Analysis of Cultivation Sites for Major Medicinal Plants in Korea under Climate Change Scenarios

Myeong Ja Kwak1*, Jooyoung Kim1, Hyeonmuk Hwang1, Irae Kim1, Dawon Kang1, Yeji Lee1,

Su Young Woo1, Yong-il Kim2

(1Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Seoul,

2National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Department of Herbal Crop Research, Herbal Crop Research Division)

Abstract: Climate change is significantly affecting plant productivity worldwide, and the cultivation of medicinal plants is no exception. Under climate change scenarios, this study analyzed changes in cultivation sites and area variations for two major medicinal plants, safflower (Honghwa) and astragalus (Hwanggi). An electronic climate map was created to evaluate the optimal cultivation potential for each scenario using big data from the Korea Meteorological Administration and related agencies, along with temperature, moisture, and CO2 experimental data. The analysis of cultivation site changes under climate change scenarios indicated that safflower, currently mainly cultivated in Uiseong and Andong in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Sancheong in Gyeongsangnam-do, and Goheung in Jeollanam-do, is expected to expand its suitable cultivation area northward, increasing its cultivation sites. In contrast, astragalus, currently mainly cultivated in Jeongseon in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Yeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Samcheok in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and Jecheon in Chungcheongbuk-do, is anticipated to face a reduction in suitable cultivation areas, making domestic cultivation more vulnerable. The results of this study demonstrate the impact of climate change on the cultivation of safflower and astragalus and provide crucial information for developing medicinal plant cultivation strategies adapted to future climate change. Future research should expand to include more medicinal plants and analyze the long-term impacts of climate change through extended observation data.

Acknowledgments: This work was carried out with the support of “Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development (Project No. PJ014833)” Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

Keywords: Climate change, Cultivation sites, Medicinal plants, Safflower, Astragalus