rice, achieving a win-win for both conservation and economics.
Citizen science contributed enormous value. The Taiwan Biodiversity Network (TBN) combines citizen scientists to build Taiwan's largest species distribution database. The Road Kill Observation Network established the first comprehensive road kill database through public reporting, helping the government install wildlife corridors at critical hotspots.
Climate Change: A Survival Challenge
Global warming poses the greatest impact on Taiwan's alpine ecosystems. Rising temperatures push suitable habitats for alpine plants upward, but mountaintops are the absolute limit—nowhere left to go.
Scientists project that if temperatures rise 2°C, Taiwan's alpine vegetation zones will shift upward 300–400 meters. Taiwan Cypress and Taiwan Fir and other high-mountain conifers already show signs of upward migration.
Ocean acidification presents a more subtle threat. Increased atmospheric CO₂ levels lower seawater pH, affecting coral and mollusks' ability to build calcium-based skeletons. Taiwan's marine waters have seen a pH decline of 0.1 over the past 20 years. Oyster farmers in Changhua report thinning shells, slower growth, and approximately 20% productivity decline.
Visible Economic Value
Taiwan's forests sequester approximately 12 million metric tons of carbon annually, equivalent to preventing 32 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions. Using European Emissions Trading System prices, this value equals approximately 77 billion Taiwan dollars.
Pollination services from honeybees are crucial for agriculture. Taiwan's bee pollination services generate an annual economic value of approximately 20 billion Taiwan dollars. If bees disappeared, one-third of agricultural crops would be affected.
Wetland purification saves Taiwan billions in annual wastewater treatment expenses. Per hectare, constructed wetlands can process approximately 50,000 metric tons of domestic wastewater annually, equivalent to a small wastewater treatment plant.
Taiwan's birdwatching tourism has established an international brand, attracting over 100,000 international visitors annually and generating approximately 5 billion Taiwan dollars in tourism revenue. Firefly seasons have become important spring and summer tourism attractions, generating hundreds of millions in annual tourism income.
Sharing Taiwan with the Planet
Daguali's story is not over. In March 2025, the bear was spotted wandering on roads again, and Hualien's Forest Bureau is preparing for a third rescue. But perhaps one day, we will find the wisdom for humans and wildlife to coexist.
Taiwan is one of the world's highest biodiversity density locations, and this miracle requires protection from every person. Download iNaturalist or eBird apps to record wildlife you encounter; purchase wildlife-friendly agricultural products to support farmers using no pesticides; choose sustainable seafood and refuse overharvesting.
Protecting Taiwan's biodiversity is not only the responsibility of governments and scientists—it is the mission of every person living on this island. Let us leave a vibrant and beautiful Taiwan for the next generation.