Taitung County Government

The wetland is located approximately 350 m south of Provincial Highway 9. It borders the Chihshang Plain on the west and Township Road East 9 on the north and east. The boundaries are mainly demarcated by irrigation ditches and trenches.

The wetland is a lake formed by the underground spring at the tail of Sinwulyu alluvial fan with the irrigation ditches as additional water source. Taitung County Government started developing Dapochih into a scenic area in 1985, and launched a 6-year project in 3 phases in 1992. In 2000, demolished projects began and the concrete structures were removed. The county government, Chihshan Township Office and environmental groups collaborated on conservation. The wetland has been gradually restored and is now known for its scenic beauty.

Dapochih wetland is home to 60 terrestrial plants; 29 aquatic plants, including the endangered Da-Ann Hygrophia; 99 bird species, including 11 protected species, the endemic species Formosan Bulbul, and 22 endemic subspecies.

Common Pheasant, Besra Sparrow Hawk, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Common Kestrel, Painted Snipe, Melodious laughing thrush, Crested Serpent Eagle, and Anguilla marmorata.

Brown Shrike, Eastern Collared Pratincole.

When the Taitung County Government planned to transform Dapochih into recreation and scenic area in 1985, the government installed cement levees, trails and cement constructions, which destroyed the ecosystem. Although the situation has been improved partly by obtaining subsidies from CAPMI, the landscape on 20 ha of soil in the south still needs to be removed. A small population of Pheasant-tailed Jacanas had once been seen in the wetland. We suggest that the management authority cooperate with Taiwan's Pheasant-tailed Jacana restoration plans to engage in habitats improvement and restore the original wetland environment.

Chihshang Township Office, Taitung County

http://wetland-tw.tcd.gov.tw/WetLandWeb/landprotect.php