Quantitative Assessment of Ecological Sustainability Development in Taiwan Coastal Zone Based on the Coastal Development Index

Abstract

Quantitative assessment of coastal ecological sustainability development has received increasing interest in regional sustainable development research. It has a strategic value in guiding coastal zone management. We apply the Coastal Development Index (CDI) to quantify the ecological sustainability development in Taiwan coastal zone from 2000 to 2019. The results reveal a relatively high level of ecological sustainability with an overall inverted V-shaped trend in Taiwan coastal zone during this period. The coordination between environmental protection and economic growth in Taiwan coastal zone has experienced an uncoordinated → coordinated → uncoordinated process. Tracking the index of six sub-indicators shows some issues such as over-focusing on quantity rather than quality in coastal protection and facing a "green trap" in economic development. Moderate economic growth is crucial to realize the ecological sustainability development in Taiwan coastal zone. This study demonstrates the value of CDI in the quantitative assessment of ecological sustainable development with a detailed case study in Taiwan coastal zone. It also provides long-term historical data and information on Taiwan region, which may contribute to promoting coordinated development on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.