In as short as 5 years, lives of many animals and plants in Korea have changed dramatically. The increasing number of summer birds and early blossom of flowers, all of which can be primarily attributed to global warming.

The Ministry of Environment of South Korea has revealed that the cherry blossoms in central Seoul blossomed a week earlier than usual. This first blossom was around the same time as those in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, about 200 kilometres south of the capital. The number of magpies and pigeons, which breed in springtime, are expected to increase as winter and early spring become warmer. A total of 435 migratory egrets were spotted on the Nakdong River, up from 182 in 2005, along with 523 common herons, also up from 103. In addition, the Pine trees have also adapted to this change in climate.

Prof. Lee Chang-seok of Seoul Women’s University revealed that the buds of pine trees that grow in spring have started to open in the winter in urban areas due to the warm weather while in the mountains where temperature change is relatively low, the buds were still closed.

In the Mt. Wolak area in North Chungcheong Province, the average temperature rose by 1 degree Celsius between 2005 and 2007, which affected the ecosystem. In terms of amphibians, the species diversity index has dropped from 1.84 to 1.46 over the period. Lungless salamanders, Korean fire-bellied toads, Dybowski’s brown frogs and Korean stream brown frogs among several other species have seen their numbers falling.

“If one particular species increases or decreases, others in the food chain are affected, which could easily expand to other parts of the natural environment and break its balance,’” Prof. Lee said.

This 39.6 billion won 10-year project started by the South Korean government in 2004, was part of the government’s effort to measure the effect of climate change on the nation’s natural habitat. The project involves 290 experts monitoring five inland areas, four rivers and swamps.

Source: Koreantimes