Shad Island Ecological Reserve Introduction
Sandy Island is located 1.5 kilometers north of Eluanbi, featuring a pristine white sandy beach named for its accumulation of fine sand resembling an island. The beach stretches approximately 220 meters and is primarily composed of shells, coral fragments, and bottom-dwelling foraminifera that have accumulated over the years. Due to the absence of rivers carrying sand or impurities, the content of shell sand exceeds 97%, making it the finest among all beaches in Kenting. To protect this precious natural resource, it has been designated as an ecological conservation area. Sandy Island is a bag-shaped bay with a 90-degree angle, where the lower wave energy allows fine sand formed from marine biological debris to accumulate within the bay, creating an attractive shell sand beach. The long-term erosion by seawater gives the shell sand a bright and translucent hue, captivating many visitors. To showcase this beautiful sand, a shell sand exhibition hall has been specially constructed within the ecological area, offering visitors the chance to admire the fine sand found on Sandy Island. Because the Sandy Island Ecological Conservation Area is adjacent to the Ping'e Highway, the plant communities are confined to sandy soils, leading to the formation of valuable plant mosaics. These can be divided into coastal shrub vegetation and sandy herbaceous vegetation, making it the smallest plant ecological conservation area in Kenting National Park. The shrub vegetation features plants with thick fleshy leaves and thorny stems, common species include Scaevola taccada, Croton cascarilla, Terminalia catappa, Podocarpus macrophyllus, Lagerstroemia speciosa, and Acanthus ilicifolius, with Scaevola taccada being the dominant species, often forming dense clusters that act as windbreaks. The herbaceous vegetation in sandy areas is characterized by multiple branches, fleshy leaves, a waxy surface to prevent moisture evaporation, and the ability to develop adventitious roots for enhanced water absorption; common plants here include Hiptage benghalensis, Indigos scientifically known as Stachytarpheta, and Vigna marina, with Hiptage benghalensis being the dominant species. When visiting the Sandy Island Ecological Conservation Area, don’t think it’s just a bright and clean shell sand area; there also exists a group of sun-loving green plants, so don’t forget to say hello to them!
