• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.196-203
• /
• 2013

Seungchon Weir was constructed in 2010 on the downstream region of Yeongsan River watershed for four major river projects. The purpose of our study was to determine whether fish compositions and distributions differ between the upper ($U_w$) and lower regions ($L_w$) of Seungchon Weir during May - December 2011 along with hydroacoustic fish surveys using Eco-Sounder monitoring ($E_SM$) technique. Total number of fish species sampled by conventional fish sampling at all sites was 29, and 21 and 24 species occurred in the $U_w$ and $L_w$, respectively. Most dominant species was Hemiculter eigenmanni (43%) in the $U_w$ and Opsaiichthys uncirostris amurensis (21%) in the $L_w$, indicating a distinct differences of the species composition. According to hydroacoustic approach of ESM, fish density was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the $L_w$ section of 250 m than any other sections, This outcome indicates that fishes moving toward the upstream were blocked by weir construction. According to analysis of tolerance guilds, tolerant species (TS) were made of 88% and 79% in the $U_w$ and $L_w$ region, respectively, while the proportions of sensitive species were < 0.1% of the total in the both regions. Trophic guild analysis showed that the proportion of omnivore species were 58% and 40% in the $U_w$ and $L_w$ region, respectively, while insectivores were made of 16% and 21% in the $U_w$ and $L_w$ region, respectively. Both analyses of tolerance guilds and trophic guilds indicate the biological degradation of the waterbody. Fish community structure analysis, based on species diversity, dominance, and evenness indices, showed higher community stability in the $L_w$ region than $U_w$ region. Exotic species of largemouth bass were largely increased in this survey (14%), compared to the past (< 1%), indicating a modification of fish trophic structure.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.684-693
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyze fish communities in the Wonju stream located in Wonju-si in Gangwon-do, and to evaluate the health of the stream through past and present changes. We performed investigations four times from May 2015 to September 2016. In the survey, 5,201 individuals which belonged to 27 species and 9 families were collected. Zacco platypus was the dominant species and Pungtungia herziwas the subdominant species. Eight Korean endemic species (Acanthorhodeus gracilis, Zacco koreanus, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Squalidus gracilis majimae, Microphysogobio yaluensis, Iksookimia koreensis, Koreocobitis rotundicaudata, Coreoperca herzi) were observed and showed a ratio of 16.54%. The fish community of dominance ($0.72{\pm}0.10$), diversity ($1.37{\pm}0.32$), evenness ($0.61{\pm}0.13$), and richness ($1.70{\pm}0.23$) were evaluated. According to our analysis of tolerance guilds, the total individual number of intermediate species was higher than the sensitive and tolerant species. As a result of the trophic guild analysis,the omnivore and insectivore species were relatively high. The value of the qualitative habitat evaluation index (QHEI) in the wonju stream was averaged 121.2 (${\pm}23.4$), indicating a suboptimal condition. Stream health showed that the fish assessment index (FAI) value was an A to C grade in the Wonju stream. A correlation coefficient analysis with FAI and various factors was analysed statistically, and had a high correlation in QHEI, with the omnivore species, insectivore species, intermediate species, sensitive species, dominance, diversity, evenness, and richness.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.419-428
• /
• 2013

The objectives of this research were to determine ecological characteristics and chemical gradients in two different loach populations-Misgurnus anguillicaudatus ($M_a$) and Koreocobitis rotundicaudata ($K_r$). Eight chemical parameters were compared to test the chemical preferences between the two species. The population of Kr occurred more in better water quality, compared to the $M_a$-population. The $M_a$-population co-occurred more with tolerant species (TS) and omnivores, whereas the $K_r$-population co-occurred more with sensitive species (SS) and insectivores. The differences in the tolerance and trophic composition matched well with the result of stream health assessment, based on the multi-metric model of Index of Biological Integrity (IBI). The IBI value in habitat with the $M_a$-population was "19.6" (range: 8~40) indicating a fair condition, and the IBI values of $K_r$-population was 29.4 (range: 12~40) indicating good condition. Similar results were found in physical habitat health analysis (QHEI). Overall, data analysis showed that the $M_a$-population belong to the tolerant species and $K_r$-population belong to sensitive species in the tolerance classification.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.23-43
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this paper is to create ecological values for urban rivers. For this, the paper looks into river bed structures and how nearby lands are used. This study was performed to set the specific sections for analysis through a field investigation of the infrastructure conditions, surrounding land use, and the inter habitat structure of Seongnaecheon(Stream). A total of 780 individuals from 31 species of wild birds appeared in Seongnaecheon(Stream). According to foraging guild's habitat, there were 9 species of water, 8 types of water edges, 5 types of crowns, 5 types of shrubs, 2 types of tree trunks, 2 types of birds of raptors, and 355 individuals of water, 243 shrubs, 90 crowns, 84 water edges and 5 raptors. Many water birds were observed at the site where the Seongnaecheon(Stream) sandy plains and wetland herbaceous area were developed and the open water was secured. Most of the forest birds appeared on levee slope connected with forest around and riverside with fewer facilities for use. The species diversity index of Shannon, the entire section of Seongnaecheon(Stream), was 2.2697 and the downstream ecological landscape conservation area of Seongnaecheon(Stream) was found to be useful as a habitat for wild birds in the city compared to other sections. Some sections of Seongnaecheon (Stream) had low species diversity index due to lack of green space and surrounding urbanization areas. In choosing target species, I researched the special features of the habitats and the habitation structure of wild birds in each zone. Regarding detailed plans, by classifying the breeding place & roosting site and the roosting site & shelter that took account of the inhabitation characteristics of the target species in different sections, this paper suggested the major plant species and multilayer planting structures. Moreover, this study proposed the development of habitats for water birds and forest birds along with the connection of the green network for improving the Eco-corridor linkage and inhabitation features in Seongnaecheon(Stream).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.572-580
• /
• 2000

Community structure of macrobenthos was studied in Chinhae Bay, a southern coastal area of Korea. Sampling was conducted bimonthly using a Smith-McIntyre grab ($0.05 m^2$) at eight stations from January to November, 1998. A total of 237 species were sampled. It was comprised of annelids ($80 spp. 33.8{\%}$), arthropods (80 spp.), molluscs (47 spp.), echinoderms (16 spp,) and others, Mean density of individual was $1,939 ind./m^2$ and mean biomass was $171.6 gwwt/m^2$. Annelids were a density-dominant faunal group with a mean density of $1,533 ind./m^2$ which occupied $79.0{\%}$ of the total individual of benthic animals. Molluscs were represented as a biomass-dominant group with a mean biomass of $95.9 gwwt/m^2$ ($55.9{\%}$ of total biomass). The major density-dominant species were a bivalve Theora fratilis ($110 ind./m^2$) and five species of polychaetes, Lumbrineris longifolia ($417 ind./m^2$), Chaetozone setosa ($145 ind./m^2$), Sigambra tentaculata ($128 ind./m^2$), Cirratulus cirratus ($128 ind./m^2$), and Paraprionospio pinnata ($103 ind./m^2$). Cluster analysis showed that the study area could be divided into two station groups and two stations. According to the feeding guild of polychaetes, four feeding guilds were found, and the major ones were surface deposit-feeders, burrowing deposit-feeders, surface suspension-feeders, carnivore.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.146-159
• /
• 2020

The objective of our study was to analyze the distribution and composition of fish species and their community characteristics in agricultural waterways in the six water systems-Mankyung River, Seomjin River, Namhae Region, Tamjin River, Yeongsan River, and Dongjin River-during 2017-2018. Little is known about the distributions and community characteristics of the aquatic biota of agricultural waterways in Korea, even if the water bodies have important roles as spawning areas or habitats for fish. In this study, we identified 3,633 fish individuals in the waterways, belonging to 53 species, eleven families, and six orders (dominant species: Tanakia koreensis, T. lanceolate) and 7,108 fish individuals in the main rivers, belonging to 57 species, fifteen families, and nine orders. Moreover, three endangered wildlife (designated by the Ministry of Environment, Korea)-T. somjinensis, Acheilognathus majusculus and Coreoperca kawamebari-were found in the waterways. By fish guild analysis, we found that many waterways had a lower proportion of sensitive species and a higher proportion of omnivore species than those of the main rivers, which indicates a feature of a disturbed environment. In addition, by grouping with environmental variables, we found the group of waterways with high substrate complexity had a higher diversity index (Shannon index) and a lower dominance index (Simpson index) than that of simple substrate complexity. Overall, our study represents the characteristics of fish habitats in agricultural waterways and suggests the need to manage them and study further.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.8-18
• /
• 2019

The objectives of this study were to analyze the influence of chemical water quality on fish guilds, pollution tolerance and the multi-metric ecological health, based on the Fish Assessment Index (FAI) in the main stream of Mangyeong River between 2009-2016. The quality of water with specific conductivity, TP, and $NH_4-N$ got worse dramatically in the down region. During the study, a total of 50 species were collected and the most dominant species was Zacco platypus. Also known as tolerant species, accounted 22.9% of the total abundances, thus indicating a trophic degradation. The downstream region (S5) had the highest number of fish external abnormalities, indicating a degradation of ecological health, based on the fish assemblages. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that relative abundance of tolerant fish species and omnivore fish species had a significant positive correlation(r>0.30, p<0.05) with values of BOD, conductivity and $NH_4-N$. Whereas, the relative abundance of the sensitive species and insectivore species had a significant negative relations (r<-0.30, p<0.001) with the parameters. The mean obtained from the multi-metric fish model, based on the FAI of all sites was 47 (n=40). This indicated a "fair condition" in the ecological health, and the downstream regions (S3-S5) were judged as "bad condition", indicating an influence of the chemical degradation on the ecological health.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.187-201
• /
• 2019

This study examined the physicochemical water quality and evaluated the ecological health in 14 sites of Geum River (upstream, mid-stream, and downstream) using the fish community distribution and guilds and eight multi-variable matrices of FAI (Fish Assessment Index) during June 2008-May 2009. The analysis of the water quality variables showed no significant variation in the upstream and mid-stream but a sharp variation due to the accumulation of organic matter from the point where the treated water of Gap and Miho streams flew. The analysis of physicochemical water properties showed that BOD, COD, TN, TP, Cond, and Chl-a tended to increase while DO decreased to cause eutrophication and algae development from the downstream where Miho and Gap stream merged. The analysis of fish community showed that the species richness index and species diversity index increased in the mid-stream area but decreased in the downstream area, indicating the stable ecosystem in the upper stream and the relatively unstable ecosystem in the downstream. The analysis of the species distribution showed that the dominant species were Zacco platypus that accounted for 20.9% of all fish species and Zacco koreanus that accounted for 13.1%. The analysis of the fish tolerance and feeding guild characteristics showed that the sensitive species, the insectivore species, and the aquatic species were dominant in the mid-stream point. On the other hand, contaminants from the sewage water treatment plant of Miho stream had a profound effect in the downstream to show the dominance of tolerant species, omnivorous species, and lentic species. Therefore, it is necessary to improve water quality by reducing the load of urban pollutants and to pay attention to the conservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.105-115
• /
• 2017

The present study is to understand the Bongseonsa stream in the National Arboretum fish fauna variation through comparison with historical data and to evaluate the stream health situated. We performed investigations over three times from April to September 2015. In the survey, 2,960 individuals which belonging to 22 species, 8 families were collected. Dominant species by number was Zacco platypus and subdominant species was Zacco koreanus. Seven Korean endemic species (Squalidus gracilis majimae, Microphysogobio yaluensis, Zacco koreanus, Koreocobitis rotundicausata, etc) were observed and showed a ratio of 36.4%. The community analysis revealed that the structure of fish community in the study sampling sites was instability in having dominance 0.79 (${\pm}0.15$), diverse 1.21 (${\pm}0.60$), evenness 0.58 (${\pm}0.15$) and species richness 1.49 (${\pm}0.83$). The values in the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) was averagely 122.9 (${\pm}44.8$) in the Bongseonsa stream and this was showed to have favorable habitat surroundings. As a result of tolerance guild analysis, the total number of sensitive species and intermediate species were higher than tolerant species. Analysis was divided into A and B two groups of fiducial 12.25% in Cluster analysis degree of similarity between study sampling sites. Fish Assessment Index (FAI) was rated A and B grade in Bongseonsa stream that stream health showed favorable. However Wangsuk stream as a urban stream rated C grade and analysed the lowest grade in the whole study sampling sites. There was high correlation beteween FAI and various indexes, dominance, diverse, evenness and sensitive species and intermediate species.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.109-125
• /
• 2023

This study was conducted to select target fish species as baseline research for accumulation analysis of major hazardous chemicals entering the aquatic ecosystem in Korea and to analyze the impact on fish community. The test bed was selected from a sewage treatment plant, which could directly confirm the impact of the inflow of harmful chemicals, and the Geum River estuary where harmful chemicals introduced into the water system were concentrated. A multivariable metric model was developed to select target candidate fish species for hazardous chemical analysis. Details consisted of seven metrics: (1) commercially useful metric, (2) top-carnivorous species metric, (3) pollution fish indicator metric, (4) tolerance fish metric, (5) common abundant metric, (6) sampling availability (collectability) metric, and (7) widely distributed fish metric. Based on seven metric models for candidate fish species, eight species were selected as target candidates. The co-occurring dominant fish with target candidates was tolerant (50%), indicating that the highest abundance of tolerant species could be used as a water pollution indicator. A multi-metric fish-based model analysis for aquatic ecosystem health evaluation showed that the ecosystem health was diagnosed as "bad conditions". Physicochemical water quality variables also influenced fish feeding and tolerance guild in the testbed. Eight water quality parameters appeared high at the T1 site, indicating a large impact of discharging water from the sewage treatment plant. T2 site showed massive algal bloom, with chlorophyll concentration about 15 times higher compared to the reference site.