Mangrove Wetland Park Introduction
The Mangrove Wetland Ecology Park, located to the west of Dapeng Bay, covers an area of approximately 13.5 hectares and primarily serves as a mangrove restoration site. Wastewater from nearby community households and aquaculture is naturally drained into the park, where it is absorbed and treated by the mangrove plants, achieving a purification effect. Furthermore, the rich mangrove ecosystem establishes ecological tourism value. The mangrove distribution in the Dapeng Bay area is primarily concentrated in the following regions: - **Jianmei Township**: After exploring the mangroves along the first drainage ditch in Donggang, visitors can find mangrove clusters adorned with coconut trees near the Jianmei Township community. In this lush green scenery, keen observers might spot mudskippers playing and foraging on the mudflats. - **First Drainage Ditch**: Continuing south along Provincial Highway 17 leads to the location of the first drainage ditch, which is also a mangrove growth area. In addition to appreciating the mangrove ecosystem, a noteworthy observatory subject here is the "fiddler crab." The mudflats are dotted with small burrows, which are the efforts of these crabs constructing their underground fortresses, providing a surprising ecological experience. - **Linbian Drainage Ditch**: Further south along the first drainage ditch, visitors come to the area where mangroves are distributed at the Linbian Drainage Ditch, attracting a large number of water birds, making it a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts. ### Birds: The birds observed in Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area include migratory and passage birds. The primary bird families active in wet mudflat environments are herons, sandpipers, and rails, with heron species being the most numerous; particularly, the little egret is the most common, followed by the median egret, great egret, grey heron, and the yellow bittern. Among the sandpiper family, the common sandpiper, green sandpiper, and species from the traditional snipe family are prevalent, and there are also many black-winged stilts and purple swamp-hens from the rail family. ### Marine Species: Dapeng Bay currently hosts species such as the striped fiddler crab, white fan fiddler crab, northern fiddler crab, and triangular fiddler crab. Male fiddler crabs have one distinct and large claw, which can be up to three times the length of their carapace. The coloration of fiddler crabs changes with time and tidal changes; they appear darker during the day and lighter at night. Fiddler crabs cannot adapt to excessively dry environments and primarily inhabit the intertidal zones of Dapeng Bay, with traces found in mangroves, bay edges, and on beaches. ### Plant Species: Mangroves are a group of tall trees or shrubs that grow along coastlines or estuaries, mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions. These plants typically have functions such as salt tolerance, windbreaks, sand stabilization, flow reduction, wave dampening, water purification, shoreline protection, providing wildlife habitats, and enhancing beautiful environments. This area marks the southern limit of mangrove distribution in Taiwan, and currently, only the sea holly of the Verbenaceae family remains here. The distribution areas are mainly concentrated in Donggang's first drainage ditch, the Jianmei Township area, and parts of the coastline of Dapeng Bay.
Mangrove Wetland Trail
Aerial View of Mangrove Wetlands
