• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• 제15권2호
• /
• pp.19-29
• /
• 2012

Numerous studies suggested that fish assemblage structure reflects the status of stream ecosystems. The status of streams integrity, including various trophic levels, water quality and habitat degradation, can be assessed by fish assemblages. In this study, we investigated the relationships between fish assemblages and streamline geometry of streams. Previous studies suggested that geomorphologic parameter can be a critical factor of permeability between adjacent two systems. From a landscape ecological perspective, edges may partially control the flow rate of energy between two adjacent systems. Thus, the Streamline geometry can be a geomorphologic parameter that exhibits the integrity of stream. We selected the Nakdong river for study areas, which is one of major rivers and the longest (525 km) River in South Korea. We used the revised IBI representing overall ecological characteristics of Korean fish assemblages and eight sub-assessment criteria of IBI, collected from 82 sampling sites in the Nakdong River. For calculating the Streamline geometry, we measured fractal dimension index that generally used in biology, ecology and landscape ecology. We used the digital land-use/land-cover map and generated a 1-km buffer for each sampling site and refined the shape of the Streamlines. Pearson correlation analyses were performed between Streamline geometry and IBI and sub-assessment criteria of IBI. The results show that IBI and eight sub-assessments of fish are significantly correlated with geometry of Streamline. The fractal dimension of Streamline geometry were related with IBI (r = 0.48) and six sub-assessments of IBI, including total number of native fish and native species, the number of riffle benthic species, sensitive species, tolerant species and native insectivore. Especially, the number of tolerant species(r = -0.52) and native insectivore(r = 0.52) show strong correlation with geometry of Streamline. These results indicate that lower Streamline geometry can result in poor fish assemblages, while higher geometry of Streamline can enhance fish assemblages by potentially supplying insects and better habitat conditions. We expect the results of our study to be useful for stream restoration and management. However, we see the necessity of study investigating the mechanisms how Streamline geometry affect fish assemblages.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• 제36권2호
• /
• pp.156-163
• /
• 2024

This study investigated the temporal patterns of species composition and abundance of larval fish assemblages through seasonal samplings in the coastal waters off Uljin, East Sea from April 2022 to February 2023. A total of 27 taxa of larval fishes were collected in the study area. The dominant fish larvae were Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini, Sebastes inermis, Ammodytes japonicus, Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae, Rudarius ercodes and Parablennius yatabei constituting 86.6% of total larval fish abundance. The number of species, abundance, and diversity index fluctuated according to season, showing the highest species number and abundance in April (spring) and diversity in July (summer). Larval fish assemblages were divided into three seasonal groups, including spring, summer and winter groups based on relative abundance of each fish larvae. Among abundant fish larvae, P. herzensteini predominated during spring, while P. yatabei and R. ercodes were abundant during summer. S. inermis, A. japonicus and P. yokohamae constituted the most abundant larval fish group during winter. These temporal changes in larval fish assemblages were attributed to seasonal changes in surface water temperature. The results from this study may elucidate our understanding of larval fish diversity and contribute to evaluating the nursery function of coastal habitats in the East Sea.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• 제27권3호
• /
• pp.314-321
• /
• 2011

The potential effects of increased water temperature on fish assemblages and their habitats were studied in the streams of the Han River watershed when the water temperature was supposed to increase by $1^{\circ}C$, $2^{\circ}C$, and $3^{\circ}C$ in each sampling site. The percent changes in suitable habitats for each species and in species number within a site were determined, based on the estimated maximum thermal tolerances of 51 fish species whose habitats were classified into four reaches: upstream, up-/midstream, midstream, and mid-/downstream. The maximum thermal tolerance ranged between $25.0^{\circ}C$ and $31.0^{\circ}C$ and significantly increased as the habitat reaches move from upstream to mid-/downstream. With the increases in water temperature, the average suitable habitats for all 51 species were decreased by 31% ($+1^{\circ}C$), 46% ($+2^{\circ}C$), and 60% ($+3^{\circ}C$). The increased water temperature, however, did not induce significant differences in the changes in suitable habitats among four reaches within each level of temperature increase. The relative frequencies of the sampling sites classified into six levels according to the percent change in the number of species in each site were significantly different among three levels of water temperature increase, with relatively greater changes in the sites where 0~20% and 61~100% of species were affected.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• 제35권4호
• /
• pp.285-293
• /
• 2023

This study conducted to investigate the temporal and spatial variations in the fish community structure in the Seomjin River estuary (ES1~ES3) and Gwangyang Bay (ES4~ES8). Surveys were conducted at eight points between May and September from 2020 to 2021. A total of 5,111 fish were collected, representing 42 families, 68 genera, and 78 species. The dominant species collected during the survey period were Pennahia argentata, with 2,370 individuals and a relative abundance of 46.4%. Also, as a subdominant species, Nuchequula nuchalis, 1643 individuals were caught, accounting for 32.1% relative abundance. According to Bray-Curtis similarities, observations were divided into three groups based on the fish community composition, and they were further categorized into brackish water areas, coastal areas, inner areas, and outer areas. Group 1 mainly consisted of fish inhabiting freshwater and brackish water areas, while group 3 exclusively contained fish living in marine waters. ANOSIM (Analysis of Similarity) analysis revealed a significant difference (ANOSIM R=0.783, p=0.001) between Group 2 and Group 3, and the species contributing to these clusters were P. argentata and Muraenesox cinereus. The study demonstrated spatial changes in the fish community structure from the Seomjin River estuary to the outer coast. The findings highlight the importance of long-term monitoring of major species that exhibit spatial variations, serving as essential foundational data for the conservation and management of economically significant fish species.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• 제36권2호
• /
• pp.140-149
• /
• 2018

Seasonal variations in the community structure of larval fish assemblage in Jinhae Bay were investigated in February, May, August and November of 2015, and in the same months in 2016. During the study period, a total of 28 larvae species belonging to 24 families were collected. The dominant species were Clupea pallasii, Liparis tanakae, Callionymidae sp., Sillago japonica, Ernogrammus hexagrammus and Engraulis japonica. These six species accounted for 77.6% of the total number of larvae during the survey period. The larvae of C. pallasii and L. tanakae were exclusively caught in February 2015 and 2016, while those of Apogon lineatus and Sillago japonica were exclusively caught in August 2015 and 2016. Overall, species diversity of the fish larvae was highest in February and August, although it was relatively low in May. The results of the non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) analysis using the number of individual larval fish showed that they are divided into four seasonal groups. Our results showed that the community of larval fish in Jinhae Bay was affected by seasonal changes in temperature and the emergence of spawning fish species. Additionally, we suggest that the high abundance of larval fish came from around Jam-do and the northern part of Chilcheon-do; these locations are the main spawning grounds of Jinhae Bay.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• 제52권3호
• /
• pp.274-283
• /
• 2019

Beta diversity is an efficient means of assessing the spatial variation in community composition among sites. To present fish community variation and LCBD (Local Contribution to Beta Diversity) among sites in stream, 6 sampling sites were selected in Cheonggye stream. Fish communities, environmental and habitat variables were collected at sites from April 2014 to October 2015. We used the total variance of the fish community data table (site-by-species community table) based on different forms, presence-absence, abundance, and Hellinger transformation, to estimate and compare beta diversity and LCBD. Fish community data table transformed by Hellinger distance showed the higher values of beta diversity than presence-absence and abundance data table. A similar patterns of LCBD were observed with presence-absence and Hellinger transformed data table. Low value of beta diversity calculated by community data table with abundance was due to the non-normality of fish assemblage data. Additionally, correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the relationships among LCBD, community indices and physicochemical variables. LCBD showed negative correlation coefficients with Shannon diversity. Overall, application of beta diversity analysis is an efficient method of addressing spatial variation of fish communities and ecological uniqueness of the sites in stream.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• 제33권1호
• /
• pp.22-30
• /
• 2021

This study aimed to determine the monthly fish species composition in the eelgrass bed of Yeocha on Hansando Island, Korea, and to obtain fish species data by comparison with the nearby Bongam. The species composition was determined from monthly samples collected by a surf net from August 2009 to July 2010. During the survey, total 2,394 individuals of 29 species and 10,378 g of fish were collected. The dominant species were Gymnogobius heptacanthus, followed by Takifugu niphobles, Rudarius ercodes, Chaenogobius annularis, and Ditrema temminckii, accounting for 89% of the total individuals sampled and 83% of the fish biomass collected. The fish assemblages in the eelgrass bed varied seasonally; the number of individual fishes increased in May and was highest in July, whereas the biomass attained its highest level in April and subsequently decreased. This study confirms that the seagrass bed plays an important role as a fish nursery ground, and it is necessary to investigate changes in the coastal fishes of the southern coast via periodic surveys.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• 제29권2호
• /
• pp.130-138
• /
• 2017

Fish species composition in eelgrass bed of Bongam on Hansando island, Korea was determined using monthly samples collected by a surf net from August 2009 to July 2010. A total of 30 species, 3,237 individuals and 6,850.1g of fish were collected. The dominant species were Gymnogobius heptacanthus, Rudarius ercodes, Takifugu niphobles, Chaenogobius annularis, Pterogobius elapoides and Syngnathus schlegeli which accounted for 86.7% of total number of individuals of fish collected. Eelgrass started growing from May ($DW61.9g/m^2$) showing a peak biomass in August ($DW81.6g/m^2$), and low values in November ($DW57.23g/m^2$) to February ($DW15.41g/m^2$). The fish assemblages in the eelgrass beds showed clear seasonal changes; the number of fish species and individuals were low from September to December 2009, and high from December 2009 to July 2010. Seasonal variation in species composition and abundance was related to the water temperature and standing crops of eelgrass.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• 제23권6호
• /
• pp.15.1-15.14
• /
• 2020

Background: Large rivers are ecological treasures with high human value, but most have experienced decades of degradation from industrial and municipal sewage, row-crop agricultural practices, and hydrologic alteration. We reviewed published analyses of long-term fish diversity publications from three intensively managed large river ecosystems to demonstrate the conservation potential of large river ecosystems. Results: We show how the incorporation of recent advances in river concepts will allow a better understanding of river ecosystem functioning and conservation. Lastly, we focus on the Wabash River ecosystem based on high conservation value and provide a list of actions to maintain and support the ecosystem. In the Wabash River, there were originally 66 species of freshwater mussels, but now only 30 species with reproducing populations remain. Although there were multiple stressors over the last century, the largest change in Wabash River fish biodiversity was associated with rapid increases in municipal nutrient loading and invasive bigheaded carps. Conclusions: Like similarly neglected large river systems worldwide, the Wabash River has a surprising amount of ecological resilience and recovery. For instance, of the 151 native fish species found in the 1800s, only three species have experienced local extinctions, making the modern assemblage more intact than many comparable rivers in the Mississippi River basin. However, not all the changes are positive or support the idea of recovery. Primary production underpins the productivity of these ecosystems, and the Wabash River phytoplankton assemblages shifted from high-quality green algae in the 1970s to lower less nutritional blue-green algae as nutrient and invasive species have recently increased. Our recommendations for the Wabash River and other altered rivers include the restoration of natural hydrology for the mainstem and tributaries, nutrient reductions, mechanisms to restore historical hydrologic patterns, additional sediment controls, and improved local hydraulics.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• 제23권1호
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2011

Seasonal variation in species composition and abundance of fish larvae assemblages in the south-western Jinhae Bay were investigated monthly in 2009. During the study period, 49 larvae species belonging to 24 families were collected. The dominant species were Clupea pallasii, Hexagrammos otakii, Konosirus punctatus, Engraulis japonicus, Parablennius yatabei, and Omobranchus elegansei. These six species accounted for 92.7% of the total number of individuals collected. The number of species, number of individuals, and species diversity indices fluctuated with the seasons. The peak number of species and individuals occurred in July and January, respectively. Principal component analysis(PCA) and correlation analysis showed that variation in monthly water temperature could act as an indicator of seasonal variation in community structure and abundance of the dominant species; in particular, those of C. pallasii, H. otakii, E. japonicus and P. yatabei corresponded with the water temperature.