Abstract
This study is aimed at establishing the categories and items for ecological assessment and evaluation of the environmental friendliness of golf courses in the capital region of Korea. The categories and items for the assessment have been derived based on the existing literature and interviews with golf experts. This study covers 32 golf courses in the capital region of Korea that are available in terms of data and on-site surveys. In order to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental friendliness of the golf courses, the assessment area was divided into 4 categories that include a total of 14 sub-categories. The 4 categories encompass 1) location, 2) topography, 3) vegetation, and 4) construction. As its sub-categories, the location category includes current land use and zoning in the National Land Use Management Law. Topography has 2 sub-categories in the damage ratio of existing topography, gradient, cut area, and slope height. The assessment of vegetation is largely based on site surveys in the categories of preservation of the existing vegetation, the use of natural resources and existing trees, the component ratio of native tree species, the multi-layered structure of vegetation, and the utilization of water purification plants. In the aspect of construction, afforestation on tile slopes and the utilization of existing surface soil were evaluated. The examination of comparative analysis among the 10 items as a ratio measure showed that the scores were low in the sub-categories of current land we, the use of existing trees, and the multi-layered structure of vegetation. However, the rating results were satisfactory in the 2 sub-categories including cut area, and the utilization of native tree species. Those proved to be contributing factors in the ecological health of the golf courses. According to correlation analysis of the 10 items to the overall ecological rating of each golf course, the sizes of the 32 golf courses were mainly affected by the damage ratio of existing topography, gradient, preservation of vegetation and slope height. This study has the initiative to conduct an ecological assessment of golf courses in the country based on site surveys. The study results revealed that location factors such as current land use, damage ratio of topography and gradient and topographical factors were the main factors affecting the environmental friendliness of golf courses. This indicates indicating the significance of these factors in the future construction practices of golf courses. Furthermore, this study raises the need for follow-up studies to establish more detailed assessment criteria and to develop assessment techniques for areas such as slope afforestation and water purification plants that need a qualitative approach.
