A Biodiversity Kingdom

People today have long been used to living in urban jungles built of concrete, brick, and steel, in which we have little direct contact with the soil. Sunlight, air, and water are three basic requirements for life, but it is soil, which has existed on our planet for hundreds of millions of years, that gives both plants and animals the foundation for their existence.

The United Nations General Assembly named 2015 the International Year of Soils. Besides highlighting the importance of soils in human life, the UN also hoped to encourage conservation of soil resources in order to ensure future food security and mitigate global warming. Of the 12 soil ­orders defined by the soil taxonomy of the US Department of Agriculture, Taiwan, located at the edge of the Eurasian tectonic plate, has 11. These include Andisols (formed from volcanic ash), Spodosols (formed under high-mountain coniferous forest), Mollisols (highly fertile soils formed in grassland environments), and Alfisols (alluvial soils). It is no exaggeration to say that Taiwan is a world-class “museum of soil.”

Complementing this rare profusion of soil formation processes on land, with immature, mature and aged soils, Taiwan’s 1,600 kilometers of coastline offers habitats that include coral reefs, river estuaries, mangrove forests, and lagoons, created by different topographies, ocean currents, and water temperatures. Some 10% of the world’s fish species can be found in the waters around Taiwan, making our island a classic “bio­diversity kingdom.” Taiwan’s richly varied terrain and climatic conditions, and its remarkable biodiversity, have prompted ecologists to call it a “Noah’s Ark” for the survival of the world’s bio­logical species.

The 21st century is the century of global biodiversity conservation, including conservation of genetic diversity and of species diversity, both of which Taiwan possesses in abundance. This is the focus of our Cover Story this month. After an initial overview, the remaining four articles explore the diversity of life on this island from the perspectives of soils, butterflies, orchids, and marine life.

We also bring you reports on Taiwan’s soundscapes, the revival of rush weaving crafts, and efforts to maintain traditional culture on Lanyu (Orchid Island), as well as stories on Taiwan’s NFT market and the developing technologies of virtual and augmented reality. Through Taiwan Panorama you can access first-hand information about Taiwan in a relaxing and entertaining way. This month’s Photo Essay, featuring readers’ photographs on the theme of island lifestyles and maritime culture, fits right in with our Cover Story. Taiwan’s geological and bio­logical diversity gives us another opportunity to showcase Taiwan’s pride and self-confidence to the world.