"Naturally Grown Native Species Without Human Intervention... Preserved as Valuable Genetic Resources"

"Forest Genetic Resources Protection Areas are designated with the aim of preserving and managing natural ecosystems in their original form by minimizing human intervention. In this sense, Yeogwi Mountain can be described as a natural sanctuary for the conservation of southern forest genetic resources," explained Jae Soo Jung, director of the Yeongam National Forest Management Office, as he described the value of Yeogwi Mountain as a Forest Genetic Resources Protection Area (hereafter referred to as the protection area).

On August 20, I visited Yeogwi Mountain, located in Imhoe-myeon, Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do. Yeogwi Mountain is about a 30-minute drive from Jindo-eup. This mountain, which rises to an elevation of 457 meters, features ridgelines that flow gently down from the summit on both sides, giving it a soft appearance at first glance. However, as one climbs toward the summit, the terrain becomes much steeper and more rugged than it initially appears.

The protection area is located on the upper ridgeline of Yeogwi Mountain. From the base of the mountain up to the mid-slope, an asphalt road has been laid to allow for easier vehicle access. However, from the side path at the mid-slope, the road remains unpaved.

Jae-Soo Jung, head of Yeongam National Forest Management Office, introduced the purpose of protecting and managing native plants such as red bay trees in the forest genetic resource protection area at the summit of Yeogui Mountain on the 20th. Photo by Korea Forest Service Yeongam National Forest Management Office

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After traveling along the side path for some time, a barricade appears, installed to restrict access by regular vehicles. Beyond the barricade, only authorized vehicles are allowed to enter, while outside the barricade, passage is permitted for local forest village residents and the general public.

Because access for the general public and vehicles is restricted, the forest road inside the barricade feels much wilder. The forest here is denser than in most other mountains, giving the impression of exploring a jungle rather than a typical woodland.

Even along the edges of the road, weeds grow thickly. In some places, weeds have grown so densely over the road compacted by vehicle tires that it is difficult to tell a road exists at all. The path from the mid-slope to the upper part of Yeogwi Mountain is truly close to a pristine natural forest untouched by humans.

After enduring the bumpy ride for about 20 to 30 minutes, I finally arrived at the protection area. There are no artificial boundaries, such as fences, marking the area. According to Director Jung, the area is managed as a single zone encompassing the naturally formed communities of subtropical plants that have taken root in Yeogwi Mountain.

One might wonder if anyone would bother to come all the way here to damage the natural environment, even without a barricade. On the other hand, it is also true that every action inside the protection area feels much more cautious and deliberate.

At first glance, this place may seem no different from any other forest, but what stands out here are the subtropical plants typically found only in southern regions.

A large Machilus tree has taken root in the forest genetic resource protection area. Photo by Korea Forest Service

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The representative subtropical plants in the Yeogwi Mountain protection area include red oak, Castanopsis sieboldii, Pasania edulis, Machilus, and Neolitsea sericea. These species are southern evergreen broad-leaved trees, commonly found in the southern regions but increasingly rare further north.

For example, the red oak is sensitive to cold and cannot survive winters outdoors in inland areas, typically growing on sunny mountain slopes and valleys. It can only thrive in regions where the average temperature in January is above 20 degrees Celsius, such as Jeju Island and Jindo, and is named for its reddish wood. The Hampyeong red oak community was designated as Natural Monument No. 110 in 1962.

Machilus mainly grows in southern island regions, including Jindo. Mature trees can reach 20 meters in height and 6 meters in circumference. They are notable for their grand form and their leaves and new shoots, which turn a glossy, reddish color like autumn foliage. Two Machilus trees on the slopes of Cheomchal Mountain in Jindo were designated as Natural Monument No. 107 in 1968. In typical fishing villages in Jeollanam-do, it is said that shrines were often built under old Machilus trees to pray for good catches and the safety of fishermen.

Castanopsis sieboldii, another evergreen broad-leaved tree in the laurel family, is also commonly found in Yeogwi Mountain. This species mainly grows along the coasts of Jeju Island, Ulleungdo, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeollanam-do. Three Castanopsis sieboldii trees on Udo, Yokji-myeon, Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, were designated as Natural Monument No. 344 in 1984. The diameter of these trees typically ranges from 30 to 80 centimeters, and they can grow up to 18 meters tall.

The Forest Genetic Resources Protection Area was designated centered on the subtropical plant community at the summit of Yeogui Mountain. The subtropical plants are distinguished from the surrounding trees by their dense foliage. At the foot of the mountain, the living area of forest village residents is established, and beyond the mountain lie the sea in front of Jindo and the island region.
Photo by Korea Forest Service Yeongam National Forest Management Office

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These species within the protection area form natural communities without human intervention, which gives them value as genetic resources.

Director Jung noted, "Species such as Machilus and Castanopsis sieboldii are commonly planted along southern coastal areas for landscape improvement (as street trees), so they are familiar in the region. However, those managed within the protection area are especially valuable because they have taken root and grown naturally, without any genetic modification or human intervention, preserving their unique characteristics."

He added, "Management within the protection area focuses on clearing the surroundings so that protected species are not hindered by vines or other vegetation, and on preventing exposure to pests and diseases. Protecting these species as genetic resources is one way to conserve the natural ecosystem."

The Yeongam Management Office currently oversees a total of 2,826 hectares of protection areas, including Jindo. In particular, the office serves as a key institution for preventing damage to, preserving, and managing the natural ecosystems of forest genetic resource protection areas distributed throughout the southern Dadohae maritime region, as well as for supporting ecological exploration. Of the total protection area, 2,699 hectares (95%) are located in island regions.

In the island protection areas, subtropical species native to each island are protected and managed. Notable examples include Dendropanax morbifera on Bogildo, Ilex integra on Gudo and Maemuldo, Salix gracilistyla on Dakseom, Pittosporum tobira on Jodo, Daphne odora on Sindo, and Machilus on Heuksando.

Director Jung stated, "Yeongam Management Office is the only institution in Korea dedicated to preserving and managing subtropical southern plants in island regions. We will continue to do our utmost to manage the protection areas so that subtropical plants can survive and thrive despite external factors such as climate change."

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