Seen is a pair of pine trees aged over 400 years in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, June 3. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seok

Korea's iconic pine trees are at risk of withering and dying due to the effects of climate change, according to a government study, Wednesday. This has raised growing concerns that the nation's symbolic tree could potentially disappear from the Korean Peninsula, marking a significant environmental loss.

A report from the Korea National Park Research Institute revealed that pine tree deaths have been recorded in national parks across the country. The institute conducted a comprehensive survey of pine forests using satellite images, aerial photographs, and patrols across five national parks, including Seorak, Odae, Chiak, Taebaek, and Sobaek mountains. This study highlights the growing threat to these iconic trees due to environmental changes.

This study was conducted to predict the cause of tree deaths in national parks, predict the spread of withering, and use the information to set the direction of efficient park management.

As a result, 480 trees in Mount Taebaek, 41 in Mount Seorak, 34 in Mount Sobaek, 11 on Mount Odae, and 4 in Mount Chiak were found to have withered to death.

A widespread decline of pine trees occurred in 2013, likely caused by a drought that began in the spring of 2012, highlighting the impact of climate change on these forests.

Researchers analyzed 26 forest areas in Mount Seorak, 192 in Mount Odae, 33 in Mount Chiak, 37 points in Mount Taebaek, and 79 points in Mount Sobaek by applying variable models such as sea level, slope direction, slope, topographic wetness index, and topographic location index.

In the case of Mount Seorak, 52.2 percent of the total pine forest area was predicted to last, while the remaining 47.8 percent was predicted to wither to death.

Also, 40.2 percent of the pine forest area in Mount Chiak, 38.5 percent in Mount Taebaek, 23.5 percent in Mount Sobaek, and 22.2 percent in Mount Odae were projected to experience pine tree death.

Some pine trees in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, have turned brown after withering due to pine wilt disease, Oct. 10. Yonhap

In the predicted distribution of pine residual forests, sea level had the greatest impact, followed by topographic type and slope variables.

The altitude above sea level, which represents the height of a specific point based on the average sea level, decreases as the sea level rises due to the influence of global warming. Thus, changes in sea level and altitude above sea level affect the pine tree ecosystem.

Pine trees make up the largest forest area in Korea, covering approximately 36.9 percent of the country's total forest land, which spans 62,981 square kilometers.

However, since the 2000s, the pine distribution area has decreased due to forest pests, wildfires, climate change, and other man-made factors.

Researchers warned that the northward shift of subtropical climates due to global warming could shrink the pine tree ecosystem by altering its natural habitat.

"In the case of national parks, considering their rich biodiversity as a national protected area and high ecological conservation value, including endangered species and native wildlife, it is necessary to quickly explore factors affecting the ecosystem, such as withering pine trees, and come up with solutions to the problem," the research team said.