Awards

• 2018 IFLA Asia-Pacific Landscape Architecture Awards – Outstanding Award
• 2017 Taiwan Landscape Architecture Awards (5th Edition) – First Prize, Landscape Research and Practice Category

In January 2016, a small ecological pond unlike any other space within Daan Forest Park was introduced to Taipei’s “urban lung.” While modest in scale, the pond represents a significant step toward the vision of transforming Daan Forest Park from a traditional urban park into a truly ecological green space for Taipei.

Surrounded by native wetland vegetation, the habitat now features willow trees, wild ginger lilies, horsetail reeds, Taiwan yellow water lilies, aquatic ferns, and many other indigenous wetland species. Dragonflies, aquatic insects, and other wildlife have gradually returned, creating a vibrant ecosystem where visitors can observe the dynamic relationship between water, plants, and animals within the city.

Creation of the Habitat

The project was developed through extensive ecological research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Specialists in firefly ecology, wetland plants, hydrology, and environmental design worked together to create a habitat capable of supporting a diverse range of species. Every aspect of the site—from plant selection and stone placement to soil composition, water circulation, sunlight exposure, and microclimate conditions—was carefully designed to emulate a natural wetland ecosystem.

Environmental Education Objectives

Firefly Habitat Restoration

The primary goal of the project is the restoration of a suitable habitat for fireflies. This required carefully balancing water quality, humidity, shade, vegetation density, and pond depth to support both larval and adult stages of the firefly life cycle.

Recreating Taipei’s Native Wetland Landscape

The ecological pond showcases a rich collection of native wetland plants, including willow, wild ginger lily, Taiwan water clover, aquatic ferns, horsetail, and Taiwan yellow water lily, recreating the characteristic vegetation communities once found in the wetlands of the Taipei Basin.

Demonstration of Ecological Engineering

The pond was constructed using ecological engineering principles, including balanced earthworks, compacted native soils, clay-lined pond bottoms, natural stone edges, gravel beds, and planted shorelines. The result is a self-sustaining and environmentally sensitive water system that serves as a model for ecological landscape construction.

Understanding Ecological Food Chains

Using fireflies as the focal species, the habitat helps visitors understand the interconnected relationships between plants, insects, aquatic organisms, and their environment. The project encourages environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation, and a greater appreciation of the balance of natural ecosystems.

Learning from Nature

A fundamental principle of the project is that successful ecological design begins with observing and understanding natural systems. By applying scientific knowledge while respecting natural processes, the ecological pond demonstrates how functional infrastructure, habitat restoration, environmental education, and landscape aesthetics can be integrated into a sustainable urban environment.

Today, the Daan Forest Park Firefly Ecological Habitat serves as both a living classroom and a thriving ecological refuge, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience native wetland biodiversity within the heart of Taipei.