Gyeongbuk Province Hosts International Conference on 'Island Plants'... Exploring Ecological Conservation Policies for Ulleungdo and Dokdo

World Renowned Scholars Gather at Kyungpook National University on the 23rd

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] Gyeongsangbuk-do announced on the 24th that it held the 'Island Plants - Evolution and Conservation International Conference' at Kyungpook National University on the 23rd.

Hosted by the Ulleungdo-Dokdo Research Institute of Kyungpook National University, the conference shared the current status of island plants from around the world, including Ulleungdo, the Macaronesian Islands of Portugal, the Galapagos Islands of South America, the Caribbean Islands of Central America, and the Ogasawara Islands of Japan, and sought conservation measures for these plants.

After several postponements due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the conference was held both online and offline. Presentations and discussions included ▲Professor Daniel Crapo of the University of Kansas on 'Hybridization and Reproductive Systems of the Asteraceae in the Macaronesian Islands' ▲Professor Stephen Weller of the University of California on 'Understanding the Evolution of Reproductive Systems Using Island Defense' ▲Professor Satoshi Chiba of Tohoku University on 'Defense Mechanisms of Snails in the Ogasawara Islands.'

Researcher Allen Tai from the Charles Darwin Foundation presented on 'Flora and Evolution of the Galapagos,' Professor Santiago Valentin of the University of Puerto Rico on 'Diversity of Plants in the Caribbean Islands,' Professor Koji Takayama of Kyoto University on 'Endemic Species of the Uninhabited Bonin Islands,' and Professor Jaehong Park of Kyungpook National University on the terrestrial plant characteristics of Ulleungdo and Dokdo.

Jaehong Park, director of the Ulleungdo-Dokdo Research Institute at Kyungpook National University, who prepared the conference, stated, "Ulleungdo and Dokdo are representative islands that show plant diversity. Through international conferences like today’s, reporting the plant status of Ulleungdo and Dokdo to the international academic community and presenting research data provides scientific data to the international community, which is very meaningful."