Effects of Special Protection Area Designation on Soil Properties and Vegetation Coverage of Degraded Trails

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate how the special protection area designations of degraded trails effect on the soil and vegetation recovery of degraded trails. The study areas were established on an opened trail and a 16-year closed trail, which was prohibited to enter after the designation as a special protection area for recovery, at Bukhansan National Park. Soil core sampling and measurements of vegetation cover were performed to compare soil and vegetation properties of the trails. Soil bulk density increased and soil water total nitrogen decreased on the opened trail, while no significant differences were found on bulk density, soil water, total nitrogen, acidity, and organic matter on the closed trail. On the opened trail, vegetation cover was seemed to be degraded, because vegetation litter cover ratio was low and barren rock cover ratio was high. On the closed trail, litter rock barren cover ratio of the closed trail was recovered, but only limited recovery was found on vegetation cover by applying environmental damage condition rating class. In conclusion, the closed trail was recovered by designation of special protection area, while difference in recovery progress of soil and vegetation was found. Therefore, designation of special protection area of degraded area should be based on scientific basis of recovery characteristics of the area. In order to improve the effectiveness of special protection area system, further specific standards for special protection area designation and management would be needed, considering ecological and social importance of target areas.