Geoparks of Taiwan

Geoparks have been a global brand name that incorporates not only the nature, but also the human societies and their wisdom in safeguarding the only planet that we share. In particular, in the places where livelihood is often challenged and the nature and societal safety are threatened by inappropriate developments or economic activities, geoparks could play a crucial role for us to re-consider and act collectively and bottom-up for how we should live with the nature sustainably. With the core values of geoparks, namely landscape conservation, geo-education (or geomorphologically environmental education), geo-tourism (or eco-tourism) and the local involvement for all these, a new way of life and livelihood could be re-considered or invented. For Taiwan geoparks, the powerful utility made possible by geoparks is a proven blessing to the island state of Taiwan. Taiwan is located on the ring of fire in the western Pacific Ocean. Constant tectonic movements and geological up lifting of the island have taught the society how fragile we are. With the annual threats of typhoons and the coupled devastating environmental changes and hazards, the society understands it needs to be resilient. Under the circumstance, the idea of geopark becomes a powerful and instrumental tool for Taiwan society and the local communities located at relatively disadvantaged places to re-think and figure out a sustainable and resilient way of living with the nature. With the various facets of geoparks that are illustrated in this book, you will get a glimpse of how the island state of Taiwan is heading for a sustainable environment with geoparks in its marginal areas.

In a fast globalizing world, where ideas, technologies and materials flow without much constraint, ways of thinking and actions in society are driven to change drastically from the historical background. It is important to understand and appreciate the stability of the local setting. It is significant because the local environments and cultures are something that local people attach to and the local livelihood depends upon.

The cradle upon which Taiwan’s socio-cultural civilization has been shaped is influenced by the way its people perceive the natural environment. Situated on the convergent boundaries of the Eurasian continental plate and the Philippine Sea Plate and located on the Pacific fire ring, Taiwan has regularly experienced constant sensible and non-sensible earthquakes.

The socio-cultural environment of Taiwan’s geoparks and their surroundings have been shaped by history and the human activities taking place under each geopark’s unique geological and geomorphological conditions.

In June 2010, Taiwan launched the national Environmental Education Act after two decades of debates and general discussion. As the Act is the 5th national environmental education law in the world, Taiwan’s society celebrated the potential environmental effects of the Act along with a series of educational reforms (Lin 2013; Yeh 2017). In November of 2017, however, a revision of the law was initiated to adjust to the rapidly changing society and environment of Taiwan.

Taiwan’s geology and geography demonstrate its critical environmental sensitivity and vulnerability. Out of the core values of geoparks, landscape conservation, environmental education, eco-tourism and local engagement, the previous chapter has introduced how environmental education is particularly vital for the society at large and for the local geopark communities.

Landscape conservation can be conducted with different methods and approaches that depend on the concepts and perspectives adopted (Lee et al. 2010; Wang and Ho 1999; Wang and Lee 2002). For instance, the level of technological and societal understanding determines how landscape conservation is implemented. Most commonly, landscape conservation is understood as a way to protect the landscape from inappropriate or unfit changes. However, it also concentrates on maintaining sustainable ways of human life.

The concept of a geopark network in Taiwan mirrors the development of the international trend for the Global Geoparks Network. Currently exist three Regional Geopark Networks, a European Geoparks Network, an Asian Pacific Geoparks Network and a Latin America and Caribbean Network, all of which demonstrate the function of co-learning. These networking activities contain the organization of conferences, workshops, training courses, field studies, as well as the promotion of sustainable tourism or the production and presentation of local geo-products and, thus, are fulfilling the criteria of and showing the values of each geopark. Through networking, the Taiwan Geoparks Network benefits from the exchange of ideas and experience of the management and governance mechanism of all geoparks.

The assessment of Taiwan geoparks follows the criteria and requirements of UNESCO Global Geoparks. This is underway as the geoparks are now part of the Cultural Heritage Act of Taiwan. All the existing geoparks and aspiring geoparks are now assessed according to the detailed and practical regulations and rules of the Cultural Heritage Act to be re-affirmed. After all the proper assessments and affirmations in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Act at each particular geopark are done, a county geopark or a national geopark status is recognized by the government.