Climate Change and Endangered Korean Fir
Explore a story about the Korean firs that are threatened due to climate change
Korean firKorea National Arboretum
Korean firs are mainly found in Mt. Halla, Mt. Jiri, Mt. Deokyu and other high altitudes in Korea. Especially in Halla and Jiri, they form large scale forests. They are fond of rocky areas and a cool climate.
Korean fir tree coneKorea National Arboretum
Kusalnang
The Korean name for Korean firs, 'Gusangnamu' is derived from the shape of its leaves. People of Jeju Island called this tree 'Kusalnang' in their dialect meaning sea urchin tree. Kusalnang became known as Gusangnamu in Standard Korean.
What do you think? Do the leaves resemble sea urchin's needles?
Korean firKorea National Arboretum
Korean Firs on Mt. Halla
Mt. Halla is the highest peak in South Korea, with an altitude of 1,950 meters.
Korean Fir tree on Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
In Hallasan, you'll find a large forest of spherical trees.
Korean Fir tree on Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
The sphagnum tree is found from around 1,400 metres above sea level on Hallasan Mountain to the summit.
Korean fir tree on Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
Fir habitats on the mountain are located on the slope of Baekrok-dam, the crater lake of Mt. Halla.
Korean Fir tree on Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
Along valleys on Mt. Halla, Korean firs have developed a belt-like habitat.
Southern slope of Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
Southern slope of Mt. Halla
Korean Fir tree on Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
Mt. Halla's southern slope has a multitude of Korea fir population as well since the slope mainly consists of rocks.
Korean Fir tree on Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
Korean fir population on the southern slope of Mt. Halla.
Korean fir trees on Mt. DeogyuKorea National Arboretum
Korean firs on Mt. Deokyu
Flora of the eastern slope of Mt. Deokyu. Korean firs, Dark-bark spruce and Rigid-branch yew grow in conifer forests.
Korean fir tree on Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
Deoksansan's coniferous trees, like those in other parts of the world, prefer rocky areas, but unlike their counterparts in the Halla Mountains, they can be found growing in small clusters separated from each other.
Endangered Korean firsKorea National Arboretum
Korean firs at risk
Korean fir's preference to cold climate means if the earth becomes hotter, the species will likely decline.
Korean fir trees on the slope of Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
The globular pine is a species vulnerable to climate change. Global warming is having a major impact on the conservation of the orbicularis because its native range is isolated in some alpine regions.
Korean Fir tree on Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
Research shows alpine, cold-climate-loving globular pine has been in steady decline since 1988.
Korean Fir tree on Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
The cause of this phenomenon is thought due to the advent of foreign species as a result of warmer climate.
Korean firKorea National Arboretum
A number of Korean firs have already disappeared from the mountain.
Korean Fir tree on Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
Experts project that within 100 years the natural habitats of Korean firs are highly likely to disappear, if the warming of the planet continues at this pace.
Expedition to Korean fir habitats on Mt. HallaKorea National Arboretum
The Korea National Arboretum conducts research on the characteristics, habitats and environmental factors of Korean firs in order to prevent the trees from being extinct.
Korean fir trees' leaves on Mt. DeogyuKorea National Arboretum
If we continue to commit to reducing carbon emissions, along with the Arboretum's scientific research, we will witness the beautiful Korean fir forests once again.
Explore more stories about the endangered Korean trees, here.
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