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. 

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.