• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.24 no.1 s.61
• /
• pp.89-94
• /
• 2006

This study was conducted to infer habitat distribution of Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in Korea. We recognized trace or presence of otter spraints from 254 of 750 pixels (pixel size: 13.75X11 km) used in this survey, amounting to 34%. The highest frequency of localities, with the spraints present, occurred in Gyeongsangbuk-do (49.62%) and the lowest one was observed in Gyeonggi-do (7.36%). The other regions were as follows: Gangwong-do (49.56%), Chungcheong buk-do (41.67%), Gyeongsangnam-do (38.00%), Jeolabuk-do (37.93%), Jeolanam-do (24.24%), Chungchengnam-do (20.29%). The counted number of the spraints was very low level in most of the localities where they were found (1.7spraints per sprainting site). It may indicate that small size of local populations would be expected in most of the localities. The habitat distribution of Korean otter, inferred from the distribution pattern of the spraints, will provide valuable basic information required for conserving and managing Korean otter.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.80-90
• /
• 2020

In order to understand the stress responses, we measured the concentration of stress hormones by using the fresh feces of wild otters in the Gwangju stream and Seomjin river during summer and winter in 2018. We compared seasonal and regional number of spraints (=otters' feces), temperature, altitude, water width, land cover, and water quality with stress hormones. The stress hormone levels were higher in summer than in winter, and significantly different to season and region. In addition, the number of feces were different according to the season and region, and showed a negative correlation with stress hormone. This study suggested assessing stress hormones as another promising method for the analysis of status of wild otters and it will contribute to establish the management and conservation policy, especially in urban area.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.413-418
• /
• 2012

In this study, both habitat use analysis by rumen contents of Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) were carried out to investigate the preference of habitat environment and diet using their fecal samples. As the target sites, two streams (the Naechon-cheon and the Koonup-cheon) were selected in the upstream of the Hongcheon river, Hongcheon County, Gangwon Province. A total of 478 track samples (e.g., feces, scent and footprint) were found during the survey periods (May to November, 2009 and November, 2010). The dominant points, where the tracks of river otters were observed, were areas with the low depth(0.5-1m) and the slow flow velocity (5m/sec). Also, both rocks and rock-beds were preferred but artificial facilities were avoided. This ecological study of river otters using habitat use analysis and diet analysis by rumen contents will be useful fundamental information to conserve the river otter populations, and to protect their habitats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Environment and Ecology Conference
• /
• 2009.10a
• /
• pp.53-56
• /
• 2009

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.47 no.spc
• /
• pp.66-73
• /
• 2014

In order to determine whether vegetation would be one of the factors for the selection of otter home range, vegetation structure and other potential factors were studied in Hwacheon, Korea. Thirteen sites, otter's activity found and not found, were investigated in North Han River and connected tributary streams of Hwacheon-gun. Three types of vegetation were classified by cluster analysis, which is short grass, tall grass and shrub type. Vegetation zone of each channel is composed of either one type, or mosaic of tall grass and shrub type. Short grass type is common in Lake Paro and upper North Han-river where water level is highly variable throughout a year. Therefore, annual species such as Persicaria nodosa, Fimbristylis dichotomam and Chenopodium ficifolium are the most dominant. Shrub type is common at the downstream sites of Jichon stream and along mainstream of North Han River down Lake Paro. A shrub species, Salix koreensis, is the most common. Tall grass type is dominant occupying the most vegetation zone of the tributary channels. Phragmites japonica is absolutely dominant. Due to its dense cover, a few plant species are co-existed. Otter activity was found in all three vegetation types and no marked activity was found at some sites of tall grass type. There is no difference in species composition and physiognomy between tall grass sites with and without otter activity, while it shows significant difference in fish availability between two groups. Overall we found that home range of otters in the region is along the mainstream and downstream of tributary streams with high fish availability in all vegetation types and in various human activity levels.

• 한국공간정보시스템학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2005.05a
• /
• pp.175-179
• /
• 2005

본 연구는 2002년 10월부터 2003년 9월까지 경상북도 봉화군 운곡천을 대상으로 수달의 배설물 및 배설지 등의 흔적조사를 통해 얻은 GPS좌표를 중심으로 하여 수치지도 및 현장조사에서 얻은 정보를 Arc/view를 이용해 수달의 최적 서식지분석에 이용하였다. 분석결과 수달의 서식지 이용에는 먹이자원인 어류의 종다양도와 풍부도가 깊은 연관을 맺고 있으며 식생 등의 서식환경이 밀접한 연관을 맺고 있음을 확인하였다 또한, 밀집된 주거지 등 인간의 간섭은 수달의 서식지 이용에 교란요인으로 작용한다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구는 수달의 보전 및 관리를 위한 적합 서식지를 선정하기 위해 GIS기법의 활용에 대한 적용 가능성을 평가하였다.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.13-23
• /
• 2021

In this study, we performed a Random Walker analysis to predict the Major Movement Paths of otters. The scope of the research was a simulation analysis with a radius of 7.5 km set as the final range centered on the Ansim-wetland in Daegu City, and a field survey was used to verify the model. The number of virtual otters was set to 1,000, the number of moving steps was set to 1,000 steps per grid, and simulations were performed on a total of 841 grids. As a result of the analysis, an average of 147.6 objects arrived at the boundary point under the condition of an interval of 50 m. As a result of the simulation verification, 8 points (13.1%) were found in the area where the movement probability was very high, and 9 points (14.8%) were found in the area where the movement probability was high. On the other hand, in areas with low movement paths probabilities, there were 8 points (13.1%) in low areas and 4 points (6.6%) in very low areas. Simulation verification results In areas with high otter values, the actual otter format probability was particularly high. In addition, as a result of investigating the correlation with the otter appearance point according to the unit area of the evaluation star of the movement probability, it seems that 6.8 traces were found per unit area in the area where the movement probability is the highest. In areas where the probability of movement is low, analysis was performed at 0.1 points. On the side where otters use the major movement paths of the river area, the normal level was exceeded, and as a result, in the area, 23 (63.9%), many form traces were found, along the major movement paths of the simulation. It turned out that the actual otter inhabits. The EN-Simulator analysis can predict how spatial properties affect the likelihood of major movement paths selection, and the analytical values are used to utilize additional habitats within the major movement paths. It is judged that it can be used as basic data such as to grasp the danger area of road kill in advance and prevent it.