Based on the commissioned projects conducted during 2022–2023, this project focuses on alpine stream habitats within Yushan National Park. Through regular site-based monitoring and surveys, a comprehensive inventory of species distribution has been established. The ecological data collected on aquatic fish, shrimp, and crabs, supplemented by additional sampling of aquatic insects, have been compiled into a specialized ecological atlas titled Yushan’s Water World. This publication aims to present a complete overview of the park’s aquatic ecosystems and related conservation information, serving as a reference for future investigations and monitoring of stream ecological resources in the Yushan region.
A notable achievement of the quarterly monitoring surveys was the discovery of a new species of freshwater Geothelphusa crab in the upper reaches of the Zhuoshui River, provisionally named the Yushan Freshwater Crab. During this project period, further population monitoring and ecological studies were also carried out for three newly described alpine species published between 2022 and 2023 —Hemimyzon yushanensis, Candidiopotamon penglai, and Geothelphusa laowang.
Beyond the discoveries of new species and population monitoring results, this project also outlines short-, medium-, and long-term work plans, with the goal of providing ecological conservation strategies and management recommendations for the aquatic systems within Yushan National Park.