• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 2013

In order to investigate the topography and exposure duration of the Siheung tidal flat, tidal ranges and DEM constructed by remote sensing techniques were analyzed. A cross-sectional diagram of the intertidal area reveals that it is relatively flat in the upper zone and then abruptly plunges into the bottom of the main channel where elevations increase in an upstream direction. The waterline during the Highest Low Water (HLW) is drawn back to the bottom of the channel at the middle part of the tidal flat and is formed along the slant of the channel during the Lowest High Water (LHW). The intertidal zone is located between -410 cm and 510 cm in terms of elevation and its total area is $0.65km^2$. An area between the Highest High Water (HHW) and Lowest High Water (LHW), occupying about 80% of the total area, occupies $0.52km^2$ of total area and accounts for 56% of the exposure duration. The boundary of wetland protection area in the Siheung tidal flat did not exactly coincide with the intertidal regime and differs by more than 15%. This study, which precisely analyzed the tidal flat area, tidal environment, and topography, would be useful in making a conservation plan and in learning how to use a wetland protection area in a sustainable manner.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2005

To clarify seed distribution in sediment and its burial properties of Suaeda japonica, the vertical and horizontal distribution of seeds, organic content of sediment, and sediment content delivered by crabs were studied in mud tidal-flat of Walgot-dong, Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, from March 1999 to October 2000. The 94% and 6% of S. japonica seeds were buried under and outside the maternal plant crown, respectively. Organic matter contents of sediment were higher at the area (17%) covered than at the one (8%) uncovered by S. japonica. In the area covered by S. suaeda, organic matter profiles of sediment showed vertical variation from 19% in surface (1 cm depth) to 14% in 6 cm depth. S. japonica seeds buried in sediment decreased from 45% in 2 mm depth to 0% in 12 mm depth. The density of crabs was higher in the vegetated area than in the non-vegetated one. Especially, the density of Cleistostoma was about 8 times higher in the former than in the latter In the vegetated area, the amount of sediment delivered by crabs was estimated to be 2,409 $cm^3{\cdot}m^{-2}$, and this could ascend the height of sediment to 2.4 mm. Consequently, it might be interpreted that plant debris (organic matters) of maternal plants and sediment delivered by crabs made the S. japonica seeds bury well. By relationship between crab distribution and vegetation, it was thought that crabs got a benefit from S. japonica.