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Environment of North Korea

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A North Korean agricultural landscape.

The environment of North Korea comprises the diverse ecosystems of the part of the Korean peninsula controlled by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Since the 1980s, the environment has been reported to be in a state of "crisis", "catastrophe", or "collapse".[1][2][3]

Overview

More than 80 percent of North Korea is mountainous, with cultivation largely confined to coastal strips in the east and west.[4] According to a United Nations Environmental Programme report in 2003, forest covers over 70 percent of the country, mostly on steep slopes.[5] There are nine rivers and numerous smaller waterways.[6] The environment is correspondingly diverse, including alpine, forest, farmland, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.[7]

Due to its geological history, the country has a range of vegetation, from the subtropical, temperate, and frigid zones, which are able to coexist due to the combined effects of oceanic and continental climates.[8] The climate has pronounced seasonal variations, with warm summers and snowfall in winter.[9]

Biodiversity

Further information: List of mammals of North Korea and List of birds of North Korea
Forested slopes around Kaesong

In 2003, animal and plant species in North Korea were reported to be "profuse". Four percent of the higher plant species were reported to be endangered, vulnerable, rare, or in decline. Eleven percent of vertebrate species were reported to be critically endangered, endangered, or rare.[10]

In 2013 a delegation of visiting scientists reported major environmental devastation. They described an absence of wildlife and said that the "landscape is basically dead". This situation was described as "so severe it could destabilize the whole country".[2]

Flora

Further information: Flora of North Korea

The flora of North Korea has much in common with that of other areas of the northern hemisphere. 2898 species have been recorded, of which 14% are endemic. Four are classified as threatened.[11]

The native plant communities in the lowlands have largely disappeared with cultivation and urbanisation. Native conifer forest communities are located in the highlands. The forest types are mainly subarctic (boreal) and cool-temperate forest.[12]

Environmental issues

Smog at street level in Pyongyang.

Pollution

In 2003, air pollution in Pyongyang, largely due to combustion of coal, was reported to be unacceptable.[1][13] This is somewhat mitigated by the use of public transport in urban areas.[14]

In 2003, the pollution of rivers and streams was reported to be "severe" due to a decrease in investment in environmental protection and the improper discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluent. The quality of the Taedong River, which flows through Pyongyang, was reported to be "deteoriating", exacerbated by the construction of the West Sea Barrage.[1][15]

Deforestation

Cultivation, logging, and natural disasters have all put pressure on North Korea's forests. During the economic crisis of the 1990s, deforestation accelerated, as people turned to the woodlands to provide firewood and food. This in turn has led to soil erosion, soil depletion, and increased risk of flooding. In response, the government has promoted a tree planting program.[1][2][3][16][17]

Based on satellite imagery, it has been estimated that 40 percent of forest cover has been lost since 1985.[18] The United Nations Environmental Programme in 2003 reported a much smaller rate of depletion and a serious government effort in reforestation.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Tenenbaum, David J. "International Health: North Korean Catastrophe". Environ Health Perspect. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c McKenna, Phil (March 6, 2013). "Inside North Korea's Environmental Collapse". PBS.
  3. ^ a b Kirby, Alex (August 27, 2004). "North Korea's environment crisis". BBC.
  4. ^ United Nations Environmental Programme. "DPR Korea: State of the Environment, 2003" (PDF). p. 53.
  5. ^ United Nations Environmental Programme. "DPR Korea: State of the Environment, 2003" (PDF). p. 12.
  6. ^ United Nations Environmental Programme. "DPR Korea: State of the Environment, 2003" (PDF). p. 30.
  7. ^ United Nations Environmental Programme. "DPR Korea: State of the Environment, 2003" (PDF). pp. 13, 52.
  8. ^ United Nations Environmental Programme. "DPR Korea: State of the Environment, 2003" (PDF). p. 12.
  9. ^ United Nations Environmental Programme. "DPR Korea: State of the Environment, 2003" (PDF). p. 11.
  10. ^ United Nations Environmental Programme. "DPR Korea: State of the Environment, 2003" (PDF). p. 53.
  11. ^ Haggett, Peter (2001). Encyclopedia of World Geography. Marshall Cavendish. p. 3088. ISBN 0761472894.
  12. ^ Jirí Kolbek, Ivan Jarolímek, Milan Valachovic (2003). "8: Forest Vegetation of the Northern Korean Peninsula". In Jirí Kolbek, Miroslav Šrůtek (ed.). Forest Vegetation of Northeast Asia. Springer. pp. 264, 294. ISBN 1402013701.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ United Nations Environmental Programme. "DPR Korea: State of the Environment, 2003" (PDF). pp. 37–38.
  14. ^ United Nations Environmental Programme. "DPR Korea: State of the Environment, 2003" (PDF). p. 43.
  15. ^ United Nations Environmental Programme. "DPR Korea: State of the Environment, 2003" (PDF). p. 29.
  16. ^ "The Environment Is So Bad in North Korea, They'll Even Let Americans Help". The Atlantic Wire. April 3, 2012.
  17. ^ "North Korean Cabinet Adopts Forest Restoration Resolution". The Institute of Far Eastern Studies. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  18. ^ Raven, Peter (2013-09-09). "Engaging North Korea through Biodiversity Protection". Science & Diplomacy. 2 (3).
  19. ^ United Nations Environmental Programme. "DPR Korea: State of the Environment, 2003" (PDF). pp. 25–27.
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