Excursion
Biodiversity on Baekryeong Island

Baekryeong Island is the westernmost island of South Korea in the Yellow Sea, close to the North Korean province Hwanghae-namdo. The island is known for its richness in marine fauna and bird diversity. The Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Korea supported a bird survey in the area where a total of 89 bird species could be recorded. The team consisted of Dr. Bernhard Seliger, representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea, Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi, senior researcher of the HSF Korea, Nial Moores of Birds Korea, Kim Choony of the National KFEM, Hyeong Jin Shim of the Incheon KFEM and Trevor Rose of Rose Design Services Ltd. Participants of the survey were able to catch a glimpse of various rare and endangered or vulnerable species, such as a Greater Spotted Eagle, Horned Grebes, Rustic Buntings and even a group of five Snow Geese. This is the first record of Snow Geese spotted on Baekryeong Island, making the species the 353^rd counted on the island since 2013.

On the 17^th January a meeting in Jinchon was conducted in the context of this event. Dr. Choi and Dr. Seliger of the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea were invited to discuss the future of the island and the environmental friendly use of the region. Dr. Seliger opened the event with his opening remarks. All participants agreed on working more on better fusing of ecological, cultural, historical and economic considerations for the future of Baekryeong Island.

The ecosystem of Baekryeong Island is not only an important habitat for various bird species, but also for amphibians, such as frogs. Due to human interference with nature, in this case drains and gully pots, their natural habitats can transform to deadly traps. To prevent frogs to get trapped Trevor Rose of the Rose Design Services Ltd. has developed special frog ladders, that aim to help the amphibians to climb out of the manmade drains. The Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea accompanied Trevor Rose while he installed the first frog ladders on Baekryeong Island and Yeoncheon County as part of the Baekryeong Wetlands Project.

Next to Baekryeong Island, the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea is regularly doing other biodiversity surveys on the Korean peninsula. In February a survey on migratory birds in the border area near Yu-do Island will be carried out with the support of our close partner Gimpo City to work for the ecological preservation of the border area near the Han River estuary and a peaceful cross-border development.