The results of the 2011 Mt. Xue Alpine Ecosystem Monitoring Research Plan show that the distribution of the Formosan Reeve's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) and Formosan macaque (Macaca cyclopis) has increased in altitude by 300-1800 meters compared to data recorded by Japanese naturalist Kano Tadao in 1940. Is this change caucused by global warming? What is the extent of the effect? 

Lin Ching, Director of Shei-pa National Park Headquarters, said that when comparing the results of the latest survey and data gathered by Dr. Kano Tadao in the Japanese era, it was found  that the distribution of all mammals in the park is higher; taking the Formosan Reeve's muntjac as an example, it was found by Kano Tadao to be distributed between low altitudes and 1,800 meters while the recent survey shows it to be distributed between 2,100-3,600 meters, an increase of 1,800 metres;also,in Kano Tadao’s data, the Formosan macaque’s distribution did not go higher than 3000 meters, while the recent survey recorded them in the “black forest” at 3,400 meters and in the Mt. Xue cirque at 3,600 meters. In addition to increased human interference at low-medium altitudes, another reason for the upwards migration is probably an increase in temperatures caused by global warming; other species, including the Formosan Serow (Naemorhedus swinhoei) and Formosan ferret-badger (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca.), have also migrated to higher altitudes.
The survey also found that a beautiful bird species often seen at high altitudes- the Vinacceus Rose Finch- has developed the habit of eating food waste and this source now represents quite a large proportion of its diet, showing that the random discarding of waste food by climbers has affected the bird’s natural feeding behavior, a situation that threatens their existence in the wild.

For the sustainable conservation of natural environment, the national park HQ calls again on climbers to not take anything except photographs and not leave anything except footprints so that the mountains are left in pristine condition for future generations.