Comparative analysis of forest change by type of natural park using CLEAR CUTS method

Abstract

A natural park is a system in which protected areas are designated and managed for the conservation and sustainable use of natural ecosystems. In Korea, the management provisions for natural parks are equally applied to all four types (national parks, provincial parks, county parks, and geoparks), but the actual management is not applied equally, as the management authority differs depending on the type. Therefore, this study confirmed the effect of natural park types on forest changes in Korea by observing clear-cut land using satellite images and comparing it according to the type of natural park. The analysis showed that the proportion of severely damaged grade 3 clear-cut land was higher in provincial parks than in national parks. And marginal deforestation areas, which could not be seen inside the national park boundary, were found inside the provincial park boundary. To minimize forest changes in natural parks in the future, additional research is needed to derive the minimum buffer zone needed to perform its original function to supplement the provincial park management system and prevent the determination of development-friendly use districts.