[Report] "When People Stepped Back, Nature Returned"... The 20-Year Restoration Miracle of Suncheonman Wetland

The Suncheonman Wetland in Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do, is often referred to as a "textbook of restoration." What was once filled with restaurants, roads, and parking lots has, over the course of more than 20 years through policy decisions and community cooperation, been transformed into a global ecological hub. Visitors to the site were able to see for themselves the saying, "When people step back, nature returns," and marveled as they truly experienced it.

The first thing to capture attention at Suncheonman Wetland, visited on the 21st, was the endlessly sprawling reed field. This area is recognized as the largest salt-tolerant plant habitat in Korea. Plants such as reeds and glasswort, which survive in the harsh environment where seawater and freshwater mix, have recently been highlighted as key resources for "blue carbon." These marine ecosystem plants absorb and store carbon, with analyses showing that their carbon absorption rate is up to 50 times faster and their storage capacity is five times higher than that of terrestrial plants. This is one of the main reasons why the ecological value of Suncheonman is being re-examined as a response to the climate crisis.

Aerial view of Suncheonman Wetland in Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do. Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment

The reed fields are more than just a picturesque scene—they are the foundation of the ecosystem. As you travel by boat toward the sea, you can observe the reeds shortening in height, an adaptation to varying salinity levels. Salt-tolerant plants accumulate salt in their tissues to withstand the saline environment, and in this process, plants like glasswort, which turn red, are formed. Survival in such a harsh environment becomes the very basis for increasing biodiversity within the ecosystem.

Another distinctive feature of Suncheonman is its role as an "intermediate stopover for life." Out of the 580 bird species recorded in Korea, 252 species have been observed here. In particular, during the winter, between 80 and 90 species of migratory birds, including the hooded crane, spend the season in this area. According to a recent survey by Suncheon City, about 8,600 hooded cranes spent the winter at Suncheonman, and when including the nearby southern coast, the number rises to around 9,600. As the population, once concentrated in Japan, has gradually dispersed, a "crane belt" has formed around Suncheonman and the southern coastal region.

In spring, another wave of migration begins. Sandpipers and shorebirds that have overwintered in Australia and New Zealand stop over at Suncheonman while migrating to their breeding grounds in Alaska and Siberia. Arriving with more than half their body weight lost during the long flight, they replenish their energy by feeding in the mudflats. If the mudflats were to be damaged, their entire migration route would be threatened. Suncheonman is not just a habitat, but a key international hub supporting global migratory routes.

Sandpipers and waterfowl that have overwintered in Australia and New Zealand stop by Suncheon Bay while migrating to their breeding grounds in Alaska and Siberia. Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment

The mudflats themselves are also vital ecological resources. Although they may appear as simple "mud" at first glance, they are actually complex ecosystems composed of fine particles and organic matter. More than 90% of them consist of fine particles, and benthic organisms continuously burrow, supplying oxygen and preventing decay. The area serves as a spawning ground for various fish and habitats for mudskippers, fiddler crabs, and different shellfish species. As a brackish water zone where river and sea meet, Suncheonman is regarded as a "storehouse of life" where diverse organisms coexist.

The way visitors experience the area has also changed significantly. Vehicle access has been restricted and dirt trails have been created to minimize human impact. Some sections are seasonally restricted to protect migratory birds. Policies increasingly encourage visits that foster an understanding of ecological value, rather than simply increasing visitor numbers. Suncheon City maintains the principle that "It is more important to see it properly than to have many people visit."

Behind these changes were people's choices and the passage of time. The turning point for Suncheonman came after it was designated a wetland protection area in 2003. At that time, visitors were so scarce that concerns were raised, such as, "How can we even pay the electricity bills with so few tourists?" However, the situation changed dramatically from 2006 onward. Suncheon City began managing the mudflats and surrounding land integratively under the principle of "restoration from the bird's perspective." Starting in 2008, the city boldly removed restaurants, roads, and parking lots that had been developed for humans and focused its policy efforts on creating conditions for the ecosystem to recover naturally. This approach was more about "reversal" than simple maintenance.

During the process of relocating restaurants and commercial facilities, the city carried out compensation and consultation with residents. Initially, there was considerable resistance due to concerns about livelihoods, but over time, perceptions changed. As the ecosystem recovered, fish catches increased and the area's brand value grew, leading to the growing recognition that conservation is directly linked to the economy. Hwang Sunmi, head of the Suncheonman Conservation Team, who has witnessed the changes over the past 20 years, said, "Even local fishermen are now saying that reeds should be preserved as a resource, which shows how much things have changed."

Tourists are watching the view of the Suncheonman Reed Field. Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment

This transformation has led to international recognition. Suncheonman became the first mudflat in Korea to be listed as a Ramsar Wetland, gaining acknowledgment for its conservation value. It also played a crucial role in the designation of Korean tidal flats as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Suncheonman has become a symbolic case for tidal flat conservation policy in Korea, and now serves as an ecological hub visited by researchers and birdwatchers from around the world.

International interest continues to grow. Recently, there has been an increase in visits by overseas birdwatchers and researchers, especially from Europe, and international academic exchanges are becoming more active. Suncheonman's example is set to be introduced at upcoming world heritage-related events, and if the world heritage area is expanded to neighboring regions such as Yeosu and Goheung, cooperation for ecological conservation on a broader scale is expected to be strengthened.

There are still challenges to be addressed, such as introducing eco-friendly vessels, improving visitor infrastructure, and establishing cooperation systems between regions. Nevertheless, the policy direction remains unchanged. The choice to prioritize conservation over development has clearly shown that it is possible to sustain both ecology and the economy. Like the gentle tides that flow in and out above the calm waters, the changes in Suncheonman are quiet, yet unceasing.

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