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.