Wildlife of South Korea

The wildlife of South Korea includes 8,271 plant species, 18,117 animal species and 3,528 species of fungi and others. 30,000 species are known to exist in South Korea, but it is estimated that there are more than 100,000 species.

Animalia


South Korea has complex terrain and is surrounded by water on three sides. Therefore, South Korea has various climate zones and high precipitation, and leading to a diversity of wildlife.

In South Korea, there are 18,117 species of animals, including 1,528 species of vertebrate, 13,025 species of insect and 3,564 species of other invertebrates.

Endangered wildlife
Article 2 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act discusses endangered wild animals in South Korea. There are 246 endangered animals in South Korea, with numerous species in need of urgent conservation measures. Endangered wild animals in South Korea include:
 * Leopard cat is the country's only wild cat. It lives primarily in mountainous regions.
 * Red-crowned crane lives along the Imjin River.
 * Golden eagle ranges across the country.
 * Siberian musk deer lives in Mokpo in South Jeolla Province.
 * Hodgson's bat
 * Asian black bear
 * Mongolian wolf lives in North Gyeongsang Province, Gangwon Province and North Chungcheong Province.

Harmful wild animals
Harmful wild animals are wild animals which damage property or endanger people.

Harmful wild animals in South Korea include
 * The sparrow, magpie, jay, crow, and brown-eared bulbul, which damage fruit crops in groups over a long period of time.
 * The pigeon, pheasant, elk, mole, red squirrel, and some kinds of rat and duck damage agriculture, forests and fisheries with their high population densities.
 * The magpie, which damage power facilities such as utility poles.
 * The pigeon which damage residences with their feces and feathers.
 * Wild boars roam the mountainsides, but have been coming down to the city centers in search of food. These big, strong, and fast animals can potentially be fatal to humans.
 * Asian giant hornets, when grouped together, can destroy an entire hive of bumblebees. They usually live in large trees and have been known to attack people who accidentally run into their nests.

Flora
In South Korea, there are 8,271 species of plants, consisting of 4,662 vascular plant species and 3,609 non-vascular plant species. Wild plants in South Korea include species native to Korea such as Pentactina. Despite the biodiversity, ecosystems in South Korea are unstable because of land development. 67 km2 of forest disappear each year, accounting for 0.1% of all South Korean forests.

Distribution of plants
Korea can be divided largely into three biozones by plant distribution: warm-temperate forest, temperate forest and subalpine forest. Evergreen broad-leaved trees grow in warm-temperate forests. Warm-temperate forests in Korea includes the southern coastal region, Jeju Island and several islands of the southern sea which are under 35°N.

Warm-temperate forest
Some of the species here include Quercus myrsinaefolia, Quercus acuta, Quercus salicina, Daphniphyllum macropodum, Castanopsis cuspidata, Ligustrum foliosum nakai, Machilus thunbergii.

Ulleungdo: A sort of trees which reseed with Mt. Seonginbong as a center based on approximately 600 m altitude. Altitudes below 600 m have wild plants in the Southern province that are magnolia, Euonymus japonicus, Camellia japonica, Hedera rhombea, Ardisia japonica, Vitex rotundifolia and others. An altitude of 600 m or above has Fagus crenata and Sorbus commixta.

Jejudo can be divided into coast vegetation and mountain vegetation. Coast vegetation consists of Sinomenium acutum, Machilus thunbergii, Daphniphyllum macropodum, Camellia japonica, Vitex rotundifolia, Centella asiatica. Reynoutria elliptica, Hydrangea serrata, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Aconitum napiforme, Schisandra repanda and others.

Temperate forest
South Korea is dominated by temperate forests, which takes up 85% of its territory. Land between the Korean Demilitarized Zone and the northern part of 35°N belong to this. Common species in temperate forest are Carpinus laxiflora, Carpinus tschonoskii and Quercus mongolica. A subalpine forest exists in the Kaema Plateau in North Korea or south-central's higher mountains. Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, Abies nephrolepis, Larix gmelinii and Abies holophylla can be found there.

The southern part of temperate forest is contained in a region 37°N at the west coast, 38°N at the east coast and inner land's temperate forest that is a southern part of 36.5°. There are common bamboo, Acer palmatum, Carpinus laxiflora and others. In Jirisan mountain, there are Hemerocallis fulva, Picea jezoensis, Cornus officinalis, Rhododendron mucronulatum, Abies koreana, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Aconitum chiisanense, Angelica gigas and others. In Mt. Deogyusan, there are Aconitum uchiyamai, Sorbus commixta, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, Cimicifuga simplex and others. In the coast district, there are Camellia japonica, Euonymus japonicus, Daphniphyllum macropodum, Camellia sinensis and others.

The central part of temperate forest contains 39°N at the west coast, 40°N at the east coast and inner land's temperate forest that include between a southern part of 38° boundary line (38th parallel north) and Northern Limit Line of south temperate forest. There are Quercus dentatomongolica, Acer pictum subsp. mono, Betula costata, Zanthoxylum planispinum and others. In Seoraksan Mountain, there are Hemerocallis dumortieri, Ampelopsis brevipedunculata, Rhododendron brachycarpum, Rhododendron fauriae and others. In Odaesan Mountain, there are Astilbe chinensis, Berberis koreana, lily of the valley and others. In Chiaksan Mountain, there are Codonopsis lanceolata, Lactuca indica, Hieracium umbellatum, Aconitum and others. In Mt.Taebaeksan, there are Juniperus chinensis, Taxus cuspidata, Juniperus rigida, Pinus densiflora, Viola diamantica Nakai, Trientalis europaea, Arisaema erubescens and others. In Cheonmasan Mountain, there are Juniperus chinensis, Taxus cuspidata, Juniperus rigida, Draba nemorosa L., Eranthis stellata Maxim, Hepatica asiatica Nakai, Adonis amurensis, Heloniopsis koreana and others. In Mt.Sobaeksan, there are Iris rossii, Hylomecon and others. In Woraksan Mountain, there are Actinidia arguta, Thymus quinquecostatus, Rubus coreanus and others. In Mt.Songnisan, there are Leonurus japonicus, Angelica gigas and others. In Juwangsan mountain, there are Staphylea pinnata, Jeffersonia, Fraxinus rhynchophylla, Rhododendron schlippenbachii and others. In the islands of the west coast, there are Machilus thunbergii, Camellia japonica, Epimedium koreanum, Scopolia japonica, Berberis koreana, Valeriana fauriei, Cornus officinalis, Schisandra chinensis and others.

The northern part of the temperate forest is in between a north limit of central temperate forest and boundary line(38th parallel north). There are Betula platyphylla, Pinus koraiensis, Acer komarovii, Ligularia fischeri, Rhododendron aureum, Epimedium koreanum, rhubarb, Viola mandshurica, Lithospermum erythrorhizon and others.

Subalpine forest
In South Korea, boreal forests do not exist in the lowlands. However, subalpine coniferous forest is found in highland or mountainous district in South Korea. Part of Hallasan, part of Seoraksan, fir forest of Jirisan and Gotjawal Forest in Jeju Province are the subalpine forests in South Korea. At an altitude of 1200 m–1500 m in Hallasan, there is a coniferous forest which consists of pine, juniper, a Korean fir. Fruticeta is formed in 1500 m–1700 m and the alpine zone spread out above 1850 m. South-facing slopes have more mild weather than north-facing slopes. Therefore, its height extends a little more on the south side.

Endangered wild plants
Endangered wild plants are divided into first grade and second grade.

First grade endangered wild plants refers to species of plant in which the number is significantly reduced by natural causes or artificial factors. The species are selected by the minister of environment after a prior consultation with the minister of central administration organization. First grade endangered wild plants refer to the following species:
 * Malus komarovii (이노리나무): This plant is found in Korea and in China. The height is 5m. It grows deep in the mountain.
 * Cypripedium japonicum ((광릉요강꽃(광릉복주머니란) 난초과)): It can found in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. Its height is 20 cm~40 cm and it blossoms in April to May.
 * Aerides japonicum Reichb. fil (나도풍란 난초과): It can found in Jeju Province or South Jeolla Province, which is the warmest region in South Korea. It has an aerial root. The length of the leaves is 8 cm~15 cm.
 * Euchresta japonica Hook. f. (만년콩 콩과): It grows in forests of valleys in Jeju Province. Its size is about 30 cm~80 cm. It blossoms in July and its color is white.
 * Diapensia lapponica L. (암매(돌매화나무) 암매과): It is found in Mt. Hallasan in Jeju Province. It blossoms in June to July and its color is white or pink.
 * Cymbidium lancifolium (죽백란 난초과): It can be found in Mt. Hallasan in Jeju Province. Its height is about 10 cm~20 cm. It blossoms in May to July. This plant thrives in strong direct light, being commonly used as an ornamental plant.
 * Neofinetia falcata (풍란 난초과): It is found in the southern island in South Korea and Japan. Its height is about 3~15 cm.
 * Cymbidium kanran (한란 난초과): It grows in the southern Jeju Province and its size is about 25~60 cm.

Second grade endangered wild plants are species of plant in which the number is significantly reduced by natural causes or artificial factors. These plants have the possibility of becoming extinct in the foreseeable future. The species are selected by the Minister of Environment:
 * Euryale ferox (가시연꽃 수련과): It can be found in Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province, but water pollution has caused a crisis of extinction. It grows in ponds or swamps.
 * Siberian ginseng (가시오갈피나무 두릅나무과): It is found in Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and North Gyeongsang Province. It grows in high mountain forests. It comes into blossom in June to July and ripens in September to October.
 * Plagiorhegma dubium (Jeffersonia dubia) (깽깽이풀 매자나무과): It is an ornamental plant, but its root is used in herbal medicine.
 * Sundew (끈끈이귀개): It is an insectivorous plant and it grows on beaches in the South Jeolla Province.
 * Rhododendron aureum (노랑만병초): It grows in alpine region. Its height is near 1 m. It blossoms in May to June and its leaf is used in herbal medicine.
 * Iris odaesanensis Y. N. Lee (노랑무늬붓꽃): An endemic species in Koreak, it grows in the South Gyeongsang Province mountains such as Odaesan, Taebaeksan. It is usually used as an ornamental plant and its fresh sprouts are used for food.
 * Aster altaicus var. uchiyamae (단양쑥부쟁이): It grows on sandy soil near streams. It blossoms in August to September and its flower color is purple inclining to red. It is a special plant in South Korea and it can be found in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, and Danyang County, North Chungcheong Province.
 * Ranunculus kazusensis (매화마름): It grows in a ditch (waterway) around a paddy field. Its distribution is in the southern province and west coast. It blossoms in April or May. Its flower grows to 30 ~ 50 cm and it bears fruit in June or July.
 * Isoetes (물부추): It grows in shallow water. It was found in Pyeongtaek in 1942; however, it died out in Korea and currently grows in Japan. It grows to 10 ~ 30 cm. The plant is dark green and resembles eggs.
 * Vexillabium yakushimense (Yamamoto) F. Maekawa (백운란): Its size is 4 ~ 10 cm. It grows in mountains and forests in South Jeolla Province and North Jeolla Province. It flowers in August with one to three white blossoms.
 * Saururus chinensis (삼백초): It flowers in June to August. It grows to 50 ~ 100 cm. It grows in the valley that is well ventilated and penumbra, and air humidity is high in Jeju Province and Mt.Jirisan.
 * Viola raddeana Regel (선제비꽃): It is a perennial plant that grows rare in a brook in South Gyeongsang Province and Gyeonggi Province. Its height is 30 ~ 50 cm.
 * Lilium cernuum Kom (솔나리): It grows in mountainous regions. Its stem is thin and strong and it grows to 70 cm. It flowers in July or August.
 * Psilotum nudum (솔잎란): It grows on the coast in the southern part of Jeju Province. It grows to a height of 10~30 cm. Its root is short and 1 ~ 3mm in diameter.
 * Wisteriopsis japonica (Sieb. et Zucc.) A. Gray (syn. Millettia japonica) (애기등): Its stem is thin and fragile and the stem's height is roughly 3m. Its scions have fur. It flowers white in July or August. It bears fruit in October. It grows in South Jeolla Province and South Gyeongsang Province.
 * Viola websteri Hemsl. (왕제비꽃): It grows in areas that have a lot of moisture. It flowers white in April or May. It grows to 40 ~ 90 cm. It is found in Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi, Sambang County in South Hamgyong Province (North Korea), and Paektu Mountain (North Korea). It is a Korean endemic species.
 * Cyrtosia septentrionalis (으름난초): Called 'Gaecheon-ma', it grows in forests in Jeju Province. Its height is 50 ~ 100 cm. It is a parasitic plant. Its root contains hyphae of Armillaria (a mushroom). It flowers brown in June or July.
 * Polygonatum stenophyllum Maxim (층층둥굴레): It grows in mountains and pastures. It grows to 30 ~ 90 cm. Its rhizome is thick and grows sideways. It blooms in June with a soft yellow flower.
 * Mankyua chejuense (제주고사리삼): An endemic species of Jeju Province, it is the only plant that was identified of its habitat. It was discovered in 2001. It preserves the primitive shape of bracken. It is called 'Mankyua chejuense'. Its height is 10 ~ 15 cm.
 * Leontice microrhyncha S. Moore (한계령풀): It grows to 30 ~ 40 cm. It is found in penumbra or fertile region in high mountain. It has three leaves. It flowers in July and August. It is used as an ornamental plant.

Wildlife in the Demilitarized Zone
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is the unmanned strip of land that exists between North and South Korea. It has been a representation of the two nations' tensions for over 50 years and it is a contributing factor of the events that led to the Korean War in 1950. Since the Armistice between the two nations, the ecosystem of the area has reverted to its natural state due to the lack of human interference; the DMZ and Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) (a buffer to the DMZ) encompass many rivers and an abundant amount of diverse ecosystems along with substantial amounts of plant, mammal, fish and bird species, many of which are globally endangered.

Over 5,000 species of plants and animals have been identified as living in the DMZ, including a significant amount which are considered protected on the endangered species list. These endangered species living in the DMZ include: Siberian musk deer, white-naped crane, red-crowned crane, Asiatic black bear, cinereous vulture and the long-tailed goral.

Preserving biodiversity in the DMZ
The DMZ and the CCZ are bordered by land mines which leave the areas untouched by humans. This untouched habitat is significant for persevering the East Asia flyway system of migratory birds from Russia to Australia. The white-naped crane and red-crowned crane populations are most affected.

This area is also home to many other endangered species of birds and mammals, including the Asian black bear, who is considered threatened on the endangered species list due to people harvesting their stomach bile and using it for Chinese herbology.

The importance of wildlife conservation and undisturbed habitats is recognized by many, including the South Korean Ministry of Environment, which wishes to keep the DMZ untouched by people in order to safeguard biodiversity.

Controversies
The Han River ecosystem is endangered because the water flow changed due to water blocking construction at Ilsan Bridge. Deposition of materials in the river caused environmental damage. The Korean Association for the Protection of Wild Birds claimed to remove the structure, which possibly destroyed the natural ecology and caused the bank to overflow.

In the media
The Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office set up an unmanned camera and successfully captured images of the wildlife. In the video, wild animals are seen moving around the alpine wetland and displayed various actions such as hunting and marking their territories. Martens that were observed at this time were selected as endangered animals and they were apex predators in South Korea. The video has great importance to scientific research as it is the first to document the wildlife in real time. In addition, it offers scientists and government officials the opportunity to reconsider the preservation of the alpine climate.