A Forest Born From Fire
The Gotjawal forests on Jeju Island grow directly on hardened lava fields. The ground is not soil, but a blocky, fissured type of basaltic lava called ‘A‘ā. This terrain, formed by volcanic eruptions on Mount Hallasan, is extremely porous. The name "Gotjawal" comes from the local Jeju dialect, where "got" means forest and "jawal" refers to gravel or stony ground. This landscape was historically considered wasteland, unsuitable for agriculture, which inadvertently protected it from development.
The forest's existence depends on this unique geology. The cracked ‘A‘ā lava allows rainwater to bypass surface runoff and immediately permeate deep into the island's underground aquifer. While this means the forest has no rivers or streams, the countless crevices in the rock trap moisture and maintain a near-constant high humidity and stable temperature. These fissures, known as "sumgol" or breathing holes, release cool air in the summer and warmer air in the winter, with the ground temperature staying between 12-15 degrees Celsius year-round. This process creates a vast network of stable microclimates, making the lava field a natural thermostat and humidifier.
A Biological Anomaly
The stable, humid microclimates of the Gotjawal allow for an unusual assembly of plant species. It is the only known place in the world where plants from polar and tropical regions coexist. Southern-limit polar plants and northern-limit subtropical plants grow side-by-side, creating a unique ecosystem. The dominant tree species in many areas is the evergreen ring-cupped oak (Quercus glauca).
This environment supports many ferns. One of the most significant residents is Mankyua chejuense, a rare and endangered fern discovered in 2001. It is the only species in its genus, making it a monotypic genus endemic to Jeju Island. The only known natural habitat for this fern is a part of the Gotjawal called Dong Baek Dong San (Camellia Forest). This specific area is also recognized as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, demonstrating its global ecological value. The forest supports a wide variety of other flora and fauna, including endangered species like the Fairy Pitta, a species of bird. The unique geological and biological characteristics of the Gotjawal forests make them an important area for conservation and scientific research.