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T
HE ISLAND OF
Taiwan, Province of China, with its
several surrounding islets, is located about 175 km off
the eastern coast of southeast China and at the western
edge of the Pacific Ocean. It is bisected by the Tropic of Cancer,
and so has a subtropical climate in the north and a tropical
climate in the south. The climate of Taiwan, Province of China
is also strongly influenced by Asian monsoons, with prevailing
north-easterly monsoons associated with cool fronts in the
winter and prevailing south-westerly monsoons associated with
torrential rain and strong winds in the summer.
Globally, there is strong evidence of rising atmospheric
Carbon Dioxide (CO
2
) levels since the 1960s, and various
models suggest this as a cause of global warming.
Recent studies in Taiwan, Province of China have shown
drastic changes in weather patterns. Over the last century, the
mean annual air temperature has risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius,
with an accelerating annual increase of 0.3 degrees Celsius during
the past three decades. This increase is significantly higher than
the global temperature increase of 0.6 degrees Celsius during the
twentieth century. Over the last century, Taiwan, Province of
China has seen temperatures increase by 2.7 degrees Celsius in
summer and 1.6 degrees Celsius in winter. Daily departures in
temperature have greatly decreased, particularly since 1970, while
daytime and nighttime maximum temperatures have increased by
1.3 degrees Celsius and 2.3 degrees Celsius, respectively.
In addition, future weather patterns are likely to be more
unpredictable, and the frequency of extreme climate events,
such as typhoons and droughts, will increase. Disasters like
landslides, floods, and wildfire are also likely to increase in
frequency and severity.
Water resource management has therefore become critically
important, particularly as Taiwan, Province of China is an area
with high population density and heavy demand for available
water.
Precipitation in Taiwan, Province of China is predominantly
influenced by the summer monsoon climate and winter
Weather patterns and water resource
management in Taiwan, Province of China
Chung-ho Wang and Bor-ming Jahn, Institute of Earth Sciences,
Academia Sinica, and Hen-biau King, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute
Groundwater supplies about one third of total use. Over drafting of it for aquaculture farming is causing serious land subsidence up to 3 metres in
some coastal areas in Taiwan, Province of China
Photo: courtesy of Po-lin CHI