Maintain and extend current ecosystems' biodiversity
15.2.3
SDG15
NCKU maintains and extends current ecosystems' biodiversity
Marine Conservation and Campus Tree Management
Established in 2009, the Marine Biology and Cetacean Research Center has a notable track record of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing numerous stranded cetaceans, earning recognition for its marine conservation efforts. On campus, NCKU implements systematic tree care and monitoring. Old trees are fitted with QR code tags that link to the "NCKU Tree" platform, providing detailed information. Annual assessments of tree health and habitat are conducted, with expert consultations sought for improvement strategies.
Ecological Research and Climate Change Monitoring
Furthermore, NCKU collaborates with Academia Sinica and international teams on research published in the journal Nature. This research highlights the global threat of "climate velocity" in mountainous regions to biodiversity, underscoring the urgent need for ecosystem conservation and the establishment of climate monitoring networks.
Through these various initiatives and research endeavors, NCKU aims to sustain biodiversity and achieve its environmental sustainability goals.
- NCKU’s Center for Oceanic and Cetacean Research received the “Animal Conservation Model Award” under the inaugural 2024 Linking ASSET Humanities Enterprise Awards.
Since its establishment in 2009, the National Cheng Kung University Marine Biology and Cetacean Research Center has been dedicated to cetacean stranding rescue, post-treatment, and related analytical research. The center also promotes cetacean education and has rescued, rehabilitated, and successfully released multiple whales and dolphins back into the ocean.- Introduction to Newly Planted Trees on the NCKU Campus in 2024
NCKU is dedicated to preserving and enhancing campus biodiversity. The university has created a dedicated webpage for newly planted trees, providing detailed information on each tree’s species and characteristics, accompanied by clear photos and descriptions for easy reference and learning by students and staff. Through this initiative, NCKU not only improves the efficiency of campus greenery management but also helps the campus community better understand and appreciate its plant resources, fostering greater awareness and participation in ecological conservation and biodiversity protection, and demonstrating the university’s strong commitment to a sustainable environment.
NCKU is dedicated to preserving and enhancing campus biodiversity. The university has created a dedicated webpage for newly planted trees, providing detailed information on each tree’s species and characteristics, accompanied by clear photos and descriptions for easy reference and learning by students and staff. Through this initiative, NCKU not only improves the efficiency of campus greenery management but also helps the campus community better understand and appreciate its plant resources, fostering greater awareness and participation in ecological conservation and biodiversity protection, and demonstrating the university’s strong commitment to a sustainable environment.- NCKU Campus Tree Website
NCKU has established a searchable platform for campus trees, integrating map information and using QR codes as “ID cards” for each plant. The platform categorizes all campus plants by season and campus area, and also includes information on the university’s heritage trees. Each plant’s current status, location, and images are recorded on the website, providing a comprehensive and accessible resource for the campus community.- NCKU's Department of Life Sciences, in collaboration with Academia Sinica and international research teams, estimated the “global mountain climate velocity”, with their findings published in the prestigious journal Nature.
NCKU, in collaboration with Academia Sinica and international teams, published a study in Nature revealing that global mountain “climate velocity” poses a significant threat to biodiversity. The team used satellite and climate data to estimate the migratory pressure climate change exerts on mountain species. The study underscores the urgency of ecosystem conservation and the establishment of climate monitoring networks, highlighting the critical role of biodiversity protection in sustainable development.
- NCKU Heritage Tree Inventory
NCKU regularly conducts health checks and risk assessments on aging trees across campus, recording canopy, trunk, root systems, and habitat conditions, and invites experts to provide improvement measures. Simultaneously, NCKU organizes tree planting activities, habitat enhancements, and drainage and aeration optimization to strengthen trees’ resistance to pests and diseases and promote healthy growth. Through environmental education lectures, the university also educates students, staff, and the public on tree protection, actively advancing campus greening and biodiversity conservation.