| Project Duration | 2014-01-31 ~ 2014-12-30 |
|---|---|
| Research Title | Preservation and Revitalization of the “Tsai-te” Agricultural Landscape in the Penghu South Four Islands |
| Contracted Organization | Chinese Institute of Landscape Architecture (Taiwan) |
| Principal Investigator | Hou Chin-Hsiung |
| Co-Principal Investigators | Lee Su-Hsin, Yang Po-Yuan |
| Project Participants | Hsieh Tsung-Heng, Ou Shuang-Pan, Huang Hsiu-Han, Chen Ting-Fang, Chen Chih-Ping |
| Keywords | Penghu South Four Islands, Tsai-te, agricultural landscape |
| Abstract | The Penghu South Four Islands, located near the historically significant “Black Ditch” shipping route, once served as important navigation markers and supply stations for migrants traveling from Fujian and Guangdong to Taiwan, and maintained close trade relations with Taiwan. Due to their isolated marine geography and harsh climatic conditions, local residents developed adaptive agricultural practices to sustain livelihoods. Using locally sourced stones, residents constructed windbreak walls and cultivated vegetables and crops within these enclosed plots, known locally as “Tsai-te.” Fields located farther from residential areas were used for sweet potatoes, peanuts, sorghum, and other crops under more extensive farming methods, referred to as “gardens.” These agricultural landscapes, shaped over generations of adaptation to challenging environmental conditions, remain today as distinctive cultural landscapes within the Penghu South Four Islands National Park. This project conducted field investigations of Tsai-te environments across the four islands. Through case studies, workshops, local interviews, and GIS overlay analysis, the study evaluated current conditions (location, cultivation status, windbreak structures, water sources, accessibility) and development potential (maintenance conditions, activity potential, transportation convenience, educational value). Based on these assessments, strategies were developed for the preservation and revitalization of Tsai-te landscapes. The study recommends that future preservation and revitalization efforts adhere to the principles of cultural conservation, ecotourism, and environmental education. Proposed strategies include: - Preservation of Tsai-te structures - Environmental restoration of Tsai-te sites - Maintenance of traditional cultivation practices - Development of experiential agricultural activities - Guided interpretation programs - Promotion of Tsai-te-related cultural and creative industries Implementation may follow phased and zoned planning. In the short term, demonstration sites should be selected for environmental restoration and revitalization, creating interpretive and experiential spaces and organizing volunteer work camps. In the mid- to long term, revitalization efforts can expand to surrounding potential sites, forming a coherent Tsai-te cultural landscape. A community cooperative model is suggested to support sustainable industrial development that integrates landscape conservation, local economy, and ecological principles, thereby continuing island cultural heritage and strengthening the Tsai-te agricultural landscape as a key cultural asset of the Penghu South Four Islands. |
2014, Tsai-te, Agricultural landscape, Penghu South Four Islands