Armed with clipboards and cameras, scientists from the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum hiked up a steep hillside in Uljin, a county in eastern Korea. They examined small green trees dotting a landscape that had recently been devastated by fire.
Team leader Tae-Im Heo pointed out a thriving tree species, kalopanax, also known as the prickly castor oil tree. “This tree does well even in harsh conditions,” she said, emphasizing its importance as a wild edible plant for local residents. Its growth supports not only the environment but also the livelihoods of the people living nearby.
In 2022, Uljin experienced one of the worst wildfires in Korea’s history, destroying about 20,000 hectares of forest. This disaster highlighted the need for a smarter approach to forest restoration. The country is now focused on revitalizing these areas while also supporting local traditions and needs.
“There is a balance to strike,” said Shin Jaesoo, Deputy Director at the Korea Forest Service. He explained that while some locals preferred replanting the familiar red pines, others urged for a broader ecological strategy.
To tackle these issues, experts, residents, and government officials collaborated to create a five-year restoration plan. This plan aims to revitalize around 4,700 hectares by 2027, focusing on planting fire-resistant trees and encouraging natural growth in many areas. Over time, forest management strategies are evolving from single-species replanting to more resilient ecosystems.
The Uljin project reflects a growing trend in forest restoration, with lessons learned being applied in other regions, including Jirisan National Park and Inwangsan Mountain Urban National Park.
To support this mission, the Korea Forest Service has set up Native Plant Supply Centres that cultivate local species, further anchoring restoration efforts to the specific environment they aim to revitalize. These centres also create jobs, boosting the local economy.
As experts recognize the increasing risk of climate change on ecosystems, the initiative aims to foster future forests that are better equipped to withstand fires. Monitoring will continue until at least 2037 to adapt strategies based on what works best for recovery.
Heo summed it up well: “We need to try different approaches and learn along the way. This journey into restoration is new territory for us.”
In a world where 2022 saw a dramatic rise in forest fires globally, the Uljin model stands as a promising blueprint for integrating ecological restoration with community needs, reflecting a shift in how we can better protect our forests.
Source link
Climate-proofing,Communities,fire outbreak,forests,South Korea
