本文首先概要說明臺灣島的自然簡史，接著透過臺灣氣象、地質、水文等資料，以及相關文獻回顧，結合田野觀察，描述臺灣地形與地景生態，指出臺灣山地環境的四個特性：第一、地體運動強烈，氣候變異劇烈，並且具有鮮明的地理差異；第二、水砂輸出規模大，時空變異也大；第三、垂直分佈鮮明，並且山山不同；第四、地景生態遭受人類活動和土地利用劇烈衝擊，各種土地利用之間的衝突也很劇烈。本文接著以海拔高度、相對高度（起伏度）、坡度三個地形參數，對臺灣全島做分類分區，並以可持續發展的觀點，探索可能的山地治理方向，論述經營管理的指導原則。
A brief natural history is given in this paper. It is followed by a quantitative description and interpretation of geomorphology and landscape ecology of Taiwan Island, based upon field observation, data of weather records, geological surveys, hydro-station records, and literature reviews of relevant researches. Four characters of the mountain area in Taiwan Island are proposed: firstly, the severe tectonic movement and weather variation, and their significant area differentiation; secondly, the tremendous impact of floods and sediment transportation with significant variations in both time and space; thirdly, a distinctive vertical distribution on landscape ecology and their area differentiation; fourthly, the serious environmental impact of human activities and land uses and conflicts between different utilities. It is followed with a geomorphic analysis to evaluate the landscape ecology of Taiwan Island. A new paradigm of governance on the mountain area is explored with a discussion on guidelines for environmental management.
