Research Trend of Eco-Security and Relevant Topics-Taiwan and Mainland China as Case Study

Abstract

The design of this study employed an approach of literature review. Data were collected primarily by means of the search for the key word ‘ eco-security’ on the Internet in order to analyze and classify the related studies. This study organized the works, relative to the type of landscape , published in Chinese and English online journals by researchers in Taiwan and Mainland China. This pilot study tried to broaden the ground of limited research on eco-security by searching for more related online information including ‘ecological security’, ‘ecosystem & security’, ‘ecosystem & risk assessment’ and ‘environmental monitor & early-warning’. Therefore, this study had two purposes. One was to understand the classification, number and trend of the related research on eco-security through literature review. The other was to analyze the content of the related research on eco-security. This involved understanding the theories, assessment approaches, assessment subjects, applied instruments and new possibilities of the future study in this field. Our data consisted of 233 studies published from 1988 to 2010. In terms of issues, data were divided into four parts: eco-security, landscape security patterns, ecosystem risk and environmental monitor &early-warning. In terms of subjects , data were differentiated into urban areas, rural areas, river basins and particular areas and un-designated ones. In terms of purposes, three types of data were distinguished: theories, applications and dynamics. Finally, semi-natural or artificial ecosystem becomes the focus and Data Mining Theory’s tools will be used generally for constructing the non-linear model of eco-security assessments