Taiwan eco-system

1)Climate
2)Geography

3)various

environmental factors
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created a unique ecosystem in Taiwan

Different speices

Taiwan has about 4,000 species of vascular plants 800 species of vertebrates animal and 2 million of insects have been recorded.

1)Climate

on the Tropic of Cancer surrounded by the sea northeast monsoon and southwest monsoon bringing abundant rainfall subtropical monsoon climate Kuroshio warm current from the north making south and southwest Taiwan warmer than other same latitude, so the formation of a tropical monsoon climate.

2)Geography

Total area32,260 square kilometer Altitude : From 0m above sea level to 3952m above sea level Two third of total area is mountain Taiwan island is located in the west Pacific Ocean, potato shaped, Pacific Ocean in the East coast, Taiwan trait in the West coast, BaShi Channel in the South and East China Sea in the North

3)Various environmental factors

Taiwan is located in the intersection of Palearctic and the IndoMalaya of the Terrestrial ecozone. Exotic species of short, low rate of endemic species In the ring of fire

Eco-ladder

Because of the high mountains of Taiwan it form a complex climate: From sub-artic to tropical.

Different climate divided Taiwan into different eco-system type.

Each types contains unique animal and plants

1)Cambrian Mountain

3,400m or above sea level (above timberine) Similar to the environment in Artic Tundra long winter, average annual temperature below 10 degrees Celsius Thin surface soil, steep terrain, poor water retention capacity, strong winds and sun exposure

1)Cambrian Mountain

Two kinds-1)dwarf shrubs 2)herbs 1)dwarf shrubs:

Rhododendron 2)herbs: taiwanalpinum Gentiana arisanensis

Not many animals

2)Cambrain Grassland

3,000 or above sea level

Thin top soil, difficult retention, average annul temperature around 10 degrees Celsius, difficult for trees to grow Only some dwarf plants like Miscanthus transmorrisonensis

3) Coniferous forest

2,500~3,000 meters above sea level Similar to high latitude areas like Canada, Finland Base in Pinaceae kinds

Example:

Picea morrisonicola

4) Coniferous and broad leaved mixed forest

1,800~2500 meters above sea level Average annul temperature 10~20 degree Celsius, wealthy rain and moisture Similar to Korea Example: Chamaecyparis formosensis

5) Extratropical broad-leaved forest

500~1,800 meter above sea level Evergreen forest, Warm climate, high humidity, fertile soil, lush plant growth Base in Lauraceae and Fagaceae Average annul temperature 17~23 degree Celsius Also some Epiphyte and vines

5) Extratropical broad-leaved forest

Quercus myrsinifolia

Quercus ilex

6) Subtropical broad-leaved forest

500 meters or below above sea level Because of the low altitude and early development, the original forest disappeared and become secondary forest and plantation forest Base in Moraceae ( Ficus) Average annul temperature above 23 degree Celsius Big range in rainfalls

6)Subtropical broad-leaved forest

Ficus benghalensis

Ficus microcarpa

7) Tropical monsoon forest and coastal forest

200 meters or below above sea level Located in the Hengchun Peninsula, Orchid Island and Green Island in southern Taiwan Rainy in summer, dry and windy in winter, tropical climate Average annul temperature about 25 degree Celsius

7) Tropical monsoon forest and coastal forest

Vanilla planifolia

Phalaenopsis equestris

Others 1) Dune

West coast of Taiwan are mostly alluvial plains, and because of low rainfall, strong winds, dunes are easily formed Also because of the Changhua Coastal Industrial plants, the wetlands have desertification Some anti-drought and strong growth plants have been found

Others 1) Dune

Ipomoea pes-caprae

Crinum asiaticum