The Tidal Flat Environments and Experiential Learning Program of Southwest Coast, Korea

Abstract

Ecosystems of the southwestern tidal flats in Korean peninsula have been seriously injured by human activities. The results are mainly due to the lack of public recognition and education on tidal flats. In particular, thoughtless visitors in tidal flats are giving rise up damages because of non-systematic experience programs to tidal flat ecosystems. Therefore, experience programs friendly to natural tidal flats are necessary as a plan to reserve tidal flats and to enhance the effects of environment education on the flats. Experience learning programs on tidal flats can divide into direct experience, indirect experience and local society works. Direct experience work must undergo tidal flats directly and consider on forming the flats with natural refinement functions. Indirect experience includes deeper knowledge on role, circumstance and ecosystems of the flats on the bases of direct experience on the flats. In addition, local society learning must have the feeling and understanding on socio-cultural characteristics of local society itself through above two works. Experience activity would be a kind of injuring one to tidal flats. However, appropriately planned experience and education works on tidal flats could be sustainable development to attract desirable human activity on coastal ecosystems.