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 Cornuscontroversa–Juglansmandshurica 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.
Highlights
Most developed countries have decreased anthropogenic air pollution emissions by implementing abatement polices [1,2]
This study aims to clarify the extent and the type of damaged forest and, to recommend a restoration plan suitable for the ecological condition of the target site as well as the damage degree based on the principle of restoration ecology
The result of a diagnostic assessment for the damaged forests around the Seokpo zinc smelter showed that ecological restoration is required urgently, as vegetation damage and soil acidification are very severe within the first ridge and at a distance of about 5 km from the pollution source
Summary
Most developed countries have decreased anthropogenic air pollution emissions by implementing abatement polices [1,2]. Korea has practiced such a policy, and environmental conditions around the industrial complexes of large scale have improved greatly [3,4]. Factories of a small scale that are far away from the public’s attention, such as the Seokpo smelter where this study was carried out, still emit air pollutants and thereby cause vegetation damage and acidify soil. The forest ecosystem around the Seokpo zinc smelter was severely destroyed and landslides sometimes occur. Industrial activities have resulted in the enormous emissions of air pollutants for about 40 years since the 1970s when the smelter was constructed in Seokpo in central eastern Korea. The pollutants have continued to affect the surrounding forests and other ecosystems. Forest vegetation has become sparse and poor as trees have withered, undergrowth has disappeared, and bare ground has appeared throughout the wide area
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