• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.459-467
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• 2007

The effects of turbid water on fish community was investigated in a clear reference stream (the Bongsan Steam) and a turbid stream (the Daegi Stream) located in the upstream region of the South Han River, Korea. The stress index (SI) of suspended solids (SS) were calculated during a rain event concentration by the equation SI=LN (SS${\times}$duration). EMC of SS was $1{\sim}13$ mg $L^{-1}$ in the clear stream with a mean SI of 5.2, while SS was $97{\sim}1,150$ mg $L^{-1}$ in the turbid stream with a mean SI of 10.3. Even though the number of species was not much different, the dominant species of the two steams were distinctly different. The reference stream was dominated by upstream species such as Rhynchocypris kumgangensis, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis, and Cottus poecilopus which are typical upstream community. Whereas the turbid streams was dominated by Rhynchocypris kumgangensis, Zacco koreanus, and Orthrias nudus which are representatives of middle reache community. Fish density was four times higher in the clear steam than the turbid stream. In the similarity analysis of fish communities the community of the turbid stream showed large dissimilarity with other communities in other streams of similar size. In conclusion, although turbidity might be at the sublethal concentration, fish communities are under stress in some turbid streams of Korea that is strong enough to induce community change. It can be an example of a chronic ecological toxicity of turbidity at the community level.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.677-685
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• 2019

We investigated the ecological characteristics of kumgang fat minnow (Rhynchocypris kumgangensis) in the Eocheon stream from October 2017 to September 2018. The water temperature was 10.2- 14.3℃ and remained below 15℃ during the year. The fishes in cohabitation with kumgang fat minnow were Cottus koreanus (16.62%), Phoxinus phoxinus (10.74%), Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (1.55%), Oncorhynchus mykiss (0.56%), Zacco koreanus (0.28%), and Iksookimia koreensis (0.14%%). The ratio of females to males was 1:0.91 and did not vary widely. The frequency analysis of total length indicated that the fishes with less than 40 mm in total length were one year old, those with 40 - 69 mm were two years old, those with 70 - 84 mm were three years old, and those with 85 mm or more were four years old for individuals collected in May through June. The sexually mature fishes were over two years old. The spawning season was from late May to late August, and the water temperature was 12.5~14.5℃ during the period. The prosperous spawning season was from June to July, and the water temperature was 13.6 - 14.5℃ during the spawning period. The average number of eggs in the ovaries was 1,006 (664 - 1,666) per matured female, and the matured eggs were yellowish and spherical with a mean diameter of 1.34±0.17 mm. The length-weight correlation of R. kumgangensis was BW = 0.00003TL^2.77 with the constant a as 0.00003, b as 2.77, the average condition factor (K) as 1.04(0.65~1.48), and the slope as -0.0012. The kumgang fat minnows inhabiting in the spring water had a longer spawning period, a fewer number of eggs in ovaries, and the lower condition factor (K) than those inhabiting other areas.

• 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.