June 2022 Issue (2022/1)

[Written by Summer Sun (孫夏天), National Dong Hwa University]

On 12-13 November 2021, Taiwan celebrated 10 years since the introduction of the Satoyama Initiative to the island with the “Decade of the Satoyama Initiative in Taiwan: Past, Present and Future” conference. It was co-organised by the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, National Dong Hwa University (NDHU), National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST), Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts (DILA), and Endemic Species Research Institute (ESRI).

The conference was a landmark event that granted the opportunity to review experiences and lessons of the 2011-2020 decade, assess current challenges and opportunities, and envision post-2020 trajectories for the Satoyama Initiative in Taiwan. The organisers and all Taiwan Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (TPSI) family members express their immense gratitude to the distinguished international guests and International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) friends who joined the conference online: Professor Kazuhiko Takeuchi  (IGES/ UNU-IAS), Dr. Yoji Natori (AIU), and Dr. Evonne Yiu (UNU-IAS).

Though the conference is over, our satoyama-satoumi post-2020 journey is already in full swing. Now led by its own logo, TPSI is, as never before, ready to embrace the new adventures that lie ahead!

Taiwan Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (TPSI)

Now led by its own logo, TPSI family is, as never before, ready to embrace the new adventures that lie ahead!

Group photo on Day 1: the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency Director-General Dr. Hwa-Ching Lin and Deputy-Director-General Hao-Chen Lin (in the middle), the leaders of TSPI regional exchange bases (from left to right): Dr. Kuang-Chung Lee (TPSI-East), Dr. Hsin-Hsun Huang (TPSI-North), Dr. Mei-Li Hsueh (TPSI-West), and Dr. Mei-Hui Chen (TPSI-South) with the distinguished international guests (on the screen): Professor Kazuhiko Takeuchi (IGES/ UNU-IAS), Ms. Makiko Yanagiya (UNU-IAS), Dr. Yoji Natori (AIU), and Dr. Evonne Yiu (UNU-IAS)

Morning session on Day 2 with a keynote speech by Dr. Yoji Natori, chaired by Dr. Evonne Yiu (UNU-IAS)

[Written by Dr. Kuang-Chung Lee (李光中), National Dong Hwa University]

In 2018-2021, the first phase of Taiwan Ecological Network (國土生態綠色保育網絡 , TEN) played a crucial role in the nation-wide promotion of the Satoyama Initiative. TEN marked a significant shift from traditional protected areas conservation approach towards the one based on recognising rural landscapes and seascapes as a link between natural and urban areas. It highlighted a fundamental role that sustainable agri- and aqua-cultural practices in Taiwan’s socio-ecological landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) play in biodiversity conservation.

In 2021, TPSI community welcomed exciting news: the Executive Yuan approved the second stage of TEN with its four-year budget of USD 90,000,000. By building on successes of the first phase and further expanding the network, the 2022-2025 TEN will focus on creating regional and local ecological connectivity and multi-stakeholder partnerships. A variety of evidence-based monitoring and measurement tools will be developed and applied to assess its effectiveness, while the construction of TEN is planned to be completed by the end of 2025.

In early 2022, implementation of the second phase of TEN is already under way. This work is guided by the three main objectives, which include:

1. establishment of Taiwan’s ecological network connected by rivers and green belts, and linking mountainous and coastal areas where SEPLS act as safe biodiversity corridors;
2. enhancement of ecosystem resilience in shallow mountains, plains, wetlands and coastal areas, and maintaining their biodiversity and ecosystem services;
3. promotion of conservation and sustainable resource use in SEPLS and building resilient and well-connected SEPLS communities.

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency is proud to be leading the project with the kind support from other agencies subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture – Farmland Water Resources Department, Forestry Research Institute, Agricultural Research Institute, Food and Agriculture Agency, Agricultural Research and Extension Stations, Soil and Water Conservation Bureau, Fisheries Agency, Fisheries Research Institute, and Endemic Species Research Institute. Many other agencies and independent partners such as NGOs, private companies, academia, Indigenous and local communities are also actively engaged in the implementation of TEN 2022-2025.

In the upcoming issues, Taiwan Satoyama News will be bringing you timely updates on the progress of TEN’s efforts.

Taiwan Ecological Network (TEN)

TEN 2022-2025 will focus on creating regional and local ecological connectivity and multi-stakeholder partnerships (Image source: Kuang-Chung Lee)

Understanding the linkages between TEN 2022-2025, TPSI, IPSI, the Satoyama Initiative, and post-2020 biodiversity targets (Image source: Kuang-Chung Lee)

[Written by Regine Liao (廖瑞雲) and Dr. Mei-Hui Chen (陳美惠), National Pingtung University of Science and Technology]

More than 930 communities from all over Taiwan have become a part of the Community Forestry Program since its launch in 2002 by the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency. In 2022, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of this exciting Project! Over the two decades, we have witnessed an unceasing vibrancy of local revitalisation efforts, which have already demonstrated tangible benefits for biodiversity conservation and sustainable local livelihoods. In 2021, order to strengthen the cooperation between community forestry partners around the island and to form regional networks, the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) Community Forestry Centre began building up a national community forestry network. During its initial phase, six network bases were established across Taiwan’s northern (TPSI-N), western (TPSI-W), southern (TPSI-S), and eastern (TPSI-E) regions. Regional network bases not only offer more opportunities for on-the-ground capacity-building, place-based education, learning and experience exchange, but are also an important milestone towards strengthening the national network. Can there be a better reason to celebrate?

Throughout 2022, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency and the Community Forestry Centre together with the six regional network bases will conduct a series of visiting workshops to celebrate the 20th anniversary of community forestry together with Taiwan’s local communities. The six regional network bases include Kaohsiung City Baolai Community Association, Taitung County Luye Township Yong’an Community Development Association, Miaoli County Mingde Community Beekeeping and Restoration Centre, Hualien County Niuli Community Exchange Association, Taitung County Indigenous Gangbu Rongan Culture and Education Promotion Association, and Chiayi County Fanlu Township Gongxing Community Development Association. Each of the visiting workshops will be organised by its relevant regional network base. The workshops will reflect unique local characteristics with the courses and engagement activities aimed at promoting the concept and practices of community forestry. This series of events is anticipated to unite regional efforts and foster cooperation among local partners across Taiwan.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/communityforestrycenter

Celebrating in 2022: 20 years of community forestry in Taiwan!

Kaohsiung City Baolai Community Association, “Yellow Plum Rain - A Handicraft Workshop of Folk Custom Story Experience": was not only about the fun of picking plums but also about deeply understanding local industry and culture of Kaohsiung City, Liugui district (Image source: TPSI-South team)

Kaohsiung City Baolai Community Association, “Yellow Plum Rain - A Handicraft Workshop of Folk Custom Story Experience": the "Smell the Plum" activity, which combined plum picking, processing and jam-making experiences, was designed to address the issue of overproduction of plums in the area (Image source: TPSI-South team)

Taitung County Luye Township Yong’an Community Development Association, "2022 Yong’an Community Working Holiday": community partners from all over Taiwan came together to restore the Jade Dragon Spring Trail (Image source: TPSI-South team)

Taitung County Luye Township Yong’an Community Development Association, "2022 Yong’an Community Working Holiday": Yong’an has been among the first and most successful communities to participate in the Community Forestry Project of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (Image source: TPSI-South team)

[Written by Summer Sun (孫夏天) and Dr. Kuang-Chung Lee (李光中), National Dong Hwa University]

With multiple socio-economic and environmental crises facing Taiwan’s SEPLS today (climate change, depopulation and COVID-19 – just to name a few), resilience is no longer a term that needs a special introduction. “A resilient SEPLS is a healthy SEPLS.” This is a simple yet very precise way, in which the local people interpret resilience. However, how can SEPLS resilience be measured? Will a thermometer and blood tests be required? Well, not in SEPLS case J Community-based resilience assessment workshops (RAWs) based on 20 indicators of resilience in SEPLS can be used instead.

In 2021, eight branchs of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency supported by TPSI four regional exchange bases (TPSI-N, TPSI-W, TPSI-S and TPSI-E) did just this. Together with eight local communities from across the island, they pioneered the first nation-wide assessment of resilience in Taiwan’s SEPLS.

As a part of 2021 RAWs, environmental and socio-ecological risks and resources were assessed in Xinwu and Shuanglianpi communities (TPSI-N, Hsinchu and Yilan branchs), Sqba and Yixin communities (TPSI-W, Taichung and Nantou branchs), Shanglin and Gaoshi communities (TPSI-S, Chiayi and Pingtung branchs), and Gangkou and Torik communities (TPSI-E, Hualien and Taitung branchs). From coastal areas and to deep mountain forests, from Indigenous tribes to traditional Hakka villages – each SEPLS presented their unique set of socio-ecological characteristics.

The first nation-wide “health check” of Taiwan’s SEPLS revealed the main strengths and weaknesses of the local communities. Thus, the strongest aspects included diversity of SEPLS elements (ecosystems, habitats and species) as well as a high variety of local food sources. The weakest (and most urgent!) issues in SEPLS were related to transfer and documentation of Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK), local collaborative governance mechanisms and marketing.

So, what is next? Well, in 2022, the work actively continues. As some of the branchs are wrapping up RAWs in their respective communities, some have already started to integrate RAWs results into their on-the-ground projects. Employing RAWs findings as a guidance for priority interventions in Taiwan’s SEPLS is an important part of “From RAWs to adaptive co-management (ACM)” Project that is being carried out this year. Let us keep an eye on its future developments.

Map of community-based resilience assessment workshops (RAWs) carried out in eight TPSI SEPLS (Image source: TPSI-East team)

“A resilient SEPLS is a healthy SEPLS”: resilience assessment as SEPLS health check analogy (Image source: Karimova et al., 2022; the human body image elements adapted from www.freepik.com)

Outdoor training workshop on implementation of 2021 community-based resilience assessment workshops (RAWs) in Taiwan’s SEPLS (Image source: TPSI-East team)

Mapping exercise during 2021 resilience assessment workshops (RAWs) in Gangkou SEPLS, Hualien County (Image source: TPSI-East team)

From coastal areas and to deep mountain forests – each SEPLS presented their unique set of socio-ecological characteristics (Image source: TPSI-East team)

[Written by Summer Sun (孫夏天) and Dr. Kuang-Chung Lee (李光中), National Dong Hwa University]

The Xinshe SEPLS is located in the Xinshe Village, Fengbin Township, Hualien County – Taiwan’s scenic east coast. Its area size is 600 ha (23°39’20.8” N 121°32’21.8” E) and covers the watershed of the Jialang River all the way from protected national forest of the Coastal Mountain Range to the coral reef coastal ecosystem of the Pacific Ocean. Yes, you guessed it right: the Xinshe SEPLS is a classic example of a ridge-to-reef landscape-seascape. It is also home to two Indigenous communities – Amis Fuxing Tribe and Kavalan Xinshe Tribe.

For generations, traditional land- and ocean-use of the Amis and Kavalan communities has been deeply rooted in their traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), culture and seasonal rituals. Rice-paddy and dry crops farming, gardening, gathering of wild plants, agro-forestry, seasonal hunting and fishing, handicrafts, and culinary art have long been the main resource use activities in the Xinshe SEPLS. Since early 2010s, however, the Xinshe SEPLS has been struggling with the negative consequences of Taiwan’s rapid socio-economic development. They included depopulation and ageing, deterioration of production farmlands (use of chemical fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides), degradation of natural resources, loss of TEK, and lack of incentives for young people to return home.

In October 2016, the Xinshe “Forest-River-Village-Ocean” Eco-Agriculture Initiative (the Xinshe Initiative) was introduced as an innovative integrated landscape-seascape approach in the Xinshe SEPLS. It was born from the initial proposal by the National Dong Hwa University (NDHU) and Hualien District Agricultural Research and Extension Station (HDARES), and collaborative negotiation processes with the Fuxing and Xinshe communities, and Hualien Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency and Soil and Water Conservation Bureau (HBSWC). The aim of the Xinshe Initiative is to unite sectoral project-based efforts of the government agencies in order to address the above socio-ecological challenges of the local communities in an integrated and holistic way.

Six years past, the Xinshe Initiative is actively ongoing today. From tackling the most urgent issues in its early years (e.g., waterways restoration and farmland revitalisation) the Xinshe Initiative is now building on its previous achievements and lessons learned. In the next few years (till 2026) the multi-stakeholder efforts will focus on enhancing the protection and sustainable use of freshwater and marine resources, promoting eco-agriculture and native crops, documentation and transfer of TEK, marketing, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation.

It is particularly exciting that the Xinshe experiences have already started their journey from the Xinshe “-scape” to the regional and national “scale”. Thus, multi-stakeholder platform, adaptive co-management model, and monitoring and evaluation processes based on resilience assessment (RAWs) have been an important part of TPSI-wide SEPLS-to-SEPLS knowledge exchange – both as 2021 RAWs and 2022 “From RAWs to adaptive co-management (ACM)” Project.

The Xinshe Initiative: fostering multi-stakeholder partnership for adaptive co-management of the Xinshe SEPLS (Image source: Karimova and Lee, 2022 with a kind permission from Vision Way Communication Co. Ltd.)

The Xinshe experiences have already started their journey from the Xinshe “-scape” to the regional and national “scale” (Image source: Karimova and Lee, 2022)

The Xinshe SEPLS – a gem of Taiwan’s east coast (Image source: Karimova and Lee, 2022)

Ms. Fuis Huang from the Fuxing Indigenous community: waterways restoration and farmland revitalisation were among the most urgent issues addressed in the early years of the Xinshe Initiative (2016-2019) (Image source: Hanna Deng)

• An integrated landscape approach for revitalisation of indigenous socio-ecological production landscape and seascape in Xinshe Village, Hualien County, Taiwan
• Season of Healing（Full Version）- English
• An Integrated Landscape–Seascape Approach in the Making: Facilitating Multi-Stakeholder Partnership for Socio-Ecological Revitalisation in Eastern Coastal Taiwan

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