Diagnostic assessment and restoration plan for damaged forest around the seokpo zinc smelter, central eastern Korea

Abstract

Research Highlights: This study was carried out to diagnose the forest ecosystem damaged by air pollution and to then develop a restoration plan to be used in the future. The restoration plan was prepared by combining the diagnostic assessment for the damaged forest ecosystem and the reference information obtained from the conservation reserve with an intact forest ecosystem. The restoration plan includes the method for the amelioration of the acidified soil and the plant species to be introduced for restoration of the damaged vegetation depending on the degree of damage. Background and Objectives: The forest ecosystem around the Seokpo smelter was so severely damaged that denuded lands without any vegetation appear, and landslides continue. Therefore, restoration actions are urgently required to prevent more land degradation. This study aims to prepare the restoration plan. Materials and Methods: The diagnostic evaluation was carried out through satellite image analysis and field surveys for vegetation damage and soil acidification. The reference information was obtained from the intact natural forest ecosystem. Results: Vegetation damage was severe near the pollution source and showed a reducing trend as it moved away. The more severe the vegetation damage, the more acidic the soil was, and thereby the exchangeable cation content and vegetation damage were significantly correlated. The restoration plan was prepared by proposing a soil amelioration method and the plants to be introduced. The soil amelioration method focuses on ameliorating acidified soil and supplementing insufficient nutrients. The plants to be introduced for restoring the damaged forest ecosystem were prepared by compiling the reference information, the plants tolerant to the polluted environment, and the early successional species. The restoration plan proposed the Pinus densiflora, Quercus mongolica, and Cornus controversa–Juglans mandshurica communities as the reference conditions for the ridge, slope, and valley, respectively, by reflecting the topographic condition. Conclusions: The result of a diagnostic assessment showed that ecological restoration is required urgently as vegetation damage and soil acidification are very severe. The restoration plan was prepared by compiling the results of these diagnostic assessments and reference information collected from intact natural forests. The restoration plan was prepared in the two directions of soil amelioration and vegetation restoration.