[LAB Search] Professor Lee Sang-don’s Ewha Womans University Team Reveals Causes of Increase and Decrease by Habitat of Korea’s Endemic Species 'Kusangnamu'

Professor Sangdon Lee's research team from the Department of Environmental Engineering at Ewha Womans University identified the causes of increase and decrease in potential habitats of Abies koreana, an internationally endangered species and a Korean endemic species. This study was published on May 19 in the internationally renowned SCI-level journal Biological Conservation.

Professor Sangdon Lee of Ewha Womans University’s Department of Environmental Engineering (far right) and his research team composed of students are posing in the forest.

Abies koreana is a representative native plant of Korea, growing only in alpine zones above 1500 meters in elevation, such as Deogyusan, Jirisan, and Hallasan. However, as Korea’s four distinct seasons have warmed, the Abies koreana in these alpine zones are dying. Recently, more than 39% of the Abies koreana forest on Hallasan has disappeared, dying on a large scale, making it a symbol of the climate crisis.

Professor Lee’s research team studied the reasons for the increase or decrease of Abies koreana in Deogyusan, Jirisan, and Hallasan over 30-year cycles. According to the team, the potential habitats of Abies koreana in Deogyusan and Jirisan National Parks are expected to sharply decline in 2030, 2060, and 2090, proportional to the increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation in the alpine zones. In contrast, the potential habitat in Hallasan National Park is projected to slightly increase. While climate has an impact, hiking trails also significantly affect the Abies koreana ecosystem. The research team explained that Hallasan has fewer accessible trails for people compared to Deogyusan and Jirisan. Through this study, Professor Lee anticipated that instead of a uniform strategy, different strategies could be adopted depending on the habitat to save Abies koreana. He stated, “Since Hallasan is close to the sea and its climate does not change drastically, management should focus on the growth areas of Abies koreana. For Deogyusan and Jirisan, separate measures should be established to limit human access above 1500 meters elevation.”

Professor Lee’s team focuses on climate change and the resulting ecosystem changes. In June, the team studied the blooming times and temperature changes of spring flowers such as forsythia and plum blossoms over 100 years. They found that plum blossoms bloom 53 days earlier and forsythia 23 days earlier than 100 years ago. This recent study on Abies koreana is also the result of tracking the ecosystem, climate, and human interactions related to Abies koreana over seven years. Professor Lee said, “In the future, we will conduct research not only on plants like Abies koreana but also on endangered animals in Korea such as otters and martens.”