Taiwan Today
Date: August 24, 2016
Released Aug. 23 by TaiwanICDF, “Field Guide to the Plants of Solomon Islands” is based on 
research conducted by Taiwan scientists in the South Pacific archipelago nation since 2012. (Courtesy of TaiwanICDF)
Taipei City-based International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) launched the book “Field Guide to the Plants of Solomon Islands” Aug. 23, highlighting the organization’s ongoing efforts to support scientific research and sustainable development in the Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic ally.
Sponsored by the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the bilingual English-Chinese publication is the result of a TaiwanICDF project carried out since 2012 to survey the South Pacific archipelago nation’s plant resources, primarily focusing on its fern species.
“Large-scale crop cultivation is seriously threatening the country’s plant life,” said Chen Ai-chen, deputy secretary-general of TaiwanICDF. “The book will help locals gain a greater awareness of the value of their flora.”
The Solomon Islands, roughly 90 percent of which is covered by forests, is home to at least 7,000 native species, according to TaiwanICDF. A second book on the country’s plant life is scheduled to be published before the conclusion of the research mission in June next year. [FULL STORY]
