제천 의림지의 제림(堤林)에 관한 연구

Abstract

With a good state of preservation of the original form of long agricultural culture of the the Korean Peninsula, Jecheon Uirimji Reservoir is the oldest reservoir in Korea, which was raised to the status as a scenic spot under the name of ‘Jecheon Uirimji Reservoir and Levee Woods’ in 2006. In the name that the existence of Levee Woods stands out, Cultural Heritage Administration included pine tree, Salix koreensis, fir and ginko trees into the categories of Levee Woods. However, the administration overlooked that scientific name of Salix koreensis is different from Salix babylonica. Thus, this study traced the origin of pine tree which is a main species of Levee Woods and historical status of the aspect of the forest of Uirimji Reservoir. As a result, this study confirmed that pine trees have affinity with neighboring Yongdusan Mountain(龍頭山) that maintained same vegetation ecosystem with Uirimji Reservoir from the immemorial past. This study also arrived at a conclusion that there is high probability that Jeon In-ji(鄭麟趾) created Levee Woods in earnest from the year 1457 (3rd year of King Sejo). However, it is assumed that pine trees are the reflection of aesthetic plan for improving appearance of Uirimji Reservoir rather than a function for strengthening embankment. Meanwhile, Salix babylonica is an individual which is as old as the history of Uirimji Reservoir that started from the shape of a natural pond, which was also an individual that made display of overgrown power before the period of Japanese occupation. Before landscaping, plenty of scrub existed with pine trees in Uirimji Reservoir. Today, trampling caused by the steps of visitors has emerged as a pending issue in addition to the withering of pine trees in Uirimji Reservoir. Therefore, this study, reminding a preceding case that solved the problem successfully, suggested a bypass trail that installed a deck with preserved woods. This study also recommended to pay closer attention to transplantation of the seedlings of successional species of pine trees.