A Research on Algific Sites' Value as Geosites and Their Conservation Strategies

풍혈지대의 지질명소로서의 가치와 보호대책에 관한 연구

Since restoration of damaged geomorphological sites is almost impossible, it is necessary, to select and conserve geomorphological heritages in a preemptive action. Algific (=producing cold) sites are one of the natural resources which have not been protected well due to the lack of understanding of their value, despite their conservation importance. This research aimed to help people to recognize such geosites' actual value and make them understand the necessity of protecting these sites. Algific areas are valuable by the simple fact that it is a mysterious phenomenon in which the ice forming may happen even in the mid-summer and the environment is always cool. Algific sites deserve geomorphological research in the sense that topographic condition called talus causes this phenomenon. They are also valuable in plant geographic sense because northern rare plants survive isolatedly due to low-temperature environment of these sites. Their cultural-historical value is also high by the fact that they have been connected closely with local residents' lives shown by its nicknames, "natural refrigerator" or "natural air conditioner".