POCHEON, April 4 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korea National Arboretum in the city of Pocheon, northeast of Seoul, said Monday it had opened a new Lichen Garden in the arboretum’s temperate house.
Lichen is a composite organism that arises from algae and fungi maintaining a mutualistic relationship.
The garden introduces lichens that live in the ecosystem of Gotjawal Forest, a naturally formed forest located on the middle slopes of Mount Halla, Jeju Island.
The arboretum began growing plants in 1987 to create the temperate house. Here, the plants come from the country’s southern regions and islands, as well as the southern coast.
The lichens joined the community of plants in the temperate house, growing for more than 30 years to create a forest similar to Gotjawal Forest in Jeju.
Lichens adjust well to extreme climates like polar regions, mountains and deserts. They are used in research for the stabilization of the soil during the process of desertification prevention.
Image Credit: Korea National Arboretum / photonews@koreabizwire.com
