[다큐온] 🌳습지에 사는 생물 종 하나가 사라지면 그 주변에 얽혀있는 생태계 가 연쇄반응적으로 무너지는데... "습지가 사라진다" (KBS 20211217 방송)

DocuON (Saturdays at 11:40 PM on KBS 1TV) "Wetlands Are Disappearing" (Aired December 17, 2021) The Earth is suffering from massive wildfires and floods caused by abnormal temperatures! Is the cause of this climate disaster none other than wetlands? Wetlands, home to 40% of all living species, are a treasure trove of ecosystems. They store carbon, purify the air, and are home to a diverse range of species. Their value exceeds our imagination. However, countless wetlands are gradually disappearing due to indiscriminate development! The very creatures that depend on wetlands are also threatened. The Hwaseong Wetland, which is on track to be designated as a Ramsar Wetland, is at a crossroads in terms of conservation. We explore the stories of wetland life that we must understand and explore solutions for humans and nature to coexist. ■ Concerns about the Hwaseong Wetland The vast expanse of farmland in Hwaong District, Hwaseong, is a rice paddy created by reclamation projects that blocked the sea. While these rice paddies were provided as compensation to fishermen who lost their livelihoods, those who farmed on these rice paddies, where the salt content had not yet fully dissipated, are facing repeated failures. To make a living, they are forced to venture out to the tidal flats of neighboring villages... but even that is difficult due to the perceived pressure. The fishermen long for the days when they enjoyed a golden fishing ground. They also yearn to preserve the remaining coastal wetlands. News of further development is circulating not only in coastal wetlands but also inland wetlands. Rumors suggest that Suwon Military Airport may be relocated to the Hwaseong Wetland. Residents of the Hwaseong Wetland, who have already suffered the loss of their wetlands to a former US Air Force bombing training site, are gripped by anxiety that they will experience this pain again. ■ Facing the Reality of the Hwaseong Wetland! So, what is the current state of the Hwaseong Wetland? Professor Kim Jong-seong of Marine Benthic Ecology at Seoul National University, who studied the ecology of the Hwaseong Wetland 18 years ago, remembers the once healthy Hwaseong Wetland. The tidal flats were once home to countless clams. However, upon revisiting the wetlands, the landscape had changed dramatically. Severe desertification had taken hold. A close analysis of the wetland conditions with an endoscopic camera revealed that the mudflats had been transformed into sand. More importantly, the ecological environments inside and outside the Hwaseong seawall were starkly contrasting. Is there no way to restore the damaged tidal flats? ■ When Wetlands Disappear, So Does the Ecosystem? The Nakdong River migratory bird sanctuary on Eulsukdo Island in Busan is a key wintering site for countless migratory birds thanks to its abundant prey. However, the number of these birds has been rapidly declining recently. The cause, of course, lies in the disappearance of wetlands! Professor Ki-jae Joo of the Department of Life Sciences at Pusan ​​National University explores the causes of wetland loss. Haman County, South Gyeongsang Province, is also a prime example of areas where factories have mushroomed, damaging wetlands. Yujeon Swamp, known as one of Haman's three major wetlands, has undergone a notable transformation. Lifelong residents of Haman reminisce about the past, when the squishy, ​​smelly wetlands teemed with fish and were clean, and reflect on the reasons why factories were built here. ■ The Crossroads of Development and Conservation The conflict between those seeking to develop and preserve wetlands continues. Apartment construction is in full swing in Sasong New Town, Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province. Recently, a ring-necked salamander, listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species, was discovered there. Lost in the wetlands due to development, the ring-necked salamander ended up trapped in a cold manhole. Environmental groups demanding alternative habitats for the salamander clashed with construction officials. The disappearance of a single wetland species triggers a chain reaction of destruction for the surrounding ecosystem. Can development and conservation truly coexist? ■ How the US Protects Wetlands: The Wetland Bank System Wetlands absorb enormous amounts of carbon and are a key factor in combating climate change. Therefore, preserving wetlands is crucial, and some have recognized this early and are working hard to achieve it. Meadowlands in New Jersey, USA, once a wetland, was once a landfill. The reason for this remarkable transformation was the US's "Wetland Capacity Management System" and "Wetland Bank System." These systems require developers to restore and manage wetlands to compensate for their losses. So how are wetlands being preserved in Korea? Angok Wetland Park in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, once nearly destroyed by apartment complex development, but de...