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Ramsar Convention & Songdo, South Korea |
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by Soyeon Cho | 15-02-2019 04:17
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In my October report, I introduced the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea as a valuable environment that is not as recognized for its ecological values as it should be, due to the political and social history of the region. I discussed how 41% of endangered species in South Korea reside in the DMZ, after being untouched by humans for more than 60 years. Finally, I underscored the idea that more actions need to be taken on a both local and national level to not only focus on the social significance of the DMZ as the symbol of the Korean War and reunification but also preserve the ecological values of the DMZ through sustained efforts to receive the designation of the region as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve or a National Park by the government(s). As I was learning about the DMZ, I also became interested in other wetlands in the DMZ that were internationally recognized, which led me to learn about the Ramsar program. In this initiative, the Ramsar organization designates wetlands deemed valuable to the ecosystem and the society (according to their criteria, which is explained below) as Ramsar sites, and this certification help support preservation movements in the region through its credibility. The designation of a Ramsar site wetland is based on nine criteria. These include how unique the type of wetland is, especially among its surroundings, how prevalent species endangered or valuable in the biological diversity of the region/other plants and animals in their life cycles are in the wetland, and how effectively it can provide support for waterbirds, fish, and other species that significantly change the ecosystem of the wetland (Ramsar Sites). South Korea currently has 23 Ramsar sites designated, totaling a surface area of almost 20,000 hectares (Republic of Korea). One of the Ramsar sites that I especially connected through understanding its context was the Songdo tidal flat, which is close to my school and home compared to some of the other Ramsar sites. Songdo is located near Incheon and is a tidal flat on the west coast of the Korean peninsula, located at 37°24’26”N 126°35’58”E (Songdo Tidal Flats). Its ecological value mainly comes from its provision for a feeding and roosting ground for endangered and vulnerable waterbirds such as the black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) as well as the eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), great knot (Calidris tenuirostris) and Saunders’s gull (Larus saundersi). However, the construction of the Songdo International City has been a constant threat to the preservation of the tidal flats, as it led to large scale construction projects conducted and proposed around the flats. Before the Songdo International City was built, traditional fishermen and clam collectors used the tidal flats for small scale fishing, which allowed the habitat to flourish. Nevertheless, the status of the Songdo tidal flats as a Ramsar site has helped the preservation of the natural habitat up until today (by limiting development within the tidal flats themselves and supporting proposals to protect other construction initiatives in nearby tidal flats). There are other wetlands around Songdo that support waterbirds as well. The Songdo Gojan wetlands are an artificial wetland formed by a reservoir from the construction of factories (which released a stream of water into the ecosystem), and supports the endangered black-billed spoonbill among other waterbirds. The Gojan wetlands have projects for observatories and artificial islands (for waterbirds) under construction and are aimed to raise awareness about artificial wetlands as well as promoting waterbirds to the civilians. Yet, being artificial wetlands, they are not as preserved as the Songdo tidal flats, due to the limitations from the lack of certifications such as Ramsar sites. Therefore, these wetlands in Songdo demonstrate that the Ramsar program can provide more support for wetland conservation projects, and more awareness about other Ramsar sites not only in South Korea but also around the world will further enhance the effect it has on valuable wetlands, both natural and artificial. Cho, Soyeon. Waterbirds on an Artificial Island in Songdo Gojan-dong Wetlands. Songdo, 8 July 2018. “Republic of Korea.” Ramsar, Ramsar, 2019, www.ramsar.org/wetland/republic-of-korea. “Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites).” Ramsar, Ramsar, 2019, www.ramsar.org/about/wetlands-of-international-importance-ramsar-sites. “Songdo Tidal Flats.” Ramsar Sites Information Service, Ramsar, 15 Apr. 2015, rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2209. |
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6 Comments
Thank you for your comments! I hope I raised awareness about this Convention and the special wetlands that are not only in Songdo but also around South Korea as well :)
Posted 20-02-2019 23:27
Hello Soyeon
Indeed the Ramsar convention has brought great change domestically too.
Hope more wetlands in our country could be preserved likewise :)
Thanks for the report!
Posted 19-02-2019 19:14
Hello Soyeon, other wetlands of South Korea are very famous comparing to those of Songdo city. Though they are not that familiar to Koreans, it still presents and features biodiversity level of Songdo city and provides cozy habitat for migratory birds and waterbirds.
Thanks for your report, got to know more about wetlands in Songdo as I barely knew them so far :)
Posted 19-02-2019 17:40
Thank you very much for your report about wetland :)
Keep writing :)
Posted 18-02-2019 00:54
Hello Soyeon,
Indeed, More actions need to be taken on a both local and national level. Thank you for your report about Ramsar Convention & Songdo in South Korea. As Wetland is very important for us and I have written a report about wetland and climate change, I do hope that you read that report too.
Thank you for your report.
Keep writing great reports.
Green Cheers from Nepal :)
Yours,
Kushal Naharki
Posted 15-02-2019 13:10
Hello Soyeon! Your report contains a lot of useful information about wetlands. Thank you for sharing valuable information!
Posted 15-02-2019 05:37