臺灣社會生態韌性的探討—以桃園海岸生態系的風險管理為例

Abstract

海岸環境是全球人口最密集的地區之一。這些地區面臨著海平面上升、海岸侵蝕、地層下陷和洪水等重大風險。為應對這些風險，通常人們會沿海岸線建造各種海岸工程結構來防範災害。但這些結構物通常只優先考慮短期目標，長期而言反倒可能對海岸生態系統和居民的安全產生不利影響。例如在台灣，就有超過50％的海岸線已經被人工海岸結構“硬化” 保護，但卻導致生態系統退化，並增加面對災害時的脆弱性。對抗這些挑戰的可持續策略，例如基於自然的解決方案(NbS)，由於其高度的適用性以及多重好處和長期的效力，正受到全球關注。而以生態系統為基礎的災害風險降低（Eco-DRR）就是其中的一種策略方案，旨在通過可持續的生態系統管理，實際降低災害的風險。地質公園的推動對於災害風險降低有很大的潛力，但需要更多研究來了解Eco-DRR策略如何能夠有效地整合到地質公園管理裡面。對於這項研究，我們選擇了一個最近成立的桃園草漯沙丘地質公園作為研究區域，這是臺灣最完整的沙丘系統之一，而該地質公園的使命是要通過環境的教育、保護和氣候變遷調適能力的建構等，來促進海岸本身的韌性和減少災害風險的影響。這與Eco-DRR的概念一致，都是倡導一種全面性的管理方法，並且可以提供多重的社會和環境利益。本研究首先透過對當地環境的基本調查，調整一般通用的海岸沙丘脆弱性指數(CDVI)，並以這項沙丘脆弱性分析，來確認這個地區在優化生態系統功能及減少海岸災害風險上的關鍵因子，同時也透過訪談和焦點小組的討論方式來探索當地社區的需求和面臨的挑戰。採用這種混合式方法的目的在於確認一個既全面，又能以社區為中心的地質公園發展途徑，而同時又能保有沙丘景觀的環境基本功能。從海岸沙丘脆弱性分析的研究結果顯示，這個地區的沙丘景觀主要的脆弱性要歸因於人為的干擾、沙丘破碎化和海岸侵蝕。從地形學上看，沙丘景觀表現出高度破碎化和太過陡峭的坡度，而且在許多區段，前列沙丘上也普遍缺乏植被。另外在社區的訪談研究中，也發現了一些在台灣海岸環境中實踐Eco-DRR所可能遇到的障礙，尤其是與草漯沙丘地質公園經營團隊內部整合相關的問題，例如缺乏社區支持和比較破碎分散的管理模式。但在社區環境經營管理能力的培力上，已經成功促使當地社區產生更強烈的責任感和承諾。然而，社區仍然缺乏從地質公園中獲取經濟上的利益，也或多或少阻礙了更多、更年輕的人參與未來地質公園經營管理的可能性。在說明這些景觀的脆弱性和挑戰時，本研究建議透過一個更生態友善設計的地質公園，來促進自然環境作用及功能的增強，使沙丘本身更具韌性，並減少對沙丘景觀的人為干擾。而在刺激當地權益關係人的長期參與上，亦建議透過來自不同背景權益關係人的共同設計、增加從地質公園獲益的管道、通過基於社區的保育來降低災害風險等策略來著手。此外，本研究還發展出一個新的框架，概述了在地質公園環境中促進協作並實施Eco-DRR的基本步驟，以同時支持社會和生態的韌性。此外，本研究亦強調在發展過程早期納入社區見解的重要性，以利最大化這個策略的多重效益。本研究提供的數據有助於更全面地了解海岸生態系統、系統的動態性和影響它們的各種因素。而透過辨識社會-生態韌性的主要挑戰及進一步提出應對這些挑戰的有效策略，本研究的發現也將有助於提供決策者未來在擬定可持續海岸管理策略時更多的數據和資訊。Worldwide coastal environments are one of the most densely populated regions. These regions face significant risks in terms of sea-level rise, coastal erosion, land subsidence and flooding. In response to these risks, coastal engineering structures are often constructed along the coastline, for protection against hazards. But these structures often prioritize short-term goals and can yield adverse effects on coastal ecosystems and coastal residents. In Taiwan, over 50% of the coastline has been'hardened,' by artificial coastal protection structures, leading to ecosystem degradation and heightened vulnerability to disasters. Sustainable countermeasures to these challenges, like Nature-based Solutions, gain more awareness on a global scale due to their high applicability and many co-benefits and long-term effectiveness. Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction, (Eco-DRR) is one of these strategies which targets disaster risk reduction through sustainable ecosystem management. It is important to look for opportunities to restore ecosystems in coastal management plans and find synergies wherever possible. For instance, there is a high potential in the use of geoparks for disaster risk reduction, but more research is needed on how Eco-DRR strategies can be effectively integrated into geopark management. For this research project, a recently established geopark has been chosen as a study area, namely the Caota Sand Dunes Geopark. This is one of the most complete sand dune systems in Taiwan and the geopark's mission is to promote coastal resilience and reduce the impact of disaster risk through environmental education, preservation, and capacity building. This aligns with the Eco-DRR concept, which advocates for an all-inclusive management approach that provides multiple social and environmental benefits. This study identified critical factors for optimizing ecosystem functionality in reducing hazard risks, by assessing the ecosystem vulnerability through a locally adapted Coastal Dune Vulnerability Index. Moreover, community needs, risk awareness and challenges for long-term sustainable management and ecosystem conservation were explored through interviews and focus groups. This mixed-methods approach helped to identify pathways for an holistic and community-centered approach to the geopark's development, while conserving the essential functions of the dune landscape. The results showed that main vulnerabilities in the dune landscape lead back to human disturbance, dune fragmentation and coastal erosion. Geomorphologically, the dune landscape displays high fragmentation and steep slopes, while the absence of vegetation on frontal dunes is prevalent across many regions. Several barriers have been identified for the implementation of Eco-DRR in Taiwan's coastal environments, and more specifically concerning its integration within the Caota Geopark, such as lack of community support and fragmented management. But also various enablers for increased uptake of Eco-DRR came forward, such as the willingness of local residents to be involved in coastal management strategies and landscape functions that can help in reducing disaster risks.At Caota geopark capacity building has contributed to an increased sense of responsibility and commitment from the local community. However, the community is still lacking benefits from the geopark, which prevents more (and younger) people from being included in future management and landscape conservation activities. To address these landscape vulnerabilities and prevailing social challenges, it is recommended to stimulate bottom-up approaches and co-design of management strategies. This involves promoting a community-driven approach to the development of the geopark, with an emphasis on designing eco-friendly solutions that enhance natural processes and fortify the resilience of the dunes. Additionally, efforts should be directed towards expanding access to the benefits offered by the geopark, while simultaneously mitigating hazard risks through community-based conservation initiatives. This holistic approach not only safeguards the environment but also promotes a harmonious relationship between the geopark and the communities it serves. A new framework has been developed which outlines essential steps for promoting synergies and implementing Eco-DRR in geopark settings to support both social and ecological resilience. This study highlights the importance of incorporating community insights early in the development process and recognizing local needs to maximize multiple benefits.These data contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of coastal ecosystems, their dynamics and the various factors influencing them. Moreover, by identifying major challenges to socio-ecological resilience, and bringing forward effective strategies for adapting to these challenges, the findings of this research contribute to increased data collection for informed decision making and sustainable coastal management strategies.