Mangrove Ecosystem Reserve Introduction
From Zhuwei to Ganzhen, the water pencil (Kandelia obovata) forest, covering an area of 76 hectares, is the largest one in the world and marks the northern limit of its distribution. The red mangrove family, named for their red bark and wood, mainly grows in the estuaries and coastal regions of tropical and subtropical climates. The mangrove here is exclusively the water pencil, a viviparous evergreen tree. The term "water pencil" is derived from the fact that its viviparous seedlings resemble pencil shafts. After exiting at the Hongshulin MRT Station, you can enter the Hongshulin Wetland area via Alley 50 along the Outer Ganzhen Forest. The park is home to various species such as fiddler crabs and mudskippers, and from mid-September to mid-March, migratory birds like herons and sandpipers can also be observed, making it a rich and accessible natural ecology classroom. As you walk along the boardwalk into the Hongshulin Nature Reserve, you will see the water pencil, which helps stabilize the soil and protect the land, growing robustly in the wetland of the estuarine area. Fiddler crabs and mudskippers thrive in the intertidal zone, and it also serves as a national bird sanctuary, where over 20 rare and precious bird species can be observed, attracting many ecologists and photographers. However, when visiting, please be sure not to litter, as this could disturb the ecological balance of the area!
