Information
| Date of Proclamation |
January 10, 1994 |
| Size of Area (ha) |
347 |
| Primary Object for Protection |
Natural coastal forest, and specific landscape |
| Scope of Administration |
Compartment 11 of Nanaou Working Circle |
| Authority in-charge-of |
Luodong Forest District Office |
Origin
The Suaou-Hualien highway connects Ilan and Suaou from the north to Tsung Te of Hualien to the south, with its entire coastal line composed mainly of faults. As one travels form the northern section of Suaou-Hualien fault, to Bei-fung-au, Suaou Bay, Lu Lian Island of Na Fung Au, Oo Yen Cape, Dong Au Bay, Wushihbi, to the creek mouth of Nan Au, fjords and bays will alternate, while Wushihbi is considered the most gorgeous and geometric fjord among all.
Situated between the mouth of Dong Au Creek and Nan Au Creek, the fjord is long and narrow to the east of Pacific, much like a human nose in symmetry. Since the rock is formed of shell ridge extending from east to west and it is comparatively harder than neighborhood rock. Because erosion and strong waves, the weaker part turns into bay while that of the harder one extrudes into fjord. Boulders are found at the steep slopes, cliff, and shallow stone beach, showing continuous effects of weathering and slope collapse.
Because of its rare and unique fjord landscape, most particular in Taiwan, it is most worthy of preservation. Therefore, the area was officiated as“Oo-shi-bee [Dark Stone Nose] Coastal Nature Resere” on January 10, 1994 according to Cultural Heritage Preservation Act. Meanwhile, the area near Tzao-yang Village, Suaou Township, Ilan County is especially marked out as the Wushihbi Nature Reserve, with its primary target of conservation as the natural coastal forest and specific landscape, totaling 347 ha.
Location
The area is located within Tzao-yang Li, Suaou Township of Ilan, and it belongs to compartment #11 of Nanou working circle of Luodong. Previously, it was approved by the Ministry of Interior as one of protection areas of Suaou-Hualien Coastline, and was officiated by the Council of Agriculture in January 1994 as a nature reserve.
The nose-shaped peninsula represents Taiwan’s extension toward the Pacific Ocean, with its highest point at Dongaou Peak of 701 m. The land of the zone, proximal to Pacific Ocean extends as far as one see. The contour of the land is found with steep slopes given with abrupt elevation of 200 m above sea level, with its highest tip at 170 m. Most of its steep slopes face east.
An Introduction
The soil is consisted mainly of schist, crystallized limestone, gneiss, graphite, etc. At the Bee Tou cape, minute amount of hornblende, while from Oo Tou Bee to its northern boundary it is composed of hornblende rock, to the south it is mostly black granite. The area is, proximal to the Pacific, of tropical marine climate; while ocean winds blow year round, with the strongest in December [3.3 m/s]. Its annual temperature is average at 22℃, with total rainfall 3,800mm [rainy over 200 days/year] and humidity at 80-87%.
Biological Resources
The area is windy, wet and rainy for most of the time it is affected by north-east monsoon. Local plantations are typical of subtropical broad-leaf evergreens like camphor trees, Taiwan acacia, jute, banyan, and etc. Also, abundance of ground vegetation and ferns are found as of its humidity. Rich diversity of birds found in the area are muller's barbet, black bulbul, eagles, and ospreys, and it is named the “pigeon forest” due to large gatherings of green turtledoves.
According to the categorization of climate and plantation distribution, the area is of north-east geographical are, with mostly broad-leave plants Nanmu trees 1,000 m above sea level, with insignificant amount of deciduous plantation. Camphor trees as broad-leave Nanmu, and Red Nanmu are considered favorable plantation, others as
Adinandra milletii,
Engelhardia roxburghiana wall,
Formosan michelia, and
Elaeocarpus sylvestri are also found in abundance. Local plant ecosystems can be categorized into four respective types according to its geographical locations:
- Coastal region with Taiwan reed and Okinawa orchid in prevalence;
- Nose tip crest region with Pinus taiwanensis Hayata and Taiwan acacia in prevalence;
- Streams & valleys wetland region with Ficus septica Burm, and broad-leave Nanmu in prevalence;
- Inland mountainous region with Red Nanmu, Formosan michelia, Elaeocarpus sulvestri, and Adinandra milletii in prevalence.
It is found from the investigation that the area consists of 100 families and 367 species, with 49 of them as ferns. Though these plants are not extraordinarily different, it distinguishes itself completely from the tropical coastal woods at the coral reef of Hengchun.
It is found from the investigation that mammals in ten species as macaque, squirrels in abundance; birds include vultures & hawks, while as many as more 59 kinds of birds as black bulbul, and yellow-throated minivet are found in prevalence, and other rare birds as eagle, honey buzzard, are often found to stay around. In addition, there are as many as 13 reptile species such as cobras and rattlesnakes, but only 5 species of amphibian. The butterfly is considered the most valuable life of the area totaling 113 species, including rare ones like Heng-chna Birdwing butterfly, Taiwan musk swallowtail.
Conservation Results Till Now
It is not particular with the amount of animal and plant in this area (with the exception of local butterflies) ; however, its unique natural coastal scenery of fjord of landscape in Taiwan is definitely worthy of protection and conservation. Once being famous fishing grounds, local ecosystems of the area has been spoiled by anglers, but much improved after the ban for sea fishing is lifted. Worries remain present with two abandoned stone quarries of granite, and they impose potential threat to the management and operation. There are no man-made facilities except the previou Suao-Hualien Highway and the blockhouse. The Nan Auo station of the Forest District Office conducts the maintenance and management, regular patrols and the removal of bird traps. Meanwhile, owing to the convenient transportation, the area is an ideal location as a natural classroom for local coastal and forest ecosystems and brings people closer to nature if a guide path can be set up along previous Suaou-Hualien highway.