Banana Bay Ecological Reserve Introduction
The coastal area between Eluanbi and Kenting was once covered by dense coastal forests, which were nearly destroyed due to human cultivation and the planting of ramie. It wasn't until 1982 that this area was designated as an ecological reserve, allowing it to gradually restore its former state. The Banana Bay Ecological Reserve is divided into northern and southern sections by Provincial Highway No. 26, and the topographical features of the two regions are distinctly different. The northern section consists of elevated, Pleistocene coral reef cliffs, characterized by rugged terrain and scattered large coral reef boulders. During the prevailing northeast monsoon in winter, small-scale crescent-shaped dunes can form. The southern section lies on a Holocene marine terrace, covered beneath modern alluvial layers by Holocene coral reefs, with coastal areas featuring marine erosion grooves and coral reef formations. The gaps between the grooves often reveal coarse sand, coral skeletons, and coral rubble. Due to its location in a low-lying area, the Banana Bay Ecological Reserve accumulates porous coral reefs and highly permeable sand dunes. Combined with abundant spring water and a steep terrain that hinders development, the coastal forest in Banana Bay is currently the only relatively intact coastal forest area in Taiwan. Although the forest is not large, it boasts a rich variety of plant species, which can be divided into four plant zones: coastal coral reef plant zone, sandy herbaceous plant zone, coastal shrub plant zone, and coastal forest plant zone. The coastal coral reef plant zone is influenced year-round by strong light, winds, and sea salt spray. Most plants are prostrate and creeping, with only a few plants on the leeward side reaching up to 1 meter in height. The sandy herbaceous plant zone, located just inside the coastal coral reef plant zone, features typical sandy shore vine plants like Scaevola taccada, Canavalia rosea, and Ipomoea pes-caprae due to its narrow sandy beach terrain. The coastal shrub plant zone has larger plants, primarily consisting of shrubs and trees such as Pisonia umbellifera, Croton wightii, Macaranga tanarius, and Hibiscus tiliaceus. However, this area is still significantly affected by waves and sea winds, causing most trees to appear leaning. The coastal forest plant zone is predominantly composed of evergreen broadleaf forests, with species composition varying based on proximity to the sea and light availability. Common plants near the coastline include Sterculia macrocarpa, Leucaena leucocephala, Sapindus mukorossi, Diospyros lotus, and Ternstroemia gymnanthera; while more inland, there are species like Glochidion obliquum, Ficus superba, Aglaia dubia, and Canarium album. The more shaded plant layer includes Ficus deltoidea, Rubus ellipticus, Erythrina variegata, Vigna marina, Hedyotis corymbosa, and others.
