Here I am at Niupu Mudstone Area Soil and Water Conservation Park.
And the reason why this place is so unique
is because of its geological configuration due to river erosions.
So let’s go on an adventure!
Hello! Welcome! Thank you!
This place looks really unique!
This area is composed largely of mudstone.
Because the rock formation is relatively young, there is little mixture between sedimentary layers.
This kind of geological shape
actually only exists in 3 different places around the world,
and Taiwan has the largest area of them all.
So what’s special about this rock is that
under sunlight it’s actually very hot so it’s hard for the water to penetrate through.
That’s why there aren’t a lot of plants here.
But during rainfall season, it gets really sticky and hard to walk on.
That’s something that’s very interesting.
It is hard to plant any kind of seed here.
And the reason why you still see trees here is because
they specifically transported seeds and soil from other places.
And using high pressure to stick the seeds into the soil here.
That’s why you see trees standing here right now.
Here you can see a tree that’s still alive and a tree that has died.
And the reason is that the died tree was planted here as a whole.
It was stuck into the soil
and it didn’t adapt well to the soil here and that’s why it died.
And now only one tree is standing.
Staking and Wattling Method
To conserve the soil, this is one of the techniques they use.
So you see here there are wooden fences actually just standing there.
This keeps the soil all together, consolidated here.
Even though it’s harder to grow plants on this kind of soil,
if you put in effort you can still make it happen
So as this area of green trees here,
they were planted 15 years ago,
and just in this short period of 15 years,
these trees have grown to become so green and wonderful.
Wow, I didn’t know 15 years can do such wonders.
Yes!
This is our cultural walkway,
we are here in Niupu at the moment, correct?
Thus, it is filled with cow-related phrases.
This entire wall has to do with idioms relating to cows
because this area is called Niupu and “Niu” means cow.
It is an attraction but even better with water.
Here a national demonstration is held
to promote it to the entire country.
This area is transformed into an area showing different ideas behind water conservation.
This is a live demonstration of how water is conserved in this soil.
So here you see the soil directly absorbing water.
So you don’t see a lot of grass here
and all the water flows really really fast into the pipe on the bottom.
Whereas here you see tall grass actually preserves water well,
so the soil can absorb water for a longer period of time.
Therefore they grow better and greener.
It’s the same concept for the tires over there.
Tires there are also used to absorb and conserve water.
Super interesting!
This one right here is a water pavilion in the middle of the lake
and this is one of the landmarks of Longci District.
And what’s special is that it is literally in the middle of the lake.
When the water level rises up to here or above,
Water comes over this barricade and into the drain right here,
so it looks like it’s flowing inside but you will not drown.
Principal Chen told me this water level right now is low,
and during raining season or typhoon season,
water will rise up to be much higher
and the water will be less muddy and more transparent,
so you can see a perfect reflection of these mud mountains right here.
But right now it’s already very sunny and beautiful.
Before I came here today,
I thought later I’m going to see lots of mud slides
or see this really unique geographical badlands.
But actually after my talk with Principal Chen,
I realized today is more about water conservation.
And how the locals here have adapted to the harsh environment.
For example, the soil here is very hard to grow plants.
But look at this place now!
It is all green and full of trees and lively grass.
You really do see how people work around nature
to conquer its powerful forces.
I think this park is super inspirational and very educational.
It’s definitely eye-opening
and if you have time you should definitely come here.
Today at Lonci District I feel so recharged by the powers of nature.
Right now I’m here witnessing this beautiful and soothing sunset.
It’s the perfect ending to this beautiful day.
If you have time you should definitely come here
and feel the vibes nature has to offer.
are around Shangbazhuang(now as Shanhua District)
and Xiajiuzhuang(now as Anding District) in the past.
So far,
there are about 50 temples participating in the inspection tours.
The inspection tours span about 5 kilometers.
According to the customs，
the village which the mast of King Boat
falls towards will have good harvests.
Hi, every one.
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