Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute President Sim Sang-taek delivers his welcoming remarks for the international symposium at Sejong National Arboretum in Sejong, Wednesday. Courtesy of Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute

SEJONG — The Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KOAGI) hosted an international symposium dedicated to strategies for conserving and restoring endangered conifers. Sponsored by KOAGI's parent organization, the Korea Forest Service (KFS), the event brought together experts to address urgent conservation needs.

Under the theme "Climate Crisis: Sustainable Future for Endangered Conifers," more than 100 scholars and government officials gathered at the international symposium at Sejong National Arboretum, Wednesday.

Professor Son Yo-whan, from the Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering at Korea University, focused on the sustainability of our planet in his keynote speech.

"Global emissions last year have quadrupled the amount produced in 1960," Son said. "Forests are the last bastion, absorbing carbon in our ecosystem. They provide habitats for 80 percent of amphibian species, 75 percent of bird species and 68 percent of mammal species. About 60 percent of all vascular plants are found in the tropical forest."

Professor Son Yo-whan of Korea University delivers his keynote speech for the international symposium at Sejong National Arboretum in Sejong, Wednesday. Courtesy of Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute

Yang Yong, chair of the Species Survival Commission Conifer Specialist Group at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, emphasized the urgent need for action during his follow-up speech. He is also a professor at Nanjing Forestry University.

Yang said that about 34 percent of conifers in the world are considered to be endangered species.

"Conifers in the alpine region play an important role in absorbing carbon. A decline in the number of conifers worldwide will eventually cause a negative effect on our fight against climate change. There are various factors threatening conifers," Yang said. "They are losing their habitat due to overexploitation, global warming and diseases."

Yang added that the invasion of alien species is another critical threat to conifers, making integrative conservation actions essential.

Following the keynote speech of the duo, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh research associate Martin Gardner introduced his study on how to conserve conifers on a global scale.

Researcher Park Go-eun from the Korea Forest Research Institute (KFRI) also delivered a speech on her study about the conservation of evergreen conifers in the country's subalpine forest while Baekdudaegan National Arboretum researcher Byun Joon-ki showcased his study on how to monitor endangered tree species.

The KFS promised it would closely cooperate with the KOAGI to conserve and restore conifer forests in the country's alpine areas.

"The KFS has also thoroughly monitored and studied conifer species in the country's alpine forest as well as its surroundings since 2019," said Choi Young-tae, forest conservation director of the KFS, in his welcome remarks for the symposium.

"We designated seven conifer species as endangered ones, and are doing our utmost to conserve their beings," Choi said. "The KFRI, the agency's research and development branch, successfully developed a microbic technology to enhance their immune system, a breakthrough in our efforts to better conserve and restore Korean fir trees."

KOAGI President Sim Sang-taek also urged continuous attention concerning endangered conifers in the country.

"Climate change is increasingly taking its toll on vegetation and plant ecosystems," Sim said. "I hope this symposium would serve as a networking window to share experiences and knowledge between scholars across the world."

A devastated conifer forest in an undisclosed location in Korea / Courtesy of Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute

Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute

Since its establishment in May 2017, the KOAGI has led government efforts to conserve and restore various tree species, working closely with both local experts and international scholars.

The country is home to three national arboretums — Baekdudaegan, Sejong National Arboretum and the National Botanic Garden of Korean Native Plants. A KOAGI official said that an additional four arboretums are currently under construction.

Separate from its main role in conserving and restoring the country's tree species, the agency offers various public awareness activities, including botanic education programs at the arboretums. For botany lovers, it recommends ideal plants and how to manage a garden depending on region and surroundings.

In August, the agency showcased its vault for seed preservation at Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province. The vault facilities housed nearly 240,000 seeds from 5,792 wild plant species worldwide, and is one of only two such vaults globally.

Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute President Sim Sang-taek, center, poses with participants of the international symposium at Sejong National Arboretum in Sejong, Wednesday. They include Oregan State University Professor Jeff A. Hatten, seventh from left, Korea University Professor Son Yo-whan, sixth from left, Nanjing Forestry University Professor Yang Yong, sixth from right, and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh research associate Martin Gardner, fifth from right. Courtesy of Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute