기본 콘텐츠로 건너뛰기

Suncheon Bay: A Triumph for Environmental Stewardship and Migratory Bird Conservation

 

Suncheon Bay: A Triumph for Environmental Stewardship and Migratory Bird Conservation


Suncheon Bay A Triumph for Environmental Stewardship and Migratory Bird Conservation


Nestled in the heart of Haeryong-myeon, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, the scenic 92m high hill on the 1st of January provides a breathtaking panorama of Suncheon Bay. The awe of around 10 tourists is palpable as they gaze down from two Yongsan observatories onto the vast expanse below, where approximately 400 cranes gracefully take flight over 2,800 ha of pristine mudflats and reed fields.

The Suncheon Bay Eco-Friendly Project

In 2006, Suncheon City, in collaboration with its citizens, embarked on an ambitious eco-friendly project when Suncheon Bay earned recognition in the Ramsar Convention—an international treaty for wetland protection. Over the years, the project has yielded remarkable results, with the number of whooping cranes doubling in just four years.

Preserving Biodiversity Through Strategic Initiatives

To safeguard the ecosystem, preventive measures were implemented against diseases like poultry cholera, and visitor access was restricted. Suncheon Bay's 773ha mudflats were designated as an ecosystem conservation area, and a duck breeding farm and six restaurants were relocated. The transformation of 30ha of dry land into the 'Dumbeong' waterhole in 2008 aimed to create a conducive habitat for cranes.

A Symphony of Conservation Efforts

The removal of 222 electric poles within seven months and the installation of a 350m-long reed-based light barrier solidified efforts to make the crane habitat safer. The Heukduri Farming Group, consisting of about 40 farmers, played a crucial role. They planted black rice, creating a captivating image of a black crane, and left rice straw in the fields as nesting material for migratory birds.

Suncheon Bay: A Paradise for Migratory Birds

The results speak volumes as Suncheon Bay now hosts 440 black-crowned cranes, 11 white-naped cranes, and five Black-necked Cranes. Additionally, 16 species of endangered birds, including the yellow-billed spoonbill and black-faced spoonbill, find refuge in Suncheon Bay during the winter. The total number of birds of 85 species exceeds 10,800, turning the area into a migratory bird paradise.

Economic and Ecological Prosperity

Suncheon Bay's success as a habitat for black-crowned cranes has not only attracted bird enthusiasts but has also boosted tourism. Visitor numbers surged from 350,000 in 2006 to an impressive 2.33 million in 2009. As the city aspires to make Suncheon Bay the world's premier crane habitat, it signifies not just ecological success but economic prosperity for the region.

A Glimpse into the Future

Kim Jin-han, responsible for bird research at the National Institute of Biological Resources, foresees a bright future for Suncheon Bay. He predicts that the current 440 black cranes will attract more individuals, making Suncheon Bay the world's best wintering habitat within five years.

In the words of Suncheon City's migratory bird manager, Kim In-cheol, "Suncheon has the foundation of an ecological capital with clean nature and various cultural assets."

[FAQ] Q1: How has Suncheon Bay's eco-friendly project impacted bird populations? A1: The project doubled the number of whooping cranes within four years, turning Suncheon Bay into a thriving habitat for various bird species.

Q2: What initiatives were taken to protect cranes in Suncheon Bay? A2: The removal of electric poles, installation of a reed-based light barrier, and the creation of the 'Dumbeong' waterhole contributed to a safer habitat for cranes.

Q3: How has tourism in Suncheon Bay evolved since the eco-friendly project's initiation? A3: Visitor numbers increased from 350,000 in 2006 to 2.33 million in 2009, showcasing the success of the project in attracting tourists.

Q4: What is the predicted future for Suncheon Bay as a crane habitat? A4: Suncheon Bay is anticipated to become the world's best wintering habitat for cranes within five years, drawing global recognition.

Q5: How did the Heukduri Farming Group contribute to bird conservation? A5: The group played a vital role by planting black rice, creating artwork resembling a black crane, and leaving rice straw in fields as nesting material for migratory birds.

Q6: What cultural assets make Suncheon an ecological capital? A6: According to Kim In-cheol, Suncheon boasts clean nature and diverse cultural assets, forming the foundation of an ecological capital. 

#SuncheonBaySuccess, #MigratoryBirdConservation, #EcoFriendlyProject, #BirdParadise, #NaturePreservation

댓글

이 블로그의 인기 게시물

Non-contact exposure to dinotefuran disrupts honey bee homing by altering MagR and Cry2 gene expression

  Non-contact exposure to dinotefuran disrupts honey bee homing by altering  MagR  and  Cry2  gene expression Dinotefuran is known to negatively affect honeybee ( Apis mellifera ) behavior, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The magnetoreceptor ( MagR , which responds to magnetic fields) and cryptochrome ( Cry2 , which is sensitive to light) genes are considered to play important roles in honey bees’ homing and localization behaviors. Our study found that dinotefuran, even without direct contact, can act like a magnet, significantly altering  MagR  expression in honeybees. This non-contact exposure reduced the bees’ homing rate. In further experiments, we exposed foragers to light and magnetic fields, the  MagR  gene responded to magnetic fields only in the presence of light, with  Cry 2 playing a key switching role in the magnetic field receptor mechanism ( MagR–Cry2 ). Yeast two-hybrid and BiFc assays confirmed an interactio...

New Report – Interlocked: Midwives and the Climate Crisis

New Report – Interlocked: Midwives and the Climate Crisis Earlier this year, midwives from 41 countries shared their experiences of working in communities affected by climate change through our survey, Midwives’ Experiences and Perspectives on Climate Change. Their voices shaped our new report, Interlocked: Midwives and the Climate Crisis , which highlights how midwives are already responding to the health impacts of climate disasters like floods, wildfires, and extreme heat—and why they must be included in climate action plans. What did we learn?Climate change is damaging community health: 75% of midwives reported that climate change is harming the communities they serve, with rising rates of preterm births, food insecurity, and restricted access to care during disasters like floods. Midwives are critical first responders: Midwives are often the first and only healthcare providers on the ground in crises, delivering care during wildfires, floods, and extreme heat. Midwives face signi...

Bee attack claims life of newspaper distributor

  Bee attack claims life of newspaper distributor Newspaper distributor Pushparaja Shetty (45), who sustained severe injuries in a bee attack, succumbed to his injuries on Thursday at a hospital in Mangaluru. Pushparaja was attacked by a swarm of bees on Wednesday morning while walking at Kenjaru Taangadi under Bajpe town panchayat limits. He was immediately admitted to a hospital for treatment but could not survive the ordeal. Fondly known as ‘Boggu’ in the Porkodi area, Pushparaja was well-known for his dedication to delivering newspapers on foot to every household. He was admired for his generosity, as he often distributed sweets to schoolchildren on Independence Day using his own earnings and contributed part of his income to the betterment of society. Pushparaja was unmarried and is survived by three brothers and one sister.

“Global honey crisis”: Testing technology and local sourcing soars amid fraud and tampering concerns

  “Global honey crisis”: Testing technology and local sourcing soars amid fraud and tampering concerns The World Beekeeping Awards will not grant a prize for honey next year due to the “inability” to thoroughly test honey for adulteration. The announcement comes amid the rise of honey fraud in the EU, where a 2023 investigation found that 46% of 147 honey samples tested were likely contaminated with low-cost plant syrups.  Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations, organizes the event at its Congress, whose 49th edition will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September 2025. The conference brings together beekeepers, scientists and other stakeholders. “We will celebrate honey in many ways at the Congress, but honey will no longer be a category, and thus, there will be no honey judging in the World Beekeeping Awards. The lessons learned from Canada 2019 and Chile 2023 were that adequate testing was impossible if we are to award winning honey at the Con...

Unveiling the Canopy's Secrets: New Bee Species Discovered in the Pacific

  Unveiling the Canopy's Secrets: New Bee Species Discovered in the Pacific In an exciting development for environmentalists and beekeeping experts, researchers have discovered eight new species of masked bees in the Pacific Islands, shining a light on the rich biodiversity hidden within the forest canopy. This discovery underscores the critical role bees play in our ecosystems and the pressing need for conservation efforts to protect these vital pollinators. A New Frontier in Bee Research By exploring the forest canopy, scientists have opened a new frontier in bee research, revealing species that have adapted to life high above the ground. These discoveries are crucial for understanding the complex relationships between bees, flora, and the broader ecosystem. The new species of masked bees, characterized by their striking black bodies with yellow or white highlights, particularly on their faces, rely exclusively on the forest canopy for survival. The Importance of Bee Conservation...

Start the New Year Humming Like a Bee

  Start the New Year Humming Like a Bee There are lots of opportunities to be as busy as a bee during these winter holidays. As we hustle toward the dawn of the New Year, it can be hard to notice that the natural world is actually suggesting something different for us right now. We’re past the solstice, but the winter still stretches ahead, the days are still short and the nights long. We’re being invited into a quieter, more inner-focused time. The ancient yogis were all about this inner focus. In India, for example, the Upanishads, the Sanskrit writings that accompanied the development of Hinduism — and alongside it, yoga — beginning around 800 B.C.E., went deeper than earlier texts had into philosophy and questions of being. With the goals of increased inner awareness and higher consciousness, yoga was at that time not yet as focused on the body or on asanas, as it now can tend to be. But the yogis did develop many practices to try to open the way to those goals. They discovered...

The Essential Role of Bees in Our Ecosystem and the Challenges They Face

The Essential Role of Bees in Our Ecosystem and the Challenges They Face Bees have been an integral part of our ecosystem and human agriculture for over four centuries, primarily utilized for their honey in the early days. Now, they are recognized more for their critical role in pollination, which directly impacts a vast majority of the food we consume. Mark Lilly, a prominent beekeeper, emphasizes that without bees' pollination efforts, a significant portion of our diet would be at risk. However, bees face numerous threats, including varroa mites and, in specific regions like West Virginia, black bears. These challenges necessitate concerted efforts for preservation and protection. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1: Why are bees so important to the ecosystem? A1: Bees are crucial for pollinating plants, which is necessary for the production of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Without bees, a large portion of the food we eat would not be available. Q2: What are the main threats to...

The Growing Dilemma of Pet Burials in South Korea: Environmental and Legal Hurdles

The Growing Dilemma of Pet Burials in South Korea: Environmental and Legal Hurdles As the number of pets in South Korea steadily increases, pet owners face a growing dilemma due to the limited number of pet cemeteries across the country. Under the current legal framework, pet remains are classified as household waste, requiring specific disposal methods that are neither convenient nor easily accessible for all citizens. The imbalance between the rising pet population—over 5.52 million households with pets by the end of 2022—and the mere 70 registered pet cemeteries has led to significant challenges. This shortage is particularly evident in regions like Jeju Island, where pet owners must undergo arduous journeys to the mainland to ensure their pets receive proper burials. The root cause of this shortage lies in the strict regulations governing the establishment of pet cemeteries. These facilities, which must include crematoriums, face numerous restrictions, such as proximity to resident...

Climate Crisis Claims Glacier's Vital Climate Data Archive

  Climate Crisis Claims Glacier's Vital Climate Data Archive A recent study published in Nature Geoscience reveals a distressing consequence of global warming: the irreversible loss of valuable climate data stored in alpine glaciers. The research, conducted by a team led by Margit Schwikowski from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), underscores the alarming rate at which glaciers are melting and highlights the implications for climate research. The study focuses on the Corbassière glacier at Grand Combin in Switzerland, where ice cores drilled in 2018 and 2020 were intended to serve as vital climate archives. However, comparing the two sets of ice cores reveals a grim reality—global warming has rendered the glacier unsuitable as a reliable climate archive. Glaciers, renowned as climate archives, encapsulate valuable information about past climatic conditions and atmospheric compositions. The fluctuating concentrations of trace substances in ice layers provide insights into historica...

German election: Climate and environment take a back seat

  German election: Climate and environment take a back seat When the coalition government comprising the center-left  Social Democratic Party (SPD) ,  Greens  and neoliberal  Free Democratic Party (FDP)  emerged after the last German federal election in the fall of 2021, then-incoming Chancellor  Olaf Scholz  (SPD) did not object to being called the "climate chancellor." That was no surprise: the climate crisis had been a top issue during the election campaign. The new government made the fight against climate change a task for the Economy Ministry and appointed Vice Chancellor  Robert Habeck  from the Greens as its head. Three and a half years later, campaign speeches barely mention climate protection. The dominant issues are how to curb irregular immigration and how to boost Germany's sluggish economy. Skeptical view of renewable energy The head of the center-right  Christian Democratic Union (CDU) ,  Friedrich Merz ...