The Rugged Beauty of Dadohaehaesang National Park: Korea's Marine Gem

Sail through Dadohaehaesang National Park, Korea's largest marine national park, encompassing a multitude of islands and rich marine life. Explore its pristine waters, diverse ecosystems, and the traditional island communities that call it home.

 

Dadohaehaesang National Park, Korea's largest marine national park, is a pristine marine sanctuary that epitomizes the harmonious blend of nature's splendor and cultural heritage. Encompassing a myriad of islands, both inhabited and uninhabited, this marine gem stretches across a significant expanse, offering a refuge to diverse ecosystems and traditional island communities.

 

The park's geography is a mosaic of over a hundred islands, with landscapes ranging from rugged coastlines adorned with uniquely shaped rocks carved by erosive waves to serene beaches and the highest peaks offering panoramic views. This diverse topography supports a wide array of species, contributing to the park's rich biodiversity. The buffer and transition zones of the park include important areas like Bigeumdo and Dochodo, further enriching the ecological tapestry of Dadohaehaesang (Hong, 2015).

 

Dadohaehaesang's significance extends beyond its ecological value; it is a living repository of traditional ecological knowledge and biocultural diversity. The traditional island communities within and around the park have coexisted with nature, developing sustainable ways of living that are deeply intertwined with the marine and terrestrial environments. These communities contribute to the biocultural richness of the area, underscoring the importance of integrating cultural and ecological considerations in conservation efforts (Hong, 2014).

 

The islands within Dadohaehaesang, such as Daehuksan and the Cheongsando archipelago, are prime examples of areas where natural vegetation and traditional practices have shaped a unique landscape. These areas are characterized by a mix of natural forests, agricultural lands, and sites of cultural significance, illustrating the seamless integration of human and natural systems (Kim & Jang, 1989; Kim, 2018).

 

Efforts to manage and conserve the unique ecosystems and cultural heritage of Dadohaehaesang involve addressing challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and the need for sustainable development. Strategies include monitoring ecological and socio-economic changes, promoting environmental education, and enhancing the connectivity between ecological and cultural sites to ensure the park's sustainability and resilience (Hong et al., 2014).

 

In conclusion, Dadohaehaesang National Park is not just a marine sanctuary but a testament to the enduring relationship between humans and nature. It showcases the critical need to preserve both biodiversity and cultural diversity for future generations, emphasizing the role of traditional ecological knowledge in sustaining ecological balance and cultural identity.

 

For more insights on the ecological and cultural significance of Dadohaehaesang National Park, you can explore the studies by Sun-Kee Hong (2015) on the socio-economic foundation by biocultural resources management (Hong, 2015) and the challenges and goals of sustainable island management in UNESCO Shinan Dadohae Biosphere Reserve (Hong et al., 2014).