The Future of Temperate Deciduous Forest of S. Korea

Future Prospects of Temperate Deciduous Forest in South Korea

Even though rapid industrialization and urbanization in the 1970s devastated a majority of deciduous forests in South Korea, the Korean government has attempted to recover much of its damaged ecosystem since the late 1990s and early 2000s. For instance, the constant reduction in the use of firewood for energy and successful reforestation policies, recovered some of damaged forests in both urban and suburban areas. (Lee) Recently, the Korean government initiated important policies to improve the country’s environment status, such as Five-year Plan and Four Rivers Restoration Project in order to expand green industries. (Lee) Also, one of the urban renewal projects succeeded in restoring Chenggyecheon Stream in the center of Seoul. If this trend of “green-restoration” continues, the ecosystem in South Korea, destroyed by urbanization and industrialization, will definitely improve gradually and the coexistence of urban city and beautiful and healthy forests and rivers will be possible.

However, money-driven entrepreneurs are constantly lobbying politicians in order to make them pass the laws that relieve regulations on urban development that destroys the ecosystem. Moreover, the majority of citizens of South Korea is less concerned or aware of destruction of forests, rivers, and mountains in South Korea. Many of them tend to be easily swayed by politicians or entrepreneurs who boast about how the urban development will change the country into an advanced country and thus raise the status of the nation. Therefore, an increase in the awareness of environmental issues and more strict policies will be required to prevent the destruction of forests and rivers in South Korea. If no work is done by the people and the government. it is possible that more forests and mountains will be exploited. Such will result in loss of animal habitats, decrease in the animal and plant diversity, and deforestation. 

Future Healthy Ecosystem

Image by Russ Aebig

or

Exploited Mountain

Image by Karen Wonders

How to Improve and Maintain Positive Human Impacts

It is important to recognize that trying to restore forests and ecosystems does not undermine economic development. In Korea, with the forest restoration policies, other sectors such as agriculture and industries have also been stabilized (Stanturf and Madsen, 221). In order to maintain the balance between people and the environment, the government needs to intervene by creating policies and rules and set aside certain parts of the forests for restoration. Otherwise, economically driven people will buy and clear the land for other purposes.

As citizens, Koreans need to remember that trees and forests are important part of the ecosystem and also their lives. The idea that people cannot live without the rich soils and trees of deciduous forests need to be embedded in all people’s minds to improve or maintain positive human impacts. 

Works Cited

Aebig, Russ. "How Healthy Is Your IT Ecosystem?" Directionally Correct. Wordpress, 1 Sept. 2009.      Web. 25 Nov. 2015.

Lee, Soo-hyun. "Responding to North Korea." 's Ecological Vulnerability. Our World Brought to 
     You by United Nations University, 9 Jan. 2012. Web. 15 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.

Wonders, Karen. "Cathedral Grove | Related Stories." Cathedral Grove | Related Stories. N.p., n.d.
     Web. 25 Nov. 2015.