Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology: "Severe 'Marine Desertification' and Algal Bloom Phenomenon Along Dokdo Coast"

Dr. Myeong Jeong-gu's Claims at the 'Ulleungdo·Dokdo Biodiversity and Climate Change Symposium'

'KIOST Big Data Analysis Platform' (kIBIG) built independently by the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] "Recently, the phenomenon of 'Gaetnogeum,' known as 'marine desertification,' has been occurring along the clean coastal areas of Dokdo, and urgent measures are needed."

Dr. Myung Jung-gu of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) revealed on the afternoon of the 6th at the 'Ulleungdo·Dokdo Biodiversity and Climate Change Symposium' held at the Ulleungdo-Dokdo Marine Research Station that the 'whitening phenomenon,' where calcareous algae cover underwater rocks, is becoming prominent, drawing attention.

Hosted by Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and organized by the KIOST East Sea Research Institute Ulleungdo-Dokdo Marine Research Station (Commander Kim Yun-bae), about 50 participants including related experts, geopark guides, and Dokdo Academy guides attended the symposium.

In the first section, Dr. Myung stated in his presentation on 'Fish Diversity' that "From 1997 to June 2020, a total of 189 species belonging to 72 families and 11 orders of fish were surveyed along the Dokdo coast, and since 2008, 15 fish species were newly identified in the Dokdo coastal area up to this year."

He urged for countermeasures, explaining that calcareous algae, which contain white calcium components similar to cement, are covering underwater rocks, causing the sea surface to turn white or red, spreading the 'marine desertification' phenomenon.

Besides Dr. Myung, Dr. Son Dong-chan from the National Arboretum presented on 'Forest Plants,' Professor Park Jae-hong of Kyungpook National University on 'Terrestrial Plants,' and Professor Kim Jong-sung of Seoul National University on 'Large Invertebrates,' each revealing the distribution characteristics of flora and fauna in Ulleungdo and Dokdo and reporting on the potential value of biological resources.

In the second section, focusing on climate change and natural sciences, Commander Kim Yun-bae of the Ulleungdo-Dokdo Marine Research Station presented on 'Subtropicalization and Marine Climate Characteristics of the Ulleungdo·Dokdo Waters,' Director Je Jong-gil of Urban Forest presented on 'Sustainability and Direction of Ulleungdo-Dokdo Natural Ecology Research,' and Professor Hong Seon-gi of Mokpo National University presented on 'Cases of Biodiversity and Climate Change in Overseas Island Regions.'

Kim Seong-hak, Director of the Marine and Fisheries Bureau of Gyeongbuk Province, said, "This is a meaningful academic event presenting the results of long-term surveys of distributed plants and marine organisms conducted dozens to hundreds of times in Ulleungdo and Dokdo, the best natural ecological laboratory in Korea," adding, "Gyeongbuk Province will continue to do its best to conserve and manage biodiversity based on researchers' findings."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.