National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) monitors aquatic ecosystem health through marine surveys, water quality assessment, and biodiversity research. Its Underwater Technology Research Center uses ROVs, AUVs, USVs, and AI image analysis to collect coral imagery and assess underwater conditions, including investigations following the BLUE LAGOON ship grounding. The Hydraulics Laboratory conducts long-term river and coastal water quality monitoring, measuring salinity, pH, water depth, and conductivity to support pollution detection and environmental management. NCKU's Cetacean Research Center monitors stranded marine mammals through health assessments, disease screening, and biological sampling. At An-Nan Campus, AI-based bird recognition and water-level monitoring assess habitat use around seven ecological floating islands. NCKU also applies smart water quality monitoring at Cheng-Kung Lake. In 2025, the Circular Penghu project deployed ecological reefs, with long-term monitoring planned to evaluate restoration outcomes.
Monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems
14.5.2
SDG14
NCKU monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems
- Smart Marine Ecosystem Health Monitoring
NCKU's Underwater Technology Research Center uses ROVs, AUVs, USVs, and AI image analysis to monitor marine ecosystems. The team has conducted surveys across Taiwan's coastal waters, collecting underwater imagery and expert-annotated coral images for ecological assessment. Its ROVs also monitored underwater conditions and recovery following the BLUE LAGOON ship grounding near Lanyu.- AI-Based Ecological Monitoring of Climate-Resilient Floating Islands
NCKU's interdisciplinary team conducts long-term ecological monitoring of seven modular floating islands at An-Nan Campus. Integrating AI-based bird recognition, water-level monitoring, and ecological surveys, the team assesses habitat use and environmental changes. Field observations show that the islands remain structurally stable and provide foraging habitats for waterbirds, supporting adaptive wetland management.- Ecological Reef Restoration and Planned Marine Monitoring
In 2025, NCKU's "Circular Penghu" project deployed porous 3D-printed ecological reefs made from dead coral rubble in two marine areas of Penghu. The reefs provide potential habitats for coral attachment and fish. The project includes plans for coral transplantation and long-term ecological monitoring to evaluate reef colonization, habitat conditions, and restoration outcomes.- NCKU has introduced a “Smart Water Quality Monitoring and Treatment Vessel” to Cheng-Kung Lake, aiming to restore its clear and pristine appearance.
To further improve the water quality of Cheng-Kung Lake, NCKU introduced a “Smart Water Quality Monitoring and Treatment Vessel,” an unmanned boat integrating artificial intelligence with water treatment capabilities. Developed collaboratively by the Department of Environmental Engineering, the Department of Systems Engineering, and the Department of Naval Architecture, the vessel underwent two years of research and development and has been successfully tested in multiple reservoirs. It can monitor water quality in real time and perform surface cleaning operations, effectively removing algae, reducing nutrient concentrations, and improving overall water quality.https://news-secr.ncku.edu.tw/p/406-1037-270986,r81.p
- Soil and groundwater quality sampling and testing.
The Hydraulic Laboratory, accredited by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), conducts soil and water quality testing, including groundwater and seawater. - Marine water quality investigation and analysis.
The Hydraulics Laboratory of National Cheng Kung University has been dedicated to long-term monitoring of river and coastal water quality in Taiwan. Given the island’s abundant rainfall and industrial impacts, the team established automatic monitoring stations to record water depth, salinity, pH, and conductivity. Following EPA standards, they conduct systematic sampling in rivers and marine areas, compiling and analyzing historical data. Using the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park as a case study, the project evaluates river, drainage, and marine water quality variations. The results serve as crucial references for governmental environmental policies and provide early warning functions, supporting sustainable management of Taiwan’s marine ecosystems.-
Hydrogeological investigation and groundwater hydrological survey.
The team has developed an automatic real-time water quality monitoring system to reduce manual sampling efforts and provide early warnings. The lab also performs hydrological and groundwater surveys, aiming to detect contamination early and prevent its spread.https://thl.web2.ncku.edu.tw/p/404-1185-212899.php?Lang=zh-tw
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NCKU Cetacean Research Center Advances Long-Term Marine Mammal Health Monitoring
Since 2005, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has maintained an ongoing health monitoring program for marine ecosystems through its Marine Biology and Cetacean Research Center. Partnering with veterinary teams, NCKU conducts systematic health assessments, disease screenings, and blood and parasite monitoring on stranded and rehabilitated cetaceans (including Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and other species). The center archives biological specimens and health data in compliance with Ocean Conservation Administration guidelines for international academic research. To date, NCKU has responded to over 355 stranding incidents involving more than 465 individuals, successfully rehabilitating and releasing 10 cetaceans back into the wild, providing vital long-term data on marine ecosystem health and wildlife disease control.https://cbb.ncku.edu.tw/p/406-1163-203446,r2889.php?Lang=zh-tw