Our Taiwan Program offers a complete first-hand approach to environmental surveying. Taiwan is a wealthy industrialized country on its west side, yet our journey takes us through the east, the central mountain range and the off shore tropical islands that will reveal preserved wildlands and fast-evolving cultures. We will participate in field work, join workshops and attend lectures during our exchanges with indigenous guides, scientists from Taiwanese universities, and staff from conservation organizations. Diversity will be our keyword as we hike from gorges to beaches, move from alpine to tropical climates, study forests and coral reefs, identify wildlife and interpret sedimentary sequences. While our focus will be on the ecology of the great biodiversity gradients we encounter, we will also connect fields such as physics and social sciences to fully grasp the relationship between nature and humans in Taiwan.   

Background Information

On a geological scale, the island of Taiwan appeared recently and only detached from the Asian continent 10,000 years ago. The size of Maryland, this unique island community has five mountain ranges (of which Mount Jade is the highest point on the Tropic of Cancer at around 13,000 feet), a west coast made of wetlands and crowded plains, and a starkly contrasting eastside where rugged steep slopes plunge directly into the Pacific Ocean. While the north side is exposed to winter cold fronts, the southern side penetrates the tropical zone. With such variety in climate and topography, Taiwan offers an amazing diversity of ecosystems populated with thousands of species.

Despite the fast economic growth of the past decades, most of the country still consists of uninhabited forests. The reason comes from plate tectonics: the collision of the Philippine Sea plate with the Asian continent lifts mountains at a very fast rate and produces earthquakes that destabilize their steep slopes. With the addition of torrential rains brought by typhoons, a vast surface of the island is prone to landslides and consequently cannot be settled, providing an unexpected sanctuary for wildlife.

Within Taiwan also lies the origin of the Austronesian civilization that has spread all across the Pacific. Because it was not written, the epic history of these original inhabitants has been difficult to conserve as successive attacks and settlements on the island (by China, Holland, Spain, Japan, USA, and France) have marginalized Austronesians to the point where the Taiwanese population today is primarily of Chinese ethnicity. The remaining Austronesian tribes have retired deep into the valleys and have maintained a close relationship with the natural environment.

Taiwan has a lot to offer for its small size: a dynamic terrain, abundant wildlife and precious culture provide a plethora of first-hand learning opportunities in ecology, geology, oceanography, anthropology and climatology.

Program Goals and Activities

Through direct involvement in field activities, participants will gain confidence in all the aspects of environmental research. We will participate in literature reviews, survey preparation, data acquisition and analysis, and presentation of results. We will meet experts and experience operational field work and methodology in action. Local scientists, organizations, indigenous people and authorities will expose us to different perspectives. Our lectures, readings and discussions will help you garner the tools needed for a global understanding of environmental protection that can be used in your future career.

Our program will start in the modern capital city of Taipei to feel the scale of the island’s recent development. Then, only a few miles away and in sharp contrast with the bustling metropolis, Yangmingshan National Park will immediately introduce us to the flora and fauna of Taiwan. Ascending the dormant volcano of Mount Huangzui, we will encounter our first set of endemic species: the Taiwanese Blue Magpie, the Formosan Reeves' Muntjac and the Formosan Beauty Berry. Through learning about the specifics of local climate and geodynamics, we will understand how the majority of this 'Factory Nation' is, in fact, covered by dense forests preserved from settlements.

We will then move to Yu Shan National Park, the ecological ark of Taiwan where the emblematic Formosan Black Bear lives. Starting above 10,000 feet, we will descend and document a succession of ecological zones. The environmental gradient is so steep that the park, despite covering 3% of Taiwan's surface, harbors more than half of its wildlife. Our hike ends in the Taroko Gorges where water has spectacularly carved its way through marble layers. Here we will participate in a river ecology survey and also make sense of the full life cycle of a grain of sand. Our first meeting with indigenous people will show us how bark has dressed Austronesians all across the Pacific in the past.

Next we move south and cross the Tropic of Cancer to study rainforests and soil ecology. Our next hike will introduce us to more species, including the Formosan Rock Monkey (also known as Formosan Rock Macaques), one of the only two primate species in Taiwan (the other being humans). After barely escaping extinction, the Macaques population is now healthy and we will examine the conservation efforts that supported their recovery. We will camp near an ancient glacial lake where the highlight will be night observation of the Formosan Sambar Deer.

Back down at sea level, we will travel to our first off-shore island: Green Island, a volcanic island that was used as a political prison until the 1980's. We will see how rapid development ensuing the closing of the prison has deteriorated local biodiversity and what is now being done to preserve the many species left. We will snorkel the fringes of Green Island to become familiar with local coral and fish species. On land, in addition to the smaller fauna and the feral Sika Deer, we will investigate the Coconut Crab—the largest terrestrial arthropod—with local conservationists.

A ferry crossing, possibly punctuated by flying fish, will bring us to the beautiful Orchid Island, home of the Tao people. Indigenous culture is well-preserved here and we will see how the Tao culture has been shaped by the island’s western edge on the North Pacific Ocean and the region with the highest cyclonic activity in the world. Here, we will document the Tao's relation with the 'mainland' as it illustrates issues typical of ethnic minorities. We will also continue our reef ecology surveys.

Back on the main island we will camp along the only length of shore in Taiwan that does not have a coastal road and remains the last corridor connecting wildlife from the mountain to the sea. Using a lens of sedimentology and oceanography, we will start to understand the spectacular transformation of the coastline from a wide sandy beach (where sea turtles used to come lay their eggs) to a massive cobble ridge with one of the steepest beach-faces in the world. Members of the Paiwan (formerly head-hunters, now Christians) will share their perspective on modern issues, be it hunting policies or economic development.

Our last field study takes us to Xiaoliuqiu, a tiny coral island where the reef and the intertidal zone attract tourists. We will assess conservation policies and sustainability through field work and conduct an identification survey on the large Green Sea Turtle. We will conclude the program in Tainan, the ancient capital and nowadays the historical and culinary center of Taiwan.

Please note that prior field research experience is not required, all necessary field methods and data gathering skills will be taught on-site in Taiwan. However, we expect participants to arrive excited and prepared for a rigorous yet rewarding field study experience. Basic swimming skills are required as we will perform several snorkeling surveys. Chinese language skills are not required, but will enhance the experience of participants.

Academic Credit

Students will receive 15 quarter credits/10 semester credits from Western Washington University. Our staff will be happy to explain the program in further detail to the applicant’s advisor, if necessary. This field studies program gives credit in three courses: 

ESCI 437A, Environmental Wildlands Studies (5 quarter credits/3.35 semester credits)
ESCI 437B, Environmental Field Survey (5 quarter credits/3.35 semester credits)
ESCI 437C, Wildlands Environment and Culture (5 quarter credits/3.35 semester credits)

Students will be evaluated on the basis of: 1) active participation in our learning process and activities; 2) examinations and other graded assignments; and 3) implementation and presentation of an independent research project.

Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner. Wildlands Studies reserves the right to require any student to withdraw from the program if their conduct is detrimental to or incompatible with the interests, safety, or welfare of any course participants. We ask all students to read the Student Program Manual before joining the program on-site.

Team Logistics

Participants will fly into Taipei, Taiwan and meet at the Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). If you are traveling in advance of the program, you can arrange to join the group in Taipei when the recommended flight arrives at the airport. At the end of the program, you can decide whether you wish to fly home on the scheduled date or remain in Taiwan to do some exploring of your own.

All reasonable efforts will be made to follow the activities outlined above. However, please understand that travel arrangements can remain tentative until the traveling actually takes place. Weather conditions and road closures, as well as political and bureaucratic considerations may affect our plans. Wildlands Studies has put together an innovative, unique program in Taiwan, and team members need to be flexible, patient, and prepared to adapt to unexpected situations. Being flexible also allows us to take advantage of unique opportunities that can produce some of the program’s most memorable moments.

Accommodations

We will primarily be camping and occasionally backpacking, and staying at guesthouses.

Official Documents/Visa

Your passport must remain valid at least six months after the date of entry. Entrance in Taiwan is visa-free for US citizens for a duration of up to 90 days. 

Language

This program is taught in English. Mandarin is the official language in Taiwan. The ability to speak Mandarin is not a course prerequisite and the instructors will translate when needed. Of course, it is always helpful to speak some Chinese or know some characters, and if you have the chance, please practice or brush up on your language skills before the program initiates.

Pre-Program Mailings

Detailed information regarding travel and visa information, equipment requirements, food costs, meeting plans, group expenses payment, medical and vaccination recommendations, and academic preparations will be sent to all team members in a logistics letter emailed about 8-10 weeks before the program initiates. Participants are required to bring their own camping and backpacking equipment (tent, sleeping bag, backpack, water filter, etc.). A complete, detailed packing list will be provided to all participants in our pre-program mailings.