a. Establishment of the Ecology Education Park　　To implement native ecology education and call on ordinary citizens to respect and value the uniqueness and importance of native species, TBRI`s Division of Management established the 3.5-hectare Ecology Education Park using artificial habitat construction methods. Delineated by topography and characteristics, the Park is divided into the autumn-color area, river ecology area, evergreen broadleaf forest area, nectar plants area, grassland ecology area, marsh and pond ecology area, artificial forestation species area, rare and endangered plants area, and special-use plants area. Over 10,000 specimens from more than 600 endemic and native species are planted throughout the Park. The guiding system designed for the Park is based on bilingual (English-Chinese) interpretive signs and printed pamphlets that visitors can read at their leisure as they stroll through the Park. TBRI has also produced a multimedia DVD guide that can be accessed via TBRI’s website (www.tesri.gov.tw).

Asclepias curassavica and Danaus chrysippus (by Huang Shu-Fen)

The Formosan sweetgum (Liquidambar formosana Hance) trail is a great place for nature education and enjoying the outdoors (by Chen Shu-Ling)

The Ecology Education Park(by Chen Shu-Ling)

Yellow water lily(Nuphar shimadai Hayata)(by Huang Sian-Wun)

River ecology area (by Ai Tai-Lin)

b. Wildlife Genetic Variation Research
　　ESRI’s researchers have completed genetic variation analysis and research for endangered and easily-threatened species in Taiwan like the Milky mangrove species Excoecaria agallocha L., E. formosana (Hayata) Hayata and E. kawakamii Hayata, the Barringtonia species Barringtonia asiatica (L.) Kurz and Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Blume ex. DC, the Aristolochia (Birthwort) speciesAristolochia zollingeriana Miq. and A. cucurbitifolia Hayata, the Taiwan ferret badger ( Melogale moschata subaurantiaca), the Crab-eating mongoose [ Herpestes urva (Hodgson)], the Formosan serow [Naemorhedus swinhoei (Gray)] , and the Formosan pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla Linnaeus). In addition, researchers have assisted government and criminal investigation bureaus with the work of identifying illegal wildlife product specimens.

Crab-eating Mongoose(Herpestes urva)(by Huang Shu-Fen)

Aristolochia zollingeriana Miq. (by Huang Chao-Cing)

Barringtonia asiatica (L.) Kurz. (by Huang Chao-Cing)

Excoecaria kawakamii Hayata (by Ho Tung-Chi)

Formosan serow [Naemorhedus swinhoei(Gray)] (by Chen Shu-Ling)

Taiwan ferret badger (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca)(by Jhang Shih-Wei)

c. Exploration of natural compounds
         TBRI’s researchers have successfully developed the technique of produce fruiting bodies of Antrodia using Cunninghamia lanceolata and the system of analysis and utilization of bioactive components for native plants in Taiwan. In the term of technology licensing, methods on mycelium fermentation and compound extraction from fruiting body of Phellinus and the application of extracted substance of fruiting bodies in Antrodia are authorized technically by companies. Method for incubating fruiting bodies of Antrodia cinnamomea has obtained U.S. Patent (US8122636B2).