There are four distinct ecological zones in the reserve. The temperate evergreen broadleaf forest includes dominant species such as
Castanopsis cuspidata,
silver magnolia, and camellia trees. There are also herbaceous plants such as
Ardisia japonica,
Hedera rhombea,
Saeri trees, and
Kalopanax pictus. The dune vegetation zone includes
Ischaemum anthephoroides,
Zoysia macrostachya,
Vitex rotundifolia,
Calystegia soldanella,
Messerschmidia sibirica, and a colony of
Carex kobomugi on Jeungdo Island. Several unusual species, including
Phragmites communis and
Vitex rotundifolia are distributed throughout the dunes. There are a number of uninhabited islands that contain evergreen coniferous forest zones. This zone includes a colony of Japanese black pine trees on the seashores and hill sides. The tidal flat zone includes wetland and coastal areas.
Phragmites reed communities are dominant in wetland areas. In the coastal area, various saltmarsh plants are developing such as halophyte communities. Many biological organisms are in the inter-tidal zone. The surface of the tidal flat is an important habitat for diatoms and plankton. Due to the complexity of ecological circulation and the food chain, many shells and invertebrate are found here. The biosphere reserves has two sites that are part of the
Ramsar Wetland Convention, Jangdo Island High Moor and Jeungdo Tidal Flat. ==Socio-economic characteristics==