After the Korean War, the country was full of bare mountains. At that time, the UN wrote a report stating that it was impossible to restore forests on Korean land. Ignoring this statement, groups of Koreans worked together to plant trees and managed to succeed at this arduous task. It is said to be a miracle that the government and the private sector worked together to achieve. In the late 1980s, the United Nations ranked it as the only country that succeeded in reforestation after World War II. Nowadays, Israel is another country that also managed to accomplish this goal.
Korean forests
The origin and issues of forests in Korea
The origin of Korean forests
A miracle achieved by teamwork among government and the private sector
The origin of Korean forests
정부 민간 모두 한마음으로
A miracle achieved by teamwork among government and the private sector
A miracle achieved by teamwork among government and the private sector
After the Korean War, the country was full of bare mountains. At that time, the UN wrote a report stating that it was impossible to restore forests on Korean land. Ignoring this statement, groups of Koreans worked together to plant trees and managed to succeed at this arduous task. It is said to be a miracle that the government and the private sector worked together to achieve. In the late 1980s, the United Nations ranked it as the only country that succeeded in reforestation after World War II. Nowadays, Israel is another country that also managed to accomplish this goal.
In the late 80s, the United Nations ranked Korea as the only country that succeeded in reforestation after World War II
1980년대 후반에 UN은 2차대전 이후
In the late 80s, the United Nations ranked Korea as the only country that succeeded in reforestation after World War II
In the late 80s, the United Nations ranked Korea as the only country that succeeded in reforestation after World War II
The development of our forests
A phenomenal record of 100% survival rate
Initially, the World Bank provided a subsidy to the Korean government for afforestation projects. The subsidy was meant for the purchase of trees, but at that time Korea was so poor it was evident: even if said trees were planted, people would use them as firewood or as a building material. Therefore, the Korean government first developed cement factories and coal mines. Although the World Bank took issue with this move, they had no choice but to agree with the government's explanation that trees should not be used as firewood or building materials after planting, therefore setting these factories was meant to protect the trees in the long run.
The Korean government decided to use money derived from the profits on the cement factories and coal mines to grow the so needed forests. If the initial budget was enough to plant 100 trees, the government planted 110. It is estimated that 10% of the planted trees don't survive the process. At that time, officers would plant the extra trees near their workplace and transplant them to a new location when needed. Therefore, an amazing survival rate of 100% was achieved. The World Bank couldn't trust the accuracy of such results. In other developing countries the subsides received are often unduly managed by the government and reaching a 90% success was already considered a remarkable achievement - a 100% success was considered to be impossible, it had never been done before. Aside from the extra trees, the government also educated children about the forest fires that were happening at that time and provided them jobs as cleaners to prevent litter from causing fires - in the autumn, it's quite easy for fallen leaves to start a fire if they are exposed to intense sunlight, such as that of a magnifying glass.
If Korea has dense forests nowadays, it is thanks to the hard work of a whole generation. We must never forget this.
The development of our forests
A phenomenal record of 100% survival rate
Initially, the World Bank provided a subsidy to the Korean government for afforestation projects. The subsidy was meant for the purchase of trees, but at that time Korea was so poor it was evident: even if said trees were planted, people would use them as firewood or as a building material. Therefore, the Korean government first developed cement factories and coal mines. Although the World Bank took issue with this move, they had no choice but to agree with the government's explanation that trees should not be used as firewood or building materials after planting, therefore setting these factories was meant to protect the trees in the long run.
The Korean government decided to use money derived from the profits on the cement factories and coal mines to grow the so needed forests. If the initial budget was enough to plant 100 trees, the government planted 110. It is estimated that 10% of the planted trees don't survive the process. At that time, officers would plant the extra trees near their workplace and transplant them to a new location when needed. Therefore, an amazing survival rate of 100% was achieved. The World Bank couldn't trust the accuracy of such results. In other developing countries the subsides received are often unduly managed by the government and reaching a 90% success was already considered a remarkable achievement - a 100% success was considered to be impossible, it had never been done before. Aside from the extra trees, the government also educated children about the forest fires that were happening at that time and provided them jobs as cleaners to prevent litter from causing fires - in the autumn, it's quite easy for fallen leaves to start a fire if they are exposed to intense sunlight, such as that of a magnifying glass.
If Korea has dense forests nowadays, it is thanks to the hard work of a whole generation. We must never forget this.
New problems in our forest
An economic vicious cycle caused by neglected forests
However, Korea is facing a new issue because of its forests. A lot of branches can be seen piling up in mountains. This happens because the trees offer low economic value, there is not enough incentive to collect this wood. Like this, the forests are left unattended. No one is interested in taking these trees down and using them. Imported wood is used more often than Korean wood, due to the difference in quality. Currently, national wood supplies around 16% of the demand for timber. This amount is being used mostly by the government, even though its quality is inferior than other countries'. What we can conclude about this situation is that even if forests are managed under economig logic, the product offered has little to no market demand.
This resulted in a forest density over 130% the appropriate level. Trees compete fiercely with one another for nutrients, so they end up absorbing very little carbon and growing thin, are more vulnerable to forest fires and grow more branches than usual, decreasing in value even further. This is a vicious cycle, leading to more wood imports. The weak branches are easily broken by strong wind, causing them to pile up on the floor and making it easier for forest fires to happen. They eventually rot or burn, so there's an inevitable emission of carbon dioxide. As a consequence, the overall carbon absorption of Korean forests is low. Even though the forests can absorb carbon well most of it goes back to the atmosphere, so the carbon credits are low.
New problems in our forest
An economic vicious cycle caused by neglected forests
However, Korea is facing a new issue because of its forests. A lot of branches can be seen piling up in mountains. This happens because the trees offer low economic value, there is not enough incentive to collect this wood. Like this, the forests are left unattended. No one is interested in taking these trees down and using them. Imported wood is used more often than Korean wood, due to the difference in quality. Currently, national wood supplies around 16% of the demand for timber. This amount is being used mostly by the government, even though its quality is inferior than other countries'. What we can conclude about this situation is that even if forests are managed under economig logic, the product offered has little to no market demand.
This resulted in a forest density over 130% the appropriate level. Trees compete fiercely with one another for nutrients, so they end up absorbing very little carbon and growing thin, are more vulnerable to forest fires and grow more branches than usual, decreasing in value even further. This is a vicious cycle, leading to more wood imports. The weak branches are easily broken by strong wind, causing them to pile up on the floor and making it easier for forest fires to happen. They eventually rot or burn, so there's an inevitable emission of carbon dioxide. As a consequence, the overall carbon absorption of Korean forests is low. Even though the forests can absorb carbon well most of it goes back to the atmosphere, so the carbon credits are low.
If natural forests are not properly managed, their carbon absorption capacity will decrease.
Leaving Korea's artificially created forests unattended is not the way to conserve them.
If natural forests are not properly managed, their carbon absorption capacity will decrease.
Leaving Korea's artificially created forests unattended is not the way to conserve them.
Have you heard birds chirping in the mountains nowadays? There are no birds in densely coniferous forests. Not enough space to fly, not enough food. The absence of birds makes for a safe space for pests to grow out of control and negatively impact trees, bringing disease and premature death for them.
In Korea, 70% of the artificial forests are composed of only two species of coniferous trees, and they are all roughly the same age. This makes simultaneous death a very real concern. Dead trees serve as irrigation pipes that bring moisture to the ground, which can be a cause for landslides. As pointed out by Nature magazine, even natural forests must be properly managed for them to properly store carbon - let alone artificial forests. Leaving them unattended is by no means a form of nature preservation. Abandoned forests either decompose or burn. It is no coincidence that wildfires are on the rise in Korea.
Have you heard birds chirping in the mountains nowadays? There are no birds in densely coniferous forests. Not enough space to fly, not enough food. The absence of birds makes for a safe space for pests to grow out of control and negatively impact trees, bringing disease and premature death for them.
In Korea, 70% of the artificial forests are composed of only two species of coniferous trees, and they are all roughly the same age. This makes simultaneous death a very real concern. Dead trees serve as irrigation pipes that bring moisture to the ground, which can be a cause for landslides. As pointed out by Nature magazine, even natural forests must be properly managed for them to properly store carbon - let alone artificial forests. Leaving them unattended is by no means a form of nature preservation. Abandoned forests either decompose or burn. It is no coincidence that wildfires are on the rise in Korea.
Sustainable forest management
CXP가 제안하는 효과적인
Effective forest management and carbon storage by CXP
Read MoreEffective forest management and carbon storage by CXP
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