Protected Areas and the Status

Protected Areas for Temperate Deciduous Forest and their Status

Korea has put much effort into restoring and protecting the forests. As the Korean War ended in 1953, the government encouraged restoring much of the land and forests that were lost from war and farming. These reforestation was not just limited to the temperate deciduous forests, but of other types of ecosystems as well. As a major reforestation effort, the government looked for alternative fuels that could be used for domestic purposes and replanted thousands of trees (Stanturf and Madsen, 220). Most of the trees that were replanted were fast-growing, non-native ones. By 1999, 97.4 percent of the lost forests were restored and major efforts were in process to improve soil conditions and control soil erosion. For about 30 years, 12 billion trees have been planted that now cover up majority of the forest areas (Stanturf and Madsen, 220). 

The first National Park was created in 1967 and the number of protected areas have grown steadily since. By 2003, Korea had about 20 national parks and many other protected areas controlled by the provinces and the counties. The Korean Ministry of Environment and its subgroups have managed the forests and other ecosystems since 1989. These groups have been effective and keep the protected areas under control (MacKinnon and Yan, 24).

Specifically, South Korea has many protected areas of old growth forests in nature reserves, such as Ji-ri-san Mountain. Among other 20 national protected ecosystem and scenery areas, there are Nakdong river estuary, Baegunsan, Bam Island in Han River, Donggang area, and Upo wetland. South Korea has twenty national parks as well, including Chiaksan, Bukhansan, Byeonsan-bando, and Gayasan. Furthermore, in DMZ (demilitarized zone), there are some wildlife sanctuaries that have never touched since 1950s. This zone has turned out to become a shelter for various kinds of wildlife, especially migrating birds ("Protected Ecosystem and Scenery Areas"). Overall, with the help of the government and the working environmentalists, the status of the protected areas are relatively good and will continue to improve. 

Banpo Bridge on Han River in South Korea

Image by Kee Woo Rhee, "Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain in Seoul, Korea"

Geum River in South Korea

Image by "B.A.S.K. Part 3: Suanbo to Sangju"

Works Cited

"B.A.S.K. Part 3: Suanbo to Sangju." Plastic Whales. Korea Tourism Organization, 15 Oct. 2012. 
     Web. 25 Nov. 2015.

MacKinnon, J. and Xie Yan (2008). “Republic of Korea.” Regional Action Plan for the Protected 

     Areas of East Asia. Bangkok, Thailand. 23-25.

"Protected Ecosystem and Scenery Areas." CBC-CHM Korea. Ministry of Environment, South 

     Korea, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2015.

Rhee, Kee Woo. "Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain in Seoul, Korea." FM Forums. N.p., 15 Aug. 
     2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2015.

Stanturf, John A., and Palle Madsen. "Restoration and Rehabilitation in the Republic of Korea."
     Restoration of Boreal and Temperate Forests. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC, 2004. 218-221. Print.