NCUE has multiple ongoing projects and activities, including the Environmental Education Centre’s “Beautiful and Treasured Clams in Fangyuan and Dacheng: Sustainable Industry and Environment Project of Changhua’s Two Cities Amid Climate Change "; Department of Biology’s “Changhua Coastal Meretrix lusoria Habitat Survey and Conservation Education Promotion Program”, “Strengthening Hualien County Red Imported Fire Ant Control Plan”, “Hualien Fenglin Recreation Area Invasive Fire Ant Control Plan”, “Kaohsiung City Flying Ant Damage Survey and Control Strategy Assessment Plan”, “Gaomei Wetland Land Crab Hotspot Monitoring and Control Operations”, “Kenting National Park Yellow Crazy Ant Control Plan”, “Project of Entrusted Planning and Design for RIFA Control”, and Department of Geography’s “Geographical Writing and Local Practices — Reconstructing Geographical Records of the Fangyuan Coastal Community in Changhua”, as listed in Table 1. The following section contains project description.

Table 1. Related projects and events

Project Name	Funding Agency
Beautiful and Treasured Clams in Fangyuan and Dacheng: Sustainable Industry and Environment Project of Changhua’s Two Cities Amid Climate Change	Ministry of Education
Changhua Coastal Meretrix lusoria Habitat Survey and Conservation Education Promotion Program	Wanggong Community Development Association, Fangyuan Township, Changhua County
Strengthening Hualien County Red Imported Fire Ant Control Plan	Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine Agency, Ministry of Agriculture
Hualien Fenglin Recreation Area Invasive Fire Ant Control Plan	East Longitudinal Valley National Scenic Area, Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communication
Kaohsiung City Flying Ant Damage Survey and Control Strategy Assessment Plan	Agriculture Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government
Gaomei Wetland Land Crab Hotspot Monitoring and Control Operations	Agriculture Bureau of Taichung City Government
Kenting National Park Yellow Crazy Ant Control Plan	Kenting National Park Headquarters, National Park Service, Ministry of the Interior
Commissioned Planning and Design for Invasive Red Fire Ant Control Operations	Taoyuan International Airport CorporationCompany
Geographical Writing and Local Practices — Reconstructing Geographical Records of the Fangyuan Coastal Community in Changhua	Ministry of Education

1. “Beautiful and Treasured Clams in Fangyuan and Dacheng: Sustainable Industry and Environment Project of Changhua’s Two Cities Amid Climate Change” and “Changhua Coastal Meretrix lusoria Habitat Survey and Conservation Education Promotion Program”.

NCUE developed programs including “Coastal Biological Resources” and “Sustainable Development and Practice of Coastal Biological Resources”, and encouraged students to integrate theory and practice. The courses focused on coastal biodiversity, eco-friendly aquaculture, water and sediment testing, fish consumption culture, and low-carbon aquaculture promotion, alongside community collaboration to advance marine conservation and sustainable fisheries. In the same year, the industry–academia collaboration project “Changhua Coastal Meretrix lusoria Habitat Survey and Conservation Education Promotion Program” was carried out at Xinbao Wetland and Wanggong Harbor. The project aimed to invite schoolkids to step into the role of marine scientists through activities such as: “Hard Clam Habitat Surveys” (four seasonal sessions including sediment improvement trials), “Volunteer Surveyor Training” (4 sessions, 41 participants), “Seed Teacher Training” (3 sessions, 91 participants), and the “Hard Clam Detective Team” (4 sessions, 185 participants).

In partnership with Caohu Junior High School, Hanbao Elementary School, and Lukang Elementary School to integrate scientific investigation with local education, the curriculum and hands-on activities included water quality testing, biodiversity surveys, bivalve classification, coastal tourism, and conservation education.

Results showed that sediment improvement significantly boosted growth of coarse-grain substrate indicator species such as hard clams and Meretrix, suppressed the dominance of Cyclina sinensis, and enhanced carbon sequestration potential, as well as benthic biodiversity. The participation of schoolkids increased the amount of survey data and helped raise community conservation awareness, creating a demonstrative model combining science and education (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The NCUE team and Changhua Marine Food Research Center jointly conducted habitat sampling and surveys during winter

2. Strengthening Hualien County Red Imported Fire Ant Control Plan

The distribution area of invasive red fire ants in Hualien has increased from about 1,200 hectares in 2019 to approximately 3,000 hectares in 2023. Currently, the main infestation areas remain concentrated in Fenglin Township and Guangfu Township, with some preading over to nearby areas such as Wanrong Township. Although the infestation has slightly expanded, the overall situation is still under control. With immediate and strengthened control measures, red imported fire ants in Hualien can be effectively contained to prevent large-scale spread.

Taiwan’s control strategy mainly relies on chemical treatment, using manpower with backpack sprayers for small areas or modified all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for large-area spraying. However, even ATV spraying has limitations and downsides such as low coverage and uniformity, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. Areas such as valleys and slopes are inaccessible to ATVs, resulting in untreated areas.

In recent years, advances in drone technology have expanded its applications to include pesticide spraying. The use of drones not only reduced workers’ exposure to chemicals and mitigates labor shortages but also made it possible to treat areas inaccessible to ATVs like valleys and slopes, thereby significantly enhancing control efficiency (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Unmanned Aerial Spraying System

3. Hualien Fenglin Recreation Area Invasive Fire Ant Control Plan

Since the first detection of invasive red fire ants in Hualien County in 2020, the infestation has expanded to Fenglin Township, Guangfu Township, and Wanrong Township (see Appendix 1: National Fire Ant Control Center’s List of Infested Areas), with Fenglin and Guangfu identified as the most severely affected.

The Hualien Fenglin Recreation Area, situated at the periphery of the initial detection zone in Fenglin Township, reported its first fire ants in 2021 (Case No.: (Consult) 1100423-01). In December 2023, our team conducted field surveys confirming the distribution of red fire antismog 94 surveyed 50-meter grids, 17 grids (18%) showed signs of infestation (see Figure 1). The ants were mainly concentrated around the northern sewage treatment plant and adjacent new roads, as well as the southern camping and construction zones, suggesting the spread may be associated with soil movement during construction activities.

Of the 17 infested grids, 76.5% were exhibited activity levels 3–4, indicating high fire ant activity in most affected areas. Comprehensive control measures are urgently needed to prevent further spread. Active eradication efforts are underway to remove the area from infestation control and ensure visitor safety once the recreation area’s reopenings. Relevant photos are shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3. November 2024 Fire Ant Activity Level Changes in 50-Meter Grids at Hualien Fenglin Recreation Area

4. Kaohsiung City Flying Ant Damage Survey and Control Strategy Assessment Plan

In recent years, Qimei District, Kaohsiung City has experienced severe infestations of flying ants during summer and autumn nights. Experts have identified the species responsible as the brown flat technomyrmex ant (Technomyrmex brunneus). During their mating flights, queens and males are drawn to light sources, resulting in large-scale invasions of farms, homes, and businesses at night, which have caused serious disturbances to residents and negatively affected the tourism industry.

In addition, another invasive species, the thoracic dolichoderus ant (Dolichoderus thoracic us), was detected in Shanlin District in 2023. This ant is particularly attracted to sugary fruits and commonly nests in fruit trees, where its clustering behavior not only causes nuisance but also reduces crop quality.

To curb their spread and population growth, survey sites will be established in affected areas for continuous monitoring, enabling the implementation of early and targeted control measures. Relevant photos are shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4. The research team established a Line community group with local stakeholders.

5. Gaomei Wetland Land Crab Hotspot Monitoring and Control Operations

Gaomei Wetland supports a rich population of land crabs but has recently been invaded by the yellow crazy ant, one of the world’s top 100 worst invasive species, posing a serious threat to crab survival.

In 2024, bi-monthly liquid bait control operations were conducted in May, July, September, and November, accompanied by continuous monitoring of yellow crazy ant distribution and density in April, June, August, and October. Surveys detected yellow crazy ants at 54 sites, including 14 with mild infestation (level 1), 15 moderate (level 2), 13 medium-high (level 3), 9 high (level 4), and 3 severe (level 5).

Given the limited effectiveness of current control, it is recommended that efforts be intensified next year by increasing baiting frequency to monthly and expanding the treatment to include the pavilion zone (sites 1–24). Relevant photos are shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5. Surveyors placing liquid bait stations in the study area from April to October 2024.

6. Kenting National Park Yellow Crazy Ant Control Plan

Drawing on the Australian government’s large-scale baiting strategy against yellow crazy ant super colonies on Christmas Island—which effectively suppressed their populations—the Kenting National Park Yellow Crazy Ant Control Plan continues this proven approach.

The plan called for increased bait dosage in key land crab hotspots and expanded baiting operations to port areas to reduce super colony density and mitigate threats to the land crab population. Liquid bait stations and artificial nest traps will be used to monitor population dynamics within control zones, assess baiting effectiveness, and provide data to support long-term management strategies and recommendations for yellow crazy ant control in Kenting National Park. Relevant photos are shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Yellow Crazy Ant control operations

7. Commissioned Planning and Design for Invasive Red Fire Ant Control Operations

In order to protect navigational and public facilities in the airport area, uphold the nation’s image, and reduce fire ant attacks on airport staff and travelers, monitoring and controlling invasive of red fire ants at Taoyuan International Airport are a must, and we must remain vigilant until their eradication in the Dayuan District. This project aims to continue red fire ant control across the airport, where operations must comply with strict aviation safety rules and adjust accordingly to different weather conditions. Tasks such as manpower planning, field monitoring, treatment planning and execution require a team equipped with both red fire ant control expertise and airport-specific experience (Figure 7).

Figure 7. Ant nest injection treatment

8. Topographical Writing and Local Practices — Reconstructing Geographical Records of the Fangyuan Coastal Community in Changhua

Using the coastal community of Fangyuan Township, Changhua, as the field of practice, this project adopted the method of topographical writing to investigate the spatial features of traditional courtyard houses (sanheyuan) that were abandoned along the coast. In addition, the project traced the histories of the houses, including its development and the lives of local residents. The aim of the project was to reconstruct the geographical records of these villages that have faded with time, integrating rural geography theories with the skills of topographical writing, while also assisting the community in gradually achieving the goals of landscape preservation and transformation. 

Under the guidance of Professor Yu-Ling Song, thirty students from the Department of Geography enrolled in the course Rural Geography conducted three rounds of fieldwork in Fangyuan Township, Changhua County. A presentation of the students’ research findings was held at the Oilseed Academy, where local village heads, community leaders, artists, and returning youth were invited. The event also featured roundtable discussions, following the “World Café” format to facilitate the exchange of ideas among participants, and reflect on the results of each group’s investigation of the old houses.

Figure 8. Aerial photography of abandoned sanheyuan (traditional courtyard houses) in the Fangyuan area of Changhua County.

Figure 9. Project Presentation at Oilseed Academy