This week on Jeju: A to Z, Todd Thacker takes a brief look at the Gotjawal forest system, an important Jeju ecosystem that is not only beautiful, but also in need of our continued protection.

Covering about 6 percent of the island, Jeju’s Gotjawal forests play a number of important roles in maintaining the overall health and biodiversity of the island’s ecosystem.

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From Hangyeong in the west, to Seongsan in the east

There are four main areas of temperate and warm-temperate gotjawal forests, distributed mostly in the midland areas between 200 and 400 meters above sea level. They run from the Hangyeong area in the west to Seongsan in the east.

These areas of dense vegetation are for the most part uninhabited. The forests grow in the rocky volcanic terrain of Jeju’s Aa lava flows. They also provide an area for rainwater to reach the groundwater aquifer.

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Home to 600 plant species, many endangered

The forest has over 600 plant species, many of them designated by the Ministry of the Environment as threatened or endangered. It has a mix of broad-leafed evergreen and deciduous trees, bushes and flowering plants.

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Shelter for birds, mammals, amphibians

This in turn makes it an excellent place for birds and other animals, like Jeju roe deer and badgers, to take shelter. The black paradise flycatcher and fairy pitta are two migratory birds which winter in the Gotjawal. A variety of frogs, salamanders, and snakes also thrive here.

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Todd Thacker

Since 2007 the Gotjawal Trust of Jeju has been working to preserve the forests, organizing education programs and buying tracts of privately owned land to consolidate the remaining forest. In 2012, the Gotjawal Ecology Experience Museum opened in Gyorae, Jocheon-eup.

Given that environmental problems related to pollution and global warming are steadily worsening, here on Jeju Island it’s clear that the unique forest system of Gotjawal requires our protection and respect.

Todd Thacker KCTV