The total project budget for the establishment of the National Subtropical Arboretum has been finalized. The development of the Subtropical Arboretum is set to begin in earnest next year, with the goal of completion by 2030.
The Korea Forest Service announced on the 24th that the total project budget for the creation of the Subtropical Arboretum has been set at 181.5 billion won.
The finalized budget is an increase of 34.2 billion won (23%) compared to the total project cost of 147.3 billion won estimated during the preliminary feasibility study in 2020. The increase was determined after taking into account the importance of subtropical and tropical arboreta in responding to the climate crisis, the use of domestic wooden structures, the need for Barrier-Free (BF) certification for accessibility, and rising prices.
The entire construction period is planned for five years (2026-2030), and the schedule is expected to be set in motion starting with the detailed design order in the first half of next year.
The National Subtropical Arboretum is scheduled to be established in Wando by 2030. A bird's-eye view of the Subtropical Arboretum. Provided by the Korea Forest Service.
The Korea Forest Service plans to redevelop the Wando Arboretum, which has been operated by South Jeolla Province since its opening in 1991, as the new Subtropical Arboretum.
According to climate change scenarios for the Korean Peninsula, by 2100, the area classified as subtropical in South Korea is expected to account for 21% of the country's total land area. This indicates that the subtropical and tropical climate zones are already advancing on the Korean Peninsula.
The Subtropical Arboretum is being established in response to the growing subtropical and tropical conditions on the peninsula, with the aim of proactively preparing and cultivating forests suited to these climates. The plan is to develop tree species suitable for the future climate conditions of the country and to manage forests in advance, taking into account the time required for trees to grow.
Wando has a typical subtropical climate, with an average annual temperature of 14.33 degrees Celsius and annual precipitation of 1,510 millimeters. In addition, the influence of the Jeju warm current and the West Coast coastal current results in high humidity, providing optimal conditions for the growth of subtropical forests. The Korea Forest Service estimates that out of the total 9,852 hectares of subtropical forests on the Korean Peninsula, 3,446 hectares (35%) are concentrated in Wando. This is precisely why the Subtropical Arboretum is being established in Wando.
To take advantage of these conditions, the Korea Forest Service plans to establish a subtropical botanical garden in Wando, making it a base for research on forest genetic resources in subtropical and tropical regions and for the development of promising tree species to respond to global warming.
Subtropical tree species are mostly evergreen broadleaf trees, which are known for their excellent carbon absorption capabilities. In particular, the red buckthorn tree, which is the most widely distributed and abundant species in Wando, can absorb 7.89 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare of plantation, giving it a far superior capacity for carbon absorption and storage compared to other species.
The Korea Forest Service plans to identify and improve tree species with high economic value that grow in Wando, including the red buckthorn tree, to enhance their utility as forest resources. At the same time, the agency aims to contribute to the national greenhouse gas reduction target by expanding subtropical forests.
Most importantly, the vision is for the Subtropical Arboretum to serve not only as a research institution but also as an operator of nature ecology programs that reflect the region's mild, year-round climate. To support these programs, the Subtropical Arboretum will be equipped with facilities such as a subtropical theme garden, exhibition greenhouse, treetop deck road, lake garden center, observatory, and monorail.
Park Younghwan, Director of the Arboretum Development Project at the Korea Forest Service, stated, "Once established, the Subtropical Arboretum will serve as the southernmost outpost for responding to the climate crisis. The Korea Forest Service will strive to ensure that the Subtropical Arboretum not only fulfills its role as a research institution but also becomes a unique national arboretum-a healing space where people and nature coexist."
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