Abstract
The Environmental Conservation Value Assessment Map (ECVAM) is a five grade assessment map created with nationally integrated environmental information and environmental values. The map is made through the evaluation of 67 items, including greenbelt area and bio-diversity. The ECVAM assesses the stability of the community using forest maps. However, the existing assessment method is problematic because the assessment grades are evaluated using higher than practical values; in part because it uses even-valued overlay and minimal indicator methods. This study was performed in order to suggest an integrated assessment method that could complement the stability evaluation based on existing methods. Accordingly, this study added forest type information, including whether the forest was natural or artificial, to the overlay method using forest diameter maps and forest density maps. As a result, the proposed ECVAM indicated a drastic grade change. After applying the method in South Korea, Grade I areas decreased 12.1%, from 52.6% to 40.6%, Grade II areas increased 11.9%, from 17.4% to 29.2%, and Grade III areas increased 0.2%, from 17.1% to 17.4%, respectively. From the results of the field survey, we found differences between natural forest and planted forest with regard to the number of mortality, species of shrubs, and vine cover. This means that natural forests are more stable than planted forests. This study suggests an improved assessment methodology to complement the existing EVCAM method. The results are expected to be used in environmental evaluations and forest conservation value assessments in ecology and environmental fields.
