Coastal disaster protection and hazard perceptions of the residents of Orchid Island, Taiwan

Although the importance of small island disaster protection has frequently been emphasized in the literature, few studies have explored residents' awareness of coastal disasters and land use on small islands. This study dem-onstrates that although the residents of Orchid Island, Taiwan, were aware of the effect of coastal hazards, their focus was generally on using coastal areas for tourism rather than coastal disaster prevention. In addition, Taiwan's Coastal Zone Management Act indicates that the indigenous residents of Orchid Island should develop a strategy for coastal hazard protection and have the right to use coastal areas for tourism development. To improve coastal disaster protection and the hazard perceptions of the residents of Orchid Island, communication platforms should be established to unite local resident groups.