Analysis of the Ecophysiological Determinants of Utricularia Tenuicaulis Growth in Western Demilitarized Zone Korea

Abstract
 

This research focuses on the growth environment of the  Utricularia tenuicaulis found in the DMZ's dumbung (wetland pools), where  Utricularia tenuicaulis is a vulnerable species sensitive to environmental changes, requiring a specialized ecological environment to survive. While this species can still be found in wetlands across the country, its habitat is rapidly shrinking due to climate change and urbanization. The first step toward preserving  Utricularia tenuicaulis is understanding its habitat. Knowledge of its environment is essential for formulating effective conservation measures. However, due to a lack of research on the habitat of this species, this study was initiated.
Dumbung, which is part of the wetland habitat where  Utricularia tenuicaulis resides, is categorized into ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands. Among these, dumbung, which falls under wetlands, has unique interactions with its surrounding environment depending on its type. Although wetlands provide a single habitat, they allow us to observe various environmental impacts, making the dumbung an important focus for analyzing the growth environment of Utricularia tenuicaulis. The DMZ, where human interference has been absent for over 100 years, offers a habitat most similar to nature, even in man-made dumbung, making it ideal for studying the species' living environment. Hence, this research was conducted within the civilian access-controlled area of the DMZ.
 

Keywords: Utricularia tenuicaulis, Dumbeong, habitat, wetland, growth characteristics