• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.246-262
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• 2024

The survey conducted from 2018 to 2020 aimed to investigate the changes in fish fauna and community characteristics in the upper reaches of the Seomgang River, Korea. During the survey period, 35 sites were selected, resulting in the collection of 7,817 fish belonging to 12 families and 40 species. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus, with a relative abundance of 34.5%, followed by Z. platypus at 28.7%. Other significant species included Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (10.2%), Pungtungia herzi (5.3%), and Squalidus gracilis majimae (4.3%). Notably, four protected species - Acheilognathus signifer, Gobiobotia brevibarba, and Cottus koreanus, designated as class II endangered wildlife by the Ministry of Environment- were identified. These species predominantly inhabit the middle and lower reaches, except for Gobiobotia brevibarba, which is found in the upper reaches. Nineteen species, accounting for a 47.5% endemism rate, were endemic to Korea. The study also noted the presence of one climate-sensitive species, Cottus koreanus, and two exotic species, Carassius cuvieri and Micropterus salmoides. Community analysis indicated a trend of decreasing dominance and increasing diversity and richness from upstream to downstream, with a distinct division into uppermost reaches, upper reaches, middle and lower reaches, and lakes. The construction of the Hwaseong Dam has had a significant direct and indirect impact on the fish community. The habitat and abundance of endangered species such as R. pseudosericeus, A. signifer, and G. brevibarba decreased dramatically immediately after the dam's construction, transforming the submerged area from lotic to lentic environments. Approximately 20 years later, the habitats have stabilized, leading to an increase in the fish population and a recovery of the previously diminished endangered species. The river health (FAI) was also evaluated, with 27 sites rated as very good (A), seven as good (B), and one as fair (C). However, endangered species such as A. signifer continue to face threats from dam and river construction, while C. Koreanus has experienced a severe population decline due to river works. Additionally, the presence of the ecosystem-disrupting species M. salmoides in Hwaseong Lake raises concerns. To ensure a stable habitat for fish in the upper reaches of the Seomgang River, it is crucial to avoid indiscriminate river construction, urgently implement restoration policies for endangered species such as A. signifer, and develop management strategies to control the spread of invasive species such as bass.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-29
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• 2016

The total area of paddy field was estimated to be 55 % of the cultivated lands in South Korea, which is approximately 1 million hectares. Organisms inhabiting paddy fields if they are sensitive to environmental changes can be environmental indicator of paddy fields. Biological indicators such as phenology and distributional range are evaluated as intuitive and quantitative method to analyze the impact of climate change. This study aims to estimate flight time change of Hydrophilidae species' based on the RCP 8.5 climate change scenario. Unmanned monitoring systems were installed in Haenam, Buan, Dangjin and Cheorwon relative to the latitudinal gradient. In the three regions excepting Cheorwon, it was able to measure the abundance of flying Hydrochara affinis and Sternolophus rufipes. Degree-day for the flight time was determined based either on field measurement values and estimates of 2020s, 2050s and 2080s from KMA climate change scenario data. As a result, it is found that date of both species of initial flight becomes 15 days earlier, that of peak flight becomes 22 days earlier and that of final flight does 27 days earlier in 2080s compared to 2020s. The climate change impact on flight time is greater in coastal area, rural area and valley than inland area, urban area and plan. H. affinis and S. rufipes can be used as climate change indicator species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2009

This study was presented to effect of prescribed burning to the avian fauna and was conducted from March to October 2007 in Sihwa grassland, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Prescribed burning was conducted at Sihwa grassland of Songjeong-ri Mado-myeon, Hwaseong city from 28th February to 1 st March 2007. Thirty birds species were observed and sum of the maximum count was 181 individuals at the prescribed burning area for all survey time. Observed species was 24 species and sum of the maximum count was 154 individuals on the unburned area. Number of species and sum of the maximum count at the prescribed burning area was greater than unburned area. There is no differences in the dominant species between prescribed and unburned area. Average number of species, number of individuals, species diversity and species richness of the prescribed burning area were greater than unburned area in early stage (from March to June) after prescribed burning. Community indices in burned area during early season were different with unburned area by prediscribed burning. However, the indices had became similar between burned and unburned area as time goes by. Disturbance by prescribed burning created new habitat and feeding site temporarily for the avian species in grassland. We would suggest that prescribed burning is most effective method to maintain grassland ecosystem from the invading bush or tree and periodical prescribed burning is a good method to preserve and manage the grassland ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.301-310
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• 2008

This study was to analyze characteristics of fish compositions and longitudinal distribution, based on trophic and tolerance guild at 22 sampling sites of Yeongsan River watershed during 2003$\sim$2006, and also to compare before and after the estuary dam construction. The collected fishes, based on catch per unit effort (CPUE), were 44 species in the watershed and dominant fishes were Zacco platypus, Acheilognathus macropeterus, Zacco temminckii and Carassius auratus. According to comparative analysis of fish in the non polluted sites (NPS) vs. polluted sites (PS), the number of species and individuals was lower by 70% in the PS than the NPS, indicating ecological degradations by chemical pollutions or/and habitat modifications. The relative abundance of sensitive and insectivore species decreased as the stream order increases, while tolerant and omnivore species increased with the stream order. In this survey, largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), which is a top-carnivore and exotic species, may influence trophic guild system throughout active predations on endemic species, resulting in modifications of ecological functions. The construction of estuary dam on Yeongsan River in 1981 resulted in wider lacustrine zone and desalinated through limitation of seawater input. These physical changes have caused increases of lentic dwelling species and limited fish migrations (i.e., eel). Overall, fish fauna and composition analyses showed that the number of species and individuals in this water body may be reduced due to inputs of pollutants from the watershed, habitat modifications, and increases of exotic species (largemouth bass). For these reasons, effective lake management strategies are required for the ecosystem conservation.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.697-704
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• 2014

Mt. Hallasan in Jejudo has been well known as a habitat for both northern and southern limited butterflies and attracts the interests of many lepidopterists. In this study, the line transect method was used to monitor the community and similarity of butterflies monthly monitoring from May to September 2013, and the results were compared with the previous data. Through monitoring, 3,397 individuals in 26 species of 5 families were found in the present study. The monitored individuals belonging to 4 species (Aphantopus hyperantus, Eumenis autono, Lethe diana and Melanargia epimede) was 2,578 (75.9%), showing the prevalent species among the butterflies observed in the grassy area of the Mt. Hallasan. The butterflies inhabiting Mt. Hallasan showed higher similarity in the area where the open grassy space and the crowns of tree layer coexist than in landscape consisting of solely the tree layer or open grassy space. The habitation of butterflies by heights showed the altitudes between 1,665 to 1,700 m, located beneath the Baekrokdam (the crater) of Mt. Hallasan, possessed the most species and individuals. And it was also observed that the species that previously inhabited the subalpine zone moved to the area of higher altitudes together with the species that previously inhabited rather lower altitudes than the subalpine zone.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.13-24
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• 2007

This study was conducted to confirm if spatial distribution of macrobenthic fauna were related with sedimentary characteristics. Sedimentary characteristics were compared in each community after carrying of community analysis based upon species composition. Macrobenthic animals were distinguished with 4 communities based on the tidal level, of which 3 communities were divided into two groups on the sediment composition. Common species which were presented in all communities, Nephtys californiensis Hartman 1938, Haploscoloplos elongatus Johnson 1901, Glycera sp., Heteromastus sp. Notomastus sp. Timarete amtarctica Mono 1930, Glysinde sp., Lumbrineris japonica Marenzeller 1879 were having different appearance densities at each community area caused by different sedimentary characteristics. But only two species among the common species have a correlation significantly. Temporal variation of common species could not be recognised because of 4 times of seasonal investigation was not enough know their life cycles. So, in the future more frequently sampling method should be required.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.229-241
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• 2023

Microphysogobio rapidus is designated as endangered species class I by Ministry of Environment, and its distribution and population have been gradually declining, and it is now limited to the Nam River and some tributary streams of the Nakdong River Watershed. For the restoration of this highly endangered species, it is important to identify the causes of the decline and establish appropriate restoration plans. However, due to lack of basic data and ecological research, most steps are stagnant. Therefore, in this study, we identified the differences in the physical, biological, and sociological habitats between current and past distributed sites through field surveys and literature reviews. As a result of the field survey, there were differences in conductivity between the current and past distributed sites, and fish communities were also showed differences. The literature data also showed that the physico-chemical values of the past distributed sites were generally unfavorable, which generated negative consequences on biological factors. In particular, the effects of urbanization were found to be a major factor affecting the habitat of M. rapidus. Habitat stabilization is crucial for the recovery of this endangered species. However, in the past distributed sites, disturbances such as stream development and weir construction have altered streams physico-chemically and result in changes of M. rapidus. Therefore, a comprehensive plan that considers both stream connectivity and water quality is needed to manage and restore the habitat of M. rapidus.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.215-226
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• 2000

We evaluated the aquatic ecosystem of Keum-Ho River through applications of the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish assemblages and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) during June-November 1999. Overall IBI values ranged from 13 to 37 with mean of 23 (n=25, Std. error= 1.16), indicating a "Poor" or "Very Poor" condition according to the criteria of Karr (1981) and U.S. EPA (1993). The values of mean IBI declined at the rate of $0.22km^{-1}$(($r^2$=0.91, p< 0.05) along the longitudinal distance from the headwaters to the down-river. Reduced IBI values at down-river (St. 4 and 5) were attributed to the decreases in riffle benthic species and the relative abundance of insectivore and increases in tolerant species, anormalies and exotic species. Spatial pattern in IBI agreed with QHEI values, which showed a linear relation ($r^2$=0.998, p< 0.001) with mean number of species. Field measurements of conductivity and pH, indicators for variation of conservative ions, showed that the river water was diluted up to 30% by summer precipitation and surface run-off from the watershed, resulting in physical and chemical instability during the monsoon. For these reasons, average IBI values during monsoon and postmonsoon decreased more than 20% compared to pre -monsoon. Before the perturbation of the system (i.e., pre-monsoon), values of QHEI were inversely correlated (r=-0.99, p< 0.0001) with realtive abundance of native omnivore and were positively correlated (r=0.87, p=0.05) with relative abundance of native carnivore. These results indicate that spatial degradation of habitat quality modified the species richness and trophic structure, producing decreased IBI values. (Biological integrity, IBI, Monsoon, Habitat, River, Korea)bitat, River, Korea)

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.142-146
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to evaluate topographic characteristics revealed in the predicted distribution areas of Aporia crataegi, according to climate change. Towards this end, this study compared the differences of topographic factors, such as altitude, mountain slope and the aspect of slope, in the distribution areas with different potential inhabitation possibilities of the Aporia crataegi. The inhabitation possibilities of the Aporia crataegi were different, according to altitude and topographic slope, and the inhabitation possibility is judged to be affected more by the topographic conditions including altitude and mountain slope than by the aspect of slope. Especially, the inhabitation possibility of the Aporia crataegi was higher in the higher altitude area, as time goes on furthermore. The reason is that the current climate environment, which is suitable for the potential inhabitation of the Aporia crataegi, is forecast to be formed with an area with high altitude. Although the difference in the aspect of slope was not statistically significant according to inhabitation possibility, the reason why the inhabitation possibility of the Aporia crataegi varies in the mainly southeast slope is conjectured to be derived from the warmer heat environmental condition to grow from a larva into an imago. The result drawn in this study is expected to be utilized as basic data to establish a policy soundly preserving and managing the habitat of biospecies in consideration of climate change and topographic conditions in the natural ecosystem field by using the already built up various biological resources information.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.612-616
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• 2007

오랫동안 홍수조절, 용수공급, 전력생산, 레저 활동을 위해 건설된 댐들은 하천이나 호소의 생태적 기능보다는 치수 및 이수기능이 중요시되면서 운영 관리되어 왔다. 하지만 최근 들어 선진국을 중심으로 환경 및 생태의 중요성이 인식되면서 하천생태계 보호를 위한 환경유량 산정이 언급되고 있는데 이는 하천이 동 식물의 서식처로서 적절한 수질뿐만 아니라 수심, 유속, 하상재료, 먹이원, 어류를 보호할 수 있는 휴식 및 은신처 등의 다양한 조건을 제공할 수 있어야 한다고 제시되고 있다. 이들 조건 중 유량(Flow)은 하천에서 생물집단을 구성하는데 있어 물리적 서식조건의 주요한 결정인자로 작용하는데, 댐 하류하천의 자연유량(natural flow)을 변화시키면 생태학적 측면에서 기대치 않던 영향을 야기할 수 있다. 따라서 댐 건설 전 후의 자연유량과 조절유량 사이에서 생태학적 어류조사연구를 통한 차이점을 찾는 것은 매우 중요하다고 볼 수 있다. 본 연구의 최종목적은 수계 내 댐 건설 전 후의 어류군집과 유량 등 수리조건과의 연관성을 분석하여 하천구간별로 어류생태에 적합한 유량을 산정하는 것이다. 조사대상 구간은 금강본류를 대상으로 하되 용담댐과 대청댐을 중심으로 하여 10개 구간을 선정하였고. 과거로부터 2000년도까지와 용담댐 건설후인 $2002{\sim}2004$년도에 조사된 어류생태자료를 활용하였다. 용담댐 상류로부터 대청댐 하류에 이르기까지 전 구간을 대상으로 조사된 자료를 분석한 결과 총 20과 82종이 출현하였고, 이중 종 45종(54.9%)이 잉어과에 해당하며 미꾸리과(6종), 동자개과(4종), 망둑어과(5종)를 제외한 대다수의 분류군(Family)들은 단일 또는 2종으로만 구성되었다. 이들 중 천연기념물 제 259호로 지정되어 법적으로 보호되고 있는 어름치(금강에서 서식한 어름치를 따로 천연기념물 238호로 지정함)를 비롯하여 다묵장어를 포함한 7종의 멸종위기종이 확인되었다. 또한 각시붕어 등 총 29종(39.4%)의 높은 한국고유종 출현과 6종의 외래도입종도 확인되었다. 금강의 중 상류에 해당하는 구역을 포함하는 대청댐 상 하류 구간에서 대청댐 건설 전(1980년 이전)을 포함하는 2000년 이전 조사 자료가 가장 다양한 어류상과 특이어종(멸종위기종 및 한국고유종)을 보였고, 최근자료$(2002{\sim}2004)$를 살펴볼 때 용담댐 상 하류에서보다 대청댐 상 하류에서 멸종위기종(7종$\rightarrow$1종) 및 한국고유종(28종$\rightarrow$16종)의 출현감소와 외래도입종의 출현증가(1종$\rightarrow$6종)와 같은 주요한 어류군집 변화를 보였다. 이는 댐 건설에 따라 주로 계류성 어종을 중심으로 정수역 구간에서 인근 지류로 이동하게 되고 일부는 제한된 서식공간과 하천교란으로 인해 개체군이 극감하거나 일부 소멸된 종이 발생하였을 것으로 사료된다. 실측 유량자료 분석에 의하면 홍수기 최대유량 변화는 크지 않으나, 갈수기 최소유량은 크게 증가한 것을 알 수 있었고, 대다수 어류의 산란기인 봄철(5월, 6월) 최소유량은 증가하였으나, 최대유량은 감소한 것으로 분석되었다. 이러한 변화는 어류생태계에 긍정적인 면과 부정적인 면이 있으며, 향후 이러한 영향을 분석하기 위해 선택어종(Target species)별 생태환경 서식조건을 확인할 수 있는 조사기법 및 자료구축이 절실히 필요한 실정이다.