18.2.1 Study Area
The Jiou-Jiou peaks area is situated on the north shore of Wu River of the middle course of Dadu River. Its steep slopes reduce human disturbance, so several species of wildlife could be protected, which increased ecosystem complexity and biodiversity. The 921 earthquake, Richter magnitude of 7.3, caused serious casualties and damage in Taiwan, and the Jiou-Jiou Peaks area was one of the most seriously affected areas. Taiwan Forestry Bureau announced the establishment of “Jiou-Jiou Peaks Natural Reserve” in accordance with Article 49 of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act and Article 72 of the Enforcement Rules of the same law on 22 May 2000 to protect the unusual topography and complex biodiversity. This is the first natural reserve being designated for the purpose of preserving a collapsed cliff and ecological succession. This reserve, 1,198.4466 ha, 200-800 m altitude, is located between the 8th and 20th compartments of Puli Working Circle. Its range is from 225,420.000, 2,661,408.000 to 230,510.000, 2,652,100.000 m in the TWD97 coordinate system (Fig. 18.1). The rock formation is the Tou-Ke-Shan (Toukemountain) stratification, mostly formed by gravel, minor sandstone, and rock.
|
Fig. 18.1 Location of Jiou-Jiou Peaks Natural Reserve, 8th-20th compartments of Puli Working Circle, Taiwan |
According to the Shuang Dung weather station, the average precipitation is 2,259.2 mm/year, mainly concentrated from May to August. Rainfall type is convective precipitation as thunderstorms and typhoons (Nantou Forest District Office 2004; Taiwan Forestry Bureau 2009).
