The Korea Forest Service (KFS) and the Korea National Arboretum on Sept. 2 said five national recreational forests were officially designated other effective area-based conservation measures in the World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas. Shown is an aerial view of Gwangneung Forest, one of the five selections. (KFS)

By Lee Dasom

Gwangneung Forest and four national natural recreation forests have been officially designated globally protected areas in recognition of their biodiversity value.

The Korea Forest Service (KFS) and the Korea National Arboretum (KNA) on Sept. 2 said Gwangneung (2,426 hectares) and the natural recreation forests of Sinsido (119.2), Sinbulsan (1,013.1), Unmunsan (1,578) and Hwangjeongsan (247.4) were officially registered as other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM) in the World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas.

The OECM system is international certification of areas not officially designated strictly protected areas but deemed to make major contributions to biodiversity conservation through effective management.

Since 2021, the arborteum has surveyed the biodiversity of forest ecosystems based on assessment criteria set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature such as arboretums, natural recreation forests, forest wetlands and windblown regions to identify and rate areas of outstanding conservation.

An official said the designation shows that forests managed in diverse methods like natural recreation forests open to the public for forest welfare and recreation can be considered nature protection hubs if they make practical contributions to biodiversity conservation.

"We consider it highly significant that the conservation value of our forests, as evidenced by field surveys and scientific appraisals, is officially reflected in a global database," the service said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor these areas to ensure sustained conservation results."

dlektha0319@korea.kr