SmartInterra: Biosphere Reserves in Korea as living laboratories

Man and the Biosphere reserves are UNESCO-designated “living laboratories” numbering 621 in 117 countries and are intended to cultivate research, conservation and public understanding of unique ecological sites. In 2002, Mt. Halla, the Yeongcheon and Hyodon-cheon valleys, and the Beomseom, Munseom and Seopseom islets were incorporated into Jeju’s biosphere reserve and there are four other such sites nationwide.

MAB designation is dependent on a diverse, mosaic composition of eco-systems. Given this fact and the Korean peninsula’s sloping geology, it is perhaps unsurprising that - in addition to Jeju - three of the four sites lie among the more mixed ecosystems of the lower, wetter, west, rather than the simply high and mountainous east.

The program has brought the five sites, and South Korea generally, considerable international attention. Reserve status however, is politically ambiguous: whether it represents true conservation, or merely embellishes “green” cre-dentials, is dependent on national governments as there is merely a review process, rather than binding inter-national law.

Despite this note of caution, MAB has arguably raised the profile of threatened ecosystems and encouraged - if not ensured - their preservation.

These are the principal Biosphere Reserves of Korea

Mt. Sorak, Gangwon Province