Duozi Ping Intertidal Zone Introduction
Xiaoliuqiu Intertidal Zone is a very popular ecological live show in the area, featuring a variety of performances day and night. Several days a month, the low tide occurs at night, creating an exhilarating adventure in the dark, illuminated only by moonlight and the faint glow of flashlights. While visibility is not as clear as during the day, visiting the intertidal zone under a half-moon offers a deep sense of romance as one gazes at the grayish waves and the silhouettes of coral reefs, listening to the gentle ebb and flow of the tides while walking on the rocky intertidal zone. Duozaiping Intertidal Zone is located on the northwest side of Liuqiu Island, adjacent to the southern side of the camping area, about 300 meters apart. The flat intertidal platform stretches approximately 1600 meters. To reach Duozaiping, one can take the detour from the Circular Island Road heading towards the Shamakiki Ecological Camping Area, about 50 meters down. Along the path extending from the camping area, one can catch glimpses of birds such as the Spotted Dove, White-headed Bulbul, Red-tailed Shrike, and Sparrows greeting you. This area features broad wave-cut platforms and beaches, nurturing a rich variety of benthic organisms, including coral colonies in shallow areas, countless fish, shellfish, sea urchins, sea hares, various hermit crabs, and tide pool organisms such as the Mertensia long-spined sea urchin and the Taida algae. When guided by local eco-tour leaders, one might carefully spot small sea snakes and shrimp at night; however, while observing, please remember to return them to their original place to protect local natural resources. Light-clawed Hermit Crab: The carapace of the Light-clawed Hermit Crab can grow up to 1.5 centimeters long, with a body that ranges from light olive green to gray-black. Blue-lipped Sea Star: Currently, the area of Dapeng Bay has been found to have species such as the Mesha Crab, White Fan Crab, Northern Scylla, and Triangle Crab. Male fiddler crabs have one notably large claw, which can stretch to about three times the body length. The color of fiddler crabs changes with time and tide; they are darker during the day and lighter at night. Fiddler crabs cannot adapt to overly dry environments and are commonly found in the intertidal zones of Dapeng Bay, near mangroves, estuaries, and beaches. Mertensia long-spined sea urchin: Mangroves are groups of tall trees or shrubs that grow along coastlines or at the intersection of rivers and seas, typically found in tropical and subtropical regions. These plants usually have functions such as salt tolerance, wind resistance, stabilizing sand, reducing flow, dissipating waves, purifying water quality, protecting shorelines, providing habitats for wildlife, and creating beautiful environments. This area is the southern limit of the mangrove distribution in Taiwan, currently only having the family of the sea hibiscus. The distribution areas are mainly concentrated in the first drainage ditch of Donggang, Chimei Township, and parts of the coastline of Dapeng Bay.
Duzaiping Intertidal Zone
White Spined Sea Urchin - Sea Urchin
