Large Scale Habitat Was Newly Found

Inhabiting only in Pocheon Gyeonggi, Cypripedium japonicum grows naturally in 3 areaas such as Chuncheon Gangwon, Namyangju Gyeonggi and Muju Cheonbuk.

On August 29, the Ministry of Environment (ME) announced the results of the nationwide distribution geographical investigation for 44 species of wild animals and plants including 24 endangered species and 20 specially protected species, conducted by ME.

Upon investigation, belonging to the orchid family, Cypripedium japonicum makes a white flower with yellow flower stalk in May and June. It is well known as a perennial herb for decoration.

Cymbidium-kanran, which inhabits only in Jeju Island, grows in two islands of Cheonnam district. Founded only in certain areas of Gyeongnam due to nationwide most of damaged habitats, Parnassius bremeri grows in Gangwon district.

Especially, upon investigation, Nemorhedes goral raddeanus which were 220 species in

the country increase to 700~800 individual organisms, and inhabits in Mt. Sorak,

demilitarized zone(DMZ), Yanggu, Hwacheon and Samcheok in Gangwon as well as Uljin

and Bonghwa of Gyeongbuk.

The national geographical distribution of the otter was not properly reported. However, through this investigation, the inhabitation traces of the otter were founded in most places of 127 rivers. A group of Ranunculus kazusensis, rare plant was founded in 24 areas in the Western sea such as Choji-ri Ganghwa-gun Incheon, Hwaseong Gyeonggi and Taean Chungnam.

However, despite one-year investigation, Aporia crataegi, Cicindela hybrida nitida (kind of butterfly) and Scelidotoma vadososinuata hoonsooi are not found in anywhere and seem to be exterminated.

The Ministry of Environment said “If these inhabits are open to the public, the animals

and plants could be very likely to be damaged or exterminated. Accordingly, we cannot

open the exact inhabits”.

The Ministry of Environment has taken the species preservation measure based on the result of the investigation. It will designate the inhabits of Nemorhedes goral raddeanus

and the otter which have many number of individuals and is in dangerous situation of poaching, as an ecosystem preservation zone. Also, it will agree on contract for a management of landrace variety with owners of inhabits in terms of Ranunculus kazusensis Makino and White-naped Crane.

shchung@donga.com