Identifying characteristics of post-landslide habitats and potential native herbaceous species for revegetation after landslides across Taiwan

Abstract

Climate change has intensified landslide disasters, causing severe environmental degradation. While vegetation can facilitate ecological restoration, exotic herbaceous species are often introduced to rapidly cover bare areas in post-landslide revegetation, posing threats to native species. In contrast, native herbaceous species have been largely underutilized and under-researched due to high costs and limited availability.
This study conducted a comprehensive analysis to assess the characteristics of landslide habitats across Taiwan and to identify suitable native herbaceous species for revegetation. The selected species were further evaluated based on their traits and adaptability to serve as a reference for ecological restoration efforts. Results show that landslide areas in Taiwan are predominantly located below 2,000 meters in elevation, with slopes ranging from 30° to 45°, mainly facing southeast. These environments are typically dry, with poor soils and low vegetation cover, and can be categorized into 20 habitat types based on elevation and aspect.
Through literature review, field investigations, and expert consultations, a total of 42 native herbaceous species were identified as suitable for landslide revegetation. These species are mainly tropical Poaceae and temperate Asteraceae, with 45% being C4 plants characterized by drought and poor-soil tolerance. As elevation increases, suitable species shift from tropical to subtropical and temperate types, with corresponding changes in adaptability.
This study provides a scientific foundation for post-landslide revegetation in Taiwan and makes a meaningful contribution to biodiversity conservation.

Methodology and Implementation Steps

1. 臺灣崩塌地類型區分：為依據不同崩塌地選則適用的原生草種，本研究以地理資訊系統(GIS)套疊過去臺灣全島崩塌地圖資，並萃取海拔、坡度、坡向等環境資料，之後以主成分分析法(PCA)及聚類分析法將臺灣主要的崩塌地依據不同環境因子進行分類。
2. 崩塌地具應用潛力原生草類篩選：為能有效篩選合適草類，本研究以「12篇文獻書籍」、「186處現地調查」以及「52位專家建議」等三類資料進行蒐集，並依據各草類於三類資料的「引證頻度」與「引證積分」進行應用潛力的評估，並區分原生與外來種草類。而外來種草類再以同屬的原生草類進行替代，以篩選出具應用潛力的原生草類。
3. 原生草類適用度分析：彙整崩塌地具應用潛力之原生草類後，本研究參考臺灣生物多樣性網格資料庫(TBN)。將各草類之分布依各主要崩塌地類型進行區分。並以全島各崩塌類型所佔面積進行修正，再予以標準化以求得各草類於不同崩塌地之適用度。
4. 崩塌地適用原生草類整合：計算出各草類於不同崩塌類型之適用度後，本研究依據各崩塌地適用的草類進行排序，並以Braun-Blanquet進行分級。再蒐集各草類於國際上的使用情形，以整合臺灣崩塌地適用原生草類的特性及歸納出適用的草種名錄。

Innovation and Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

以往針對崩塌環境的研究，多聚焦於特定區域，依賴GIS或現地調查進行分析。本研究以臺灣全島尺度為基礎，結合近十年崩塌地圖資與百餘處調查文獻，全面評估崩塌棲地特性，使結果更貼近實際。同時，以植物生長為核心，突破傳統依崩塌機制分類的框架，提出更符合生態復育的方法。本研究亦建立多項量化指標，系統性評估原生草類在崩塌地的應用潛力與適宜性，並整合工程、植物與生態等領域知識，克服過往資料分散與缺乏量化等限制。

Expected Results and Contributions

極端氣候引發的崩塌災害已成全球焦點，傳統仰賴外來種的復育策略容易引發生態風險。本研究提出以適地適種、原生種為基礎的復育策略，兼顧氣候調節與物種永續，解決過往崩塌地原生植物的問題，更達到生態友善與生物多樣性的實質影響與貢獻。

依據GBF「2050年全球長期目標」與「2030年全球行動目標」，本研究共符合2項長期與8項行動目標。可見，本提案不僅契合國際生物多樣性方向，更具體展現地方行動如何因應全球環境挑戰。