Abstract
In this study, from August to October 2019, we conducted a survey of the spatial distribution and dominant species of macrobenthos on the rocky intertidal zones of 38 specified islands distributed along the southern coast of Korea. On the basis of observation made using 50 × 50 cm quadrats, we identified a total of 80 species, among which, Mollusca were the most abundant fauna, with 54 species that accounted for 67.4% of the total, followed by Crustacea with 15 species (18.7%). The recorded numbers of Cnidaria, Porifera, and Echinodermata species ranged from 1 to 6. In terms of the regional patterns of species richness, specified islands in Yeosu were found to be the most species rich, supporting 61 species, whereas islands in Hadong, Namhae, and Chujado were found to have a similar level of species richness, ranging from 42 to 46 species. Islands in Boseong and Goheung were home to the fewest species, with only 29 species being recorded. At the sampling station scale, we noted a considerable difference in faunal richness, ranging from 6 (St. 6) to 33 (St. 20) species. Among the recorded species, Echinolittorina radiata was identified as the dominant species on 15 specified islands, with the next most abundant species being Tetraclita japonica, considered an indicator species of climate change, which was recorded on 11 islands. In terms of frequency, E. radiata, found on 36 islands, was identified as the most frequently occurring species, followed by Reishia clavigera (30 islands), Mytilisepta virgata (29), Nerita japonica (28), Ligia. exotica (27), and Littorina brevicula (26). Of the 80 species identified, 9, 4, and 2 species of Mollusca, Crustacea, and Cnidaria, respectively, are classified as Marine fauna of accepted foreign export, whereas 50 are Red List species, 44 are species of Least Concern, 3 are Data Deficient species, and 1 species was not evaluated. However, during the survey, we found no Near Threatened or Not Applicable species. On the basis of the findings of this survey, it would appear that the abundance and richness of macrobenthic fauna inhabiting the rocky intertidal zones of specified islands along the southern coast of Korea differ according to different habitat conditions, particularly with respect to the duration of exposure and the extent and properties of the substrata. The findings of this study will provide baseline data for future monitoring and management of specified islands in Korea.
본 연구는 남해안 38개 특정도서의 암반조간대에서 2019년 8월부터 10월까지 방형구(50x50cm)를 이용하여 대형저서동물의 공간분포와 우점종 조사를 실시하였다. 특정도서에서는 총 80종이 출현하였으며, 연체동물이 54종으로 67.4%를 차지하여 가장 우점하였고, 절지동물은 15종(18.7%)이었다. 그 외 자포동물, 해면동물, 극피동물은 1~6종의 범위내에서 출현하였다. 지역별로 보면, 여수의 특정도서에서 61종으로 가장 많았으며, 하동, 남해, 추자도 등에서는 각각 42~46종으로 유사하였고, 보성과 고흥은 29종으로 출현종수가 가장 적었다. 정점별 출현종수는 6종(정점 6)~33종(정점 20)의 범위로 큰 차이를 보였다. 주요 우점종은 좁쌀무늬총알고둥으로 15개 특정도서에서 우점하였으며, 그 다음으로 검은큰따개비가 11개 특정도서에서 우점종으로 출현하였다. 좁쌀무늬총알고둥은 36개 특정도서에서 출현하여 가장 넓게 분포하였으며, 대수리 30개, 굵은줄격판담치 29개, 갈고둥 28개, 갯강구 27개, 총알고둥 26개의 특정도서에서 출현하였다. 국외반출승인 대상종은 연체동물 9종, 절지동물 4종, 자포동물 2종이며, 국가적색목록은 총 50종으로 관심대상(LC)은 44종, 정보부족(DD) 3종, 미평가(NE), 준위협(NT) 및 미적용(NA)은 각각 1종씩 출현하였다. 남해안 특정도서에서 출현한 대형저서동물은 지역에 따른 노출시간, 암간 조간대의 길이, 암반기질 등 서식환경 차이에 의한 출현종수와 우점종의 차이를 보였다. 본 연구 결과는 추후 특정도서 모니터링과 관리방안 수립시 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.