• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.34-45
• /
• 2002

Of the four tidal flat areas(Yeocha-ri, Dongmak-ri, Sundu-ri and Donggum-ri) on Southern Ganghwa Island, the distribution of migratory waterbirds showed a difference in the numbers of individuals and species. Higher numbers of individuals and species were observed on the Yeocha-ri tidal flat. The dominant waterbirds species at the four areas was the Dentin(Calidris alpina). This species showed an occupancy rate(42.0-79.1%) on the Yeocha-ri tidal flat, which was much higher relative to the other areas. The Yeocha-ri tidal flats were higher relative to MSL than the other tidal flats. When the Dongmak-ri tidal flat was covered by sea water, the Yeocha-ri tidal flat was 0.0317$\textrm{km}^2$ in area and on this space we observed many resting waterbirds. The biomass of the waterbirds' potential prey on the Yeocha-ri tidal flat was higher(1.6~2.5$\times$) than other tidal flats. Twenty-three species and 266 individuals were found on the Yeocha-ri tidal flat, which was higher than the tidal flats. The food of Dunlin, which was the dominant species in these four areas, was mainly Reticunassa festiva and Umbonium thomasi(Gastropoda) and Perinereis aibuitensis(Polychaeta). A Dunlin(38.11g) used to eat 1,295 individuals of these food items for daily basal energy. Gastropod, its density was highest on Yeocha-ri tidal flats. The distribution of waterbirds seemed to be closely related with the distribution of the benthos, space and safety of resting site. We suggest that the environments of tidal flats, which are rich foraging habitats, are important factors for conservation of waterbirds.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.127-137
• /
• 2022

This study examined the growth pattern and environmental factors affecting the growth of the halophyte, Suaeda japonica, which is prevalent on tidal flats in the west coast of Korea in order to calculate annual carbon production. Quantitative sampling was conducted every month for three years from 2018 to 2020 on salt marshes located on the southern coast of Ganghwa Island. In terms of annual density affected by the germination rate at first period, especially when air temperature for winter time was constantly below 0℃ for long periods of time, germination decreased and precipitation in summer also exerted an influence. In terms of annual growth with regard to length, the part below the ground grew rapidly in the beginning after budding, while the part above ground grew at a relatively steady rate at all times. With regard to biomass, the part below the ground also increased from April in a manner similar to length growth, but decreased drastically from September with leaves falling off and water loss occurring. The part above ground showed a rapid increase from the beginning of the rainy season. Size-frequency distribution revealed broader patterns after the rainy season as individual growth varied, but from September, it stopped at all year. High growth rates were recorded in the initial phase of growth after budding and growth was rapid, but growth declined in summer when biomass increased. The annual mean production based on growth rate was calculated at 352 gDWt/m²/yr, and the highest production was 519 gDWt/m²/yr in 2018, but it has decreased since 2019. Annual carbon production was at calculated 143.41 gC/m²/yr for Suaeda japonica in the vicinity of the southern coast of Ganghwa Island.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.31-37
• /
• 2005

To find out temporal variations of net photosynthetic rate (NPR) of intertidal flats, we measured oxygen microprofiles in sediments with oxygen microsensors 4 times from December 2003 to June 2004. The study areas were the intertidial flats in Janghwa-ri and Dongmak-ri, located on the southwestern and the southern parts of Ganghwa-gun, respectively, and in Incheon North Harbor where the content of organic matter was relatively high. During the investigation, oxygen penetration depths in the tidal flats of Janghwa-ri and Dongmak-ri were high in December (mean values of 4.0-4.1 mm). Thereafter, the oxygen penetration depths declined to mean values of 2.2-2.8 mm and 1.6-1.8 mm in the two tidal flats. Interestingly, the oxygen penetration depths in the Incheon North Harbor tidal flat showed a lower range $(0.8{\pm}0.3\;mm;\;mean{\pm}1SD)$ over the period. The maximum NPR in the Dongmak-ri tidal flat was found in March $(11.1{\pm}2.8\;mmol\;O_2\;m^{-2}\;h^{-1})$, and those In Janghwa-ri $(6.1{\pm}4.1\;mmol\;O_2\;m^{-2}\;h^{-1})$ and Incheon North Harbor $(6.4{\pm}1.4\;mmol\;O_2\;m^{-2}\;h^{-1})$ were observed in May. During the period when NPR was most active, the highest oxygen concentration was found at 0.1-0.5 mm depth below the surface sediment, and was on average 1.8-3.2 times higher than the air-saturated oxygen concentration in the overlying seawater. Although we took into account of low in situ light intensity $(400{\mu}Einst\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1})$ during the investigation in June, NPR in the 3 study areas decreased significantly to less than $0.2\;mmol\;O_2\;m^{-2}\;h^{-1})$. Thus, temporal variations of NPR were somewhat different among the tidal flats. Generally, benthic primary producers inhabiting in the uppermost 0.5 mm of the sediment showed a peak photosynthetic activity in the study areas in spring. This is the first domestic report on photosynthetic rates of benthic microflora in the tidal flats with oxygen microsensors, and the use of the microsensor can be widely applied to measurements of benthic primary production of a tidal flat and the oxygen consumption rate of surficial sediments.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.411-420
• /
• 2022

Recently, research using remote sensing has been active in various fields such as environment, science, and society. The results of research using remote sensing are not only numerical results, but also play an important role in solving and preventing social and scientific problems. The purpose of this thesis is to tell the correlation between the data provided and each data by using remote sensing technology for the tidal flat environment. The purpose of this study is to obtain high-resolution data using artificial satellites during remote sensing to find out information on tidal flat currents. Tidal flats created by erosion, sedimentation, low tide, and high tide contain information about the tidal flat slope and information about the ecosystem. Therefore, it can be considered as one of the very important studies to analyze the overall tidal flow channel. This paper creates a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) through TanDEM-X, and DEM is used as the most basic data to create a tidal channel. The research area is a tidal flat located in the middle of the west coast of Ganghwado tidal flat. By analyzing the tidal channel created, various information such as the slope direction of Ganghwado tidal flat and the shape of the tidal channel can be grasped. It is expected that the results of this study will increase the importance and necessity of using DEM data for tidal flat research in the future, and that high-quality results can be obtained.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.559-566
• /
• 2007

The generation of precise digital elevation model (DEM) is very important in coastal area where time series are especially required. Although a LIDAR system is useful in coastal regions, it is not yet popular in Korea mainly because of its high surveying cost and national security reasons. Recently, precise DEM has been made using radar interferometry and waterline methods. One of these methods, spaceborne imaging radar interferometry has been widely used to measure the topography and deformation of the Earth. We acquired ALOS PALSAR FBD mode (Fine Beam Dual) data for evaluating the quality of interferograms and their coherency. We attempted to construct DEM using ALOS PALSAR pairs - One pair is 2007/05/22 and 2007/08/22, another pair is 2007/08/22 and 2007/10/22 with respective perpendicular baseline of 820 m, 312m and respective height sensitivity of 75 m and 185m at southern of Ganghwa tidal flat, Siwha- and Hwaong-lake over west coastal of Korea peninsula. Ganghwa tidal flat has low coherence between 0.3 and 0.5 of 2007/05/22 and 2007/08/22 pair. However, Siwha-lake and Hwaong-lake areas have a higher coherence value (From 0.7 and 0.9) than Ganghwa tidal area. The reason of difference coherence value is tidal condition between tidal flat area (Ganghwa) and reclaimed zone (Siwha-lake and Hwaong-lake). Therefore, DEM was constructed by ALOS PALSAR pair over Siwha-lake and Hwaong-lake. If the temporal baseline is enough short to maintain the coherent phases and height sensitivity is enough small, we will be able to successfully construct a precise DEM over coastal area. From now on, more ALOS PALSAR data will be needed to construct precise DEM of West Coast of Korea peninsular.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.500-509
• /
• 2021

This study investigated the characteristics of a macrobenthos community and sediment environment and assessed the health of tidal flats along the west coast of Korea. A survey was conducted from Ganghwa-do to Mokpo, Jeollanam-do in April (spring) and August (summer) 2017, and April (spring) 2018. The sediment grain sizes in the Chungcheongnam-do region were coarser, and the sediment in the Gyeonggi-do·Incheon, Jeollanam-do, and Jeollabuk-do regions were finer. A total of 140 macrobenthic species were collected from this study and using a cluster similarity analysis of the macrobenthos community, they were divided into four groups. Group2 was associated with Manila clam farm stations, and Ruditapes phillipinarum, Nephtys polybranchia and Lumbrineris nipponica were dominant. Group4 included some sites with finer sediment composed relatively, and Eteone longa and Nemertea unid. appeared at a high frequency. From the health assessment of the western tidal flat, the ISEP and BHI indices had a "High status," and the AMBI index had a "Good status." In conclusion, the tidal flats along the west coast of Korea have good ecological health. However, pollution indicator species such as Theora lata and Capitella capitata have appeared in some areas. Therefore, periodic administration and interventions are necessary to prevent deterioration of the tidal flat environment.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.264-276
• /
• 2021

Background: Salt marshes provide a variety of ecosystem services; however, they are vulnerable to human activity, water level fluctuations, and climate change. Analyses of the relationships between plant communities and environmental conditions in salt marshes are expected to provide useful information for the prediction of changes during climate change. In this study, relationships between the current vegetation structure and environmental factors were evaluated in the tidal flat at the southern tip of Ganghwa, Korea, where salt marshes are well-developed. Results: The vegetation structure in Ganghwa salt marshes was divided into three groups by cluster analysis: group A, dominated by Phragmites communis; group B, dominated by Suaeda japonica; and group C, dominated by other taxa. As determined by PERMANOVA, the groups showed significant differences with respect to altitude, soil moisture, soil organic matter, salinity, sand, clay, and silt ratios. A canonical correspondence analysis based on the percent cover of each species in the quadrats showed that the proportion of sand increased as the altitude increased and S. japonica appeared in soil with a relatively high silt proportion, while P. communis was distributed in soil with low salinity. Conclusions: The distributions of three halophyte groups differed depending on the altitude, soil moisture, salinity, and soil organic matter, sand, silt, and clay contents. Pioneer species, such as S. japonica, appeared in soil with a relatively high silt content. The P. communis community survived under a wider range of soil textures than previously reported in the literature; the species was distributed in soils with relatively low salinity, with a range expansion toward the sea in areas with freshwater influx. The observed spatial distribution patterns may provide a basis for conservation under declining salt marshes.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.383-389
• /
• 2009

The main objective of the research is a feasibility study on the intertidal zone using a X-band radar satellite, TerraSAR-X. The TerraSAR-X data have been acquired in the west coast of Korea where large tidal flats, Ganghwa and Yeongjong tidal flats, are developed. Investigations include: 1) waterline and backscattering characteristics of the high resolution X-band images in tidal flats; 2) polarimetric signature of halophytes (or salt marsh plants), specifically Suaeda japonica; and 3) phase and coherence of interferometric pairs. Waterlines from TerraSAR-X data satisfy the requirement of horizontal accuracy of 60 m that corresponds to 20 cm in average height difference while current other spaceborne SAR systems could not meet the requirement. HH-polarization was the best for extraction of waterline, and its geometric position is reliable due to the short wavelength and accurate orbit control of the TerraSAR-X. A halophyte or salt marsh plant, Suaeda japonica, is an indicator of local sea level change. From X-band ground radar measurements, a dual polarization of VV/VH-pol. is anticipated to be the best for detection of the plant with about 9 dB difference at 35 degree incidence angle. However, TerraSAR-X HH/TV dual polarization was turned to be more effective for salt marsh monitoring. The HH-HV value was the maximum of about 7.9 dB at 31.6 degree incidence angle, which is fairly consistent with the results of X-band ground radar measurement. The boundary of salt marsh is effectively traceable specifically by TerraSAR-X cross-polarization data. While interferometric phase is not coherent within normal tidal flat, areas of salt marsh where the landization is preceded show coherent interferometric phases regardless of seasons or tide conditions. Although TerraSAR-X interferometry may not be effective to directly measure height or changes in tidal flat surface, TanDEM-X or other future X-band SAR tandem missions within one-day interval would be useful for mapping tidal flat topography.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.166-175
• /
• 2010

Seasonal variation in species composition of estuarine fauna in the Han River estuary was determined by analyzing monthly samples collected on the intertidal flat of Ganghwa Island by a fence net from April to December 2009. Total number of species was 57: 34 species of fishes, 20 species of crustacean, 2 species of cephalopods and 1 species of jellyfish. Of a total of 57 species, Portunus trituberculatus (57.2%), Palaemon gravieri (7.1%), Collichthys lucidus (7.0%), Hemigrapsus sanguineus (6.2%) and Exopalaemon carinicauda (4.7%) were predominated in abundance. Diverse species were occurred in spring and autumn, and abundance was high in autumn. Chelon haematocheilus, Synechogobius hasta, Co ilia nasus, P. gravieri and E. carinicauda were classified as the brackish residence species. P. trituberculatus, C. lucidus, Mugil cephalus and Cynoglossus joyneri were coastal migratory species which use the estuary as nursing and feeding grounds. Diadromous species (such as Takifogu obscurus, Anguilajaponica and Eriocheir sinensis) and freshwater fish (Carassius auratus) were also collected.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.8-18
• /
• 2005

We studied seasonal distribution of the microphytobenthos and their primary production with $C^{14}$ method and carried out pigment analysis with HPLC in an estuarine mudflat of the Ganghwa Island, Korea from May 2002 to April 2004. The abundances of microphytobenthos were higher at the middle than upper part and lower part of intertidal flat. Abundances of microphytobenthos ranged from $2.3{\times}10^5\;cells\;cm^{-2}$ to $140.9{\times}10^5\;cells cm^{-2}$. The bloom of microphytobenthos was observed in the early spring and then it decreased from spring to summer and autumn. The pennate diatom was a predominated group among the microphytobenthos in this area. The dominant species were Paralia sulcata, Cylindrotheca closterium and Nitzschia sp.. Nitzschia sp. and Cylindrotheca closterium were predominant in February. The results of pigment analysis suggest the presence of diatoms, euglenophytes, chlorophytes, cyanobacteria, cryptophytes, chrysophytes, prymnesiophytes, dinoflagellates and prasinophytes. The biomass of microphytobenthos ranged from 1.18 to 34.25 mg chl-a $m^{-2}$, with a mean of 7.60 mg chl-a $m^{-2}$. The mean ratio of Fuco/Chl a was 0.7 which indicates that most of biomasses of microphytobenthos were due to diatoms. The ratios of Chl b/Chl a ranged from 0 to 0.82(with a mean of 0.17), implying that euglenophytes and chlorophytes lived together in special period seasonally. Temporal variation of primary production ranged from 4.2 to 113.0 $mgC{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}hr^{-1}$(mean value was 33.9 $mgC{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}hr^{-1}$ and initial slope$({\alpha})$ was measured from 0.002-0.005$(mgC\;mgchl-a^{-1}\;hr^{-1}){\cdot}({\mu}E\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1})^{-1}$. Assimilation number$(P_m)$ was in the range of 0.50-1.32 $mgC{\cdot}mgChl-a{\cdot}hr^{-1}$ and daily primary production ranged from 20.9 to 678.1 $mgC{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$(mean value was 206.72 $mgC{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}^{-1}$).