Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park

Wetland in Guangfu, Hualien County, Taiwan

23°39′29.6″N 121°24′31.8″E / 23.658222°N 121.408833°E / 23.658222; 121.408833Area250 acres (100 ha)

The Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park (traditional Chinese: 馬太鞍濕地公園; simplified Chinese: 马太鞍湿地公园; pinyin: Mǎtàiān Shīdì Gōngyuán) is a wetland in Guangfu Township, Hualien County, Taiwan.

Name

Matai'an, which means tree bean, comes from the Matai'an tribe of the indigenous Ami people who inhabit the area around the wetland.[1] The wetland is also called the Fataan Wetland Ecological Park.[2]

History

The area around the wetland has been used by the local tribe for farming and fishing.[3][4] Recently, the area has been developed for tourism purpose where currently it has three inns.[5]

Geology

The wetland is located at the foot of Mount Masi and spans over an area of almost 100 hectares.[6][4] The wetland is formed by the flow of Fudeng River.[3] The wetland consists of around 100 types of water plants. It is also equipped with bicycle trail.[7]

Ecology

Species found in this wetland are various aquatic fishes, amphibians, butterflies and shorebirds. There are also around 100 aquatic plants found in the pond.[8] The number of butterflies spike during spring time.[2]

Transportation

The wetland is accessible within walking distance southwest of Guangfu Station of Taiwan Railways.

See also

  • Geography of Taiwan

References

  1. ^ "Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park". Hualien Tourist Service Network. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Fataan (Mataian) Important Wetland". Taiwan's Wetland Ramsar Citizen. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Hualien Matai-an Wetlands". Guide to Taipei. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park". East Rift Valley National Scenic Area. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  5. ^ Jennings, Ralph (18 July 2015). "Indigenous Taiwanese open their lands, cultures to gain acceptance". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park". Taiwan Medical Travel. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Guangfu Township -- Sugar canefields and ancient tribes harmony". Taiwan Tour. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  8. ^ Taiwan Tourism Bureau (11 May 2020). "Go East for a Wonderful Taiwan Adventure". AmCham Taiwan. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
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