Efforts for Natural Restoration in the DMZ
Learn about the efforts of the DMZ Botanic Garden to restore the natural environment in the DMZ and border area
Restoration of the DMZ 2DMZ Botanic Garden
Well-preserved natural environment in the DMZ
Human access to the DMZ has been controlled for over 60 years since the Korean Armistice Agreement. In a situation free from human inference, various animals and plants naturally inhabit the DMZ, forming a unique ecosystem. The DMZ has now become an area of very high ecological value as a home to many animals and plants rarely found elsewhere.
Restoration of the DMZ 3DMZ Botanic Garden
The DMZ, one of South Korea's three key ecological axes
South Korea has designated the DMZ as one of the country's three key ecological axes. Furthermore, in 2019, parts of the five bordering regions of Gangwon-do (Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, Inje, and Goseong) and Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do were designated as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (terrestrial, coastal, or marine ecosystems designated by UNESCO as outstanding ecosystems worldwide to learn ways to promote sustainable use while conserving biodiversity).
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Damaged nature in the DMZ
While it has a unique and well-preserved natural environment, at the same time, the DMZ is also a place that has suffered damage from military activities. In particular, weeding work by both the South Korean and North Korean militaries to secure visibility or observation, under the name of the "DMZ barren land campaign," has been a major cause of ecological disturbance in the DMZ. Therefore, the DMZ Botanic Garden is making various research efforts toward the recovery of the precious natural environment, as well as the sustainable restoration of the damaged areas of the DMZ.
Restoration of the DMZ 9DMZ Botanic Garden
Efforts for natural restoration in the DMZ
The DMZ Botanic Garden is actively conducting research to restore the ecology in the DMZ, considering the characteristics of the natural environment and location of the DMZ near the southern limit line, in regions such as Yanggu and Cheorwon.
Restoration of the DMZ 5DMZ Botanic Garden
1. Close cooperation between the private sector, the military, and government agencies
Owing to the nature of the DMZ, it is important for the private sector, the military, and government agencies to closely cooperate with one another for both research and the actual restoration of nature. In particular, it is not permitted to enter the southern limit line fence for the purpose of non-military operations. Only those selected through a rigorous screening process, with the cooperation of the military, are allowed to conduct surveys in this area while being accompanied by military officers.
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2. Importance of securing visibility
One of the unique characteristics of the restoration of the DMZ is that it must be carried out in a direction that guarantees security for military purposes. For example, plants that are too tall cannot be grown as they may obstruct the sight of the guards.
3. Selection of native plants suitable for the natural environment
In addition, owing to the characteristics of the natural environment of the DMZ, plants that grow well even in difficult conditions should be selected, and only native plants that live nearby should be selected to avoid disturbance to the ecosystem.
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The DMZ Botanic Garden is conducting research by overcoming various topographical features, from high rock walls to slopes, to discover plant materials for restoration that satisfy the above conditions.
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5. Restoration method research
An appropriate method must be applied to grow the selected native plants for successful restoration. For example, researchers are trying different methods to find an effective method for the restoration of damaged slopes.
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6. Development of special vegetation base materials
In addition, the DMZ suffers from ecosystem disturbance due to the invasion of many foreign plants. Accordingly, researchers are developing special vegetation base materials that inhibit the invasion of foreign plants to promote the growth of restoration material plants.
7. Plant environmental adaptation experiment
The DMZ encompasses very diverse topographical features, encompassed by "high in the east and low in the west." As there are so many different environments, researchers are conducting plant environmental adaptation experiments to determine if the plant materials can grow under different environmental (soil and temperature) conditions.
Restoration of the DMZ 13DMZ Botanic Garden
Since a great area of the DMZ has been damaged, a large amount of plant material is required for restoration. However, there are practical difficulties in meeting the demand for restoration only by collecting living organisms, and it is difficult to obtain seeds as there are few institutions or companies handling the restoration material plants, which are native species.
Developing seed orchard of candidate speciesDMZ Botanic Garden
For this, the DMZ Botanic Garden has created a seed garden by mass-proliferating native species collected near the DMZ, and is taking flexible measures, such as collecting the seeds needed for restoration.
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The DMZ is a symbol of division, where the spirit of our nation and history are intertwined. The DMZ Botanic Garden strives to heal the painful wounds of history through restoration of the natural environment, and increase the value of our natural environment in the future.
Take a tour of the space at the DMZ Botanic Garden dedicated to the research and conservation of plants in the DMZ area here.
Researchers at the DMZ Botanic Garden have long been conducting surveys along the barbed-wire fence to find and study undiscovered plants in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). Follow the footprints and gaze of the researchers to find plants blooming along the fence here.
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