Jangdan Peninsula – the Nest of Lives

community of miscanthus sacchariflorus     

Impatiens nolitangere L. var. nolitangere

Jangdan peninsula is a back marsh formed by the regular flooding of the Imjin River over a long period of time. Since this area has a good natural ecology, the government of Gyeonggi-do once considered establishing an ecological park. Existing puddles and tidal channels display the ecological environments of Jangdan peninsula in detail. However, because the banks have been reinforced and artificial military facilities have been built since the Korean War, Jangdan peninsula has became isolated from the natural floods of the river. Therefore, its functions as a back marsh are gone and this area has since become land; Big communities of miscanthus sacchariflorus have formed and robinia pseudoacacia L. and acer ginnala, etc. stretch their boundaries little by little. The hills located in Noha-ri and Nosang-ri have good indigenous trees and plants such as oak trees, which have recovered since the end of the Korean War. Penthorum chinense pursh is found in nearby puddles, miscanthus sacchariflorus and aragmites communins grow on the edges of the Imjin River.

Communities of miscanthus sacchariflorus      
Plain inside of the tower at Jangdan peninsula

Jangdan peninsula has become famous as the winter habitat of the cinereous vulture since an NGO has been feeding them. Every winter, Jangdan peninsula is a peaceful resting area for not only the cinereous vulture but also the golden eagle, the white-tailed sea eagle, the red-crowned crane, the white-naped crane, the taiga bean goose, the wild goose, etc.

Recently, there’s been a tendency to use miscanthus sacchariflorus as feedstuff, which seriously damages the beautiful white scenery of miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens (Andersson) Rendle flower. Nevertheless, the four seasons of Jangdan peninsula are too beautiful for words. In the early morning in late autumn, the flapping wings of black-faced spoonbills and taiga bean geese over the curtain of wet fog and the silvery mudflats make us feel extremely happy.

There is a small island named ‘Chorok Island’ located downstream where The Imjin River joins with the Han River. The river should be in flood due to the change of water at the crossing point of the Han River and the Imjin River, which reduces piling at the end of the river. However, since high banks have been constructed to protect the Road to Freedom and nearby farmland by preventing the overflow of the river, Chorok Island has been naturally formed. Phacelurus latifolius (Steud.) ohwi seems to be the dominant species in Chorok Island. The confluence with the Sacheon River raises another question: What is there and what kind of birds will visit?

It is the confluence with the Sacheon River which I hope to visit first when Korea is reunified.

Now, Jangdan peninsula is faced with a lot of challenges. It is so worrying that the plans for a high-voltage transmission line to Gaeseong and the Gaeseong express highway are extremely likely to ruin this rich, naturally formed and ancient area. Indeed, in what state will Jangdan peninsula will be to hand over to our descendants? Will it still be a natural ecological space? Or will it be an industrial complex and a base for inter-Korean exchange?

◇ Contact

DMZ Ecology Research Institute(www.ecodmz.or.kr): ☎ 031)949-2290
Korea Travel Phone: ☎ 1330 / Mobile: 031-1330
Last Update: Jan. 2008

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