Nature of Baengnyeongdo - January 18, 2006


The third packet of the Islands of Korea Series features the nature at Baengnyeongdo Island.

Located at a latitude of 37 degrees and 58 minutes north, Baengnyeong-do is Korea’s northernmost island in the Yellow Sea. Its unique geopolitical location has made it difficult for the general public to access the island, allowing its ecosystem to flourish and remain relatively well preserved.

The name “Baengnyeong-do” means the island of white feathers, so named because the island seems to be entirely covered with wings of birds. Baengnyeong-do has long been home to many different species of migratory birds. Currently, the island houses a wide range of wildlife: birds such as falcon (Falco peregrinus), Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus), Temminck's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax filamentosus), Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes), Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) and Pacific Reef Egret (Egretta sacra); various rare animals such as the Eastern golden frog (Rana plancyi) which is one of the world’s most endangered species, the tiger crab (Orithyia sinica) that lives only on the west coast; and small fish called Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus). In particular, 200~300 common seals (Phoca vitulina largha) make up a unique population that lives exclusively on Baengnyeong-do. The island also hosts a wide variety of flora. It is the northernmost habitat for evergreen Camellia japonica L. Iris dichotoma Pall., which has been designated as an endangered plant by the Ministry of Environment, grows naturally on the island. Such rare plants as Morus tiliaefolia Makino, Amsonia elliptica (Thunb.) Roem. et Schult., Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm., and Senecio nemorensis L. can also be found. Baengnyeong-do boasts numerous picturesque sceneries free from contamination by human hands, such as Doomujin which is lined with fantastic rocks and cliffs, Sagot natural airfield, one of the world’s two natural airfields and Kongdol Beach.