• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.718-728
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• 2015

The fish community and inhabiting status of introduced fish were surveyed at nine stations of Gangeungnamdae stream from September 2013 to May 2014. A total of 36 species of fourteen families were collected from the survey stations and among them, Pungitius sinensis was identified as endangered species. There were nine Korean endemic species (25%) including Coreoleuciscus splendidus. Dominant species were Rhynchocypris steindachneri (St. 1), Zacco koreanus (St. 2, 4, 5, 6), Ladislabia taczanowskii (St. 3)), Zacco platypus (St. 7, 8) and Tribolodon hakonensis (St. 9). Of the 11 introduced species fishes in Gangeungnamdae stream, L. taczanowskii, Pungtungia herzi, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Squalidus gracilis majimae, Pseudogobio esocinus, Rhynchocypris kumgangensis, Z. platypus, Z. koreanus, Koreocobitis rotundicaudata, Liobagrus andersoni and Coreoperca herzi were released from Han river water zone in Korean. Rapidly expanded population and distribution of introduces fishes were Z. platypus, Z. koreanus, P. herzi and S. gracilis majimae, but L. taczanowskii, C. splendidus, R. kumgangensis were not rapidly expanded population. Settlement but very small population fishes were C. herzi and L. andersoni. When reduced 3% fishes of relative abundance with previous data (1973), R. steindachneri, Orthrias toni, Iksookimia pacifica, Plecoglossus altivelis, P. sinensis and Gymnogobius urotaenia, and R. steindachneri was most reduced from 56.1% to 12.9%.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.256-265
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• 2019

We investigated the ecological characteristics of Phoxinus phoxinus in the spring water in Eocheon stream from January to December 2016. The water temperature was $9.7{\sim}14.3^{\circ}C$ and remained below $15^{\circ}C$ throughout the year. The fishes cohabiting with minnow were Rhynchocypris kumgangensis (70.14%), Cottus koreanus (13.63%), Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (3.16%), Oncorhynchus mykiss (0.97%), Zacco koreanus (0.49%), and Iksookimia koreensis (0.24%). The sex ratio of female to male was 1:0.86. The frequency analysis of total length indicated that the fishes with the total length of 30 - 50 mm were one year old, those of 50 - 65 mm were two years old, those of 65 - 75 mm were three years old, and those of 75 mm or more were four years old. The sexually mature fishes were 50 mm or longer for female and 60 mm or longer for male. The spawning season was from April to July, and the water temperature was $12.3-14.3^{\circ}C$ during the period. The prosperous spawning season was from June to July, and the water temperature was $13.8-4.3^{\circ}C$ during the period. The average number of eggs in the ovaries was 508 per matured female, and the matured eggs were yellowish and spherical with a mean diameter of $1.58{\pm}0.13mm$. The length-weight correlation of P. phoxinus was $BW=0.000007TL^{3.09}$ with the constant a as 0.000007 and the parameter b as 3.09. The condition factor (K) was 0.99 (0.76 - 1.32) in average.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.90-100
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• 2019

This study was carried out from March to November, 2013 to investigate the fish community structure and distribution characteristics of Phoxinus phoxinus and Rhynchocypris kumgangensis appearing in Gihwacheon Stream, Pyeongchang. A total of 6 families and 19 species of fish emerged during the survey period. The dominant species were R. kumgangensis (Individuals 44.7%, Biomass 30.2%) and P. phoxinus (Individuals 27.7%, Biomass 15.9%). Endemic species were 10 species including Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpus, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Hemibarbus mylodon, Gobiobotia brevibarba, Microphysogobio longidorsalis, R. kumgangensis, Zacco koreanus, Korecobitis rotundicaudata, Iksookimis koreensis and Coreoperca herzi. Endogenous species were P. tenuicorpus, G. brevibarba and P. phoxinus. Hemibarbus mylodon was a natural monument. Oncherhynchus mykiss was exotic species and translocated species was Oncorhynchus masou masou. The dominant species, R. kumgangensis, appeared at all survey sites. Except for St.6, the b value was more than 3.0 and the slope of K value showed positive correlation. P. phoxinus appeared in St. 3~St. 6 and St. 3 and St. 4 only showed stable populations.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.130-141
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• 2021

By reviewing previous literature, we analyzed the food sources of 20 out of 29 endangered fish species from freshwater ecosystems in South Korea. A total of 19 studies reported that food sources of 20 endangered fish species included 20 phyla, 31 classes, 58 orders, 116 families, and 154 genera. Arthropod, insecta, diptera, and chironomidae were the most fed animal food sources according to different resolution of taxa index on phylum, class, order and family. Similarity, bacillariophyta, bacillariophyceae, naviculales, and cymbellaceae were the most fed abundant plant sources. A larger number of fish species were reliant on animal food sources than plant food sources. 18 of the endangered fish preyed on arthropods, whereas only 6 species consumed bacillariophyta. To characterize the feeding groups of the 20 fish species, a hierarchical clustering analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis were conducted. The fish species were divided into two groups: 1) insectivores and 2) planktivores. A network analysis, which associated the link between endangered fishes and food sources, also revealed the same two groups. The highest hub score of food sources was for macroinvertebrates, including diptera (0.47), ephemeroptera (0.42), and trichoptera (0.38), based on the network analysis. Niche breadth was used to calculate the diversity of the food sources. Phoxinus phoxinus (0.57) showed thehighest food source diversity among the fish species, whereas Iksookimia pacifica (0.01) showed the lowest. This study will be utilized for the conservation and restoration of the endangered fish species.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.73-84
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• 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate biodiversity and natural habitat environment of freshwater ecosystem. Our aim was therefore to produce a set of biodiversity and habitat indicators based on multi-parameters of water quality and biodiversity by analyzing the characteristics of the results by indicators. We selected four indicators a) anthropogenic disturbance, b) habitat diversity, c) biodiversity, d) ecosystem structure. The fishes cohabiting with Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis were Rhynchocypris kumgangensis and Zacco koreanus. As a result of the anthropogenic disturbance evaluation, it was analyzed that vegetation embankment showed a more stable environment in the tributary than the main stream, and other disturbance was not confirmed As a result of the habitat diversity evaluation, it was analyzed that habitat evaluation index showed a high score of 200 more on average, showing an optimal habitat condition. As a result of the biodiversity evaluation, it was analyzed as a clean habitat condition with a high proportion of sensitive species, abundant dissolved oxygen, and little pollutants. As a results of the ecosystem structure, the ecological health condition metrics and appearance of endangered species showed large score deviation, but it was analyzed that the stream ecosystem health was generally excellent. There was a slight correlation between the habitat environment and the results of the nature habitat evaluation according to the appearance of the B. lenok tsinlingensis.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.126-141
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• 2021

Fauna of freshwater fish and community structure were investigated at 13 sites in the Deogyusan National Park, Korea from 2014 to 2018. During the period, a total of 8 families, 21 species, and 8,716 individuals of fishes were collected. The number of fish collected over the past five years from 2014 to 2018, were 17 species and 2,280 individuals, 17 species and 1,579 individuals, 17 species 1,905 individuals, 17 species and 1,384 individuals, and 15 species and 1,568 individuals, respectively. There were 13 Korean endemic species including Iksookimia koreensis and Coreoleuciscus splendidus, etc. Only in Wondangcheon Stream, two endangered species were identified, and Hemibarbus mylodon was collected continuously except in 2015, and Pseudopungtungia nigra was observed every year. And two exotic species such as Oncorhynchus masou masou and Oncorhynchus mykiss occurred in Gucheongdongcheon Stream sites. The dominant species was Rhynchocypris oxycephalus and the sub-dominant species was Zacco koreanus and there was no difference by year. The fish community structure of Deogyusan National Park was varied depending on the sites and the year. Most of the survey sites located upper stream where the river structure is Aa river type showed poor community analysis results. On the other hand, the upper-mid stream sites including the Bb type showed better results. As a result, the Wondangcheon Stream sites had the most diverse and stable community structure. Similarity dendrogram was divided into 4 groups, mainly reflecting the characteristics of the habitat. The flagship species of the Deogyusan National Park, Rhynchocypris kumgangensis, was constantly observed during the investigation period. Compared to the previous survey, the number of species increased from 2004 (12 species) and decreased from 2009 (22 species).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.652-663
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to conduct ecological health assessments by using the fish communities in the Manchurian trout habitat. Sampling was conducted twice in July and September 2018. In the survey, 1,119 individuals belonging to 16 species and seven families were collected. The dominant species by number was Rhynchocypris kumgangensis and the subdominant species was Zacco koreanus. Korean endemic species represented 73.33% at Geybang Stream and 76.92% at Naerin Stream. Community analysis revealed that the structure of the fish community was unstable by the dominance index 0.63 (±0.09)-0.97 (±0.01), the diversity index 1.63 (±0.23)-0.33 (±0.09), the evenness index 0.79 (±0.06)-0.24 (±0.07) and the richness index 0.67 (±0.14)-1.80(±0.16). According to the analysis of the tolerance guilds, the total individual number of sensitive species was higher than the intermediate and tolerant species. The insectivore species accounted for 65.09-98.56% of the total trophic guilds, which was the highest observed. The value of the QHEI (Qualitative habitat evaluation index) in the Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis habitat was 119.5 (±0.5)-153.5 (±0.5), indicating an optimal-suboptimal condition. The FAI (Fish assessment index) stream health value was A to B in the study sites. Correlation analysis with FAI and various factors was conducted and a high correlation in QHEI, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis individuals, species, individuals, diversity, richness, sensitive species, carnivorous species, insectivorous species, and omnivorous species was found. The similarity analysis was divided into three groups from A to C, based on 56.9%.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.530-542
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• 2020

This study surveyed the central mountain area of Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) from March to October 2018 to reveal the appearance patterns of freshwater fish. We collected 7,744 individuals of 43 species in 12 families with skimming nets and cast nets in 12 stations during the survey. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus (30.3%), and the subdominant species was Z. platypus (18.5%), followed by Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (10.0%), R. steindachneri (6.7%), Microphysogobio yaluensis (5.9%), Acheilognathus signifer (4.5%), Pungtungia herzi (4.2%), and Orthrias nudus (2.6%). Among the collected species, four were legally protected. They included Hemibarbus mylodon, which was a natural monument, and Lethenteron reissneri, A. signifer, and Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, which were class II endangered wildlife designated by the Ministry of Environment. Twenty Korean endemic species (46.5%) and one exotic species, Micropterus salmoides, were also collected. Additionally, three climate-change sensitive species, R. kumgangensis, Ladislavia taczanowskii, and Cottus koreanus, and three landlocked species, L. reissneri, C. koreanus, and Rhinogobius brunneus appeared. The dominant species in each station were Z. koreanus (15 stations), Z. platypus (four stations), R. oxycephalus (four stations), and C. koreanus (one station). The species dominance index decreased from upstream to downstream (mainstream of Gimhwanamdae Stream), while the species diversity index and the species richness index increased. The community structure of the rivers was divided into the uppermost stream, upper stream, Han River, and Imjin River. Compared to antecedent surveys, this study collected the highest number of species. Two new species (Sarcocheilichthys variegatus wakiyae and Micropterus salmoides) were caught, while six species (Siniperca scherzeri, Leiocassis ussuriensis, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis, Rhodeus ocellatus, Abbottina springeri, Aphyocypris chinensis) did not appear. Gimhwanamdaecheon Stream has high biological value with the inhabitation of many species, including species under legal protection and high diversity and richness index scores. This paper also discussed a protection plan for this area.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.108-118
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to provide baseline ecological data for the conservation of the Manchurian trout habitat through the investigation of the growth status of Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis, and Pearson's correlation analysis (PCA) between the B. lenok tsinlingensis population and the use of the land around Gyebangcheon stream. Sampling was conducted twice in July, September, and October 2018. During the July and September surveys, 882 individuals belonging to 13 species from six families were collected. The dominant species was Rhynchocypris kumgangensis and the subdominant species was Zacco koreanus. The total number of B. lenok tsinlingensis collected was 99. The results of the length-weight relationship in the B. lenok tsinlingensis population were analyzed with a regression coefficient b value of 3.1272 and a condition factor (k) value of 0.0006. Therefore, the growth condition of B. lenok tsinlingensis was regarded as fairly good. The QHEI(Qualitative habitat evaluation index) value in the B. lenok tsinlingensis habitat was 119.5(±0.5)-153.5(±0.5), indicating optimal-suboptimal conditions. As a result of the HIS (Habitat suitability index) analysis, it was confirmed that the optimal habitat for B. lenok tsinlingensis was 0.45-0.55m and >1 m in water depth, 0.55-0.65 m s^-1 in water velocity, and boulder in the substrate. The ratio of the land use in this study site was analyzed as 66.26-96.31% for forest and grassland areas, 0.00-23.79% for agricultural areas, 0.00-4.19% for urbanized areas, and 3.69-8.87% for others. Correlation analysis of the number of B. lenok tsinlingensis and various factors revealed statistically significant correlations between QHEI and forest and grassland areas, agricultural areas, and urbanized areas.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2024

This study conducted a survey to investigate the characteristics of fish communities and the inhabiting status of endangered species in the Byekgye Stream, Korea from April to September 2020. A total of 3,415 fish of 9 families and 31 species were collected from 7 survey stations during the survey period. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus (relative abundance of 31.2%), and the subdominant species was Z. platypus (15.0%), followed by Pungtungia herzi (11.7%), Acheilognathus yamatsutae (5.4%), A. lanceolata intermedia (4.8%), Rhinogobius brunneus (4.4%), and Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa (4.3%). Among the fish species collected, 19 (61.3%) were identified as Korean endemic species, and two cold-water fish species sensitive to climate change (Rhynchocypris kumgangensis and Cottus koreanus) were collected. Four species were designated as class II endangered wildlife by the Ministry of Environment: A. signifer, P. tenuicorpa, Rhodeus pseudosericeus, and C. koreanus. A. signifer and P. tenuicorpa mainly inhabited the mid to lower streams, R. pseudosericeus in the midstream, and R. pseudosericeus in the upstream. P. tenuicorpa inhabited in large numbers, and estimating the age by total length-frequency distribution in July, the total length of the 26-35 mm group was estimated as 0 years old, the 54-75 mm group as 1 year old, 82-97 mm group as 2 years old, 104-109 mm group as 3 years or older. The cluster analysis showed that the dominance index decreased from upstream to downstream, but the diversity, evenness, and richness index increased. The water quality of Byekgye Stream was evaluated as good overall since the river health (fish assessment index, FAI) using fish was evaluated as excellent (5 stations) and good (2 stations). Byekgye Stream has relatively well-preserved habitats, but conservation measures are required as habitats are disturbed by river repair work in some parts of the midstream and downstream areas where many endangered species inhabit.