Ecological restoration is a process that helps to restore degraded, damaged or destroyed ecosystems (SER, 2004). Various studies have been carried out to evaluate the restoration site, but usually evaluates specific characteristics like vegetation and soil characteristics. In addition, the study sites are usually focused on mountains and conservation areas. Therefore, it is not possible to evaluate urban degraded sites in comprehensive perspective. The purpose of this study is to assess the result of short-term restoration projects in Korea. For the qualitative assessment, evaluation items were derived from previous studies and literature. For the quantitative assessment, we analyzed the ecological network and landscape permeability around the restoration sites. In addition, we used InVEST Habitat Quality Model to calculate the habitat quality change after the restoration projects. The land-use map(EGIS: https://egis.me.go.kr), aerial photography, official monitoring reports, and field survey dataset were used for the analyses. Our study sites are 3 ecological restoration parks in the urban areas of Korea; Icksan (near paddy field, 69,442㎡), Dajeon (in the plaza, 56,860㎡), Incheon (near mountain, 55,000㎡), and 2 small local restoration projects; Yangpyeong wetland-park (near marsh, 9,950㎡), Yangjimal park(in the mountain, 1,980㎡).
Results/Conclusions
As a result, three categories (cause and status of degradation, ecological and environmental factors, ecological function) with 10 indicators and 13 sub-indicators were derived and applied. In the case of qualitative evaluation of restoration projects, the small local restoration projects showed lower scores than ecological restoration parks. In the ecological and environmental factors category, the evaluation item “fauna” that assessing presence of important species and ‘Aquatic environment’ which evaluate water quality and open water area ratio are significantly got low score in small local restoration projects. In Ecological function categories, ‘Vegetation succession’ and ‘Wildlife habitat’ evaluation item scores little high in small local restoration projects. These qualitative evaluation results showed the location and scale of park in urban area are important factors for restoration performances. The quantitative evaluation results showed through the restoration projects both habitat quality and ecological connectivity are increased. The ecological connectivity of ecological restoration parks improved about 37% and in local restoration projects about 19%. The habitat quality in ecological restoration park improved about 45% and local restoration projects about 12%. These quantitative evaluation shows definite effect of restoration within a short time.
This work was supported by Korea Environment Industry & Technology Institute(KEITI) through Public Technology Program based on Environmental Policy funded by Korea Ministry of Environment((No.2018000210007)