Factors influencing the use of introduced black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) for slope stabilization in post-war South Korea

Abstract

Following Japanese Imperial occupation of Korea and the Korean War, South Korea's forests faced substantial decline due to bombing and shelling, illegal logging, and overharvesting of trees and non-timer forest products. Around rural communities, fuel scarcity over the course of 20th century conflict caused fuel deprivation. Reforestation attempts following the Korean War saw the use of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), an introduced species native to the United States which would eventually become invasive to South Korea. This study used an elite interview and archival research to determine why the United States became a vocal proponent of black locust in reforestation campaigns. Archival documents highlight the issues following denudation of South Korea's forested mountains, including changes in flood frequency and severity. Eroded soils and sands caused changes to streambanks and riverbanks, resulting in geomorphic failure. The erosion and flooding issues provide context for the need for reforestation. While American involvement in reforestation is evident from the archival documents, it is clear that the use of black locust initially occurred prior to the arrival of American specialists and advisors. This case study highlights the impacts of fuel scarcity on post-war recovery of ecosystems, and the importance of socioeconomic factors in the study of warfare ecology.