The Inclusion of Forest Hydrological Services in the Sustainable Development Strategy of South Korea

Abstract

Abstract:In the last decade, the South Korean government has implemented an unprecedented series of plans and policy actions to promote sustainable development, including the National Strategy for Green Growth. Some of these initiatives were direct responses to the evolving challenges in the water sector, and put forest hydrological services into perspective. To a certain extent, water was managed within a wider environmental context through the combination of forest and water management. However, the efforts to enhance forest hydrological services did not correspond to the immense potential of forests for the achievement of sustainable water management. We present a comprehensive and current view of the major challenges and opportunities related to forest hydrological services in South Korea. We identify key forest hydrological services in view of the major biophysical, environmental, and economic challenges in the water sector. We propose guidelines for the enhancement of forest hydrological services and for a better inclusion of these services in South Korea's sustainable development strategy. An increased contribution of forests to the provision of high-quality water in sufficient, regulated amounts, and to the preservation of a safe environment in regards to natural hazards is imperative for the long-term development of South Korea.

Impacts of forests and forestation on hydrological services in the Andes: A systematic review

“…1). We included mitigation of water erosion and landslides because they cause river water turbidity and are driven largely by soil hydrology (Brauman et al, 2007, Payeur-Poirier andNguyen, 2017). We also examined available data on several hydrological processes (such as rainfall infiltration, evapotranspiration and soil water storage).…”

Farmers’ and Consumers’ Preferences for Drinking Water Quality Improvement through Land Management Practices: The Case Study of the Soyang Watershed in South Korea

“…Many studies have considered cost-effective solutions for combating the eutrophication of coastal ecosystems in sustainable land management [48][49][50][51][52][53]. In addition, with an attempt to provide various policy programs for cost-effective conservation practices, a focus on the water quality trading markets, trading costs in the river basin were necessary for improving the water quality.…”