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Distribution Characteristics of Alien Plants in Seoul and Their Management PlanⅢ

Author: 
In-Ju SongㆍSeong-Gyeong Yoon
Views: 
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Abstract

Exotic species are a major threat to biodiversity, as are climate change and habitat loss because of artificial land use. The city of Seoul is likely to be the central base for the spread of exotic species, because its land use is diversified and artificial land use intensity is continuously high. In particular, exotic plants such as Sicyos angulatusand Humulus japonicus Siebold&Zucc. have been spreading, threatening the native plants, and decreasing the biodiversity. To prevent further damage, there is an urgent need for improving the management plans for exotic plants.

This study is organized into (i) internal and external research trends on exotic plants, (ii) distribution of exotic plants in Seoul and their management status, (iii) distribution pattern of exotic plants according to land-use type, and (iv) management plans for exotic plants.

The goals of this study are as follows. First, to investigate the internal and external research trends on exotic plants, we analyzed any changes that have been made to the national regulations (by the Ministry of Environment) on exotic species, the current management status and trend, the management plans for exotic species, and the current state of selecting and monitoring exotic species as a factor disturbing the ecosystem. Second, in order to understand the current state of exotic plants in Seoul, a list of existing species and a diagram of their distribution were proposed, and the system, as well as the current state, of managing the plants that are disturbing the ecosystem was analyzed. The distribution pattern of exotic plants in Seoul was documented by producing the list of existing species and their partial diagram, and by analyzing the current state of the species that are disturbing the ecosystem. Moreover, to understand the distribution pattern of exotic plants according to land-use type (eight types in total), a field survey was performed for the areas previously investigated in 2005 and 2010. Third, the distribution pattern of exotic plants and any changes were analyzed, which led to the proposal for future management plans. The change in the trend of exotic plants across land-use type was examined by a detailed comparison between the results from 2005 and those from 2010. Given this examination, several areas were selected that were vulnerable or required critical control. In addition, we proposed a way of establishinga more effective management system with citizen involvement, as well as future management plans, such as an alternative planting model.

The results can be summarized as follows. Given the research report on the ecosystem of Seoul since 2000 and the list of exotic plants according to land-use type produced by this study, Seoul has a total of 232 exotic plant species, which is 70% of all the species found across the nation. It has been confirmed that the number of exotic plant species is increasing continuously. Given the findings for the current distribution of exotic plants according to land-use type, the ratio of exotic plants growing in urban areas, including residential and commercial areas, has slightly decreased. whereas that in natural space, including rivers, forests, and parks, has markedly increased. This increase implies that there is an urgent need for active and continuous attention to and management of exotic plants, especially in order to protect the biodiversity and the ecosystem of Seoul. A particularly notable finding was that the ratio of exotic plants in rivers and railroad rights of way was over 40%, marking these two areas as the central problem in the spread of exotic plants. Also, the ratio of exotic plants according to land-use type in 2005, 2010, and 2016, was 21.2%, 21.1%, and 24.2%, respectively, showing a slight increase.

 

The list of exotic plants that are disturbing the ecosystem of Seoul includes seven species: Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Ambrosia trifida, Eupatorium rugosum, Rumex acetosella, Sicyos angulatus, Aster pilosus, and Lactuca scariola. Among these species, the star cucumber has been found to be rapidly spreading along the riverbanks. In order to manage the exotic plants that are disturbing the ecosystem, continuous monitoring of rivers, forests, and parks, which are the areas most vulnerable to these species, should be carried out. In this study, two more areas (the riverbank facing Gwangjin Public Library and the river of Anyangcheon) were selected as monitoring sites, in addition to the five areas in Seoul currently being monitored by the Ministry of Environment. Areas requiring critical control were selected and alternative planting models were proposed, in order to improve the efficiency of the removal process. A total of four areas were selected as areas requiring critical control; these included Anyangcheon, Umyeon Ecological Park, World Cup Park, and the channel junction between Tancheon and Yangjaecheon. Appropriate alternative planting models for riverbanks include reed, loosestrife, iris (wild flag iris, etc.), silver grass, and ditch reed for areas close to the marsh, and Korean starwart, bush clover, silver grass, ditch reed for areas close to the stream. Appropriate alternative planting models for forests and parks include boxwood tree, Korean azalea, and wax tree.

What is as important as continuous monitoring of the changes in exotic plants is systematic DB establishment and information provision. A good way would be to add the content on exotic plants to the Seoul Ecological Information System website, which will procide easy access for citizens. It might also be a good idea to publish posters, pamphlets, and booklets, so that all citizens can easily find information on exotic plants.

Last but not least, effective management will result if the network of central offices is strengthened by cooperation with the Ministry of Environment for major policymaking and information, and with the National Institute of Ecology for monitoring and analyzing the current state. Besides, a liaison formed between corporations and civic groups will help carry out the actual management procedures, such as removing the ecosystem-disturbing plants.

 

Contents

01 Introduction

1_Background and purpose

2_Procedure

 

02 Research Trend on Exotic Plants

1_Regulation of Exotic Plants

2_Internal Research Trend and Management

3_External Case Studies

 

03 Current State and Management of Exotic Plants in Seoul

1_Current State of Exotic Plants

2_Management of Exotic Plants

 

04 Distribution Pattern of Exotic Plants according to Land-Use Type

1_Selecting the Area to be Investigated

2_Analyzing the Distribution Pattern according to Land-Use Type

 

05 Variation Analysis on Exotic Plants and Management Plans

1_Analyzing the Variation of Exotic Plants according to Land-Use Type

2_Selecting Vulnerable Areas for Critical Control

3_DB Establishment & Provision of Information

4_Promotion of Citizen Involvement in Management Plans