• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.120-132
• /
• 2021

The ecosystem and landscape conservation areas of Seoul were designated according to the Natural Environment Conservation Act and the Natural Environment Conservation Ordinance. With the adoption of the "Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Service (RAWES)" approach and the "wetland ecosystem service" for the Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation at the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 2018, the need for data evaluating wetland ecosystem services has become a necessity. Therefore, in this study, we selected five wetlands from the ecosystem and landscape conservation areas in Seoul, having high ecological conservation values, and evaluated their carbon sequestration and economic value assessment using the InVEST model, which is an ecosystem service evaluation technique. The evaluation results for carbon storage in each wetland are as follows: Tancheon Wetland: 3,674.62 Mg; Bamseom Island in the Hangang River: 1,511.57 Mg; Godeok-dong Wetland: 5,007.21 Mg; Amsa-dong Wetland: 7,108.47 Mg; and Yeouido Wetland: 290.27 Mg. Particularly, the Tancheon Wetland showed the lowest carbon sequestration of 1,130.37 Mg, as compared to the results acquired in 2013, of 4,804.99 Mg. When the average effective carbon rate of $16.06 (US) was applied to the decreased carbon sequestration value, a loss of $15,910.58(US) was calculated. Furthermore, if the average social cost of carbon ($204 (US)) is considered, which includes the impact of climate change on productivity and ecosystems, the total loss is equivalent to $202,101.97 (US). This study aims to examine the natural resource value of urban wetlands by evaluating selected major wetlands in Seoul. This study can be utilized as basic data to plan for the protection and management of the ecosystem and landscape conservation areas. Additionally, because wetland value assessment is considered essential, the results of this study can be used in future research to provide measures for evaluating ecosystem services in the Ramsar Wetland City Certification System. Moreover, this study can be utilized for selecting important wetlands as Ramsar sites, and to raise awareness about the significance of conserving urban wetlands, and for expanding international exchange among the Ramsar Wetland sites.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.39-67
• /
• 2005

In order to properly define the terms such as soil, soil contamination, soil contamination site and remediation, which are the key terms under the Soil Environment Conservation Act(SECA) in Korea, we analyzed the legal definitions of the similar key words in legislations of the developed western countries. The selected countries were the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark. The legal definitions of these keywords were very much diversified due to different levels of soil contamination, as well as different industrial, social, and legal backgrounds in each country. However, fair suggestions for definitions of the key terms in SECA were derived from the comparative analyses of these countries. First and foremost, SECA should provide a definition of 'soil' which includes a concept of the natural soil layer produced from soil mineralization processes. Groundwater and sublayer of the groundwater would. be excluded in the boundary of the soil with regards to the Groundwater Act of Korea. Definition of 'soil contamination' of SECA should include a concept of risk assessment(soil contaminants, pathway, and receptors), purpose of land use, and the acquired limitation levels of soil contaminants. Soil contamination activity either industrial or anthropogenic in SECA article2-1, could be substituted for a concept of soil risk assessment. Definition of 'soil contamination site' could derive from amalgamating the concepts of i) soil contamination in conjunction with contaminants, ii) risk assessment, iii) a concept of land use, and iv) knowing limitation of contamination site designation. Definition of 'remediation of contaminated site' should include the objective, intention, action, methodology and limit of the remediation. These suggested definitions would increase the efficacy of soil environment conservation policies, which includes the survey of the potentially contaminated area, remediation, and removal of the site.

• Korean Journal of Heritage :History & Science
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.166-177
• /
• 2016

This essay explores the problems with applying the concept of "original form" to natural heritage when it is based on originality and diachronic, historical period. It also suggests an alternative perception that the concept of "original form" can be considered based upon "integrity". First, the conceptual framework for applying the concept of "original form" falls into three types: one that centers on the time point at which heritage originated; another that respects the diachronic characteristics of the concept of "original form"; and the last that bases original form on a particular time after the heritage originated. Second, the national policy for the conservation of natural monuments and scenic sites stayed at the level of consulting the Decree on the Preservation of Treasures, Historical Remains, Scenic Sites, and Natural Monuments of Joseon, under Japanese colonial rule. And after the legal framework was established through enacting and proclaiming of the Cultural Heritage Protection Act in 1962, 564 cases have been designated as natural monuments. Third, the natural conservation movement, the first national policy for natural heritage, was initiated from the heritage field, but the Environment Ministry subsumed all nature-related policies and ever since the heritage agency (Cultural Heritage Administration) has implemented only heritage policies regarding "cultural" heritage. The present state of the coexisting policies about the natural heritage by the Environment Ministry and the Cultural Heritage Administration resulted in leading the public confused about official terms and main policy agency of natural heritage. Fourth, the difficulty of applying the concept of "original form" to natural heritage stems from the fact that natural heritage is inherently distinct from cultural heritage, which is placed at the center of the heritage policies implemented by the heritage agency. In addition, natural heritage, similarly distinct from the overall natural environment, has evolved in a way that incorporates human culture and thus diversely includes characteristics of originality, diachrony, and historical period. Under these circumstances, an incorporative, professional approach is required rather than independent approaches for each type of natural heritage. In conclusion, this essay suggests that issues related to the restoration of original conditions of natural heritage should be resolved through the application of the "integrity" concept by restoring "the characteristics of an object or a place that imbue it with meaning and value," with consideration given to efforts for alleviating logical contradictions within the concept of "original form" through the preparation of standards and guidelines for the restoration of original condition.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.334-342
• /
• 2022

The stringent air environment conservation act forced to build an indoor dome for coal storage. However, it causes some problems due to accumulation of fly ash and harmful substances inside. To solve this problem, this study analyzed the pattern of internal airflow and the amount of ventilation for an indoor coal yard. Overall, the airflow inside the indoor coal yard tended to move to the southwest facing the mountain. In addition, sea-breeze was blowing from the northern louver window facing the sea, where airflow was flowing in. The total flow rate flowing into the indoor coal yard was 918,691 m³/h, and the number of natural ventilation per hour was 0.6 times. Therefore, it is proposed to install a forced ventilation device at the location where internal air flow is concentrated.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.345-350
• /
• 2000

The objectives of this study were to find out distribution of heavy metal contents in the soils of Hanam city and to provide base-line data towards development of an eco-city Hanam. One hundred surface soil (0-20 cm) samples were collected from rice paddy field, cultivated upland, forest, riverside and other areas. The samples were air-dried, sieved to pass through 2 mm sieves, followed by analyses for As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn by the standard method set by the ministry of environment. All the average heavy metal contents were close to background level and were much lower than concern level of the Soil Environment Conservation Act of Korea. However, some individual heavy metal contents were higher than the action level. Since natural environment including soil environment of Hanam city is being destroyed rapidly and the number of the sampling points allocated to Hanam city based on the soil contamination monitoring network of the ministry of environment is only 6, an in-depth soil survey for contamination of Hanam city is highly recommended.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.311-316
• /
• 2015

This study defined and classified no-net-loss-of-greenness (NNLG) based on the law, and then assessed the NNLG index by metropolitan cities and provinces in Korea after estimating NNLG evaluation indicators for the introduction of NNLG for health improvement of urban ecosystems. The results are as follows. First, NNLG was the comprehensive meaning that was included in the greenbelt and park greenbelt and the green area which was defined by the Act on Urban Parks, Greenbelts, etc. and the National Land Planning and Utilization Act respectively. Second, NNLG was classified as a park greenbelt which was included urban parks and greenbelts such as buffer greenbelts, scenic greenbelts, and connecting greenbelts, green areas which was included in green conservation areas, green production areas, green natural areas, and green coverage which is included forests, grasslands, and wetlands that were occupied by vegetation such as trees, shrubs, and plants. Third, NNLG index by cities and provinces was assessed based on the estimation of NNLG evaluation indicators, which included parks and greenbelt areas per capita, green areas per capita, green coverage per capita, ratio of parks and greenbelts, ratio of green areas, and ratio of green coverage. As a result, Sejong city got the highest point of NNLG index and Seoul and Daegu got lowest points of NNLG index among metropolitan cities in Korea. Chungbuk got the highest point of NNLG index and Kyonggi and Jeju got lowest points of NNLG index among provinces in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.33-44
• /
• 2021

In this study, we investigated and analyzed changes about the landscape consciousness of Yeongam-gun residents, in chronological order. As a result, the landscape consciousness of 10 years ago and the present has not changed significantly. Also, the residents' consciousness of the Yeongam-gun landscape image has not changed from 10 years ago, and we recognize that it is necessary to preserve and form the natural landscape. As for the problem of urban landscape, the needs of residents for the development of urban infrastructure facilities and the development of tourist spots are higher than 10 years ago, and the problem of each landscape element is found as the formation and management of a road environment. It was found that the degree of satisfaction with the Yeongam landscape is generally below average, compared to 10 years ago. Residents' willingness to participate in landscape projects has changed as the number of respondents who do not want to participate has increased compared to 10 years ago, and the project method must be promoted by residents / administration / experts as one. The awareness is judged as administrative agencies need to change from the role of regulation-oriented in the past to the role of resident support and cooperation.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.127-136
• /
• 2010

This study is aimed at reviewed and analyzed in order to suggest the improved plans related to natural monuments. The summary of this study is as followings; First, Replacing the current term 'cultural properties', which denotes the meaning of 'goods', we need to devise an new categorization that separates such properties into cultural heritage and natural heritage under the national heritage framework. Second, the designation criteria for natural monuments should be divided into the individual realm for animals and plants respectively, since they are not divided in the current Act. Third, the guidelines for naming of natural monuments should be established with the following new categories in accordance with the clear standards. Fourth, such imbalances require us to give priority to the relatively neglected types and areas. Fifth, as the big and old trees account for more than a half of the designated plants, it is necessary to search out new resources(wet plant communities, seashores, sand dune plant communities, etc.) such as geological resources, mineral springs, hot springs, and fossils that are in danger of completely being exploited and exhausted. While most of the designated animals are protected nationally, the existing designation system is required to protect habitats and breeding places for the systematic and efficient conservation. Sixth, as long as we need to preserve those historical and cultural resources for the future generations from national and global perspectives, we should enhance their values by designating them as natural monuments even though they are protected by other regulations such as the natural environment area. Seventh, as a result of the survey, we found that more budgets and experts in the local governments, more empowered organizations, more active public participation should be provided for the better Natural Monument management in Korea. Eighth, the Lap of Natural Heritage in the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage needs to be developed to the Natural Heritage Institute to conduct the diverse activities such as researches, restoration, exhibition and education programs in a systematic and efficient way. Ninth and the last, major damages to natural monuments can be generally categorized into the artificial one and natural one, respectively. The artificial damages include toxics, soil covering, excessive humidity, fire, construction and management works, unlawful damages, fishing, oil spillage, etc, and the natural ones include lightning, storms(typhoons), heavy snowfalls, damage by insects and diseases, lack of prey, etc. This study will become meaningful in that it proposes specific measures for the improvement of the institutions, designation, and management of natural monuments on the basis of the comprehensive analysis on natural monuments. We wish to leave the other subjects related with this study to the future researches.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.142-151
• /
• 2020

This study is designed to deduce an implication for an effective implementation of the Special Act for Conservation, Management and Utilization of World Heritage in Korea which was legislated in February, 2020. To draw an implication, which is regarded as highly valuable for preparing for the implementation of the act, several case studies were performed focusing on four World Natural Heritage sites in Japan, and the result is as follows. First, it is enormously crucial for the central administration agencies and the local government to have a system through which they communicate one another regularly. All the target areas in Japan consist of three national parks and a prefectural park with natural monuments, and the national forest covers a tremendously large proportion of the areas. The Japanese central agencies including Ministry of the Environment, Forestry Agency and Agency for Cultural Affairs have communication with the local government through a system named Regional Liaison Committee in order to manage the sites effectively. Also, in the case of Japan, de facto administrating agencies involving non-profit organizations and the tourism association also participate in the regular conferences to communicate. Second, a specific committee consisting of academic advisers is strongly needed. In the case of Japan, Scientific Committee provides academic grounds for the management plan established by the members of Regional Liaison Committee, and an active system which allows the members to organize consultative committees and subcommittees has been established. Scientific Committee plays an important role in preventing the local government, which tends to manage the world natural heritage in more economically profitable ways, from damaging the environment of the site. The establishment of this type of committee is thought to be extremely desirable because the World Natural Heritage requires comprehensive and sustainable management plans on the ecosystem. Third, establishment of comprehensive management plan based on continuous monitoring on the environment and detailed action plan is exceedingly needed. To sum up, it is vital to establish a management plan considering environmental aspect, and detailed guidelines, which help execute the plan both properly and effectively, are required for systematic and sustainable management.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.321-332
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study is to identify the problems and present the improvement measures by assessing the suitability of planning of provincial natural parks on a legal basis. We assessed the suitability of 29 provincial parks to examine the suitability of park planning (special-purpose district planning and facilities planning) according to the Natural Park Act, implementation of the park projects, and registration of Korea Real estate Administration intelligence System (KRAS) for park management and obtained the following results. In the case of the park nature conservation districts among the special-purpose districts, 24.1 % (7 parks) were not feasible or decided the park facility that was larger than the planned area. The amended law requires the park cultural heritage district as a new special-purpose district, but 41.2% did not designate the district or failed to comply with the standard. Moreover, there was a problem of establishing or announcing the plan that was unsuitable for the management of park village district (former collective facilities district). Although provincial parks are categorized as the restricted area, the park facility plans still focus on regional development and tourism development, and the titles (names) of the park facilities are wrong. The law requires digitalization and disclosure of park plans, but many parks fail to abide by the law. We judge that it is necessary to develop effective provincial park planning and establish the measures to protect and manage the provincial parks.