Achievements and Future Directions of the National Long-term Ecological Research Program (KLTER) in Korea: Scientific Exploration Toward Sustainability in the Era of Climate Change
The synergistic impacts of global climate change and human activities are causing an unprecedented crisis, resulting in biodiversity loss and diminished ecosystem function. Confronting this challenge necessitates the systematic, long-term accumulation of ecological data as a prerequisite for establishing sound scientific evidence. This review synthesizes and analyzes 66 research papers published between 2014 and 2025 during the 2nd phase of the Korea Long-Term Ecological Research (KLTER) program, aiming to identify key achievements and propose future directions. The core objectives of KLTER include elucidating the mechanisms of structural shifts in biological communities and phenological changes driven by climatic factors, as well as quantifying the ecosystem’s carbon uptake and storage functions essential for achieving carbon neutrality. The analysis of the published research shows that the study topics were concentrated in fields such as insects (35%) and vegetation dynamics/phenology (23%). Keywords like “species,” “change,” and “forest” constituted the central axis of the research. The KLTER program holds significant value in clarifying the organic interactions and complex dynamics of the Korean Peninsula’s ecosystems. Ultimately, the program must advance through a focused commitment to evidence-based ecosystem management, increased investment in integrated research infrastructure, and the development of robust climate change adaptation strategies guided by long-term foresight.