The Korea National Park Service (KNPS), under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, has published the first ecological guidebook on alpine and subalpine plants of the Korean Peninsula by systematically cataloging plant species inhabiting high-mountain regions such as Seoraksan, Jirisan, and Hallasan and documenting their ecological characteristics.

Plants distributed in alpine regions can be broadly classified into alpine plants, which inhabit areas above the tree line, and subalpine plants, which are primarily distributed between the forest limit and the tree line.

※ Based on Seoraksan Mountain, alpine regions refer to areas around Daecheongbong Peak above 1,600 meters, where species such as Arctous rubra are distributed, while subalpine regions refer to areas above 1,000 meters where forests of Abies nephrolepis are formed.

Since 2022, KNPS has conducted collaborative research on alpine and subalpine plants of the Korean Peninsula with experts from the Korean Society of Plant Taxonomy.

The research team cataloged a total of 195 alpine-region plant species—including 68 alpine species and 127 subalpine species—found in eight mountain national parks¹⁾ with major peaks above 1,000 meters, such as Seoraksan, Jirisan, and Hallasan, as well as in Baekdusan, and documented their ecological characteristics for the guidebook.

In particular, the guidebook provides photographs, morphological descriptions, ecological information, and distribution data for 151 plant species, including Huperzia selago, Callianthemum insigne, and Arctous rubra.

For example, Arctous rubra, a member of the heath family (Ericaceae), inhabits alpine regions such as Seoraksan and Baekdusan. In Seoraksan, the species reaches its southern distribution limit at approximately 38°N latitude and an elevation of 1,600 meters.

The guidebook was designed not only for researchers but also for national park visitors and the general public to help them better understand the ecological value of Korea’s alpine-region plants and the impacts of climate change. It was released on May 22 on the Korea National Park Research Institute website (research.knps.or.kr).

The President of KNPS stated, “Alpine-region plants are indicator species that reveal the effects of climate change earlier than other components of the ecosystem. With the publication of this ecological guidebook, we will strengthen systematic research and surveys on alpine-region plants and continue expanding alpine ecosystem conservation activities involving the public.”