• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.260-269
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• 2009

Hwabuk Dam has been under construction to reduce flood damage in Nakdong River watershed and to supply stable water for middle area of Gyeongbuk Province. Therefore, fish investigation in up and downstream of the dam was conducted from 2004 to 2008 in order to determine any negative effect on fish community due to dam construction and to use as fundamental data for conserving species diversity and maintaining stream health. According to data analysis on water quality, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, suspended solids, and total E-coli had seasonal variation, but they did not significantly differ in sites. However, biological and chemical oxygen demand, chlorophyll-a, nitrogen, and phosphorus representing organic matter and nutrient concentration were higher in upper site and decreased to lower site so that they differed by site. Concentration of arsenic among the heavy metals was less than 0.05 mg $L^{-1}$, which is regulated for protection of human health in water quality standard, except for 0.092 mg $L^{-1}$ in June 2005. During the study period, the total number of fish caught from the 6 sites was 10,263 representing 7 families 19 species. Among them, dominant and subdominant species were Korean chub (Zacco koreanus, 62.5%) and Chinese minnow (Rhynchocypris oxycephalus, 10.6%) which inhabit mostly in mid and upper streams, Korea. Among the 19 species, Korean endemic species were 9 species (47.4%) including Korean slender gudgeon (Squalidus gracilis majimae), Korean dark sleeper (Odontobutis platycephala), and Korean shiner (Coreoleuciscus splendidus). There was several individuals of the $1^{st}$-class endangered species, Naktong nose loach (Koreocobitis nahtongensis), caught in 2005${\sim}$2007, and no introduced species of fish was found in entire sampling period. According to result of community analysis, dominance index decreased toward lower site, but diversity and richness indices increased toward lower site. The equation of length-weight relationship on the dominant species was TW=0.000003$(TL)^{3.2603}$. The parameter b in the equation was greater than 3.0 indicating good nutritional condition in the populations. Compared to populations of Korean chub in other streams, the population in Hwabuk Dam watershed had higher mean of condition factor by size indicating better growth rate. With fish fauna and multi-metric health assessment model in each sampling attempt, index of biotic integrity (IBI) was evaluated and it resulted mostly in good (26${\sim}$35) and excellent (36${\sim}$40) condition in all sites, and the mean of IBI was the highest in site 5. The results indicate that it is very important to study not only environmental impact assessment with fish composition but also stream health assessment in order to conserve healthy aquatic ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.132-144
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• 2022

The fish community in the Seomjin River-Seomjin River Estuary-Gwangyang Bay coast continuum was investigated three times from March 2019 to October 2019. The collected species at the eight sites during the survey period were 49 species belonging to 31 families, including two endangered species. According to Bray-Curtis similarities, observations were divided into four groups based on the fish community composition; two groups (group 1, 2) and two uncategorized groups (group 3, 4). ANOSIM based on spatial and temporal groupings indicated that the spatial differences in fish communities (R=0.398, P=0.001) were relatively more important than the temporal differences (analysis of similarities, R=0.273, P=0.002). In particular, there were significant differences between groups 1 and 2 (analysis of similarities, R=0.556, P=0.001), and similarity percentage analysis revealed that Argyrosomus argentatus (9.4%), Favonigobius gymnauchen (6.9%) and Konosirus punctatus (5.9%) contributed to these differences of fish assemblages for each group. The fish fauna distributed in the Seomjin River-Gwangyang Bay ecosystem were spatially divided and the number of species and number of individuals showed seasonal differences. This study could be a basis for understanding changes in the fish community and implementing conservation and management strategies on major species within a continuous environment of the river-estuary-ocean continuum.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.87-97
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• 1998

The freshwater fish fauna and distribution were investigated in Kojedo from 1982 to 1997. The collected fishes were classified into twenty four species of ten families. Dominant species was Zacco temmincki (relative abundance: 18.1%) and subdominant species was Rhinogobius brunneus (16.4%). Also Iksookimia longicorpus (12.3%), Oryzias latipes (7.5%), Chaenogobius urotaenia (7.5%) and Carassius auratus (6.9%) were numerous. The endemic species of Korea were six species (25.0%) and endangered species were C. splendidus, S. microdorsalis and C. kawamebari. In this study, species diversity index was high at Yoncho stream, dominance index at Aju and Oaepo stream and evenness index at Oaepo stream in community structure. There was a tendency of fish distribution in Kojedo that more longer the stream and more larger the water volume were, there were more species and more individual numbers. It was considered that the dominance of upper and middle reach dwelling fishes resulted in the dominance of Aa type stream mainly. Liobagrus mediadiposalis and L. mediadiposalis ssp. 1 showed different distribution pattern in Kojedo : that is, the former inhabited in east-northern part but the latter in south-western part separately. And the importance of this distribution pattern was discussed in relation to paleogeography.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.552-563
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• 2015

The characteristics of ichthyofauna and fish community in Lake Goesan were examined from April 2010 to October 2012. During the survey period thirty six species belonging to 11 families were collected. Dominant species by number were Hemibarbus labeo (29.9%) and Zacco platypus (20.0%). In biomass, the dominant species were H. labeo (37.2%) and Carassius auratus (17.9%). Also, fourteen Korean endemic fish species (38.9%) and one endangered species (Acheilognathus signifer) were collected. Further, one catadromous species was observed for stock enhancement (Anguilla japonica), in addition to two land-locked anadromous species (Hypomesus nipponensis, Plecoglossus altivelis) and three exotic species (Cyprinus carpio (Israeli type), C. cuvieri, Micropterus salmoides). According to the length-weight relation of C. auratus and M. salmoides, the b values were 3.13~2.99, 3.11~2.99, showing a declining tendency annually. However, for H. labeo and Z. platypus, the b values were 2.98~3.07, 3.06~3.23 respectively, showing an increasing trend. The slope values for C. auratus and M. salmoides population conditions were controlled by K factor showing a tendency to decrease, but H. labeo and Z. platypus were showing a tendency to gradually increase.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.spc
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• pp.66-73
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• 2014

In order to determine whether vegetation would be one of the factors for the selection of otter home range, vegetation structure and other potential factors were studied in Hwacheon, Korea. Thirteen sites, otter's activity found and not found, were investigated in North Han River and connected tributary streams of Hwacheon-gun. Three types of vegetation were classified by cluster analysis, which is short grass, tall grass and shrub type. Vegetation zone of each channel is composed of either one type, or mosaic of tall grass and shrub type. Short grass type is common in Lake Paro and upper North Han-river where water level is highly variable throughout a year. Therefore, annual species such as Persicaria nodosa, Fimbristylis dichotomam and Chenopodium ficifolium are the most dominant. Shrub type is common at the downstream sites of Jichon stream and along mainstream of North Han River down Lake Paro. A shrub species, Salix koreensis, is the most common. Tall grass type is dominant occupying the most vegetation zone of the tributary channels. Phragmites japonica is absolutely dominant. Due to its dense cover, a few plant species are co-existed. Otter activity was found in all three vegetation types and no marked activity was found at some sites of tall grass type. There is no difference in species composition and physiognomy between tall grass sites with and without otter activity, while it shows significant difference in fish availability between two groups. Overall we found that home range of otters in the region is along the mainstream and downstream of tributary streams with high fish availability in all vegetation types and in various human activity levels.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.294-304
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• 2022

This study carried out from March 2021 to October 2021 in the upper part (St. 1) and middle part (St. 2) section of Yongsu stream, a branch of the Geum river, using PIT telemetry to understand the movement patterns and habitat characteristics of Odontobutis interrupta, a Korean endemic species. O. interrupta collection was used kick net (5×5 mm) and fish trap (5×5 mm). After collecting fish, PIT tag insertion was performed immediately in the site. Reader (HPR Plus Reader, biomark, USA) and portable Antenna (BP Plus Portable Antenna, biomark, USA) were used for detection of fish to monitoring the tagged O. interrupta. As a result of PIT telemetry applied to 70 individuals, mean movement distance was 36.5 (SE, ±6.6) m. There was a significant difference between total length and movement distance (P≤0.05). O. interrupta was mainly identified in average water depth, 36.2±1.9 cm, average water velocity, 0.03±0.07 m s^-1 and average distance from watershed, 4.4±0.3 m. Extent of rock used for habitat was varied from 32 to 4,000 cm². There was no statistical difference between the area of the first selected rock and the area of the after selected rock (P>0.05). but there was significant difference between total length and the area of the rock except for detection before 24 hours (P<0.01). Therefore, to restore the habitat, it is considered necessary to create various substrate structures by providing various habitat environments (water depth, flow rate, stone, etc.) for each individual size.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.149-159
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• 2018

Twenty-nine wetlands (20 river type and 9 lake type wetlands) in Gyeongsangnam-do were investigated to understand the characteristics of fish assemblages by the wetland type and to suggest management strategies. As a result, $10.3{\pm}4.8$ species were collected from river type wetlands on average (${\pm}SD$) and $9.1{\pm}4.1$ species from lake type wetlands. Thus, there was no significant difference in the number of species between them (Mann-Whitney U test, P>0.05). However, the species that constitute the fish assemblage showed statistically significant differences between the two wetland types (PERMANOVA, Pseudo-F=2.9555, P=0.007). Furthermore, the species that contribute the most to each type of fish assemblage were Zacco koreanus (river type, 28.51%) and Lepomis macrochirus (lake type, 23.21%), respectively (SIMPER). The results of the NMDS analysis using the fish assemblage by place classified the species into three groups (river type, lake type, and others). The current wetland management is only focused on endangered species, but this study shows a difference in fish assemblage by wetland type. Therefore, a management system based information on endemic species, exotic species and major contribution species should be provided. Furthermore, the classification of some types of wetlands based on the present topography was found to be ambiguous, and wetland classification using living creatures can be used as a complementary method. This study has limitations because only two types of wetlands were analyzed. Therefore, a detailed management method that can represent every type of wetland should be prepared through the research of all types of wetlands in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.892-901
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• 2012

The purpose of this research was to analyze fish fauna, distribution patterns, and fish community structures in the Juksan-Weir regions of upper weir(R-UW) and lower weir(R-LW), which was constructed in 2011 on Yeongsan River watershed. Our outcomes will provide valuable information in the impact analysis of weir constructions next decades, even if the current research is limited to distributions and fauna studies of fishes. The fishes observed were 8 family and 30 species in all the sites, and the number of the species in the regions of R-UW and R-LW was 23(938 individuals) and 27(1,680 individuals), respectively, indicating greater abundance in the lower region of Juksan-Weir. Most dominant species was Opsarichthys uncirostris amurensis with relative abundance of 42%, and this species had greater abundance in the R-LW(49%) than in the R-UW(30%). Coilia nasus, was the migratory fish sampled in this region and had no differences of abundance between the two regions. The extic species observed were Carassius cuvieri, Lepomis macrochirus, and Micropterus salmoides. The two formers of Carassius cuvieri(1.2%) and Lepomis macrochirus(3.7%) dominated in the R-UW, whereas Micropterus salmoides had greater dominance in the region of R-LW. According to tolerance guild analysis, the proportion of sensitive species ranged from 0.4 to 0.5%, and that of tolerant species ranged from 65% to 70%, implying a severe pollution of nutrients and organic matters in the water body. In the mean time, according to trophic guild analysis, the proportion of carnivores(57 - 77%) was evidently higher than that of insectivores(10 - 20%), indicating a dominance of the carnivores. Especially, high abundance of the bass, exotic species, may disturb the fish overall food chain, so the efficient ecosystem management may be required for the conservation of endemic species. When we examined fish data files of last 60 years, the species of Culter brevicauda, designated as endangered species, was observed firstly in our research area and the total number was 5 individuals(0.2% of the total). So, this region observed should be conserved as a protection zone and further monitoring studies should be done in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.530-542
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• 2020

This study surveyed the central mountain area of Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) from March to October 2018 to reveal the appearance patterns of freshwater fish. We collected 7,744 individuals of 43 species in 12 families with skimming nets and cast nets in 12 stations during the survey. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus (30.3%), and the subdominant species was Z. platypus (18.5%), followed by Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (10.0%), R. steindachneri (6.7%), Microphysogobio yaluensis (5.9%), Acheilognathus signifer (4.5%), Pungtungia herzi (4.2%), and Orthrias nudus (2.6%). Among the collected species, four were legally protected. They included Hemibarbus mylodon, which was a natural monument, and Lethenteron reissneri, A. signifer, and Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, which were class II endangered wildlife designated by the Ministry of Environment. Twenty Korean endemic species (46.5%) and one exotic species, Micropterus salmoides, were also collected. Additionally, three climate-change sensitive species, R. kumgangensis, Ladislavia taczanowskii, and Cottus koreanus, and three landlocked species, L. reissneri, C. koreanus, and Rhinogobius brunneus appeared. The dominant species in each station were Z. koreanus (15 stations), Z. platypus (four stations), R. oxycephalus (four stations), and C. koreanus (one station). The species dominance index decreased from upstream to downstream (mainstream of Gimhwanamdae Stream), while the species diversity index and the species richness index increased. The community structure of the rivers was divided into the uppermost stream, upper stream, Han River, and Imjin River. Compared to antecedent surveys, this study collected the highest number of species. Two new species (Sarcocheilichthys variegatus wakiyae and Micropterus salmoides) were caught, while six species (Siniperca scherzeri, Leiocassis ussuriensis, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis, Rhodeus ocellatus, Abbottina springeri, Aphyocypris chinensis) did not appear. Gimhwanamdaecheon Stream has high biological value with the inhabitation of many species, including species under legal protection and high diversity and richness index scores. This paper also discussed a protection plan for this area.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.168-177
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• 2019

This study was conducted to examine the impact of various environmental factors on the feeding behavior of black-faced spoonbills Platalea minor known to use rice fields during the breeding season. We surveyed the rice fields three times a month from April to June 2017 and from April to June 2018. We counted the number of black-faced spoonbills and measured the environmental factors such as the water depth, paddy type by cultivation stage, and biomass of potential prey that are expected to affect black-faced spoonbills. We also filmed the feeding behavior of black-faced spoonbills to examine differences in feeding behavior by environmental factors. The survey showed that the number of black-faced spoonbills reached its peak from late April to late May which was the breeding period. Among a total of 308 black-faced spoonbills observed, 86.4% (n=266) were observed feeding on rice paddies, 90.6% (n=279) were adults, and none was observed on dry paddies. The biomass of rice paddy increased significantly since May when fish started hatching, and there was a significant difference in the amount of biomass between the rice paddies where black-faced spoonbills were observed and other rice paddies. The analysis of the feeding behavior of black-faced spoonbills showed that the feeding efficiency and feeding success rate of black-faced spoonbills increased significantly when the amount of biomass soared and that the number of steps of black-faced spoonbills per minute increased greatly after rice planting was completed. The number of bill sweeping was not related to the feeding efficiency, feeding success rate, and paddy type by cultivation stage.