As a naturally-recovered wetland, Ungok Ramsar Wetland has been recognized for its high utilization values and biodiversity and was designated as an ecological habitat for endangered wild animals, plants, and rare species by the Ministry of Environment.
Wetlands have the highest biological productivity among ecological systems. 20% of the living organisms on the planet rely on wetlands, and 60% of marine life inhabit wetlands. 90% of the fishing activities rely on wetlands either directly or indirectly. Wetlands collect and send water to the ground-water stratum and build up and transport organic matters. In addition, it prevents flooding, supplies water, and protects and preserves nutrients (organic matters or nutritive salts) to stabilize climate conditions of the nearby region.
The altitudes and inclination of the Ungok Ramsar Wetlands in Gochang are not high and fairly gentle, therefore the water naturally leads toward Ungok Wetlands as it is at a lower altitude. This is especially true for the Obey Valley, which is surrounded by low hills which form valleys and several waterways as its name represents, and has a perfect natural location for preserving a variety of natural resources. The entire Ungok Village has less than 10 degrees of inclination, allowing for easy introduction of convenient facilities.
Many waterways join at the Ungok Ramsar and the nearby water system runs from Gochang Stream. Incheon River, and finally to Gomsoman Bay in the north. Small and big water puddles are located in Andeokje and Ungokje and serve as natural habitats for wetland ecological resources as they flow into the ecological ponds nearby.
Plants are distributed in the Ungok Ramsar Wetlands as follows. Compositae, Gramineae, Cyperaceae, Polygonaceae, Cruciferae, Rosaceae and Leguminosae plants inhabit the Ungok Reservoir. Obeygol Valley is home to willow trees and Hyun Poplar trees and aquatic plants are concentrated where Ungok Village meets the reservoir. The majority of the wetlands are used as arable land. The area which is close to the Reservoir in Andeokjegol is home to floating leaved plants and a diversity of wetland plants are distributed inside the valley.
As for animals, otter (endangered wild species class1), leopard cats (endangered wild species class ll), sables and natural monuments, such as the grey frog hawk and the kestrel inhabit the area. In all, it is home to 533 species of fish, 12 species of amphibians or reptiles, 611 species of birds, 11 species of mammals, 297 species of insects, and 22 species of butterflies.