Hualien Branch

Branch Office Overview

(1) Geographic Location

The Hualien Branch is situated in eastern Taiwan within Hualien County, spanning from 120°58’E to 121°44’E and 23°06’N to 24°21’N. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the watershed of the Central Mountain Range to the west. The jurisdiction stretches about 125 kilometers from Xiulin Township in Hualien County at the boundary with Yilan County in the north, to Fuli Township in Hualien County adjoining Taitung County in the south, with an average east–west width of approximately 45 kilometers. The Tropic of Cancer passes through this region.

(2) Mountains and River Systems

The Central Mountain Range dominates the jurisdiction, featuring rugged peaks, steep ridges, and deep gorges. This terrain creates fast-flowing streams, significant erosion, exposed bedrock, frequent cliffs, and landslides. Major mountains include Central Range Point (Zhongyangjian Mountain), Mount Nanhu, Mt. Qilai North and South Peaks, Mt. Nenggao South Peak, Mount Mabolasi, and Mt. Xiuguluan. Principal rivers flowing north to south include the Liwu, Meilun, Hualien, Mugua, Shoufeng, Wanli, Mataian, Fuyuan, Hongye, Fengping, Lele, Qingshui, Jiuan, Amei, Xiuguluan, and Fengbin Rivers.

(3) Climate, Temperature, and Rainfall

Located in central eastern Taiwan and crossed by the Tropic of Cancer, the area experiences a subtropical climate; however, variations in elevation give rise to tropical, subtropical, temperate, and alpine forest zones. In the high-elevation areas of the Central Mountain Range, winter temperatures are very low, averaging around 5°C, and snowfall is common. In the mid-elevation zones, winter temperatures average about 10°C, with frost occasionally observed. At lower elevations, the climate is warmer, with winter averages near 20°C. During summer, the region receives abundant rainfall, often brought by typhoons or localized orographic precipitation. In autumn and winter, rainfall is influenced by the northeast monsoon and frontal systems associated with cold air masses, while spring tends to be comparatively drier.

(4) Geology and Soils

The East Longitudinal Valley divides the Hualien Branch’s jurisdiction, separating the Central Mountain Range to the west and the Coastal Mountain Range to the east. The Central Mountain Range primarily consists of crystalline limestone and graphite schist sandstone from Mesozoic and Paleozoic formations, with soils dominated by humus and sandy loam. In contrast, the Coastal Mountain Range mainly comprises sandstone, shale, and volcanic breccia (mixed with gravel and limestone), with clay and sandy loam soils rich in minerals.

(5) Forest Distribution

Forests span elevations from 100 to 3,500 meters, forming distinct vertical zones:

• Below 700 meters: tropical forests dominated by India-charcoal Trema, paper mulberry, Taiwan Zelkova, bamboo, and ferns.
• 700 - 1,500 meters: subtropical forests featuring Lauraceae and Fagaceae species, China fir, Japanese cedar, and moso bamboo.
• 1,500 - 2,500 meters: temperate forests dominated by Taiwan red cypress, Taiwan cypress, and Taiwania.
• 2,500 - 3,500 meters: alpine forests of hemlock, spruce, fir, alpine bamboo, and Yushan Cane.
• Above 3,500 meters: the treeline with very limited tree growth.

(6) Forest Resources

The jurisdiction’s total timber stock is approximately 82,095,938 cubic meters. Of this, coniferous forests account for 28,132,327 cubic meters (34.27%), broadleaf forests 34,968,688 cubic meters (42.59%), and other resources (mainly bamboo) about 114,178,855 culms.

(7) Forest Zoning

From north to south, the forest land is divided into five working circles: Liwu River, Mugua Mountain, Lintianshan, Yuli, and Xiuguluan. Together, they comprise 533 compartments covering 318,610.71 hectares, accounting for about 20.77% of Taiwan’s total forest area.

Regional Work Station