[Photo from Ajou Economic DB]
An assessment of South Korea's ecosystem services has estimated their economic value at 34 trillion won annually. If current climate change trends continue, habitats for 46 endangered plant species are projected to decrease by 16.2% by 2050.
The Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment announced on June 28 that it will release the "First National Ecosystem Assessment Report" on June 29. This report involved over 100 experts from various fields, including ecology, environmental economics, and climate science.
Based on data from 2020, the report estimates the annual economic value of ecosystem services in six areas—food supply, freshwater provision, carbon absorption, timber production, and recreation in national parks—at 34 trillion won.
Over the past 30 years, urban areas have expanded by 172.2%, while agricultural land has decreased by 25.8%. Additionally, wetland areas have shrunk by 11.7% in the last decade. Average temperatures have risen by 0.28 degrees Celsius, with extreme rainfall events increasing by 4.5 times, wildfires by 1.8 times, and landslides by 1.7 times.
The condition of forests has improved, with the proportion of old-growth forests increasing by 71.5 percentage points and timber volume rising by 331%. In urban ecosystems, the per capita urban forest area has increased by 48.3% recently, leading to a reduction in fine dust levels from 26 µg/m³ in 2015 to 19 µg/m³ in 2020.
In agricultural ecosystems, the residual nutrient balance of soil nitrogen and phosphorus has worsened by 21.0% and 23.7%, respectively, increasing soil pollution burdens. Conversely, the freshwater ecosystem has seen improvements, with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations decreasing by 47.9% and 31.5%, respectively.
The report forecasts that if current conditions persist, habitats for the 46 climate-sensitive endangered plant species will decline by 16.2% by 2050. It recommends policy responses such as expanding protected areas, restoring ecosystems, and enhancing carbon sinks.
Lee Chae-eun, Director of the Natural Conservation Bureau at the Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment, stated, "Ecosystems are a crucial foundation for food security, water resource management, and climate crisis response. We will continue to strengthen policies aimed at biodiversity recovery and enhancing ecosystem services based on these assessment results."
The Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment announced on June 28 that it will release the "First National Ecosystem Assessment Report" on June 29. This report involved over 100 experts from various fields, including ecology, environmental economics, and climate science.
Based on data from 2020, the report estimates the annual economic value of ecosystem services in six areas—food supply, freshwater provision, carbon absorption, timber production, and recreation in national parks—at 34 trillion won.
Over the past 30 years, urban areas have expanded by 172.2%, while agricultural land has decreased by 25.8%. Additionally, wetland areas have shrunk by 11.7% in the last decade. Average temperatures have risen by 0.28 degrees Celsius, with extreme rainfall events increasing by 4.5 times, wildfires by 1.8 times, and landslides by 1.7 times.
The condition of forests has improved, with the proportion of old-growth forests increasing by 71.5 percentage points and timber volume rising by 331%. In urban ecosystems, the per capita urban forest area has increased by 48.3% recently, leading to a reduction in fine dust levels from 26 µg/m³ in 2015 to 19 µg/m³ in 2020.
In agricultural ecosystems, the residual nutrient balance of soil nitrogen and phosphorus has worsened by 21.0% and 23.7%, respectively, increasing soil pollution burdens. Conversely, the freshwater ecosystem has seen improvements, with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations decreasing by 47.9% and 31.5%, respectively.
The report forecasts that if current conditions persist, habitats for the 46 climate-sensitive endangered plant species will decline by 16.2% by 2050. It recommends policy responses such as expanding protected areas, restoring ecosystems, and enhancing carbon sinks.
Lee Chae-eun, Director of the Natural Conservation Bureau at the Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment, stated, "Ecosystems are a crucial foundation for food security, water resource management, and climate crisis response. We will continue to strengthen policies aimed at biodiversity recovery and enhancing ecosystem services based on these assessment results."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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