Kaohsiung's Wetlands/高雄市濕地生態廊道
Kaohsiung's Wetlands
◎English written by Lin Fang-ju
◎Photos by Lu Hong-wun
Kaohsiung City Government has recently focused on sustainability when developing its coastal lines, wetlands, landscapes and fragile ecological environments. With the restoration and preservation of its ecological wetlands, Kaohsiung has certainly become a greener city.
Kaohsiung's green corridor consists of more than ten wetlands that include Yuanjhong Harbor, Banping Lake, She Zih Lin Basin, Jhouzih, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Art, Benhe Village Flood Retention Pond, Love River, Jhongdou and Yanshuei Harbor Creek. These wetlands have surrounding parklands and provide a natural environment for the propagation and migration of various species.
Yuanjhong Harbor is a 29.41 acre wetland located in the Nanzih District. It is the largest wetland in Kaohsiung, with ecological systems from both fresh water and sea water. In 2007, the former fish farm was transformed into the Yuanjhong Harbor Wetland. The wetland was a result of tidal overflow from the Dianbao River and Taiwan Straits. It is also the last coastal wetland containing a redwood forest and is managed by a partnership of government and private enterprises. Wetlands Taiwan and a volunteer team oversaw the restoration project and its ongoing maintenance. There are a variety of fish and birds that can be seen within the park.
Banping Lake Wetland is located on the southern end of Banping Mountain. Historically, it served as a limestone mine, but was recently transformed into a unique, artificial, wetland. Completed in 2006, the wetland park has both dry and wet ecological environments, depending on the season.
The park has a diversified habitat and provides facilities, lookouts and paths for bird and nature lovers alike. The scenery in the park is spectacular in both the dry and wet seasons. Rich in biological species, natural limestone formations and mountain trails, it is a wonderful place to enjoy nature walks.
She Zih Lin is a pond like basin and is connected to the Tsao-Kung Canal. In 2007, restoration of this 3.7 acre wetland park began. It gained national significance as a regional flood control and water quality maintenance facility. This scenic landscape has an ecological education center and an adjoining recreational area. There are two main trails that surround the lake. The larger trail allows for cyclists and is conveniently closer to the residential area. The second path is reserved for pedestrians only. There are a variety of pavilions inside the park, utilized for educational and community events.
This extensive restoration project was completed in 2009 and is a popular area for locals to take walks. Winner of the 2010 Yuanyeh Architecture Award and the 2010 FIABCI Taiwan Real Estate Excellence Award, it has certainly gained a great deal of prestige.
Jhouzih Wetland is recognized by the Ministry of The Interior as a wetland of national importance. Located near Lotus Pond, it is Kaohsiung's first wetland. Situated in the eastern end of the city on Huantan Road and west of Cuihua Road, this 10-acre wetland park was a result of Kaohsiung City Government's land preservation and tree planting projects. The wetland was used to restore the water chestnut field and lotus Pond. Great care was given to avoid any negative impacts on the ecology of the area. Originally restored from land that had previously been abandoned, it is a wetland of great ecological significance.
After years of restoration, the wetland is now abundant in plant and animal life. Studies conducted in 2008 confirmed Jhouzih Wetland has 869 species and 247 families. An ecological information center was also completed in 2008, enhancing the educational component of the wetland. Guided tours are conducted twice daily, (except every second Saturday and Sunday of the month). Tours are led by volunteers who give great insight into these protected biological habitats. Tours are run in the morning and in the afternoon and must be booked in advance. There is a maximum capacity of 40 people per tour.
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Art Wetland is also known as Neiweipi Wetland and is located within Neiweipi Cultural Park. Originally an irrigation pond, it now has over 100 different plant and bird species. Neiweipi Cultural Park provides both natural and cultural resources and is another popular recreational area for Kaohsiung residents.
This 3-acre wetland was an environmental project designed to protect the diverse habitats, ponds, shoals and coastal plants in the area. It is a relaxing, scenic, natural environment.
Benhe Village Wetland is Taiwan's first urban flood control pond. Ecological engineering utilizes the integration of natural landscape and parkland to provide this perfect area for events, activities and tourism. The wetland serves as a flood control facility during the rainy season and an ecological, recreation and education center during the drier seasons.
The Love River Wetland is located south of Love River between Shihcyuan and Jiuru Roads and is adjacent to the Love River near where Tongmeng and Jiuru Roads intercept. Water levels are always changing according to the tide. The wetland is a grassy marsh, with land and water biodiversity. It provides a balance for urban ecological systems and has no concrete embankment, so people can get closer to the river and gain a greater appreciation for nature.
The 12-acre Jhongdou Wetland is located half way down Love River and is surrounded by Tonmeng, Jiuru, Shiquan and Zhonghua Roads. Previously a famous plywood factory, Kaohsiung city government has transformed it into and ecological wetland that is also a recreational area and utilized for flood control. It still retains the wood storage tank and delivery channel. The park has outdoor ecology classrooms, educational resources and an information center which integrates local resources and enhances an appreciation for nature.
The five kilometer long Yanshuei Harbor Creek is located in the Siaogang District. It cuts through Linhai Industrial Park. This was the first project in Taiwan where a polluted river beside an industrial area was dredged and replaced with an ecological wetland. The project was undertaken in 2004 and utilizes cobblestones and swamps allowing for ongoing self-purification. This project illustrated local industries' concern for the environment and is evidence that industry can be in harmony with nature.
高雄市濕地生態廊道
◎文／凌卓民
◎攝影／盧宏文
從海岸到溼地，從景觀到生態，高雄市近年的城市建設，以人文、永續為主軸，濕地串連出和諧的生態景緻，涵氧城市儼然成形。
高雄市的濕地由北而南有「援中港濕地」、「半屏湖濕地」、「檨仔林埤濕地」、「洲仔濕地」、「美術館濕地」、「本和里滯洪池」、「愛河濕地」、「中都濕地」、「鹽水港濕地」，形成一條帶狀廊道，配合周邊公園綠地，由點連結成面，提供城市中的物種繁衍遷徙的空間。
高雄最大援中港濕地
援中港濕地位於楠梓區，是高雄面積最大的濕地，計有29.41公頃，是一個淡水、鹹水系完善的生態體系。
援中港濕地前身是一片魚塭，從2007年開始進行環境的復育，利用典寶溪及台灣海峽潮差溢流的水引入濕地，是高雄市海岸沿線最後一處擁有紅樹林的濕地，同時在管理上引入民間力量，由台灣濕地保護聯盟及其志工隊認養。在濕地公園內有茂盛的紅樹林景觀，魚類、鳥類等物種豐富，還設置有解說中心等設施。
採礦場變身半屏湖濕地
半屏湖濕地位於半屏山南側，由原本石灰採礦場沉砂池規劃而成，是高雄特殊的人工湖濕地公園，2006年完工的濕地公園，全年可分成乾、濕兩種生態環境。
濕地內除了營造多樣棲地環境外，也設置賞鳥屋、觀景平台、步道等設施，乾濕季各有不同生態景觀可欣賞，豐富的生物物種與天然石灰岩地質，成為絕佳的自然教室。山中蜿蜒的步道也是附近居民休閒、散步的好去處。
回復曹公圳水文檨仔林埤濕地
檨仔林埤是曹公圳舊有埤塘，市政府在2007年開始規劃濕地公園，逐步回復埤塘的往日風采。
檨仔林埤濕地，面積約3.7公頃，公園規劃朝兼具滯洪、水質改善、生態、休憩、教育與景觀等功能，全區步道分成大小兩層次的環湖動線，上層臨社區可供自行車通行，下層臨水域僅供步行使用，並設置主題廣場、教育廣場及社區廣場，2009 年濕地公園完工後，已經成為附近居民喜愛的休憩場域。另外，檨仔林埤濕地公園還獲2010建築園冶獎與2010國家卓越建設獎肯定。
國家級濕地洲仔濕地
獲內政部營建署評定為國家級濕地的洲仔濕地是高雄市第一個濕地，位於蓮池潭環潭路東側與翠華路西側的濕地，面積約為10公頃，2002年市府進行簡易整地、植栽綠化並維持原有菱角園、荷花池之地貌，避免破壞生態環境，化雜亂的荒地為極富生態指標意義的濕地。
經過多年復育，濕地內生態資源豐富，在2008年的監測記錄中，洲仔濕地共有247科869種生物，同年完成的生態教育解說中心，結合志工團隊導覽與研究，發揮濕地的教育功能。而為了保護生物棲息環境，除了每月第二個星期六、日自由參觀，其餘時間都採預約參觀，上午、下午各四十人為限。
結合自然與人文美術館濕地
美術館濕地又稱為內惟埤濕地，位於內惟埤文化園區中，原為灌溉用埤塘，擁有極為豐富的生態資源，植物記錄約一百餘種，鳥類約六十餘種。內惟埤文化園區結合自然生態與人文藝術，是最受高雄市民歡迎的休憩場域之一。
面積約３公頃的濕地，以生態工法營造，水域、小島，以及淺灘、沿岸水生植物、沼澤區等多樣化的環境，建構出類自然的多元棲地。
滯洪生態兼具本和里濕地公園
本和里濕地是全國首座都市型防洪滯洪池，採取生態工程施作，與相鄰公園作整體的景觀搭配，規劃活動、遊戲及賞景等區域，一方面讓防汛期間可以作為都市滯洪使用之外，平時可兼作都市濕地生態景觀、休憩及生態教育使用。
親近河岸自然生態中都、愛河濕地
愛河濕地位於高雄市愛河南側十全路與九如路間，緊鄰同盟三路與九如截流站的愛河河段，濕地引入河水，水位隨愛河的潮汐變化而升降，營造一處水陸交界生物多樣化的草澤帶。除了平衡都市生態，打破水泥堤岸使市民親近河岸，更能體驗與自然共存的感動。
中都濕地位於愛河中游區域，由同盟三路、九如三路、十全三路及中華二路所環繞，面積約12公頃，前身為台灣著名的木業合板工廠區，市政府規劃保留貯木池、輸送河道，作為兼具民眾休憩及防洪之濕地生態公園。
濕地公園設置戶外生態教室、解說中心等設施，結合當地資源，發展自然教學，提供完整生態教育資訊，發展社區觀光。
工業區生態思維鹽水港溪濕地
鹽水港溪位於南高雄的小港區，長約５公里，是一條流域貫穿臨海工業區的河川。2004年初首創將工業區受污染的河川結合生態系統整治，透過新增一水道將水源分層分流，利用卵石、草澤等方法再造河川自淨的能力，復育成生態濕地。
鹽水港溪的再生計劃，也代表重工業對地域環境的關懷，為工業區的河川注入「生態思維」。