organizations, NGOs, large-scale plans or group-research plans, related
websites, biology databases, documents and publications.
Biological diversity is one of Taiwan’s most important natural resources.
Many government departments have launched projects to gather information
related to biodiversity, including the COA’s Natural Resources and Ecology
Geographic Information System (GIS) Database, the Environmental
Protection Administration’s Environmental Resources Database, the NSC’s
Specialists and Species Database (TaiBNET), as well as the National Digital
Archives Program, which has information on collections of plant and animal
specimens. There are also many other important databases established by
educational institutions, research organizations and NGOs.
However, these databases have not been substantially integrated. Perhaps
the establishment of the National Biodiversity Database will comprehensively
digitize various types of information into one database on the Internet, linking
a species’ name to all related information about that species within each
database, or allow use of GIS to search each database for species and extent of
biodiversity at a specified location. Such a platform could be used both
internally and internationally to provide essential information for academic
exchange and practical applications, and bring the results of basic academic
research into full play.^82
In addition to the TaiBNET, the Research Center for Biodiversity (RCB) of
Academia Sinica is in charge of integrating scientific research on biodiversity
in Taiwan. For instance, under the sponsorship of the NSC and the COA, the
RCB investigates, classifies, and strengthens research into the monitoring
system of biological resources. The RCB also cooperates with the COA to
reinforce the investigation and management of invasive species. Under the
sponsorship of the NSC, COA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA),
the RCB represents the Taiwanese government in participating in the activities
of international organizations such as the GBIF and BioNet-International.^83
CONCLUSIONS
The process of identifying endangered, threatened and rare species and
ecosystems is relatively recent in China and Taiwan. Until the formation of the
China Red List, the system in China has been relatively closed, incorporating
agency scientists and selectively invited natural scientists. Reflecting its
democratic approach, the process in Taiwan admits academicians, unaffiliated
natural scientists, and representatives of NGOs.
The preservation status of endangered species and ecosystems is quite
different, primarily because of China’s vast size, limited scientific expertise,
and limited resources available to dedicate toward mitigating adverse
62 Governance of biodiversity conservation in China and Taiwan