解析人類活動對於臺灣山區雲霧時空動態的影響
Deciphering the ramifications of anthropogenic activities on spatiotemporal dynamics of cloud/fog in the mountainous region of Taiwan
計畫主持人：臺大-地理環境資源系 黃倬英、中研院-環變中心 陳奕穎
台灣獨特的氣候條件與生態環境培育出了享譽國際的高山茶，是台灣最主要的高山作物之一，然而氣候變遷正對其生產與品質帶來嚴峻挑戰。全球暖化導致氣溫上升，改變高山茶區的溫度與濕度，並有可能影響山地雲霧的時空分布，而這些改變會對茶樹的生長週期與內含物質產生變化，使茶葉風味產生變化。過去的文獻發現夜間低溫與晝夜溫差的減少，可能降低茶葉中的兒茶素與芳香物質含量，影響口感與香氣。此外，季節性乾旱的頻率與強度增加，使得茶園面臨水資源短缺，導致茶樹生長遲滯，甚至影響產量。缺水也會削弱茶樹的抗病力，使其更容易受到病蟲害侵襲。另一方面，極端降雨事件，如颱風與豪雨，則可能造成土壤沖刷、地力流失，甚至引發茶園崩塌，對農業生產構成直接威脅。過量降水也可能影響茶葉品質，導致病害增加，降低採收效益。我們的研究成果，將有助於監測台灣高山茶區氣候與環境的變化，而我們的研究成果，也在去年七月被天下雜誌報導（請參考下圖以及連結：https://www.cw.com.tw/graphics/taiwan-alishan-spring-tea-on-the-verge/）。
Unique climate conditions and natural environment of Taiwan have nurtured internationally renowned high-mountain tea, making it one of the most important high-altitude crops in the country. However, climate change is posing serious challenges to its production and quality. Global warming has led to rising temperatures, altering the temperature and humidity in high-mountain tea-growing regions and potentially affecting the spatial and temporal distribution of mountain fog and low altitude cloud. These changes influence the growth cycle of tea trees and biochemical composition of the shoots, leading to variations in tea flavor. Previous studies have shown that the reduction of nighttime low temperatures and diurnal temperature differences may decrease catechin and aromatic compound levels in tea leaves, affecting their taste and aroma. Additionally, the increasing frequency and intensity of seasonal droughts have led to water shortages in tea plantations, slowing the growth of tea trees and even impacting yields. Water scarcity also weakens the resistance of tea plants to pathogens and pests, making them more susceptible to infestations. On the other hand, extreme rainfall events induced by typhoons or simply heavy downpours, may cause soil erosion, losses of soil nutrients and even tea plantation landslides, posing direct threats to production. Excessive rainfall can also degrade tea quality, increase the prevalence of plant diseases, and reduce harvesting efficiency. Our research findings contribute to monitoring climate and environmental changes in the high-mountain tea-growing regions of Taiwan. Our study was featured in CommonWealth Magazine last July (2024) (please refer to the image below and the link: https://www.cw.com.tw/graphics/taiwan-alishan-spring-tea-on-the-verge/).
