Wetlands in Korea
Korea possesses a variety of wetlands along the south and the west coast. These wetlands have tremendous global significance for conservation because they serve as breeding, resting, and wintering sites for migratory and rare bird species in the East Asian region. Recognizing the importance of the wetlands, the Korean government has introduced new policies and enacted a number of acts including the Wetlands Conservation Act. Also, this year, the Ministry of Environment hosted the 2nd official celebration of the World Wetlands Day.
However, due to mounting development and urbanization pressures and contamination by human activities, wetlands of all types continue to be degraded. Without taking prompt and appropriate actions, livelihoods will continue to be undermined and migratory and rare bird species inhabiting them may face extinction.
Current Status of the Wetlands in Korea
Korea comprises the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and its numerous offshore islands. The Korean Peninsula has a humid, East Asian monsoon climate. Winters are generally cold and dry, with northwesterly winds bringing cold, dry air from eastern Siberia. Mean temperatures in January in most of the country are just below freezing, although the oceans surrounding Korea and the estuarine wetlands do not freeze -- which makes Korea's wetlands crucial for the survival of migratory birds. Summers are warm and wet, with mean temperatures exceeding 20?Celsius. The western and southern coasts are mostly covered by mudflats, which support numerous living organisms. The tidal change exceeds 7-9 meters, especially in the western areas, and offers vast mudflats year-round on which waders can feed. Many rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in the vicinity of paddy plains support flocks of waterfowl.
With the capacity to produce diverse organisms including algae, shallow water living organisms, and water-born invertebrates, the wetlands in Korea have provided an important habitat for migratory birds in East Asia, such as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Spotted Greenshank, Wild Goose, Godwit, Crane and Baikal Teal. However, these important wetlands have not been sufficiently protected from the pressure of development during the last three decades.
In recent years, the Korean government has recognized the importance of its wetlands for the role they play in flood control, water quality control, biodiversity, and nutrient flow. In addition, the global importance of wetlands is receiving greater attention worldwide. The Korean government has therefore endeavored to conserve wetlands that are important for water birds (considered indicator species of ecosystem health). As a result, Korea became the 101st party to the Ramsar convention on 28 July 1997. Also, Korea has strengthened its relationships with neighboring countries (agreement on conserving migratory birds with Russia; Memorandum of Understanding with the People's Republic of China; and a conference with Japan on the conservation of migratory birds). To conserve significant migratory crane species of North-East Asia, Korea hosted an international workshop in February 2000.
The Wetlands Preservation Act
The Wetlands Preservation Act was legislated in 1999 to effectively preserve and manage tidal flats and pursue international cooperations prescribed by the Ramsar Convention.
Key Features of the Wetland Preservation Plan
According to the Wetlands Preservation Act, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) will conduct basic monitoring and research projects, establish tidal flats preservation plans, designate and manage wetlands preservation areas, support educasssstion programs and cultural events, and develop programs to increase income for tidal flats communities. The 5-year-long basic monitoring and research project started in 2002, which look into the area size, its biotic and physical aspects, biodiversity, pollution level, utilization status, socio-economic status of local communities, and the attributes of tidal flats. With the information the MOMAF will draw an ecological map of the tidal flats. Then the Ministry will assemble a database to create a comprehensive blueprint for effective preservation plans. The plan will be comprised of policy directions, geographical distribution of wetlands, current biodiversity, coordination with other national projects, and public awareness programs. The MOMAF is currently identifying priority wetland preservation areas in close consultation with local residents.
The Ministry will then establish a detailed preservation plan to set up tidal flat preservation facilities, to develop and support income raising projects for local residents, and to foster sustainable use. Some wetlands will be registered on the Ramsar List for more thorough and extensive conservation and management.
The MOMAF will develop environment education programs to facilitate eco-tourism industry in tidal flat regions. In addition, the Ministry will actively support cultural programs that seek to heighten regional pride in wetlands. First of all, educational programs will be designed to target local residents, students, and the general public. In addition, special instructors will be trained to teach about the environment to students at eco-camps and eco-schools. The central government will support various cultural events carried out by local governments, including traditional tidal flat fishing events, sports events, food festivals, fitness centers, and mud spas. Meanwhile, local residents must take the initiative to develop and promote local tourism products that give tourists a chance to have hands-on experience on marine environment management and the lifestyle of fishing communities. By building pleasant recreation spots and relaxing getaways at these regions, the public awareness of tidal flats will rise, ultimately leading to enhanced quality of life for all.
National Wetland Survey
The national wetland survey of inland marshes is conducted yearly by the Ministry of Environment in compliance with Article 4 of the Wetland Preservation Act to establish basic plans for wetland preservation on the basis of the survey results.
The inland marshes of Korea are classified into six watersheds. On-site ecosystem and pollution surveys on some 340 marshes were taken from 2000 to 2004 with a budget of 3.4 billion won. The Ministry of Environment plans to raise public awareness on marshes and manage national land more efficiently by proceeding with systematic wetland preservation measures and mapping out inland wetland environments based on the survey. The survey excludes coastal marshes and divides the inland marshes into core, priority and general wetlands. For core and priority wetlands, detailed survey in 13 areas will be executed and general wetlands will only be subjected to overviews.
The pilot survey by types of wetland began in 2002. In this pilot survey, one marsh was selected from each watershed where an expert is selected to take charge of the on-site regional survey. Surveys are conducted on geological topography and landscape, regional characteristics, hydraulics and hydrology, large marine plants, vegetation, bottom sediment, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles, insects, large invertebrates, animal plankton, plant plankton, water quality and pollen analysis.
World Wetlands Day
World Wetlands Day is held every year on February 2 to celebrate and learn about the value of wetlands. It marks the date that the International Convention on Wetlands was signed in 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
The main purpose of the Ramsar Convention is developing and maintaining the international network of wetlands which are important for the conservation of global biological diversity. Also, it is aimed at sustaining the human life through the ecological and hydrological functions, that the wetlands perform.
Under a theme of "Preservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands", the World Wetland Day was officially celebrated on Feb. 4, 2003 for the second time in Korea. The celebration, hosted by the Ministry of Environment, was held at the Korea Environment Institute auditorium. Among the participants of this special celebration and seminar were the Minister of Environment and the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
The World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year in many countries around the world, on Feb. 2nd. The day was celebrated for the first time in 1997, and a range of activities have taken place around the world. World Wetland Day is an opportunity for governments, organizations, and citizens to raise public awareness of the values and benefits of wetlands in general, and about the Ramsar Convention in particular.
Conclusion
Like many other developing countries, Korea has many conflicts between conservation efforts and development pressures, which are mainly caused by the ignorance of the value of wetlands and by demands on land use.
Although continuous efforts are made to preserve the valuable wetlands in Korea, still rapid urbanization and other pollutants lead to many cases of unnecessary wetlands destruction. Accurate identification and assessment of the values of wetlands are needed, and global values of the wetlands are need to be identified so that measures can be taken to mitigate current and future threats. Also, public awareness and participation is important in preserving our valuable wetlands.
Wetland FACTS
Wetlands
Wetlands cover 6% of the Earth's land surface and are found in all countries and in all climates. They include swamps, marshes, mangrove forests and wet prairies.
Danube River
Around the world 50% of the world's wetlands have been lost since 1900. More than 80% of the wetlands along the Danube River have been destroyed since the start of the 20th century.
Mesopotamian Marshlands
The Mesopotamian Marshlands in the Tigris and Euphrates river basins were devastated by damming and river channelisation during the late 1980s.
-"Wetland Facts" are taken from the official site of "2003 International Year of Freshwater" (www.wateryear2003.org)

References were made from the following resources and website:
Project Proposal for Conservation of Globally Significant Wetlands in the ROK- Ministry of Environment UNDP/GEF Republic of Korea (Oct. 2001)
Green Korea 2002 Special Edition 1999~2000 Ministry of Environment Republic of Korea
Wetlands International Website (www.wetlands.org)
U.S. Environment Protection Agency - resources on Wetlands(www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/facts)