Yong'an Wetlands Introduction
Yong'an Wetland was formerly known as Wushulin Saltern, established in 1908, and was an important salt production base in southern Taiwan, witnessing the rise and fall of the salt industry in Taiwan. During the Japanese occupation, this salt field thrived, and after the Kuomintang took over in 1952, it was reorganized into the "Taiwan Salt Manufacturing Corporation," continuing to develop the salt industry. However, with industrial transformation in the 1970s, the salt industry gradually declined. In 1985, Taipower purchased the land for expansion of the Xingda Power Plant, officially marking the end of the prosperous era of the salt fields. The Wushulin Salt Company, located within the Yong'an Wetland, is the most historically significant building in this area. The office follows a traditional European Dutch Baroque architectural style, incorporating some Japanese elements, standing out in the center of the abandoned salt flats. However, after the salt fields were abandoned, the building suffered from long-term neglect and environmental corrosion, becoming increasingly damaged and even at one point declared dangerous. With the rising awareness of local culture, Taipower began to pay attention to this historical site and invested in its restoration in 2006, allowing this century-old building to regain its former appearance and become an important historical relic witnessing the rise and fall of the salt industry in Taiwan. The Wushulin Salt Company has a beautiful facade and exquisite pebble construction; although the office is now empty, it still stands quietly in the vast salt flats, evoking a historical atmosphere that seems to narrate the glory of the salt industry, representing a building of significant historical and cultural value. Yong'an Mangrove Natural Park: A Path of Symbiosis Between Ecology and Human Rights Yong'an Wetland, once a salt field area, became severely polluted due to the establishment of the Xingda Thermal Power Plant by Taipower, which rendered salt production unfeasible. In 1986, Taipower planned to use the area as a coal storage site, but thanks to local residents and environmentalists intervening, the government supported the establishment of "Yong'an Mangrove Natural Park" in 1996. Today, this area not only witnesses Taiwan's industrial transformation but also has become the richest region of mangrove ecology along the coast of Kaohsiung, home to various birds and aquatic organisms. It serves as an important location for observing natural ecology and promoting environmental education, showcasing the sustainable value of coexistence between humans and nature. A Biodiversity Haven of Mangroves and Birds Yong'an Wetland has a rich mangrove ecosystem that not only provides windbreaks, stabilizes sand, protects the shoreline, and purifies water quality but is also a vital habitat for various species. The main mangrove species in Taiwan include Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Kandelia obovata, and Rhizophora stylosa, with the southern region predominantly featuring Bruguiera gymnorhiza and Kandelia obovata, forming a diverse green barrier. From October to April of the following year, rare migratory birds such as the black-faced spoonbill migrate from the north, peaking in numbers from January to March, making this wetland an essential habitat for wintering and foraging. Additionally, as the largest salt flat wetland in southern Taiwan, Yong'an Salt Field attracts over 110 bird species, including first-class protected birds like the black-faced spoonbill, Eastern white stork, and peregrine falcon, as well as second-class protected species such as the black stork, fish eagle, and little tern. Every spring and autumn, large numbers of shorebird migratory waterbirds stop here, creating a spectacular birdwatching scene that draws many nature enthusiasts. With its abundant ecological resources, Yong'an Wetland was designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International in 1999 and recognized as a locally important wetland by the Ministry of the Interior in 2018. It not only boasts lush mangrove green corridors but also serves as a paradise for migratory birds, fully showcasing the vibrant life force of wetland ecology.
