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Taiwan's Wetland Ramsar Citizen

Taiwan's Wetlands of Importance

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Fataan (Mataian) Important Wetland

Date:2019/04/18

Number of Visitors832

Mataian Important Wetland
  • Number

    TW034

  • Area

    6 ha

  • Chinese Name

    馬太鞍重要濕地

  • Category

    Inland natural wetland

  • Name

    Fataan (Mataian) Important Wetland

  • Administrative area

    Guangfu Township, Hualien County

  • Related plans

    National Scenic Area

  • Related authorities or units

    Hualien County Government

  • Boundaries

    The wetland is located at the foothill of Maxi Mountain in Guangfu Township, Hualien County. It is a natural inland wetland, encompassing Fudeng River and adjacent public land.

  • Introduction

    This is a marsh wetland with gushing underground spring. In order to adjust to life at the marsh, the Amis at Fataan tribe developed the unique Palakaw fishing method. It is a sustainable way to utilize the river habitat and resources. Most of the land is used for agriculture, forestry and water resources. Agriculture and eco-tourism are the main industry. This is the first wetland of national importance that focuses on agriculture. It is the hope that the development of this wetland will be in keeping with Satoyama Initiative in maintaining the low-elevation habitat and agriculture that is environmental-friendly.

  • Ecological resources of importance

    Fudeng River nurtures Fataan Important Wetland and cultivated rich aquatic habitat with a large mix of butterflies, amphibians and shorebirds, including the Ardeidae, Anatidae, Solopacidae and Rallidae families.
    The number of butterflies here peaks in spring. Butterfly larvae benefit from biodiversity because of host plant specificity. Amphibians include the endemic species of Taiwan, emerald-eyed tree frog and Moltrecht's green tree frog. In addition, many different species of reptiles and snakes are found here, such as the protected Sauria, Sauter’s grass lizard, as well as beauty rat snake, Taiwanese krait, cobra and brown spotted pit viper.

  • Endangered species

    Reeve's Pond Turtle, Nuphar Shimadai, Hexacentrus fuscipes and Coptolabrus nankotaizanus. (Hexacentrus fuscipes and Coptolabrus nankotaizanus are listed as endangered or extinct species by Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica). Maroon Oriole, Taiwan Bulbul, Crested Serpent Eagle, Chinese Moccasin, Hengchun Birdwing Butterfly, Jumbo Dragonfly, Cheirotonus formosanus.

  • Rare and valuable species

    N/A

  • Types to be conserved

    Dolicheulota formosensis and Sauter's Grass Lizard.

  • The current situation and potential threats of wetlands

    Since becoming a tourist destination, local land owners have filled spots with soil to establish outdoor classrooms for field trips, which has gradually shrunk the wetland area. Some portions are collapsed and damaged due to lack of proper maintenance. Additionally, the construction of the riverbank for the protection of Matiaan River, which passes through the wetland, mainly uses cement.

  • Participating in recommended units

    Gungfu Township Office, Hualien County

  • indicator species

  • Mataian Important Wetland

    Mataian Important Wetland

  • Mataian Important Wetland

    Mataian Important Wetland

  • Mataian Important Wetland

    Mataian Important Wetland

  • Mataian Important Wetland

    Mataian Important Wetland