Suwon Tree Frog and Carrion Crows Discussed at 'Suwon Biodiversity Forum'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] An opinion has been raised that systematic research and focus on habitat conservation are necessary to protect the Suwon tree frog, a critically endangered species designated for protection.

Suwon City held the ‘Suwon Biodiversity Forum’ at the City Hall conference room on the 12th and explored measures to preserve ecosystems and biological species.

The forum was organized by the Suwon Sustainable Development Council, with approximately 70 participants including experts, environmental activists, and citizens in attendance. Keynote speeches on biodiversity conservation, local case presentations, and panel discussions were conducted.

Lee Jeong-hyun, Chief Researcher at the National Institute of Ecology's Endangered Species Restoration Center, delivered a keynote speech on the topic of ‘Status and Restoration Plan of the Suwon Tree Frog,’ emphasizing the importance of habitat conservation for the species.

Chief Researcher Lee stated, “The Suwon tree frog has less mobility compared to other tree frogs and maintains a narrow home range,” and argued, “To protect the Suwon tree frog, a critically endangered species, efforts must first concentrate on preserving its habitat.”

He added, “We must establish healthy breeding environments for research on Suwon tree frog propagation, and systematically collect and analyze data on habitat characteristics and home ranges to preserve habitats.”

Voices have also emerged calling for efforts toward coexistence between citizens and carrion crows, which have recently become problematic. Lee Ki-seop, Executive Director of the Korea Waterbird Network, presented a local case study on the topic of ‘Ecology of Carrion Crows and Habitat Management of Carrion Crows in Suwon.’

Executive Director Lee stated, “While crows were regarded as sacred in East Asia in the past, as their population has increased, they have recently been treated as harmful species,” and emphasized, “To manage Suwon's carrion crows wisely, we must improve citizens' negative perceptions and research and develop measures to allow carrion crows to roost in forests rather than on power lines.”

Kim Hyun-hee, Director of the Gwanggyo Ecological Environment Experience Education Center, presented ‘Cases of Biodiversity Awareness Promotion in the Suwon Region’ and stated, “It is urgent to develop countermeasures to preserve major biological species and habitats that face extinction due to urban development,” adding, “Efforts are needed such as developing and distributing biodiversity awareness programs targeting citizens.”

In the panel discussion, with Kim Chung-kwan, Executive Director of the Suwon Sustainable City Foundation, serving as moderator, participants including Kim Han-su, Research Fellow at the Gyeonggi Research Institute, Cho Sung-sik, Professor at Far East University, Ryu Hyun-sang, Director of the Chilbo Ecological Environment Experience Education Center, and Hong Eun-hwa, Secretary-General of the Suwon Environmental Movement Center, discussed measures for biodiversity conservation.

A city official stated, “We hope the forum serves as an opportunity to encourage active citizen participation in biodiversity conservation activities such as the protection of Suwon tree frogs and to improve negative perceptions toward carrion crows.”