The Demilitarized Zone or DMZ area between the two Koreas was reconfirmed Tuesday as one of the world's most valuable places of flora and fauna in the government's six-year study of its ecosystem.

The Korea Forest Research Institute said Tuesday that the DMZ was found to be the habitat for about 2,200 kinds of living creatures in its study conducted from 1995 until last year.

In particular, the institute discovered about 100 rare, endangered species of plants, animals and microorganism living in the 90,800 hectares of land that separates the two Koreas.

The report said that the DMZ's flora consists of a total of 1,194 species of plant while its fauna comprises about 660 species of vertebrates and invertebrates.

A researcher at the institute said the outcome of the study shows the need for a comprehensive plan to protect the DMZ's well-preserved ecosystem which is unparalleled anywhere in the world.