Because over the last several decades 'economic development has taken precedence over environmental protection and culture as a topic of public concern, Taiwan has become an over-developed island. Beautiful slopeland has collapsed from deforestation and illegal construction, rivers and coastlines have been "tamed" by lining them with concrete, and the once-gorgeous landscape has been almost totally destroyed through the overplanting of betelnut trees and high-altitude agriculture.
過去幾十年來，由於經濟發展凌駕環保、文化等議題，台灣已成為過度開發的島嶼，山坡土石流、河川水泥化，原始景觀因濫種檳榔、高山蔬菜，破壞殆盡。