The National Institute of Forest Science on May 12 signed an agreement with China's Scientific Research-Chinese Academy of Forestry on conducting joint global research. (iClick) (This photo is protected under copyright law and unauthorized reproduction and redistribution are strictly prohibited.)

By Koh Hyunjeong

A joint research project with China will seek to prevent desertification in Northeast Asia and reduce sand and dust storms in the region.

The National Institute of Forest Science (NIFS) under the Korea Forest Service on May 12 announced its signing of an agreement on May 8 in Beijing on a joint global study with China's Scientific Research-Chinese Academy of Forestry to include Mongolia in forming a trilateral structure for forestry cooperation.

Under the accord, the two institutes will jointly research afforestation sites in China and Mongolia and build a system to assess the effectiveness of afforestation.

They will also jointly respond to international agreements and groups like the United Nations (UN) Convention to Combat Desertification and the North East Asia Deforestation, Land Degradation and Drought Network.

From 2017-24, both side conducted joint research like vegetation surveys and satellite image analysis at around 10 afforestation project sites for a Korea-China project to prevent desertification.

The results found that over 80% of trees planted in most of the zones were healthy, the living environment for residents improved and the region's economies were stimulated.

The UN Convention's World Land Outlook Report cited this as an exemplary case of partnership.

"To address desertification needs sustainable afforestation technologies that reflect not only ecological methods but also sociocultural contexts," said Choi Hyung Tae, director of the NIFS' Forest Ecology Division. "We will work with on-site researchers to scientifically respond to the climate crisis and drought."

hjkoh@korea.kr