Scientists have raised the alarm about biodiversity loss if construction of an airport near South Korea’s west coast begins as proposed this year.
In an open letter published in the journal Science, they highlight the loss of migrating birds from the Sura area, the last remaining tidal flat within the once-thriving Saemangeum estuary, where saltwater from the Yellow Sea mixes with freshwater from the Dongjin and Mangyeong rivers.
They write that the Sura tidal flat is “a key stopover along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway,” supporting the annual migration of at least 330,000 shorebirds. As the last tidal flat in Saemangeum after a coastal reclamation project, it provides critical habitat for numerous migratory birds, including 59 nationally protected species and 27 globally threatened species.
For example, thousands of far eastern curlews (Numenius madagascariensis), a large shorebird, used to flock to Saemangeum. But the endangered species is now only found in Sura during the highest tides, Nial Moores, a co-author of the letter and director of the NGO Birds of Korea, told Mongabay by email. He said research in two other areas suggests that increased noise from the airport will further reduce bird populations.
Beyond filling in estuaries for runways, the airport project also threatens migratory birds through plane strikes. “Internal environmental assessments by the government itself indicate an exceptionally high risk of bird strikes at the proposed airport site,” research scientist Taejin Park, another co-author, told Mongabay by email. He added it’s not safe for people either: “Placing an airport in such a critical bird habitat violates international aviation safety standards.”
Last year, 179 people were killed when birds reportedly collided with a plane landing at Muan airport 117 kilometers (70 miles) south of Saemangeum.
Park said local farmers and fishers are also concerned about ecological degradation, which can affect their livelihood.
The Joint Action for Cancellation of Saemangeum New Airport, a group campaigning against the project, has filed a court case to cancel it. They question the project’s exemption from a required preliminary feasibility assessment, especially with the “underused” Gunsan Airport less than a mile away. Members are holding protests as they wait for the court decision and a government report.
Citing South Korea’s commitment to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 under the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity, Park said, “Destroying Sura — which lies just 7 km [4 mi] from a designated World Heritage site, i.e., Seocheon tidal flat — undermines those international commitments and also directly impacts on the World Heritage site.”
The scientists are now asking the government to pause the project until a “thorough and independent feasibility and environmental impact review has been conducted.”
As of publication, the government has yet to address the issues raised by the scientists.
Mongabay reached out to the government ministries involved in the project but did not receive response.
Banner Image of a far eastern curlew courtesy of Dong-pil.
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