The Korea National Arboretum (KNA), under the Korea Forest Service, has evaluated three arboretums and natural recreational forests as Forest Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)¹⁾ for the first time in Korea to conserve national forest biodiversity.

These sites are now officially registered in the Korea Database on Protected Areas (KDPA)²⁾. Building on this achievement, the KNA plans to continue assessments for additional candidate sites. This registration is the first case that arboretums and recreation forests are recognized for their biodiversity conservation functions and is expected to serve as a turning point in expanding the protected areas in Korea.

Since 2021, the KNA has been analyzing potential sites applicable to the forest sector by using the OECM assessment guidance proposed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As a result, arboretums, botanical gardens, natural recreation forests, forest wetlands, and air holes were identified as potential candidates. Among them, several arboretums, botanical gardens, and natural recreation forests were confirmed to fully qualify as an OECM.

The three sites newly registered as Forest OECMs are Baekdudaegan National Arboretum (1,211ha), Gariwangsan National Recreational Forest (10,209ha), and Geombonsan National Recreational Forest (751ha) with a total registered area of 12,173 hectares. Details are provided in the KDPA system (http://www.kdpa.kr).

Following this registration, the KNA plans to conduct detailed research on biodiversity conservation status within in these areas and analyze the long-term effectiveness of in-situ biodiversity conservation. Additionally, it will actively proceed with on-site biodiversity survey at other arboretums and recreation forests to expand sites as forest OECMs and strengthen the national protected areas system.