Agro-Forestrium: Native Deep Root Trees From Taiwan (Formosa Island) For Dampen Earthquake Waves Attack & Prevent Landslide

Deep root trees play a crucial role in preventing landslides and reducing the impact of earthquake seismic waves. The extensive root systems of these trees help to bind soil together, increasing its stability and reducing the risk of landslides, especially on sloped terrain.

Additionally, the deep roots can absorb excess moisture from the soil, which further enhances its stability and reduces the likelihood of landslides during heavy rainfall or seismic activity.

Moreover, during an earthquake, the deep root trees act as a natural shock absorber, dampening the seismic waves and minimizing their impact on the surrounding area. This can help to protect infrastructure and reduce the potential for soil liquefaction, which is a common issue during seismic events.

Strategic planting of deep-rooted trees in vulnerable areas can therefore significantly contribute to the overall resilience of the landscape and the mitigation of natural disasters.

History of Earthquake Disaster In Taiwan

Taiwan, located in a seismically active zone on the Pacific Ring of Fire, has a history of significant earthquakes that have had far-reaching consequences. The island’s geological position, at the convergence of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, makes it susceptible to frequent seismic activity. Over the years, Taiwan has experienced several devastating earthquakes, some of which have caused widespread destruction and loss of life.

September 21, 1999: A 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck central Taiwan, near Nantou and Taichung, during the early hours of the morning. This catastrophic tremor, known as the Chi-Chi earthquake, resulted in the deaths of 2,415 people, with 11,305 individuals sustaining injuries. The earthquake caused approximately NT$300 billion worth of damage and left an estimated 100,000 people homeless.

February 2016: A 6.4 magnitude earthquake caused a 17-story apartment complex in southwestern Taiwan to collapse, resulting in the deaths of at least 114 people.

April 3, 2024: A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 occurred 18 km south of Hualian, Taiwan, at 07:58 local time. The quake, which struck the island’s east coast, resulted in the deaths of nine people and left more than 900 injured. The tremor was followed by numerous aftershocks, with some exceeding a magnitude of 6.4.

The earthquakes in Taiwan have had significant impacts, causing widespread destruction, loss of life, and leaving many homeless. The 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, in particular, exposed the fact that much shoddy construction had occurred during Taiwan’s construction boom in the 1990s. This led to subsequent construction in Taiwan being more closely monitored to ensure that future earthquakes would not cause such large-scale destruction and loss of life.

Taiwan’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and its convergence of tectonic plates contribute to its susceptibility to earthquakes. Geologists have identified 42 active faults on the island, with most earthquakes being due to the convergence of the Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian Plate to the east of the island. While most earthquakes registered in Taiwan occur off the east coast and cause little damage, smaller quakes beneath the island itself have historically proven more destructive.

In conclusion, Taiwan has a history of devastating earthquakes, with significant loss of life and widespread destruction. The island’s geological position and tectonic activity make it susceptible to seismic events, necessitating ongoing efforts to monitor and mitigate the impact of earthquakes on the population and infrastructure.

Deep Root Tress To Dampen Earthquake Wave

The role of deep root trees in preventing landslides and reducing the impact of earthquake seismic waves is a fascinating and important aspect of natural disaster mitigation. Deep root trees possess unique characteristics that make them valuable allies in the efforts to protect landscapes and communities from the destructive forces of nature.

First and foremost, deep root trees are renowned for their extensive and robust root systems, which penetrate deep into the soil. These deep roots serve as anchors, holding the soil together and providing stability to sloped terrain, thereby reducing the risk of landslides. The intricate network of roots reinforces the soil structure and helps to prevent erosion, particularly during heavy rainfall or other soil destabilizing events. By binding the soil particles together, deep root trees effectively bolster the stability of hillsides and steep slopes, making them less susceptible to catastrophic landslides.

Furthermore, the deep roots of these trees play a pivotal role in regulating soil moisture. By absorbing excess water from the soil, deep root trees reduce the likelihood of saturation and subsequent soil instability, which are common precursors to landslides. This natural drainage mechanism helps to maintain the structural integrity of the soil, making it less prone to failure and displacement, even in the face of intense rainfall or rapid snowmelt.

In addition to their landslide prevention benefits, deep root trees also contribute to the reduction of earthquake-induced damage. During an earthquake, the ground experiences intense shaking, which can lead to soil liquefaction and subsequent ground failure. However, the deep root systems of trees act as a natural shock absorber, effectively dissipating the energy of seismic waves. This dampening effect helps to reduce the amplitude of the seismic waves, minimizing their impact on the surrounding soil and infrastructure.

Moreover, the presence of deep root trees can mitigate the phenomenon of soil liquefaction, which occurs when water-saturated soil loses its strength and stiffness during an earthquake, behaving more like a liquid than a solid. By maintaining soil stability and reducing water saturation, deep root trees can help to prevent or minimize the extent of soil liquefaction, thus safeguarding the integrity of the ground and the structures built upon it.

Strategic planting of deep root trees in areas prone to landslides and seismic activity is a proactive and effective approach to natural disaster risk reduction. By harnessing the inherent capabilities of these trees, communities can enhance their resilience to environmental hazards and create a more secure living environment for current and future generations.

Here is a list of native deep-root trees from Taiwan that are known to help prevent landslides and reduce the impact of earthquake waves attack, along with the reasons for their effectiveness:

1) Taiwan Cypress (Chamaecyparis formosensis)

The deep taproots of the Taiwan Cypress help anchor the tree firmly in the ground, increasing soil stability and reducing the likelihood of slope failure, thus preventing landslides triggered by earthquakes.

2) Taiwan Red Pine (Pinus taiwanensis)

With its extensive root system, the Taiwan Red Pine binds the soil together, providing stability and reducing the risk of erosion and landslides, especially in sloped areas.

3) Taiwan Incense Cedar (Calocedrus formosana)

The deep and extensive root systems of the Taiwan Incense Cedar play a crucial role in stabilizing soil on slopes, contributing to landslide prevention and reducing the impact of seismic waves.

4) Taiwan Acacia (Acacia confusa)

The deep roots of the Taiwan Acacia help in soil stabilization, reducing the risk of erosion and landslides, and contributing to the overall stability of sloped areas.

5) Taiwan Sweet Gum (Liquidambar formosana)

The deep root system of the Taiwan Sweet Gum helps bind the soil together, increasing its stability and reducing the likelihood of slope failure, thus preventing landslides triggered by earthquakes.

6) Taiwan Mulberry (Morus australis)

The extensive root system of the Taiwan Mulberry contributes to soil stabilization, reducing the risk of erosion and landslides, and providing stability on sloped terrain.

7) Taiwan Cherry (Prunus campanulata)

The deep taproots of the Taiwan Cherry anchor the tree firmly in the ground, increasing soil stability and reducing the likelihood of slope failure, thus preventing landslides triggered by earthquakes

8) Taiwan Ash (Fraxinus griffithii)

The extensive root systems of the Taiwan Ash penetrate deep into the soil, providing stability and contributing to landslide prevention and reducing the impact of seismic waves.

9) Taiwan Maple (Acer morrisonense)

The deep root system of the Taiwan Maple helps bind the soil together, increasing its stability and reducing the likelihood of slope failure, thus preventing landslides triggered by earthquakes.

10) Taiwan Oak (Quercus taiwaniana)

With its extensive root system, the Taiwan Oak contributes to soil stabilization, reducing the risk of erosion and landslides, and providing stability on sloped terrain.

11) Taiwan Alder (Alnus formosana)

The deep and extensive root systems of the Taiwan Alder play a crucial role in stabilizing soil on slopes, contributing to landslide prevention and reducing the impact of seismic waves.

12) Taiwan Beech (Fagus hayatae)

The deep taproots of the Taiwan Beech help anchor the tree firmly in the ground, increasing soil stability and reducing the likelihood of slope failure, thus preventing landslides triggered by earthquakes.

13) Taiwan Fir (Abies kawakamii)

The deep root system of the Taiwan Fir helps bind the soil together, increasing its stability and reducing the likelihood of slope failure, thus preventing landslides triggered by earthquakes.