The tidal flats of South Korea, especially around the Yellow Sea, play a pivotal role in the global ecology. Spanning an impressive 18,000-mile migratory route, 50 million birds flock between eastern Russia and Alaska to Australia and New Zealand, making stops at these tidal flats.
But these invaluable wetlands are under threat. Expanding industrial sites and agricultural areas have resulted in some of these environments shrinking, even pushing certain species towards extinction. But as the world increasingly realizes the importance of these wetlands in the fight against climate change, South Korean scientists and environmentalists are rallying to preserve them.
Historically, the symbiotic relationship between man and sea in South Korea has been epitomized by tidal flats. Coastal communities have thrived for centuries by harnessing the biodiversity of these zones. Their importance to the culture and economy of the region cannot be overstated, with the fishing industry alone contributing over $330 million annually.
Additionally, these tidal flats play a pivotal role in battling climate change. They have been found to purify polluted waters, protect the coastlines from tempestuous weather, and importantly, sequester carbon dioxide. The tidal flats are especially unique in South Korea due to the presence of benthic diatoms – one-celled organisms that help sequester carbon deep within the sediment.
Research in 2021 revealed that South Korea’s tidal flats and salt marshes trap around 260,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year, akin to removing approximately 110,000 vehicles off the streets. Consequently, the South Korean government has launched a project to restore these environments as a strategy against climate change.
Despite these ecological benefits, tidal flats have suffered in the race for rapid industrialization. Over the past seven decades, two-thirds of South Korea's tidal flats have vanished, with land reclamation being a significant culprit.
Since prehistory, South Korea’s coastal communities relied on tidal flats for harvesting clams, crabs, octopus, and seaweed, adjusting their way of life to the tide’s schedule. Their biodiversity and abundance inspired many beloved local cuisines, unique coastal culture, and a fishing economy worth over $330 million U.S. dollars a year.
These same ecosystems are now helping fight climate change.
One of the most dramatic transformations occurred with the Saemangeum seawall project, which aimed to convert tidal flats into agricultural and industrial zones. This massive project has resulted in severe ecological consequences: millions of shellfish perished, migratory birds lost their habitats, and the once-vibrant fishing industry nearly disappeared.
Yet, amidst these challenges, hope emerges. The devastation of Saemangeum sparked a broader environmental movement in South Korea. By 2008, the government had prohibited the inception of new large-scale reclamation endeavors, and by 2019, the restoration of tidal flats balanced out the losses.
The Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve is a beacon of this revitalized focus on conservation according to National Geographic. Once under threat from developmental projects in the 1990s, the region is now a protected coastal wetland and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021. It attracts over six million visitors annually and is a testament to the potential of sustainable ecotourism.
Conservationists in the region have adopted a holistic approach, integrating organic rice farming to limit pollution and offering educational opportunities to visitors and local communities.
Sunmi Hwang, a wetland reserve conservationist, succinctly captures the essence of the ongoing efforts: “Our focus is on letting the tide flow again, like it always did. And then nature heals itself.”
Eunice is a sustainability writer whose passion is sharing accessible eco-friendly practices with GreenCitizen's global readership. She enjoys birdwatching during her downtime, often deriving inspiration from nature's resilience. An enthusiastic cyclist, she is also an ardent advocate of eco-friendly transport.
Environment ,
South Korea: Leading the Charge in Tidal Flat Conservation
by : Eunice Rodriguez | Published: September 1, 2023
South Korea battles ecological disaster, striving to conserve tidal flats vital for migratory birds, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation.
The tidal flats of South Korea, especially around the Yellow Sea, play a pivotal role in the global ecology. Spanning an impressive 18,000-mile migratory route, 50 million birds flock between eastern Russia and Alaska to Australia and New Zealand, making stops at these tidal flats.
But these invaluable wetlands are under threat. Expanding industrial sites and agricultural areas have resulted in some of these environments shrinking, even pushing certain species towards extinction. But as the world increasingly realizes the importance of these wetlands in the fight against climate change, South Korean scientists and environmentalists are rallying to preserve them.
Historically, the symbiotic relationship between man and sea in South Korea has been epitomized by tidal flats. Coastal communities have thrived for centuries by harnessing the biodiversity of these zones. Their importance to the culture and economy of the region cannot be overstated, with the fishing industry alone contributing over $330 million annually.
Additionally, these tidal flats play a pivotal role in battling climate change. They have been found to purify polluted waters, protect the coastlines from tempestuous weather, and importantly, sequester carbon dioxide. The tidal flats are especially unique in South Korea due to the presence of benthic diatoms – one-celled organisms that help sequester carbon deep within the sediment.
Research in 2021 revealed that South Korea’s tidal flats and salt marshes trap around 260,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year, akin to removing approximately 110,000 vehicles off the streets. Consequently, the South Korean government has launched a project to restore these environments as a strategy against climate change.
Despite these ecological benefits, tidal flats have suffered in the race for rapid industrialization. Over the past seven decades, two-thirds of South Korea's tidal flats have vanished, with land reclamation being a significant culprit.
These same ecosystems are now helping fight climate change.
One of the most dramatic transformations occurred with the Saemangeum seawall project, which aimed to convert tidal flats into agricultural and industrial zones. This massive project has resulted in severe ecological consequences: millions of shellfish perished, migratory birds lost their habitats, and the once-vibrant fishing industry nearly disappeared.
Yet, amidst these challenges, hope emerges. The devastation of Saemangeum sparked a broader environmental movement in South Korea. By 2008, the government had prohibited the inception of new large-scale reclamation endeavors, and by 2019, the restoration of tidal flats balanced out the losses.
The Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve is a beacon of this revitalized focus on conservation according to National Geographic. Once under threat from developmental projects in the 1990s, the region is now a protected coastal wetland and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021. It attracts over six million visitors annually and is a testament to the potential of sustainable ecotourism.
Conservationists in the region have adopted a holistic approach, integrating organic rice farming to limit pollution and offering educational opportunities to visitors and local communities.
Sunmi Hwang, a wetland reserve conservationist, succinctly captures the essence of the ongoing efforts: “Our focus is on letting the tide flow again, like it always did. And then nature heals itself.”
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Eunice Rodriguez
Eunice is a sustainability writer whose passion is sharing accessible eco-friendly practices with GreenCitizen's global readership. She enjoys birdwatching during her downtime, often deriving inspiration from nature's resilience. An enthusiastic cyclist, she is also an ardent advocate of eco-friendly transport.
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