Guanxin Zaojiao Ecosystem Wildlife Protection Area Introduction
What does time look like? Standing before the Guanjin Coral Reef, the largest algal reef formation in Taiwan, one is awed by the ecological masterpiece created over a millennium, which also highlights humanity's insignificance. Covering approximately 370 hectares, the Guanjin Coral Reef is distinct from animal-formed coral reefs; it is a "plant reef" formed by the calcification of non-jointed algae after their death, accumulating on pebble beaches to create limestone reef structures, with an average growth rate of only 1 centimeter every 10 years. The algal reef cluster in Taoyuan once extended from Dayuan and Guanyin to Xinyu, yet due to the development of coastal industrial zones, it has shrunk from 27 kilometers to about 5 kilometers. To preserve this 4000-year-old marine treasure, the "Taoyuan Guanjin Coral Reef Ecological Wild Animal Protection Area" was established in 2014, serving as a wall-less classroom to understand the algal reef environment. Additionally, the annual "Love Taoyuan Algal Reef Thousand-Person Hiking" event encourages the public to actively protect this coastline. The Guanjin Coral Reef is located along the coast from south of the Xiaofanli River in Guanyin District to north of the Houhu River mouth in Xinyu District. Besides being amazed by this precious millennium landscape, the rich biodiversity is another highlight of the Guanjin Coral Reef; currently, 10 types of algae and 129 types of animals have been discovered, with animal density being five times that of Gaomei Wetlands and eight times that of Xiangshan Wetlands, making it resemble a marine ecological museum in northern Taiwan. The Guanjin Coral Reef is divided into core, buffer, and sustainable use zones. When the tide is low, various coastal life forms including algae, fish, shrimp, and mollusks can be found in the intertidal zone, and a boardwalk leads to the mangrove educational park, where one can observe mudskippers and fiddler crabs up close. Recommended nearby attractions include the Century-Old Stone Weir in Xinyu, the Guanyin Caolu Sand Dunes, and the Xucuohar Wetlands, showcasing the four major beach highlights of Taoyuan.
