Banana Bay Ecological Reserve Introduction
In the early days, the coastal area between Eluanbi and Kenting was once home to dense coastal forests. However, due to human cultivation and the planting of ramie, the forest cover was almost completely destroyed. It wasn't until the 71st year of the Republic of China that this area was designated as an ecological protection zone, gradually restoring its former appearance. The Banana Bay Ecological Protection Area is divided into two sections, north and south, by Provincial Highway No. 26, with distinct geographical features in each section. The northern section is characterized by rugged cliffs made of elevated Pleistocene coral reef rocks, where large fallen coral boulders are scattered throughout. During the winter northeast monsoon, small-scale crescent-shaped hill terrain may form. The southern section lies on a Holocene marine terrace, where modern alluvial layers cover Holocene coral reefs. The coastal area is filled with marine erosion grooves and reef formations, with coarse shell sand, coral skeletons, and coral rubble occasionally visible 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. Combined with abundant spring water and 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, it is rich in plant diversity, which can be categorized into four plant zones: coral reef plant zone, sandy herbaceous plant zone, coastal shrub plant zone, and coastal forest plant zone. The coral reef plant zone is affected year-round by strong sunlight, strong winds, and sea salt mist, causing most plants to exhibit a creeping and prostrate habit, with only a few backwind plants growing up to 1 meter tall. The sandy herbaceous plant zone, located on the inner side of the coral reef plant zone, features typical coastal vine plants on its narrow sandy terrain, such as saddle vines, beach pea, and rootless vines. The coastal shrub plant zone consists of larger plant forms, primarily shrubs and trees such as white water trees, grass-leaf sea-tongue, timber trees, and yellow mallow, although this area is still significantly influenced by waves and sea winds, causing most trees to lean. The coastal forest plant zone mainly comprises evergreen broadleaf forests, with species composition varying according to distance from the sea and light conditions. Common plants near the coast include banyan trees, chessboard trees, water yellow skin, hairy persimmons, Chionanthus retusus, and eggplant trees; inland plants include banyan trees, skin-type trees, large-leaved sparrows, Indian olives, and large-leaved mountain olives; while shaded plants include fig trees with bracts, dogbane, red wood, climbing trees, wind vines, lion grass, horsehair dan, and blue wild ginger.
