Guanxin Coral Reef Ecosystem Wildlife Refuge Introduction
What does time look like? Standing in front of the largest coral reef ecosystem in Taiwan, the Guansin Coral Reef, the ecological masterpiece formed by millennia of time is truly shocking and makes one feel the insignificance of humanity. Spanning approximately 370 hectares, the Guansin Coral Reef is distinct from reefs formed by animals; it is a "plant reef" made up of the calcified remnants of non-segmented coralline algae that have accumulated on the gravel beach, taking an average of ten years to produce just one centimeter. The coral reef cluster in Taoyuan once stretched from Dayuan and Guanyin to Xinhua, but with the development of coastal industrial areas, it has diminished from 27 kilometers to about 5 kilometers. To conserve this 4,000-year-old marine treasure, the "Taoyuan Guansin Coral Reef Ecosystem Wildlife Protection Area" was established in 2014, serving as a wall-less classroom for understanding the coral reef environment. The annual "Cherish Taoyuan Coral Reef Thousand-Person Hiking" event encourages the public to physically protect this coastal area. The Guansin Coral Reef is located along the coast from south of Xiaofanli Creek in Guanyin District to north of Hohuk Creek in Xinhua District. In addition to being amazed by this precious millennium landscape, its rich biodiversity is also one of the highlights of the Guansin Coral Reef; currently, 10 species of algae and 129 species of animals have been discovered, with animal density five times that of Gaomei Wetlands and eight times that of Xiangshan Wetlands, resembling a marine ecological museum in northern Taiwan. The Guansin Coral Reef is divided into core, buffer, and sustainable use zones. When the tide recedes and the reef emerges above the water, various coastal organisms, including algae, fish, shrimp, and mollusks, can be found in the intertidal zone. A wooden boardwalk leads to the mangrove education park, where one can observe mudskippers and fiddler crabs up close. Recommended nearby attractions include the century-old stone weir in Xinhua, the Guanyin Caolu Sand Dunes, and the Xucuo Wetland, showcasing four highlights of coastal Taoyuan.
