Banana Bay Ecological Reserve Introduction
The early coastal area between Eluanbi and Kenting was once covered with dense coastal forests. However, due to human cultivation and the planting of kenaf, the forest landscape was almost completely destroyed. It was not until 1982 that this area was designated as an ecological protection zone, allowing it to gradually restore its former scenery. The Banana Bay Ecological Protection Area is divided into two regions, northern and southern, by Provincial Highway 26. The topography and landscape of the two areas are distinctly different. The northern section is characterized by a rugged cliff terrain formed by uplifted Pleistocene high coral reef rocks, with scattered large fallen coral reef rocks throughout. During winter, the northeast monsoon creates small-scale crescent-shaped dunes. In contrast, the southern section lies on a Holocene marine terrace, covered by Holocene coral reefs beneath modern alluvial layers. The coastal area is filled with coastal erosion groove and fringing reef terrain, with coarse shell sand, coral debris, and reef gravel often found in the grooves. Due to its location in a low-lying area, the Banana Bay Ecological Protection Area has accumulated many porous coral rocks and high-permeability sand dunes. Coupled with abundant spring water and the steep terrain that is unfavorable for development, the coastal forest of Banana Bay is currently the only relatively intact coastal forest area in Taiwan. Although the forest area is not large, the variety of plant species is quite rich, divided into four plant zones: the fringing coral reef plant zone, sandy herbaceous plant zone, coastal shrub plant zone, and coastal forest plant zone. The fringing coral reef plant zone is influenced year-round by strong light, wind, and sea salt mist, resulting in all plants exhibiting a prostrate and twisted form, with only a few plants on the leeward side growing into shrubs up to 1 meter tall. The sandy herbaceous plant zone, located on the inner side of the fringing coral reef plant zone, features narrow sandy beach terrain, supporting typical sandy shore climbing plants such as Dolichos lablab, Canavalia maritima, and Cuscuta. The coastal shrub plant zone consists of taller plants, mainly shrubs and trees such as Whitewood, Grass Tree, Casuarina, and Yellow Mallow, but this area is still greatly affected by waves and sea winds, resulting in largely prostrate tree forms. The coastal forest plant zone predominantly consists of evergreen broadleaf forest, with tree species composition varying according to distance from the sea and light conditions. Common coastal plants include Terminalia catappa, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Melastoma candidum, Diospyros lotus, Malayan apple, and Ficus carica; while those on the inland side include Terminalia catappa, Aglaia exima, Pouteria caimito, Canarium album, and Daphniphyllum macropodum; and the shaded plant layer features Ficus concinna, Macaranga tanarius, Schima superba, Mezoneurum ovate, and Epipremnum aureum.
