The effects of global warming on ecosystems is an environmental topic that drawing a great deal of attention. Low altitude plants and animals are the best indicators of the effects of global warming on ecosystems, and Taiwan’s Rough gentian (Gentiana scabra Bunge var. buergeri Maxim) and Formosan salamander (Hynobius formosanus) are two of the most suitable animals for monitoring such effects.

Taiwan’s Alishan Formosan salamander (Hynobius. Arisanensis 阿里山山椒魚) (Yushan), Formosan salamander (Hynobius formosanus 臺灣山椒魚) (Taroko), Sonani's salamander (Hynobius sonani 楚南氏山椒魚) (Taroko), Guanwu Formosan Salamander (Hynobius fuca Lai and Lue 觀霧山椒魚) (Shei-pa) and Nanhu Salamander (Hynobius glacialis 南湖山椒魚) (Taroko) are mostly distributed around the island’s national parks.

To gain an understanding of the effects of global warming on national parks, Taiwan’s three high mountain parks Yushan, Taroko and Shei-pa, have implemented the “National park climate change indicator animal (salamander) monitoring plan.” In addition to monitoring and surveying salamander populations, the parks also held specialized training courses for park employees to allow long-term salamander monitoring work to be carried out in the future. This will also allow salamander habitats to be more completely evaluated and the effects of global warming on ecosystems to be analyzed.

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：Yushan National Park Headquarters