The nature of urban Seoul: potential vegetation derived from the soil map

Abstract

This paper integrates the soil map of Seoul with data on vegetation research. Using data on topography, the existing soil map is re-interpreted discerning three landscape types: mountains, foothills and valleys, and river plains. For each of these, potential developments for plant life are distilled from existing research on plant communities. Hypothetical plant life is proposed as a potential that belongs to one of the assigned, natural landscape types of Seoul. The purpose of this research is to reach at a more conceptual idea of the natural landscape of urban Seoul. By indicating potentials rather than documenting the existing situation, it can play a role in future visions of planning and management. In an integrative approach, hard scientific data are made practical for the soft perspective of planning policy measures and aesthetics of design.

Keywords:

• plant communities
• soil landscape
• climax vegetation
• topography
• urban biodiversity

Acknowledgements

I want to thank staff and students of the SNU Graduate School of Environmental Studies and in particular the members of Lab on Landscape in Seoul, for their support while I was developing this research. The Seoul National University Foundation Research Expense supported this work.