[지구의날] 기후변화로 뿌리채 뽑히는 백두대간 침엽수림...한반도에선 무슨 일이?
Today, April 22nd, is the 50th anniversary of 'Earth Day'.
As the most pressing topic among numerous environmental challenges, facing the world, the theme for this year's Earth Day is climate action.
Climate change has drastically impacted global biodiversity, and here in South Korea, a certain species of trees in a famous mountain range are on the brink of extinction.
Choi Jeong-yoon reports.
At an altitude of 1,800 meters, Korean Spruce habitats have been destroyed.
All that remains are patches of grey, withered trees with broken branches, and their roots exposed above the topsoil.
A rare tree that connects the ecosystem along the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range on the Korean Peninsula is close to extinction...all due to climate change.
An ecological expert explains the death of trees is a sign of early land-based climate change and conifers... are among the most vulnerable to the phenomenon.
"While other trees shed leaves and hibernate in winter, conifers are evergreen...meaning they have to stay hydrated and need an appropriate climate to grow. But with climate change, there has been a gap in this particular mechanism."
The amount of snow in South Korea has fallen about one third of levels seen just 20 years ago.
Even the snow that does fall melts faster and evaporates due to the warmer temperatures.
Prolonged droughts in spring have weakened the conifers' roots and made it difficult for them to anchor themselves to the ground.
"This is a red flag. Previously, nature was destroyed by the cutting down or burning of trees... or from urbanization. But now, trees are just dying without human contact."
Without action, he suggests this species could be wiped out within ten years.
"The rupture of a particular species will break the balance of Korea's biodiversity and will eventually affect humans. Thinking the extinction of one or two tree species is no big deal is a bad mistake."
Unfortunately, he says there's nothing we can do to turn back the clock.
Only by closely monitoring for the slightest signs and counteracting the changes swiftly can prevent further destruction...along with active forestation policies.
Choi Jeong-yoon, Arirang News.
