Change Started from Caring for the Soil
In April, as the wind swept through the foothills of Goesan, the Aromatica and Inbelab teams initiated a small change. The target site was the boundary slope of organic farmland in Gammul-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungbuk. It was a place where the invasive species Humulus japonicus (Japanese hop) spread rapidly every year, threatening native plants and organic crops.
From Spring to Winter, Removal Activities Following the Time of Plants
From April to November, a total of 107 people joined in five sessions to remove the Japanese hops, observing the site according to the plant's growth cycle. While it is difficult to see significant ecological changes in just one year, through repeated visits, we were able to understand the texture of the soil and witness the space once occupied by invasive species beginning to breathe again.
Above all, through the experience of removing the vines by hand, we learned together “what kind of management is needed for the ecosystem to recover,” clarifying that this activity is not just simple volunteering but the starting point of long-term restoration.
Above all, through the experience of removing the vines by hand, we learned together “what kind of management is needed for the ecosystem to recover,” clarifying that this activity is not just simple volunteering but the starting point of long-term restoration.
Bringing Life Back to the Emptied Space
In November, we finally planted new possibilities in the space cleared of Japanese hops. We gathered seeds of native plants analyzed through local surveys—Lespedeza cuneata, Lespedeza bicolor, Glycine soja (Wild soybean), and Aster koraiensis—and made seed balls. Inside the small clay balls, biochar was included to help the germination environment and capture carbon in the soil.
Seed balls are not just a simple sowing method. They are a way to help native plants fill the vacancy left by invasive species faster and healthier. Once the initial vegetation layer stabilizes, the possibility of re-proliferation of exotic species naturally decreases. This seed ball planting was the first step in experimenting and applying the standard of ecological restoration called “restoration after removal” in a real environment.
Seed balls are not just a simple sowing method. They are a way to help native plants fill the vacancy left by invasive species faster and healthier. Once the initial vegetation layer stabilizes, the possibility of re-proliferation of exotic species naturally decreases. This seed ball planting was the first step in experimenting and applying the standard of ecological restoration called “restoration after removal” in a real environment.