• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.29-41
• /
• 2012

This study's objective is to inform people of the value and identity and to understand the cultural landscape characteristics of coastal village forest, which have not been studied in-depth in previous studies. This study was conducted by selecting 10 village forest sites in the southern coast of Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea and the present state of forests were investigated through bibliographical and on-the-spot survey, as well as interviews with local villagers. The following points(characteristics of traditional culture, practical characteristics, scenic characteristics) are the important factors for analyzing cultural landscape characteristics of coastal village forest verified through the study. First, The coastal village forest in the village commons is mental space for the local community affected by folk belief rather than confucian backgrounds. Second, The coastal village forest is a reasonable space contriving economic efficiency and solving the real problems facing the coastal village. Third, The coastal village forest identities should be understood the land use around village and behind mountain from the sea of wide range rather than confined to just a forest consisting of trees. This study's significance is to make the basic data and to enhance the value of the coastal village forest unnoticed. In addition, the subjects of the study should be extended to the east and west coastal village forests and subsequent research should be conducted to notification the characteristics and differences of each coastal village forest.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.85-93
• /
• 2008

The MAEULSOOP, Korean traditional village groves have been installed and survived since 7th Century to serve local village dwellers as a community forest. The common sense of their reasons for being is related to the surroundings such as hills, waterways and wind-ways. To understand the roles in a local community, spatial characteristics of distribution, locations and shapes were tested at the two-characterized regions, the Southwestern Flat Region and the Eastern Hilly Region. Approximately more than 500 written evidences related to trees and forests were surveyed, for example village names, folk tales and lists of designated trees for protection. Twenty sites in each region were selected and tested for the spatial analysis. Aerial photographs, DEM and the ArcGIS with a modified AML for slope analysis are applied based on the criteria of the KLCIS(Kwon, 2002; 권진오, 2008). The major factors in the role of the MAEULSOOP based on the spatial character of two regions are; the array and locations of hills for encircling or exposure, locations against corridors and waterway or not, locations of the community to serve, the conservation of energy. Although locations and shapes of the MAEULSOOP are slightly different, it seems that one of the prime roles is what makes their everyday life difficult the most in the community.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2016

Maeul-soop(Village forest) is a key element of Korean traditional village landscape historically and culturally. However, a number of Maeul-soops have been lost or declined due to various influences since the modern age. For this Maeul-soop that has a variety of conservation values including historical, cultural and ecological ones, attention and efforts for a systematic conservation and restoration of Maeul-soop are needed. The purpose of the present study is to provide information on ecological restoration and sustainable use and management of Maeul-soops based on component plant species, habitat and location characteristics of 499 Maeul-soops spread throughout Korea. Major six categories of threat factors to Maeul-soop ecosystem were identified and the influence of each factor was evaluated. For the evaluation of weight by threat factors for the influence on the vulnerability of Maeul-soop ecosystem, more three-dimensional analysis was conducted using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis method. In the results of evaluation using AHP analysis method, reduction of area, among six categories, was spotted as the biggest threat to existence of Maeul-soops. Next, changes in topography and soil environment were considered as a threat factor of qualitative changes in Maeul-soop ecosystem. Influence of vegetation structure and its qualitative changes on the loss or decline of Masul-soop was evaluated to be lower than that of changes in habitat. Based on weight of each factor, the figures were converted with 100 points being the highest score and the evaluation of vulnerability of Maeul-soop was conducted with the converted figures. In the result of evaluation of vulnerability of Maeul-soops, grade III showed the highest frequency and a normal distribution was formed from low grade to high grade. 38 Maeul-soops were evaluated as grade I which showed high naturality and 10 Maeul-soops were evaluated as grade V as their maintenance was threatened. Also in the results of evaluation of vulnerability of each Maeul-soop, restoration of Maeul-soop's own area was found as top priority to guarantee the sustainability of Maeul-soops. It was confirmed that there was a need to prepare a national level ecological response strategy for each vulnerability factor of Maeul-soop, which was important national ecological resources.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.99-111
• /
• 2015

The objectives of this study were to investigate the location, shape, environment, and vegetation of the Village Forest in Gyeonggi-do and to evaluate the ecological integration and changes of the Village Forests to figure out the measures for conservation and management. There were 23 Village Forests remain in Gyeonggi-do. Ten Village Forests were established based on Feng-shui background. Many of them were found in Yongin area and southeast of Icheon. The Village Forests were owned by local community at 9 village and privately owned at 8 villages. Most Village Forests were managed by local communities except for the two managed by private person. Fifty-two percent of the Village Forests were in strip shape, and most of them were established by Feng-shui background or for the prevention of disasters. The average size of the Village Forests was relatively small at 3,046m2. The most frequent tree species found at the Village Forest were Zelkova serrata and Pinus densiflora. Over half of the number of Village Forests showed vertical structure of overstory trees only or overstory-sub overstory combination, which seemed to be resulted from the loss of understory plants by the activities of local residents. The Village Forests that had over 30% of damaged trees were found at 7 villages. The damages were caused by the road construction close to the groves, soil compaction, and tree death by covering lower stem with soil. The vitality of the damaged trees seemed to be significantly low compared to that of the undamaged. There were factors that determined the changes in the Village Forests: community ritual, institutional protection, designation as a water resource protection district, road construction, land use change, windstorm hazards, and development of forest areas. In order to conserve and manage the Village Forests appropriately, it is necessary to limit excessive use of the grove areas and maintain proper tree growing conditions by improving the soil environment. The development of neighborhood areas need to be controlled and community activities should be encouraged to maintain or restore the original landscape of the groves. Protection measures and supporting policies need to be enforced to keep the Village Forests from disappearing in near future.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.188-209
• /
• 2009

Dangsan forests had been established by local residents several hundred years ago. They were disturbed in various ways, but still remain in many villages where dangsan festivals are held every year. Although the remaining Dangsan forests represent korean rural cultural landscapes, their characteristics still remain to be uncovered. The objectives of this study were to understand the three elements, Dangsan tree (Divine tree), shrine and stone tower, and to investigate the culture at inland areas and seashore areas relation to Dangsan forests. Twenty cases of Dangsan forests at inland areas and twenty at seashore areas were investigated. There were nine shrines and six stone towers found out of twenty inland Dangsan forests. Fifteen shrines were found out of twenty seashore Dangsan forests. Stone tower was not found at seashore areas. Fifteen events of dangsan festival were investigated. Dangsan festival appeared to have played an important role to preserve Dangsan forests. Based on the findings of this study, Dangsan forests are, as landscape elements at inland and seashore areas, proved to have a potential for the improvement of cultural and natural landscapes in the country.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.101-109
• /
• 2012

Traditional village forests in Jeju Island represent unique cultural landscape with a history of more than several hundred years as a national cultural asset in Korea. In this paper, the characteristics and meaning of traditional village forests in Jeju Island was compared with the Dangsan and Bibo forests at inland. There are 368 Oreums, parasitic volcano, and 391 shrines of Dang(Divine place) in Jeju. Life, culture and tradition of rural villages are all connected with the Dang and Oreum in Jeju. It has been found from this study that the village in Jeju were established as a cultural landscape on the surface of natural landscape. The features of traditional villages focused on the Dang and Oreum in Jeju Island were similar to the Dangsan and Bibo forestsat inland villages. The Oreum represents mountain and the Pojedan forest is newly found in Sangmyung-ri. The seashore areas are covered by vaocanic rocks in Jeju and large scale windbreaks are hardly found. The stone tower at Sinheung-ri built for blocking sand movement represents Bibo forest. The special attribute of the Dang in Jeju is that it is close to real life and believers are still remain. In 2009, the Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut ritual was nominated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The shrine of Dang, however, has been degraded fast by construction of seashore road and Jeju Olle trail path. As for the world cultural heritage discussed at international conferences, it is important that there is sustainability on the right to enjoy cultural heritage. Integrated efforts from local residents, local governments and national government are needed to set up a management scheme for the Dang culture. Rural villages in Jeju with the Dang and Oreum are expected to get an international attention as to have traditional cultural landscapes of Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.115-123
• /
• 2016

In this study, the landscape characteristics of the sacred Dangsan forests at Singi-ri, Namwon-si were investigated as an agricultural heritage, and the management scheme for revitalization of the village was introduced. FAO established the term of 'GIAHS' (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) for conservation of each country's farmland, unique agricultural landscape, and cultural diversity. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Korea evaluates that the Agricultural Heritage is a new means and potential for rural development. Dangsan forest, a traditional village forests of rural Korea is a representative 'agricultural heritage' with a history of more than several hundred years of Dangsan ritual. The Dangsan forests were closely linked with paddy fields. This forest was composed of two Dangsan forests, and one Bibo forest. Especially, the Dangsan forest 2 was established on the mounding with 395m in length and 15m in width. Although, most of Dangsan forests do not have accurate records about forest establishment, this forest has retained a stone monument that illustrated the history of the forest. These aspects of Singi-ri's Dangsan forest indicated clear difference and characteristics compared to other ones. This Dangsan forest has been left alone from the public attention. The Dangsan forest at Singi-ri need to be recognized for their valuable landscape characteristics. By linking the Dangsan forest with 'Jirisan trail', the trail path will lead people to the agricultural heritage at Singi-ri. Enhancing the management scheme will contribute to revitalize the village.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.135-145
• /
• 2012

Traditional village forests called Dangsan forests and Bibo forests in Korea represent an unique cultural landscape with a history of more than several hundred years. Feng-shui forest in China, Satoyama and Shinto shrine forest in Japan are recognized internationally as 'traditional ecological landscapes'. Dangsan forests and Bibo forests have been preserved through generations in the villages, and are no less valuable than Feng-shui forest, and Satoyama. However, the names of Dangsan forest and Bibo forest have not been well recognized worldwide. Dangsan forest in Seoseong-ri, Wando-gun is located on a mountain slope at a riparian forest. It consists of an evergreen broadleaf forest and Carpinus laxiflora forest. The characteristics of Dangsan forest in Seoseong-ri could be found at 10 sacrifice offering places. Two Dangsan trees on the coastal area are included in the sacrifice offering places. Cultural heritage can retain their value when they are fully sustained. Additional construction, demolition or modification should be banned. Furthermore, all means must be taken to facilitate the preservation of monuments and the value and meanings pertaining to them should not be distorted. In a respect of authenticity, Dangsan forest in Seoseong-ri, Wando-gun seems to have original Dangsan culture based on animism with a philosophic background, where a religious service for the mountain god is held at rock of mountain god, and Dangsan ritual is held at shrine on January 8 at 4:00 am by lunar calendar. Relating to the conservation and management of cultural heritage in international discussion, the importance is that whether there is sustainability on the right to the enjoyment of cultural heritage. Dangsan forest in Seoseong-ri is leaved alone to the public. The forest need a social mechanism to support the recovery of deformed shrine and to heighten public awareness of Dangsan forest in order to claim the value as a unique traditional ecological landscape in Korea.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.444-457
• /
• 2014

Dangsan forests are traditional village forests which have been established by local residents. They represent unique cultural landscape of Korea with a history of more than several hundred years. It is necessary for a cultural contents to have locality and globality so as to represent Korea. Cultural heritage can retain their value when they are fully sustained their authenticity and management scheme. Although many Dangsan forests have been on the verge of disappearance, the four villages in Sinwon-ri have retained Dangsan forests with Dangsan ritual. In this study, a designation of 'Conservation area of agricultural landscape ecology' including Dangsan forests, Bibo forests, rice paddy field, and stream in Sinwon-ri was suggested. This 'Conservation area of agricultural landscape ecology' can be developed to unique glocal cultural content of rural Korea, and will contribute to enhance the value of the Dangsan forest's, and revitalization of rural villages.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.13 no.11
• /
• pp.924-934
• /
• 2013

Traditional village forests in the Jeju Island represent unique cultural landscape with a history of more than several hundred years as a national cultural asset in Korea. There are 368 Oreums, parasitic volcanoes, and 391 shrines of Dang(Divine place) in Jeju. Currently, the shrines of Dang are damaged by the Jeju Olle trail path and road constructions. It's time for cultural consents to be obtained with locality and globality. And need to produce our own unique contents, glocal cultural contents. In this study, the establishment of trail path of Jeoji Oreum in relation to the Dang in the Jeju Island was investigated. By linking the Dangsan forest to the Jeoji Oreum trail path, it enables the path to contact with traditional cultural landscape. Rural villages in Jeju with the Oreum and Dang are expected to get an international attention as to have traditional cultural landscapes of Korea. It needs to be managed to retain their original form and in connection with the trail path.