Into Taiwan’s Beautiful Forests

Located about 107 kilometers from Japan’s Yonaguni Island, Taiwan lies in the Pacific Ocean in East Asia. Owing to its lush greenery and beautiful island landscape, it was once called “Formosa,” meaning “beautiful island” in Portuguese.

Roughly the same size as Kyushu, about 60% of Taiwan’s land is covered by dense forests. These forests are home to a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna, shaped by the island’s steep terrain with mountains rising over 3,000 meters, and its unique geographic conditions, with the Tropic of Cancer running across the southeastern region. As a result, ecosystems range from tropical zones to subalpine (high-mountain) environments.

Taiwan’s forests, which have nurtured diverse life forms, were protected for thousands of years by the Indigenous peoples* who have lived here since prehistoric times. However, about 130 years ago, Taiwan entered a period of dramatic change during Japanese rule. Following large-scale forest exploitation and subsequent logging bans, Taiwan’s forests and forestry industry are now at a major turning point.

In this special feature on Taiwan, we look back on 130 years of forest history while visiting people who are shaping the forests of the next century. We also introduce the culture and spirit deeply connected to Taiwan’s nature, as well as its ties with Japan.

*Note on terminology: In Taiwan, the term “Indigenous peoples” is the appropriate designation. This site respects local usage and therefore adopts this term.