• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.10-26
• /
• 2018

This paper reviews the soil conservation policies (SCP) in the global community and suggests the improved options in SCP in Korea. Soil Environment Conservation Act in Korea states soil is a valuable natural resource and it's value should be enhanced to provide the benefits that soil ecosystem can offer to people. However, SCP in Korea limits its application to not only the scope of soil environment but also the issues on soil pollution. The SCPs in the advanced countries have shifted their scopes from soil environment to soil ecosystem, put emphasis on the conservation of soil health rather than soil quality, and set the goals to optimize the soil ecosystem services to people while minimizing the soil threats. In this context, the soil security initiative was recently proposed to accomplish this goal while employing the nexus concept to bridge the soil ecosystem services with water, atmosphere, climate and biodiversity. Therefore, the key policies in soil conservation in Korea should expand the scope from soil environment to soil ecosystem, focus on soil health management, and develop the holistic governance among diverse stakeholder to maximize the soil ecosystem services. Soil ecosystem should be secured by national soil policies for human health.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 2023

Background: The understanding of ecosystem services can be quantified and qualitative to assess the impacts of changes in the ecosystem to support human well-being. In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sustainable use of ecosystem services has attracted the interest of a range of decision-makers. However, although there is a concern for biodiversity, natural ecosystem, and their services, linking ecosystems with conservation planning remains challenging. Results: This study assessed the first qualitative ecosystem services provided by the Mundok wetland with decision makers of the West/Yellow Sea region. Furthermore, this study applied the Rapid Assessment Wetland Ecosystem method to support natural resources management, improving living conditions. We identified that cultural and supporting services index are highly provided, but preparing a plan to increase the provisioning and regulating services in Mundok wetland is necessary. Conclusions: The assessment results can provide helpful information for ecosystem services assessment, habitat conservation, conservation planning, and decision-making at local level.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.97-109
• /
• 2011

Korea introduced the cooperation charge on conservation of ecosystem for minimizing damage of ecosystem due to development projects and their effects and for preparing resources for natural environment conservation projects. Advanced countries have made efforts by expanding investment in natural environment conservation and restoring projects to promote prevention of global warming and improvement of biological diversity, are establishing nationwide strategies and plans. To examine the reality of projects by returns of the cooperation charge on conservation of ecosystem, microsite projects in schools and public facilities take the largest share while their project budgets are only about 100~300 KRW, relatively small, which might be attributable to budget restrictions in accordance with the calculating method of levying cooperation charge on conservation of ecosystem and problems of project proceeding in the system of returning fund for projects in general. The conclusion which this study suggests on invigoration of cooperation charge on conservation of ecosystem and its operation are as followings. First, although the cooperation charge on conservation of ecosystem has been introduced in 2001, the amount of imposition per unit area remains unchanged. It is desirable to increase the amount into $1,400KRW/m^2$ as of August, 2011 as the price index has been continuously rising for the past 10 years and the upward adjustment of imposition per unit area should be notified by the decree of the Ministry of Environment every January. Second, the ceiling amount of the cooperation charge on conservation of ecosystem should be abolished. Now the ceiling amount is defined as 1 billion KRW but it was found that there was not any ceiling amount specified according to the comparative analysis of similar systems with the Korean environmental improvement fund. The ceiling should be abolished so that medium level businesses are carried out and ecosystem recovering projects in the true sense of the word can be made smoothly. Third, weight should be introduced in calculating amounts in accordance with ecologic and economic values. Harmony between development and environment can be achieved by applying differentiated weights of constant regional coefficient by use zone and ecologic and economic values. Continuous efforts of improving cooperation charge on conservation of ecosystem should be made more than anything else so that projects by returns of cooperation charge on conservation of ecosystem get effectiveness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.5 no.5
• /
• pp.67-75
• /
• 2002

This study was carried out to introduce current status to discuss erosion control strategy for the conservation of stream valley ecosystem. To restore stream valley ecosystem, we should establish restoration plans to keep the original shape of stream. It is necessary to use environmentally sound materials with conservation of valley stability. Valley construction for erosion control works should be evaluated continuously based on concepts of conservation and development of stream valley ecology. It is categorized in point of the important of class of stream valley conservation ahead planning and constructure. We suggest that the development of stream valley construction needs to prevent mass movement of soil sediments. In addition, it is established the basal strategy to protect macro and micro aquatic organisms in stream valley ecosystem.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.29-38
• /
• 2001

We have studied the Yang-San peatland area to make a conservation plan. Since the peatland has its own unique ecosystem, which provides important resources in studying transformations of ecosystem, vegetation, weather, and many other things, it is not enough to emphasize the importance of preserving this area. Based on our investigation, we propose the followings to preserve the Yang-San peatland area and use in environmentally sustainable manner. First, it should be designated as a Wetland preservation area to make a conservation system between government and citizens. Second, a monitoring system is essential to observe the change of ecosystem and prohibit trespassing. Third, a comprehensive and precise investigation is in need how to restore the ecosystem. Fourth, an educational information about the ecosystem should be provided through pamphlets, postcards, visiting centers etc.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.725-738
• /
• 2013

The National Ecosystem Survey in Korea provides information to policy makers for preservation of natural environment and implementation of international agreement. The 1st and 2nd National Ecosystem Survey were carried out between 1986 and 1990, and between 1997 and 2005, respectively. The 3rd National Ecosystem Survey began in 2006 and ended in 2012. In 2013 the pilot survey for the 4th National Ecosystem Survey is ongoing. The 4th National Ecosystem Survey due to the revision of the Natural Environment Conservation Act which has been done every 10 years would change into every five years. It is planned to be conducted from 2014 to 2018. The survey method of the 4th National Ecosystem Survey has been modified to obtain more accurate data for many taxa. The survey for a nocturnal animals will be introduced. In addition, monitoring by setting the grid will get quantitative data seasonally. The vegetation survey will be conducted with a mobile device contained files of aerial image maps including classified vegetation map. National Ecosystem Survey will be improved as follows. First, each survey methods suitable for the purpose should be developed. Second, monitoring methods for obtaining quantitative data should be developed. Finally, the research using the data should be developed in the field of not only ecosystem and biological diversity but also habitat assessment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.17-23
• /
• 2003

Restoration ecology is undergoing rapid growth as academic field over the last 15 years. The specification of goals for restoration projects is frequently described as the most important component of a project. The endeavor for universal development of goals for ecological restoration continues to generate many discussion and controversy. I discuss the importance of restoration goals and diverse roots of restoration ecology, and show how the complex lineages within restoration ecology. I review the three major theme that currently are used to develop the restoration goals : restoration of species, restoration of whole ecosystem or landscapes, and the restoration of ecosystem services. Restoration ecology, landscape ecology and conservation biology share goals to conserve biodiversity, but differ in focus of approach. I review the differences among three fields. Conservation biology has been more zoological, more descriptive, and theoretical, and more emphasized the population and genetic research. However, restoration ecology has been more plant ecological, more experimental, and emphasized the community and plant succession. Landscape ecology has emphasized the interaction of ecosystem and dispersal among populations. I suggest the integration of restoration ecology, landscape ecology and conservation biology. For example, conservation biology will contribute to the preservation of original habitats by population study, restoration ecology will contribute to regenerate damaged ecosystem and ex situ preservation, and landscape ecology will contribute to restoration of population and landscape.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.191-201
• /
• 2019

This study suggested a vegetation restoration plan for a coastal area where the ecosystem conservation fund return project, targeting the whole area of Dalmaji-gil, located in Haeundae, Busan. After distinguishing if it would be a proper site for the operation of the ecosystem conservation fund return project by analyzing the ecological environment, human environment, and the current status of land owners, the target species for vegetation restoration was determined, and the facilities and programs were selected in accordance with the spatial division of the biosphere reserve. The basic direction is as follows. First, is the expansion of green space and the securement of life habitats downtown. Second, is the conservation of core areas by separating the conserved area from the space for use. Third, is the establishment of ecological resting space and the reinforcement of an ecological educational programs. The significance of this study is to suggest a vegetation restoration plan of a coastal area, fully utilizing the existing vegetation of the subject area, by suggesting the land use and flow planning, environmental improvement (vegetation restoration) plan, life habitats establishment plan, planting plan, and hydrologic plan, facilities, maintenance, and monitoring plan based on the basic direction. This study would provide useful basic data for ecosystem conservation and restoration in the Korean Peninsula, surrounded by the ocean on three sides.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.203-213
• /
• 2014

In Korea, a cooperation charge on conservation of ecosystem is imposed to prevent indiscriminate development. The total amount of this charge is determined by multiplying the size of the destroyed area by a value per unit area and the area index within 5 billion won. Since 2001, the charge per unit area has been determined to be $250won/m^2$. In this study, we estimated the unit value of ecosystem services per year using benefit transfer method, with a focus on forest resources. According to our results, forest resources have a value of about $3,500won/m^2$ per year. When the non-use value is subtracted, that figure becomes approximately $1,300won/m^2$. If this value incorporates the unit value of the cooperation charge on conservation of ecosystem, it will increase. To comply with the original intent of the cooperation charge on conservation of ecosystem, the fund must be used to improve ecosystem services, including the restoration of a destroyed area or the purchase of new land.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2013

In South Korea, the conflict between development and conservation policy still exist among government ministries, and conventional development plan often has priority over conservation policy. Establishment of sustainable development and comprehensive management policy employing the results of ecosystem service studies are highly warranted, but researchers in South Korea are still limited and often misuse the concept of ecosystem services. Thus, we aimed to introduce the concept of Ecosystem Service (ES) and related terminologies such as Social-Ecological Systems (SESs), ecosystem function, trade-off, and human well-being in this paper. Additionally, this article reviewed and arranged key approaches in ES studies as follows: 1) field works, 2) mapping ecosystem services, 3) valuing ES, 4) quantifying trade-offs between ES and 5) understanding SESs. Based on those results, we suggest that field works for basic information have the first priority to be conducted among ES studies. Once basic information is sufficiently accumulated, researchers can perform applied ES research with accuracy. Finally, results of ES studies conducted by five approaches allow decision makers to consider both natural system and society simultaneously, and hence the results can be utilized for sustainable development and conservation policy based on ecosystem-based management.