Strategies for restoration of forest ecosystems degraded by forest fire in Kangwon Ecoregion of Korea

Ecosystem management is a key strategy for sustainable development of natural resources. A workable definition of ecosystem is necessary to manage ecosystems successfully. Hierarchical grouping of ecosystem division in spatial scale is also needed to define concrete forest ecosystems. South Korean landscape is divided into five ecoprovinces, 16 ecoregions and 120 ecodistricts. The Kangwon Ecoregion is located in the centre of the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. It is characterized as dry and very windy in spring, and is very susceptible to forest fires. In 1996, this ecoregion experienced the largest forest fire ever recorded to that time; 3762 ha of forestland were burned. The Korea Forest Research Institute has studied the burnt areas extensively, using data on regional climate and vegetation, landform and geology, forest soils, plant communities, hydrology, pests, wildlife and pine mushrooms. Basic principles of restoration were established and long-term ecological research has been initiated. A forest fire, six times bigger than that of 1996, occurred in Kangwon Ecoregion in 2000. A comprehensive and integrated investigation group, including representatives from the Forest Service, Ministry of Environment and local and non-governmental organizations has been formed. The group, composed of 176 specialists including professors and researchers from various disciplines, has proposed concrete principles and future management strategies for restoration of degraded forest areas based on integration of the ecological, social and economic sectors.