National Institute of Ecology
Explore Another Small Earth, the National Institute of Ecology in Korea
The National Institute of Ecology, which was established in 2013, is Korea's largest ecological park, with a total area of approximately one million square meters. It nearly completely recreated various ecosystems of the world and the numerous animals and plants living there.
National Institute of EcologyNational Institute of Ecology
We will now introduce the major spaces of the National Institute of Ecology that is called Another Small Earth.
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Ecorium
The Ecorium is a landmark of the National Institute of Ecology, and it is a place where visitors can vividly experience the ecosystem per major climate zones of Earth, such as tropical, desert, Mediterranean, temperature, and polar zones. About 1,900 plant species and 280 animal species are on display over a vast area of 22, 6042 square feet (21,000㎡). The ecosystems of the different climate zones were recreated as much as possible to help visitors gain a better understanding of the relationship between climate and life.
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Tropical Biome
The Tropical Biome is a space that recreates the tropical forests of Asia, Latin America, and Africa among the tropical forests with broadleaf evergreen forests where it rains all year round. Visitors can meet over 700 types of plants that grow in tropical climates, as well as 130 fish species that live in tropical rivers and seas and 14 amphibian and reptile species.
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Desert Biome
The Desert Biome is a dry and hot region with less than 8.5 ounces (250 mm) of annual average rainfall and temperatures higher than 46°F (8℃) even in the winter. The Desert Biome has on display six reptile species and over 300 cactus species and succulent plants, and most of the plants on display are species protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
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Mediterranean Biome
The Mediterranean Biome is a place that recreates the ecology of the Mediterranean climate found in South Africa, coastal California, the Canary Islands, and Australia. When entering the exhibition hall, you will find on display Mediterranean animals and plants, such as a variety of herbs, olive trees, eucalyptus, and insect-eating plants.
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Temperature Biome
Inside the Temperate Biome plants of Gotjawal, Jeju-do, and fish and reptiles living in the Han River water system are on display. Outside the Temperature Biome is a space that recreates the mountain and valley areas of the Korean Peninsula and has on display temperate climate animals such as otters and golden eagles.
Polar BiomeNational Institute of Ecology
Polar Biome
The Polar Biome recreates changes in the ecosystem from the southern temperate zone to the polar zone. Starting with the Kaema Plateau, which is the coldest region on the Korean Peninsula, visitors can experience various extreme regions such as the Taiga Forest with highly developed coniferous forests, tundras, the ice-cap climate of the Arctic, and Penguin Village in Antarctica. Gentoo penguins and chinstrap penguins are living here.
Exhibition HallNational Institute of Ecology
Permanent Exhibition Hall
The Permanent Exhibition Hall of the Ecorium displays its exhibits to easily understand the basic concept of ecology, the definitions of the ecosystem and biome, ecosystem services, and the meaning of preserving ecological resources.
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Children's Ecology Library
In addition to the five climate exhibition halls, Ecorium also operates the Children's Ecology Library for children. This is a place for culture and communication that offers information on the ecology for children and adults, while also holding various ecological-cultural events for children. It has a collection of over 12,000 books for toddlers, children, and teenagers related to ecology (natural science, basic science, ecological environment, etc.), and it also has a digital search and audiobook section.
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Outdoor Exhibition
The outdoor exhibition of the National Institute of Ecology is a place for observing, learning, and experiencing various animals living in the aquatic gardens and Korean Peninsula wetlands to observe the ecological features of Korea's largest wetlands.
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Wetland Gardens
The Wetland Gardens reproduced rice terraces (paddies), which were common in rural Korea before the reorganization of farmlands. It is a place where visitors can observe and experience the wetland ecosystem, a treasure chest of natural resources.
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Yonghwasil Pond
The reason why the National Institute of Ecology was located here is because of Yonghwasil Pond, which provides a continuous supply of water to the entire site.
Yonghwasil PondNational Institute of Ecology
Various plants and birds live around Yonghwasil Pond, and it is the largest pond of the National Institute of Ecology that serves as its water source.
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Thoreau Trail
Thoreau Trail is a trail paved around Yonghwasil Pond. Henry David Thoreau is the author of Walden: Life in the Woods; that is said to be the first environmental book, and he is a world-renowned philosopher that was the first to use the term 'ecology.' The National Institute of Ecology established the Thoreau Trail with eight themes to commemorate the lessons, achievements, and philosophies of his life to commemorate him.
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Deer Park
Deer Park is a habitat space for Korea's representative artiodactyls.
Deer parkNational Institute of Ecology
Visitors can see roe deer, river deer, and extremely endangered wildlife species like the mountain goat, up-close. All of them hard to spot in the wild because of their cautious nature.
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Northeast Asian Forest Animal Shelter
The Northeast Asian Forest Animal Shelter built a habitat environment suitable for the lifestyles of forest animals as a facility to protect endangered animals of forests in Northeast Asia. Here, visitors can see Korean class I endangered wildlife black-headed stork, class II marten, and the natural monument mandarin duck.
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Alpine Ecosystem Learning Area
The Alpine Ecosystem Learning Area is divided into ten zones, including the alpine rock sediment area, alpine dry land, alpine limestone area, alpine shrubbery, and the alpine wetland. This is a place to research the rough environment of alpine regions and and alpine plant life that have adapted to these regions.
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Eco Care Center
The Eco Care Center located next to the Ecorium is a facility to evacuate major species in the case of national emergency disease outbreaks such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), while also protecting CITES animals seized by national agencies due to poaching or trafficking of African gray parrots, gibbons, etc.
CITES shelterNational Institute of Ecology
CITES Animal Shelter
CITES Animal Shelter is a facility for protecting internationally endangered animals. If the animals are poached or trafficked this is where they can be sheltered. The animals go through quarantine, receive health checkups, receive medical care, and then receive a variety of animal welfare programs.
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Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is a multi-purpose space including a theater, observatory, and the Seocheon tourism information center.In particular, the theater called Medirium offers fun, easy and informational experiences for visitors using augmented reality (AR) and motion sensor technology related to various ecological themes.
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