A rare yellow iris (Iris koreana), a species typically native to the southern regions of Korea, photographed in Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province. Yonhap
Deep inside rocky mountain slopes across Korea, pockets of cold air are quietly keeping some of the country’s rarest plants alive, as rising temperatures squeeze fragile ecosystems and redraw the boundaries of survival.
The Korea National Arboretum said Friday that so-called “punghyeolji,” a kind of microclimate with cooler air than the surrounding environment, are becoming increasingly important as natural refuges for rare, endemic plant species threatened by climate change.
The announcement was released in conjunction with the International Day for Biological Diversity, observed Thursday.
These microclimates form naturally along rocky slopes where cold underground air escapes during the summer, creating sites significantly cooler than surrounding lowland areas.
Researchers say those isolated environments now serve as critical sanctuaries for cold-adapted and northern plant species that would otherwise struggle to survive in warmer regions.
A recent study by the arboretum identified 1,203 unique plant species across 25 major sites nationwide.
The survey documented 82 rare plant species, 61 of which are unique to the Korean Peninsula, and 212 northern native plant species.
These specialized habitats are home to roughly 30 percent of the Korean Peninsula's total plant species, according to the arboretum.
Among the plants identified were a rare peony and the endangered lady’s slipper orchid.
Source: Korea Times News
