Nature

The western mountain forests of Taiwan are very diverse, with several endemic species such as Formosan Cypress (Chamaecyparis formosensis) and Taiwan Fir (Abies kawakamii), while the Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) was once also widespread at lower levels (now mostly cleared for agricultural land).

Prior to major Taiwanese economic success, the mountainous areas held several endemic animal species and subspecies, such as:

• Swinhoe's Pheasant (Lophura swinhoii)
• Taiwan Blue Magpie (Urocissa caerulea)
• Formosan Black Bear (Selanarctos thibetanus formosanus)
• Formosan Sika Deer (Cervus nippon taiwanensis or Cervus nippon taiouanus)
• Formosan landlocked salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanus)

A few of these are now extinct, and many others have been designated endangered species.