—Explores questions central to the essence of both nature and humanity.

Along Taiwan’s southeast coast, river estuaries, open to the ocean throughout most of the year, transform into dry land during the winter, seemingly leaving their still-flowing rivers to disappear just a short distance from the Pacific. The Zhiben Wetland is located on one of these disappearing rivers. Author Han-yau Yang carefully surveyed this reputedly barren landscape, making note of its flora and fauna, including stands of chinaberry and beach casuarina trees, wild sugarcane grass, and birds like the white wagtail and ring-necked pheasant, to document its ecological importance in order to derail plans for development. The author also discusses the movement’s ties to both indigenous rights and national energy transformation priorities; introduces the area’s history and wisdom of Zhiben’s indigenous Katratripulr Tribe; and explores questions central to the essence of both nature and humanity.