By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Global warming is evident in Korea where the lives of many animals and plants have changed dramatically in less than five years. Flowers blossom and buds come out earlier while the number of summer birds has increased and the number of small animals has gone down.

According to the Ministry of Environment, cherry blossoms in central Seoul blossomed a week earlier than usual ― the first blossom was the same as in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, about 200 kilometers south of the capital.

The number of magpies and pigeons, which breed in springtime, are expected to increase as winter and early spring become warmer. A total of 435 migratory egrets were spotted on the Nakdong River, up from 182 in 2005, along with 523 common herons, also up from 103.

Pine trees have also adapted to climate change. Prof. Lee Chang-seok of Seoul Women's University said the buds of pine trees that grow in spring have started to open in the winter in urban areas due to the warm weather. In the mountains where temperature change is relatively low, the buds were still closed.

The average temperature in the Mt. Wolak area in North Chungcheong Province rose by 1 degree Celsius between 2005 and 2007, affecting the ecosystem. In terms of amphibians, the species diversity index has dropped from 1.84 to 1.46 over the period. Lungless salamanders, Korean fire-bellied toads, Dybowski's brown frogs and Korean stream brown frogs among several other species have seen their numbers falling.

``If one particular species increases or decreases, others in the food chain are affected, which could easily expand to other parts of the natural environment and break its balance,'' Lee said.

The report was a part of the government's 39.6 billion won 10-year-project on climate change and its effect on the nation's natural habitat started in 2004, involving 290 experts monitoring five inland areas and four rivers and swamps.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr