Dongbaekdongsan

Dongbaekdongsan;14/03/2011; Jeju-do Province; 59ha; 33°31'N 126°43'E. Nationally-designated Wetland Conservation Area. Dongbaekdongsan is located on the volcanic island of Jeju, off the southern coast of the Republic of Korea. The site is important for the recharge and conservation of groundwater, as well as for its biodiversity, especially the unique _Gotjawal' forests. The importance of Dongbaekdongsan is mainly due to the mixture of Aa Lava and Pahoehoe Lava rock types that are present at the site. The Aa Lava rocks have crevices and lava tubes, which allows rainwater to seep through and with the Gotjawal forest cover, contribute to a higher rate of groundwater recharge. The groundwater at Dongbaekdongsan is used as one of the many groundwater sources for the approximately half a million people on Jeju Island. The Pahoehoe Lava rocks have however fewer cracks and so are better able to retain rainwater. This leads to the formation of streams, ponds and vernal pools and unlike many other Gotjawal forests, the surface water found in the Dongbaekdongsan forest areas is able to support a range of wildlife. This includes important species like the critically endangered Isoetes sinensis (F: Isoetaceae), the endemic Cheju Salamander (Hynobius quelpartensis) and Mankyua chejuense (F: Ophioglossaceae), a recently discovered genus. It also supports legally protected _Natural Monument_ species, which are identified as having some natural heritage value such as the Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) and the nationally endangered Boreal Digging Frog (Kaloula borealis). _Natural Monuments_ are strongly linked to Korean cultural heritage and are consequently protected under national law. The Department of Environmental Policy and Department of Environmental Management, as part of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, is responsible for the management of this site. Ramsar Site no.1948. Most recent RIS information: 2011.

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