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[Thematic Report] Biodiversity in South Korea

by Soyeon Cho | 07-05-2019 00:25 recommendations 1

What is biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variety of organisms in an ecosystem, and it is an essential part of our Earth. It means that many different species coexist in the same ecosystem, shaping the environment and interacting with each other. Some common types of classifying different species are producers such as plants, which produce their own energy, consumers like animals, which consume other organisms such as producers or other consumers for energy, and decomposers like fungi, which break down organic material from producers and consumers. 

Consumers can be divided into carnivores (only eating other consumers), herbivores (only eating plants), and omnivores (eating food from both plant and animal origin). An example of a carnivore is a lion, while giraffes are herbivores and chickens can be omnivores. Other than these distinctions, we know that there are different types of organisms that are divided by taxonomic rank: some are more general (ex: mammalia = class, meaning mammals) and some are more specific (ex: canidae = family, meaning the canine family). 

With all of these ways of organizing the diverse array of species around Earth, different regions have different ecosystems and species inhabiting them. South Korea, for example, is very mountainous, compared to countries in less mountainous regions around the world. What¡¯s more, South Korea has more than 18,000 species of animals and more than 8,000 of plant species (Wildlife). Including other species, it is expected that there are around 30,000 species in South Korea, but some predict the figures to be even higher (NEINS).

One of the most special environments in South Korea is the DMZ. The DMZ hosts 41 percent of endangered species in South Korea! What¡¯s more, more than 70 percent of endangered birds in the country can be found in the DMZ, including the red-crowned crane and the white named crane (Choi).

To preserve the biodiversity in South Korea, the Ministry of Environment has conducted comprehensive surveys about all species in the country around every decade or so, as well as more specific surveys in between. For further preservation, the role of non-governmental organizations is essential. For example, in the case of the Demilitarized Zone, group such as the DMZ Ecology Research Institute have consistently initiated investigations to show the ecological value of the DMZ through publications, conferences, and informational programs for civilians. More efforts to bring the topic of biodiversity to the South Korean public will further help people tackle issues that harm biodiversity, such as invasive species, pollution, and climate change. 


Cho, Soyeon. A Bee on a Frost Aster Flower. 21 Oct. 2017.

Choi, Tae-young, et al. Comprehensive Report about the Biodiversity of the DMZ Region. Ministry of Environment, 2016.

¡°Domestic Species Report.¡± National Environment Information Network System, Korea Environment Institute, 2005, www.neins.go.kr/etr/ecology/doc01a.asp.

¡°Wildlife of South Korea.¡± Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Jan. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_of_South_Korea.
 
A Bee on a Frost Aster Flower

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  • Dormant user Soyeon Cho
 
 
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6 Comments

Kushal Naharki

  • Kushal Naharki says :
    Hello Soyeon

    Thank you for your report about biodiversity in South Korea. Nepal to rich in biodiversity. We must all world to protect the biodiversity.

    Green Cheers from Nepal :)
    Keep writing great reports.
    We are eager to read more reports from you.

    Regards,
    Kushal Naharki

    Posted 17-06-2019 04:12

  • Asmita Gaire says :
    Hello soyeon
    This report made me feel that South Korea is rich in biodiversity.
    Thank you so much for this report.
    Green cheers
    Posted 17-05-2019 20:44

  • Louis Mentor says :
    Hi Soyeon,

    I really like how your report is written your points are really clear and concise. When I was receiving military training in the army, I was being educated about DMZ and its valuable resources which include animals and plants. I learned that DMZ is a pollution-free area and due to its environment, it attracts a lot of endangered species, providing them with a decent home. Please keep up the good work and I cannot wait to read your next report.

    Louis Mentor
    Posted 10-05-2019 20:20

  • Wonhee Mentor says :
    Hello Soyeon

    Thank you for sharing this well organized report with us. It is good to hear that a great amount of endangered animals can be found in DMZ and that systemic monitoring system has been provided by the ministry of environment. I look forward to your next report! It will be wonderful if you can share us more detailed information on what kind of species can be found in DMZ!

    Wonhee Mentor

    Posted 09-05-2019 15:02

  • Eco Generation says :
    Greetings Soyeon,

    This is a very clearly structured report and it was easy to follow through.
    Although we may have had a vague idea that there are many types of animals and plants in South Korea, it came to as surprise that a lot of the endangered species especially birds could be found in the DMZ!
    Thank you for this wonderful reaport and keep up the great work.

    Sincerely,
    Eco Generation
    Posted 08-05-2019 08:15

  • Nishan kc says :
    Wow @ Soyeon,
    Good to listen that South Korea is the heaven for many iconic Flora and Fauna.
    many thanks for share!
    Posted 08-05-2019 00:30

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