The Research of Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna on the Green Island

Project Duration	2005-12-31 ~ 2006-12-30
Research Title	The Research of Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna on the Green Island
Contracted Organization	Taipei Zoo Conservation and Education Foundation
Principal Investigator	Chen Bao-Chung
Co-Principal Investigators	Chang Ming-Hsiung, Chen Hsiang-Fan
Project Personnel	Li Cheng-Lin, Chen Szu-Lung, Lin Hua-Ching, Chu Chiao-Wen
Keywords	Green Island, terrestrial vertebrates, ecological conservation
Abstract	Green Island is located off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. Intensive marine ecotourism activities have significantly depleted and damaged marine resources, and in recent years tourism development has increasingly expanded inland. The objective of this project was to assess the current status of terrestrial vertebrate ecology on Green Island, analyze past changes and potential future trends, and establish baseline data for the sustainable development of the island’s natural resources. The project first conducted a literature review and species inventory compilation, followed by field surveys of terrestrial vertebrates. Previous research on Green Island’s terrestrial ecological resources has been limited. Available faunal survey reports were compiled to create species lists and to compare descriptions of habitat conditions, species distributions, and the ecological impacts of invasive species. Temporal comparisons suggest that certain habitats, such as rocky coastal platforms used by waterbirds for foraging and roosting, may have deteriorated. The invasive red-bellied squirrel appears to be expanding in both population size and distribution. Field surveys recorded a total of 165 species of terrestrial vertebrates, belonging to 5 classes, 23 orders, 59 families, and 110 genera. These included 16 mammal species (5 orders, 11 families, 11 genera), 125 bird species (11 orders, 34 families, 74 genera), 13 reptile species (1 order, 6 families, 12 genera), 3 amphibian species (1 order, 2 families, 2 genera), and 8 species of bony fishes (4 orders, 6 families, 8 genera). Integrating literature records and interview data, the known terrestrial vertebrate fauna of Green Island comprises 18 mammals, 145 birds, 18 reptiles, 3 amphibians, and 9 bony fishes. Through visual surveys and multiple trapping methods, numerous protected and endemic (or subspecies) animals were continuously recorded. Forty bird species not previously documented in Green Island literature were recorded for the first time, most of which are migratory or wintering species. In reptile surveys, an invasive and potentially threatening lizard species—the many-lined sun skink—was recorded for the first time. Hydrological investigations indicated that most stream habitats on the island are unsuitable for sustaining migratory fish populations. Overall, the findings highlight the need for strengthened ecological conservation measures and long-term monitoring to ensure the sustainable management of Green Island’s terrestrial vertebrate resources.