• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.168-177
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: In recent year, there has been great concern regarding agricultural land uses and their importance for the conservation of biodiversity. Rice fields are managed unique wetland for wildlife, especially waterbirds. A comprehensive monitoring of the waterbird assemblage to understand patterning changes was attempted for rice ecosystem in South Korea. This rice ecosystem has been recognized as one of the most important for waterbirds conservation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Biweekly monitoring was implemented for the 4 years from April 2009 to March 2010, from April 2011 to March 2014. 32 species of waterbirds were observed. Self-organizing map (SOM) and random forest were applied to the waterbirds dataset to identify the characteristics in waterbirds distribution. SOM and random forest analysis clearly classified into four clusters and extract ecological information from waterbird dataset. Waterbird assemblages represented strong seasonality and habitat use according to waterbird group such as shorebirds, herons and waterfowl. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the combination of SOM and random forest analysis could be useful for ecosystem assessment and management. Furthermore, we strongly suggested that a strict management strategy for the rice fields to conserve the waterbirds. The strategy could be seasonally and species specific.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.349-355
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• 2023

This study surveyed the island located in Sinan-gun and Wando-gun four times, once per season from September 2020 to November 2021 in order to understand the distribution of waterbirds on the island of the southwest coast. As a result of the investigation, a total of waterbirds of 7 orders, 12 families of 50 species, and 3,680 individuals were identified. By taxon, the largest number of species were identified as 11 species of waders, and the number of ducks was the largest with 2,035 individuals. In Bigeum-do Island, where forests are distributed less, the proportion of farmland is large, and tidal flats are widely distributed, the largest number of species and individuals of herons and waders were identified. Ducks and gulls have also been identified in large numbers of individuals in Bigeum-do Island. Most of them are forests and farmland, and the largest number of species and individuals of ducks have been identified in Pyeongil-do Island, where the coast is deep. In addition, Nodae-do Island, Sobyeongpung-do, and Daebyeongpung-do Island with monotonous habitats have been identified with fewer species and individuals. As a result, We learned that various types of waterbirds lived in islands with various habitats, and that the preferred habitat was different depending on the characteristics of the taxon group. By season, the largest number of species was identified as 35 in autumn, and the largest number of individuals was identified as 1,681 in winter. Although most of the seasonally identified waterbirds were winter birds, the largest number of species were identified in autumn, and most of the confirmed waterbird migration were identified in the autumn, indicating that waterbirds used the west-south coast islands as an intermediate stopover while traveling.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2005

Urban stream is an important place supporting urban ecosystem. This study was carried out to clarify the role of Jungrangchun for wintering waterbirds in Seoul. We monitored the fluctuation of waterbirds population using our census data (1997/98 winter) and pervious census data (the Ministry of Environment and National Institute of Environmental Research $1999{\sim}2004$). Wintering behaviours of common teals (Anas crecca) were also observed to understand the habitat use of waterbirds in this area. As a result of this, Jungrangchun was an important place to support $3,004\sim8,237$ wintering birds, mainly dabbling ducks and diving ducks. The population of diving ducks showed high annual fluctuation whilst the population of dabbling ducks regularly used this area every year The maximum number of waterbirds foraged and rested in late January and late February. In daily use, the number of waterbirds increased on afternoon and rapidly increased after sunset. It is assumed that waterbirds used this area not only as a nocturnal feeding site but also daytime feeding site. Thus, this result suggest that Jungrangchun is important for not only the daily use but also the nocturnal use of wintering waterbirds. The number of diving ducks was increased with low temperature and high wind speed. Therefore, this area was also a shelter of diving ducks on chilly and windy day.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.359-367
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: As natural wetlands are decreased by increment of human demand, the importance of rice fields as an alternative habitat for waterbirds is well documented. However, the relationship between waterbirds use and management practice of rice fields has not been fully understood. The present study attempted to understand the changes in temporal abundance of waterbirds and their preference for habitat types in rice fields all year round. METHODS AND RESULTS: Waterbirds census were conducted in rice fields around Asan bay in Korea during April 2009-March 2010 and April 2011-March 2012. In the bird counts, the locations of the observed birds on a 1/2,500 map were recorded along with the local habitat type (paddy, ditch, levee, road). Thirty five species of waterbirds recorded in the rice fields during the survey period and three major groups (shorebirds, herons, and waterfowls) were characterized according to season and micro-habitat use. Shorebirds visited a flooded paddy for feeding during their spring migration season (April-May), and herons used the rice field as feeding sites during their breeding periods (April-October). Most waterfowls were observed in a dry paddy to feed a fallen rice seed and stubs during the winter season (September-March). Waterbird groups selectively used micro-habitats in rice field. Shorebirds and waterfowls mainly preferred at rice paddies, while herons were attracted to most habitat types. CONCLUSION(S): Rice fields supported various waterbirds all year round and waterbird communities using the rice fields were dramatically changed according to seasonal change of rice field condition.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.145-151
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• 2017

Background: Conventional bird observation methods are line survey or point count method by bare eyes or through binoculars or telescopes. But in this study, the possibility of monitoring waterbirds using drones beyond the conventional research methods was explored. It also describes the direction of producing and accumulating images of waterbird habitats as a method to efficiently determine changes in waterbird habitats. Results: From the study, it was concluded that waterbird monitoring using drones was a new monitoring technique which could be applied to the field and 26 kinds of waterbirds were observed. In the case of a drone with a single lens, it was difficult to identify objects because the size of the subject was too small at a certain altitude. In this case, zoom lens can be an alternative. It has also been verified that image analysis software can be used to accumulate images of waterbird habitats. Conclusions: If various kinds of advanced drones and cameras are used, it would be possible to monitor larger areas including the areas that are difficult for human access and to observe more waterbirds and wider habitats.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.81-90
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• 2011

One of the most important habitats of Waterbirds in the west coast of Korea is Saemangeum and its mudflat, located within the estuary of the Dongji and Mankyung River. This study was conducted to clarify the community characteristics of wintering waterbirds in Saemangeum from November 2008 to February 2009. Waterbirds and Raptor are 69 species and 409,044 individuals by the sum of peak counts were recorded. We classified the wintering waterbirds into 14 groups of taxa based on the similar ecological attributes. The dominant species were Baikal Teal Anas formosa, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons, Greater Scaup Aythya marila. Greater White-fronted Goose was significantly positive correlated with survey period. Baikal Teal, Greater White-fronted Goose, Bean Goose, Greater Scaup, Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna were increased when compared with last report but Mallard, Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha, Dunlin Calidris alpina were no difference.

• KCID journal
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-86
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• 2011

This study was conducted to clarify community characteristics of waterbirds migrating to Seamangum area from 2002 to 2009. Total maximum count of waterbirds observed at Saemangum area was 686,337 individuals of 176 species. 158 species and 548,989 individuals were recorded on Mangyung Estuary and 158 species and 213,794 individuals were recorded on Dongjin Estuary. Dominance species were Baikal Teals Anas formosa (40.80%), Great Knots Calidris tenuirostris (18.03%), Mallards Anas platyrhynchos (11.67%) and Dunlins Calidris alpina(6.02%). Shorerbirds were declined and waterfowl were increased during survey periods. Natural monuments and endangered birds were 27 species.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.361-364
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• 2016

Waterbirds using rice fields has increased due to a decline of natural wetlands. The rice field is an essential habitat to supports the waterbird population. Although use of rice field by waterbirds has been widely documented, little information is available on distribution patterns of waterbirds under the pesticide use in rice fields. The current study conducted to understand the relationship between habitat use by waterbirds and pesticide applicatioins in rice fields. We monitored the distribution of waterbirds at Daeho reclaimed area in July 2013 to June 2014 and September 2014 to August 2015. As a results, three heron species (Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus and Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia) are more sensitive to pesticides use than other waterbird species in rice fields. Future studies are necessary to explore the relationship between bird's distribution and management practices including pesticide use at different spatiotemporal scales.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.409-422
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• 2017

In order to understand the environmental factors affecting the waterbird community in winter, we divided the watershed into 6 sections and investigated the size of the stream, the water quality, benthic invertebrates, and fish including birds. The influences on the community of water birds in Wonju stream were river structure, temperature and water quality. Among the structure of the river, the factors affecting the waterbird community in winter were the width of the stream and the width of the flowing water. The wider the width, the more species and the number of the winter waterbirds were. As the width of river water was wide, the smaller the width and width of the waterway, the fewer the population. The temperature changes of the wintering season affected the community of water birds because it led to freezing of rivers. The sections that were not frozen showed a significant increase and decrease in the temperature drop and rise. The values of pH, water temperature, COD, BOD, TN, TP and total E. coli increased with the increase of the downstream waterbirds population in the water quality survey. The water quality of S6 was affected by the downstream sewage treatment plant The number of wintering waterbirds was also highest. The effluent from the sewage treatment plant seems to have a considerable influence on the water quality. The increase of several items such as TN promotes the nutrition of the river, which leads to the accumulation of organic matter and the proliferation of aquatic organisms. This may be the cause of the increase in winter waterbirds as a food source. The benthic macroinvertebrate communities and fish communities did not show any correlation with the wintering water-birds communities.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2004

This study was carried out on Sihwa reclaimed area from January to December in 2003. We observed total 169,351 individuals of 70 species(22 species of waders, 9 species of egrets and 5 species of gulls). Waterbird population was the largest in March(95,465 individuals) and was the smallest from April to June(less than 7,000 individuals). The most dominant species was Pintail(Anas acuta: 58,627 individuals, 34.6%) and other species were Mallards(Anas platyrhynchos: 24.5%), Common Pochards(Aythya ferina: 13.8%), Black-tailed Gulls(Larus crassirostris: 6.1%), Spotbill Ducks(Anas poecilorhyncha: 5.0%) and Greater Scaups(Aythya marila: 2.69%). Sihwa reclaimed area supported many kinds of protected species such as Chinese egrets(Egretta eulophotes), Black-faced Spoonbills(Platalea minor), Eurasian Spoonbills(Platalea leucorodia), Mute Swans(Cygnus olor), Whooper Swans(Cygnus cygnus), and Eurasian Oystercatchers(Haematopus ostralegus). They foraged at waterside of Sihwa lake and rested at reclaimed area. Particularly, Eurasian Oystercatchers bred in habitats with Salicornia herbacea and Suaeda japonica. Reclamation of mud flats and construction of roads, transmission towers and tide embankments disturbed waterbirds in breeding and foraging. We suggest that waterbirds are protected in different action plans according to their status such as breeding, passaging and wintering birds. Maintaining of waterside and swamps in Sihwa reclaimed area will be useful for breeding waterbirds. It is needed to make a protect zone for ecological connecting belt from Oeji isarea, Hyeong isarea, Eum isarea to upper channel on Sihwa lake.