Biodiversity
Korea is home to diverse biological organisms. As of 2002, 18,052 animal and
8,271 plant species have been identified and recorded. Among the 1,440 species
of vertebrates, 905 are fish, 41 amphibians and reptiles, 394 birds, and 100
mammals. some 11,853 species are classified as insects. There are also 1,625
different types of fungi, 736 protophytes and 11,167 procaryotes.
Due to intensive human activities such as land development, a huge portion of
Korea's ecosystem has been disturbed, threatening the existence of many animal
and plant species. According to the Natural Environment Conservation Act revised
in 1997, there are 43 endangered and 151 threatened species of wildlife and
plants. The government strengthened the protection of habitats for wild fauna
and flora, while allocating part of the national budget for the rescue and treatment
of injured wildlife starting 2000. Also in 2000, five conservation facilities
were designated to protect endangered species. In July 1993 and October 1994,
respectively, Korea joined hands with the international community in protecting
biodiversity by acceding to the Convention on International Trade on Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Forests and Farmlands
With forests covering 66 percent of its territory, Korea has outstanding varieties
of tree species. Beginning with the Japanese colonialism in the first half of
the 20th century and the Korean War in 1950-53 on through the reconstruction
period of the 1960s, these forests had been badly devastated from reckless logging
for firewood, reclamation, and slash-and-burn farming methods. Once verdant
forests turned bare and mountain areas became vulnerable to floods and other
natural catastrophes. In 1962, the government initiated a nationwide erosion
control and forestation project, rehabilitating most of the affected forests.
However, rich forest diversity was replaced chiefly with conifers, and habitats
for many species gradually disappeared.
In terms of farmlands, industrialization is also the main culprit for environmental
deterioration. Between 1994-1998, 206,000 hectares of arable lands were converted
into factories and public facilities. Especially through land consolidation
projects, waterways were replaced with concrete hume pipes, depriving fish and
aquatic insects of their essential habitats. In the late 1990s, the government
began to convert artificial waterways into natural forms with plants and soil.
Wetlands
Korea's seashores extend 17,000km- long, including 2,679 little islands that
dot the seascape around the peninsula. 1,980km2-large tidal flat along the western
shore constitute one of the five greatest tidal flats in the world. However,
in the last 15 years, approximately 810km2 or 25 percent of tidal flats had
been reclaimed for development. With the disappearance of these tidal flats,
important habitats for migratory birds and marine species disintegrated.
As part of efforts to reverse this trend, Korea ratified the Ramsar Convention
on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat in 1997
and followed up with the Wetlands Preservation Act in 1999. The government designated
five sites (44.3km2) as Wetland Preservation Areas, two of which-Yong Marsh
at Mt. Daeam and Upo Swamp in Changnyeong County-are registered as Ramsar Sites.
Explicitly declaring that the government has "the obligation to save and preserve
the tidal flats by all means," the Wetlands Preservation Act entrusts the Ministry
of Environment and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to study the
status of Korea's wetlands and to designate unique sites as Wetlands Preservation Areas.
National Parks
National parks represent the best of Korea's environment and thus require land
use limitations. As of 2001, there are 73 natural parks, covering 7,649km2 or
7.6 percent of the entire national territory. Of those parks, 4,816km2 (4.8
percent) are located inland and 2,833km2 (2.8 percent) on seas. 20 parks are
categorized as national, 22 as provincial, and 31 as county parks.
The government conducts research for effective management of these parks and
carries out ecological restoration projects in areas that have been damaged
by inordinate use and flow of visitors. In addition, Nature Education classes
are being offered to visitors, and the Nature Recess Program is in effect since
1991 for major mountains in order to preserve their ecosystems by limiting public
entrance for a specified period of time.
Human-Nature Symbiosis
Korea will provide future generations with rich biodiversity and resources by
promoting the Realization of Vibrant Community in which Humans and Nature Coexist
in Symbiosis in the 21st century. The principal fields of implementation under
this policy framework include an establishment of a nationwide ecological network
that will link and manage urban and rural areas in an organic manner. The Demilitarized
Zone (DMZ) will serve as one of the eco-axes and will be managed with special
care. The Republic of Korea is laying the groundwork for the designation of
DMZ as a transboundary biological preservation area in conjunction with the
United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The results of the National Natural Environment Survey administered every 10
years have been instrumental in the formulation of Korea's environmental protection
strategies. The first survey was conducted between 1986-1990 and the second
one between 1997-2002. The surveys chart the areas of high ecological value
and help create a database of domestic environmental information, including
the quality and inhabitant species of each lake and river.