Ecological and Scenery Conservation Areas
Ecosystem and Landscape Conservation Areas
Korea is found to harbor a variety of plants and animals. But human activities, such as land development, have disrupted ecosystems and caused the decline of biodiversity. In order to protect natural ecosystems from degradation, the government of Korea designates and manages ecologically outstanding areas that require conservation as Ecosystem and Landscape Conservation Areas.
These areas are designated by the Minister of Environment, in accordance with the Natural Environment Conservation Act (before the revision on Dec. 30, 2004, marine areas were designated by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries). Similarly city mayors or provincial governors may also designate local areas that are deemed necessary to be conserved as Ecosystem and Landscape Conservation Areas.
As of December 2022, a total of 32 sites had been designated covering 285.934㎢, with 9 state-designated areas (248.029㎢) including Jirisan Mountain, and 23 city- or province-designated areas (37.905㎢) including Bamseom Island in Hangang River.
What are Ecosystem and Landscape Conservation Areas?
- An ecologically intact or biodiverse area with high conservation and research value
- An area with unique topographical or geological features that requires conservation for the purpose of academic research or maintenance of natural landscapes
- An area that may represent diverse ecosystems or a sample area of an ecosystem
- Other areas, such as rivers and mountain valleys, with outstanding natural landscapes that require conservation
Designation of Ecosystem and Landscape Conservation Areas (as of December 2022)
- Legal basis : Article 12, Natural Environment Conservation Act
- Designated areas : 32 sites covering a total of 285.934㎢
Designation process
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Field assessment
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Designation planning
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Collection of feedback from city mayors/provincial governors and local residents
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Consultation with relevant ministries
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Designation and notification
List of Ecosystem and Landscape Conservation Areas designated by the Ministry of Environment : 9 sites covering 285.934㎢
| Name | Location | Area(㎢) | Features | Date of designation(Date of change) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jirisan Mountain | Simwon Valley, Samdong-myeon and Piagol Valley, Toji-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do | 20.20 | Primary climax forest (Korean fir (Abies koreana)) | Dec. 29, 1989 |
| Otter habitat in Seomjingang River | Muncheok-myeon, Ganjeon-myeon and Toji-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do | 1.834 | Habitat for otters (Lutra lutra) | Dec. 1, 2001 |
| Red bat habitat in Gosanbong Peak | Daedong-myeon, Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do | 8.78 | Habitat for red bats (Myotis rufoniger) | May 1, 2002 |
| Donggang River basin | Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol-gun; Mitan-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun; Jeongseon-eup and Sindong-eup, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do | 79.259 | Outstanding topographical features and landscapes, habitat for rare wildlife | Aug. 9, 2002 (Expanded on Dec. 31, 2019) |
| Wangpicheon Stream basin | Seo-myeon and Geunnam-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do | 102.841 | Outstanding topographical features and landscapes, habitat for rare wildlife | Oct. 14, 2005 (Expanded on Jul. 17, 2013) |
Sohwang sand dunes |
Sohwang-ri and Doksan-ri, Ungcheon-eup, Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do |
0.121 | Coastal dunes, habitat for rare wildlife |
Oct. 28, 2005 |
Hasidong-Anin sand dunes |
Hasidong-ri, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do |
0.234 | Outstanding topography and landscapes of dunes |
Dec. 17, 2008 |
Unmunsan Mountain |
Unmun-myeon, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do |
26.395 | Outstanding landscape; habitat for endangered species, including otters (Lutra lutra), flying squirrels (Pteromys volans aluco), martens (Martes flavigula) and woodland peonies (Paeonia obovata Maxim.) |
Sep. 9, 2010 |
Jeokdaebong Peak in Geogeumdo Island |
Jeokdaebong Peak, Geogeumdo Island, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do |
8.365 | Habitat for endangered species and specific wild species |
Jan. 7, 2011 |
List of Ecosystem and Landscape Conservation Areas designated by city mayors or provincial governors : 23 sites covering 37.905㎢
| City/province | Name | Location | Area(㎢) | Features | Date of designation(Date of change) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Bamseom Island in Hangang River | 84-4, Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu; 314 Dangin-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul | 0.279 | Habitat for migratory birds | Aug. 10, 1999 |
| Dunchon-dong | 211 Dunchon-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul | 0.030 | Natural urban wetland | Mar. 6, 2000 (Expanded on Jul. 4, 2013) |
|
| Bangi-dong | 439-2, Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul | 0.059 | Urban wetland | Apr. 15, 2002 (Expanded on Nov. 24, 2005) |
|
| Tancheon Stream | Garak-dong, Songpa-gu; Suseo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul | 1.151 | Urban habitat for migratory birds | Apr. 15, 2002 | |
| Jingwannae-dong | 282-1, Jingwannae-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul | 0.017 | Natural urban wetland | Dec. 30, 2002 | |
| Amsa-dong | 624-1, Gangdong-gu, Seoul | 0.270 | Urban riparian wetland | Dec. 30, 2002 | |
| Godeok-dong | 396 Godeok-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 661 Gangil-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul (From Godeok Riverside Restoration Area to Hanam-si limits) |
0.320 | Abundance of native species; habitat for a variety of birds, including protected species, such as swallows (Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758) and kingfishers (Alcedo atthis (Linnaeus, 1758)) | Oct. 20, 2004 (Expanded on Dec. 27, 2007) |
|
| Wonteogol in Cheonggyesan Mountain | San 4-15, Wonji-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul | 0.146 | A community of deciduous broadleaf trees, including oriental white oaks (Quercus aliena) | Oct. 20, 2004 | |
| Heoninneung Royal Tombs | San 13-1, Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul | 0.057 | Abundance of native species | Nov. 24, 2005 | |
| Namsan Mountain | San 5-6, Yejang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul San 1-5, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul |
0.705 | An established community of Mongolian oaks (Quercus mongolica); pine forests in Namsan Mountain | Jul. 27, 2006 (Expanded on Dec. 27, 2007) |
|
| Sahmyookdae in Buramsan Mountain | San 223-1, Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul | 0.204 | An established community of loose-flower hornbeams (Carpinus laxiflora) | Jul. 27, 2006 | |
| Secret Garden in Changdeokgung Palace | 2-71, Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul | 0.441 | An established community of oriental white oaks (Quercus aliena) | Jul. 27, 2006 | |
| Bongsan Mountain | San 93-16, Sinsa-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul | 0.073 | A community of Korean mountain ashes (Sorbus alnifolia) | Dec. 27, 2007 | |
| Inwangsan Mountain | San 1-1, Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul | 0.258 | Outstanding natural landscape with oddly-shaped rocks and pine trees (Pinus densiflora) | Dec. 27, 2007 | |
| Lower reaches of Seongnaecheon Stream | 88-6, Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul | 0.070 | Natural urban river | Nov. 26, 2009 | |
| Gwanaksan Mountain | San 56-2, Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul | 0.748 | Indigenous habitat for a community of boxwood trees (Buxus microphylla var. koreana) | Nov. 26, 2009 | |
| Baeksasil Valley | San 115-1, Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul | 0.133 | Rich in biodiversity | Nov. 26, 2009 | |
| Ulsan | Taehwagang River | Lower reaches of Taehwagang River, Ulsan | 0.983 | Habitat for wildlife including migratory birds | Dec. 24, 2008 |
| Gangwon-do | Sohan Valley | Chodang-ri and Hamaengbang-ri, Geundeok-myeon, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do | 0.104 | Korea’s one and only habitat for freshwater laver (Bangia atropurpurea) | Oct. 5, 2012 |
| Jeollanam-do | Baegunsan Mountain in Gwangyang | Okryong-myeon, Jinsang-myeon and Daap-myeon, Gwangyang-gun, Jeollanam-do | 9.74 | Outstanding natural landscapes and primary natural forest | Apr. 26, 1993 |
| Gyeonggi-do | Myeongjisan Mountain and Cheonggyesan Mountain in the upper reaches of Jojongcheon Stream | Gapyeong-gun and Pocheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do | 22.06 | Rich and diverse rare flora and insect fauna | Sep. 1, 1993 |
| Busan | Seogeundeom Valley | San 101-1, Byeongsan-ri, Jeonggwan-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan | 0.02 | Large populations of rare wild plants | Jun. 10, 2015 |
| Jangsan Wetland | San 51-188, Bansong-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan | 0.037 | Mountainous wetland home to rare wild plants | Aug. 9, 2017 |