Gyeonggi Province experiments with 'shade greening' using moss and ferns on sun-deprived slopes

Gyeonggi Province's Forest Environment Research Institute is pioneering an innovative 'shade greening' experiment, focusing on cultivating moss and fern species on forest slopes where insufficient sunlight previously hindered plant growth. This initiative seeks to restore these challenging environments.

A pilot site, spanning approximately 2,000 square meters, has been established within the Badahyanggi Arboretum in Ansan. The project, funded by 300 million won in special grant funds, began in March and involved planting various moss and fern varieties. The institute reported that the plants have successfully established themselves over the past four months since planting.

Traditional slope greening methods often utilize plants that thrive in direct sunlight. Consequently, many north-facing slopes or areas deep within forests have remained bare, with exposed soil. This new pilot project addresses this limitation by combining mosses and ferns, which are adapted to low light and high humidity conditions. The moss layer helps to cushion the impact of raindrops on the soil and slows down water runoff, while the roots and underground stems of ferns anchor the soil.

As these plants take root, they contribute to soil organic matter accumulation and create a more hospitable environment for microorganisms and other plant species, thereby aiding in the natural recovery of damaged forest areas. This project builds upon earlier experiments with mosses in sunnier locations at the arboretum, expanding the application to shaded forest slopes and significantly increasing the scale.

While other research institutes have explored moss for urban greening on rooftops and walls, and some have created moss and fern gardens, Gyeonggi Province's project specifically targets erosion control and ecological restoration on shaded forest slopes. If successful, the techniques could be applied to other difficult-to-vegetate areas, such as the slopes along forest roads, trails, and north-facing park areas. Jeong Taek-jun, head of the Gyeonggi Forest Environment Research Institute, emphasized that the Badahyanggi Arboretum is evolving into a space for researching and showcasing new forest restoration technologies that can combat climate change.

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The Badahyanggi Arboretum is more than just a space for plant exhibition; it is a place for researching and showcasing new forest restoration technologies that can respond to climate change.