Mikania vine (Mikania micrantha) is one of the "100 Worst Invasive Species" in the world. Its distribution has been significantly suppressed thanks to years of continuous effort in prevention and awareness campaigns from the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA). Nevertheless, it has strong reproduction capabilities and proliferates quickly, so continuous promotion of control work and eradication are still needed to protect Taiwan's ecosystems. Mikania vine's flowering and fruiting period starts from October and ends in February of the following year, so it is best to remove Mikania vine by the end of September. For this reason, the Ministry of Agriculture has set the period from August 15 to September 15 as the annual Mikania Vine Control Month, and every year the first Saturday of September as the National Mikania Vine Control Day.
Lin Hwa-Ching, Director General of the FANCA, said that the agency has continued to strengthen the prevention of invasive exotic plants, such as the Mikania vine, in recent years, with each District Office actively setting up regional work platforms to promote the prevention and removal of invasive exotic plants. The District Offices take the initiative to invite relevant government agencies, civil organizations, tribal communities, and schools at all levels to participate in the control of invasive exotic plant species and to confirm the control strategies and objectives. They are also responsible for communicating and coordinating matters related to prevention and eradication, as well as tracking the progress of implementation in order to effectively stop the spread of exotic invasive plants and related hazards.
According to monitoring and survey data from National Chung Hsing University at the end of 2022, the distribution area of the Mikania vine in Taiwan covers 7,531 hectares. It is most prevalent in areas such as Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, and Hualien County. This invasive species primarily appears in abandoned farmlands, orchards, betel nut groves, and other privately owned lands near mountainous townships. It is also found along river basins with ample water sources and roadside trenches. While it does not pose an immediate severe threat to the forest ecology, efforts to strengthen prevention and control measures should continue. In 2023, the FANCA will continue to subsidize local governments to carry out various invasive plant prevention and eradication efforts. It plans to remove 462 hectares and purchase 184 metric tons of Mikania vine. It also hopes to work with other government agencies, private enterprises, and local residents to protect endemic plants and trees from the encroachment of Mikania vines, reaching environmental preservation and maintaining biodiversity.
Based on “circular economy” principles and the diverse application of green resources, the FANCA, in collaboration with academic institutions and industry associations, conducts R&D related to the removal or acquisition of Mikania vine plants. These plants can be used to create eco-friendly enzymes for various household cleaning products. They also serve as natural dyes for plant-based materials to produce unique patterns on small cloths or accessories. Additionally, Mikania vine can be heated and processed to make vinegar solutions, which can be used for mosquito repellent, improving soil, and pest control in agriculture. Carbonizing Mikania vine and combining it with natural materials produces "Mikania micrantha charcoal" incense, which also has the effect of purifying the environment and repelling mosquitoes, thereby achieving the benefits of recycling green materials.
In this year's Control Month, the FANCA’s various local District Offices plan to cooperate with other government agencies, private enterprises, and community development associations, among other units, to organize multiple activities for removing, controlling, and purchasing Mikania vine plants. The eradication and awareness campaign of Mikania vine will also be implemented on the National Mikania Vine Control Day on September 2 (Saturday). The general public is advised to pay close attention to the FANCA's Facebook fanpage to learn about relevant activities of its District Offices. For information about the times and venues of Mikania vine purchasing and awareness campaign events, as well as to access relevant e-brochures, please visit the Mikania vine section on the
FANCA's Nature Conservation website, or contact a District Office or workstation. All are welcome to join us in eradicating Mikania vine to preserve Taiwan's biodiversity and the habitat of endemic plants and trees.