• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.195-208
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• 1997

On the basis of the topographic maps in the 1910's and 1990's and the classification map of Landsat TM satellite image photographed on Sept 1, 1996, the spatial distribution and the current situation concerning tidal flats in Korea were studied by measuring the area with GIS Arc/Info system and examining the regional condition required to develop the tidal flats. The results are as follow; The tidal flat resources in Korea cover an area of about 3800 square meters, including the reclaimed one since the 1910's. And they are widely distributed in the west coast of South Jeonla, Kyunggi bay, Asan bay, the south coast of South Jeonla, Kunsan bay, Chunsoo bay, and the coast of South Kyungsang and Pusan when put in the order from bigger area. Given the area under the construction at present, more than 50% of the tidal flats are reclaimed ones. The tidal flats are being developed especially in Kyunggi and Asan bays because they perfectly measure up to the conditions required. For Kunsan bay, a remarkably good supply system of the alluvial sedimentary materials and a favorable coastline requirement for the coast of the South Jeonla also contribute to the development of the tidal flats. In the case study of Kunsan bay, it was shown that the shape of the tidal flat is making a continuous change and the area is getting bigger in terms of the multi-temporal change of the tidal flat development. However, while in the first half of the 20th century, the increasing rate of the area was considered to be rather high, it is considerably lowered almost to a standstill in the latter half of the century.