• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.78-89
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• 2024

Estuarine provides unique environmental conditions in terms of salinity concentration and sediment change patterns as freshwater and seawater mix. These conditions allow it to possess biodiversity that cannot be found in other ecosystems. This study was conducted to investigate and analyze distribution characteristics and biota of vegetation in the Gonyangcheon Estuarine Wetland, a brackish area, to prepare basic data for the conservation and sustainable use of estuarine wetlands. The vegetation in the Gonyangcheon Estuarine Wetland was classified into 23 plant communities across a total of six physiognomic vegetation types, including lentic herbaceous vegetation, lotic herbaceous vegetation, salt marsh vegetation, segetal vegetation, and substitutional vegetation. In particular, the Zoysia sinica community was widely distributed in the lower reaches, showing typical characteristics of tidal wetland and increasing its conservation value. From a biodiversity perspective, a total of 1,067 species were identified (an increase of 53 species compared to 2012) and 15 species of endangered wildlife were identified. Gonyangcheon Estuarine Wetland is an open estuary with excellent ecological connectivity. Various topography and landscapes such as rice paddies, forests, and salt marshes were organically developed and distributed, playing a positive role in promoting biodiversity, including brackish water organisms. Therefore, systematic conservation of the Gonyangcheon Estuarine Wetland will contribute to protecting migration routes of organisms and promoting ecological stability by securing a wetland ecological axis connected to the coast.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.21-31
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• 2007

Estuarine wetland, where freshwater meets saltwater, is a transitional ecosystem that is valuable ecologically for a variety of reasons, such as feeding and breeding sites for birds, fish, and wildlife. However, research on the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of estuarine wetlands in Korea is rare. As a fundamental basis for wetland conservation, this study quantified the wetlands in three major estuaries, and evaluated the temporal dynamics of the wetlands since the 1910s. In particular, this study classified the wetland types into mud flat, sand, and emergent-plant types, and estimated the change of each wetland type, using topographic maps produced in the 1910s, 1970s, and 2000s. The wetlands in both the Han and Youngsan River estuaries have declined since the 1910s, but the rate of wetland decline was relatively low before the 1970s, compared to that since the 1970s. The impact of human activities, such as the Youngsan Watershed Comprehensive Development Project and the construction of estuary barrages, has disrupted the estuary cycles and destroyed huge amounts of wetland in the Youngsan estuary. By contrast, estuarine wetlands have been preserved in the small Gahwa estuary, and provide a variety of habitats for plants and wildlife. A special management strategy for wetlands should be established as soon as possible.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.171-183
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• 2023

Estuarine wetlands, which form a distinctive brackish water zone, serve as important habitats for organisms that have adapted to and thrive in this environment. Nonetheless, excessive development and utilization result in artificial disruptions that alter the distinctive functions and attributes of estuarine wetlands. To collect the basic data for the conservation of estuarine wetlands with excellent ecosystems, we investigated the vegetation distribution characteristics and biota status of the Taehwagang River Estuarine Wetland. Data from vegetation surveys have shown that 25 plant communities of six physiognomic vegetation types, including willow vegetation, lotic and lentic herbaceous vegetation, floating/submerged vegetation. In the upper reaches, where topographical diversity was high, various types of wetland vegetation were distributed. In terms of biodiversity, a total of 696 species, including 7 endangered wildlife species, were identified. Due to good ecological connectivity, tidal rivers are formed, brackish water species including various functional groups are distributed around this section. The inhabitation of various water birds, such as diving and dabbler ducks, were confirmed according to the aquatic environment of each river section. The collection of ecological information of the Taehwagang River Estuarine Wetland can be used as a framework for establishing the basis for conservation and management of the estuarine ecosystem and support policy establishment.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.94-102
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• 2000

Investigated was the effectiveness of a constructed wetland system on water quality in Hwa-Ong estruarin reservoir, located in Hwasung-Gun, Kyunggi-Do. Procedures for estimation of pollutant loading from watershed and required area for natural systems, and simulation of corresponding reservoir water quality were reviewed. Generally, simulated reservoir water quality was within the reasonable range, and about 15% of total polder farmland was required to meet the agricultural water quality standards. The model was applied based on the current loading condition without additional treatment systems. Wetland system is an ecologically sound treatment system. Therefore, natural systems can be an alternative measure for water quality improvement in polder projects. The area for natural systems was estimated using literature value which might be acceptable at the planning stage. However, pilot system and its experimental data are requisite for large scale field application. WASP5 was proved to be a useful and versatile model, and its application to estuarine reservoir water quality simulation was thought to be appropriate.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.64-71
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• 2001

Treatment efficiency was examined of a pond-wetland system constructed for water quality conservation of Koheung Estuarine Lake over one year after its establishment in July 2000. The system is composed of primary and secondary ponds in series and six wetland cells in parallel. Cattails (Typha angustiflora) were planted in three wetland cells and common reeds (Phragmites australis) in three other cells. Water pumped from Sinyang Stream flowing into the Lake was funneled into primary pond whose effluent was discharged into secondary pond by gravity flow. Effluent from secondary pond was distributed into each wetland cell. SS, $BOD_5$, T-N, and T-P concentrations in influent to primary pond, and effluent from primary pond, secondary pond, and three wetland cells planted with cattails were analyzed for about one year from August 2000 to August 2001. The removal rates at primary pond for SS, $BOD_5$, T-N and T-P were 29%, 30%, 15%, and 36%, respectively. The abatement rates at secondary pond for SS, $BOD_5$, T-N and T-P were 38%, 40%, 30%, and 47%, respectively. The reduction rates measured at three cattail-planted wetland cells for SS, $BOD_5$, T-N and T-P were 54%, 57%, 60%, and 68%, respectively. Considering early stage of the pond-wetland system and inclusion of winter during the research period, its treatment efficiency was rather good. Cattails had not yet grown to dense stands due to initial establishment period, which resulted in slightly lower treatment efficiencies of wetland cells for these pollutants, compared with those of ponds.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.42 no.3 s.120
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• pp.344-354
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• 2007

Estuarine wetlands for 33 watersheds in the Han River estuary were delineated on topographic maps from the 1910s, 1970s, and 2000s. Then, these data were used to address the issue of spatial distribution and temporal variation. Watershed characteristics such as drainage density, location, watershed size, slope, and elevation were identified for each watershed to determine the relationship between watershed characteristics and spatial distribution of estuarine wetlands. The analysis of estuarine wetlands indicated that wetlands in the estuary had declined gradually between the 1910s and the 1970s, although most wetlands were lost since the 1970s mainly caused by the large development projects related to urban expansion in metropolitan Seoul. The sediment composition and formation processes of the wetlands differed with watershed location; mud flats dominate in the lower part of the estuary, and relatively more sandy and emergent-plant wetlands occur near the main channel and tributaries of the Han River. Relatively more estuary wetlands occur in large watersheds, which have high slopes and low elevations. Estuarine wetlands have been lost dramatically in the densely populated watershed regions (i.e., Han River Seoul, Han River Goyang, West Han River), while relatively more wetlands have remained in undeveloped regions, including the Lower Imjin River and Lower Han River. In particular, anthropogenic disturbance has played an important role in the loss of wetland through the conversion of wetland into agricultural and developed land.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.141-153
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• 2004

Wetland system is widely accepted as one of natural water purification systems around the world for nonpoint sources pollution control. Constructed wetlands have become a popular technology for treating contaminated surface and waste water. In this study, the field experiment to reduce nonpoint source pollution loadings from polluted stream waters using wetland system was performed from June 2002 to March 2004. Four wetlands were used and the size of each one was 0.8ha. Water of Dangjin stream flowing into Seokmun estuarine reservoir was pumped into wetlands. Inflow and hydraulic residence time of the system was 500 $m^3$/day∼1,500 $m^3$/day, 2∼5 days, respectively. After 2 year operation, plant-coverage of the wetlauds was about 70% from bare soil surface at initial stage . Average water quality of the influent was $BOD_5$ 4.17 mg/L, TSS 18.45 mg/L, T-N 4.32 mg/L, and T-P 0.30 mg/L. The average removal rate of $BOD_5$, TSS, T-N and T-P during the study period was 5.6%, 46.6%, 45.7%, and 54.8%, respectively. Organic ($BOD_5$) removal rate was low and the reason might be low influent concentration. Wetland removal rate of T-P was about 10% higher than T-N. Performance of the experimental system was compared with existing data base (NADB), and it was within the range of general system performance. Overall, the wetland system was found to be adequate for treating polluted water stream with stable removal efficiency even during the winter period. Most of the nonpoint source pollutions from watershed are transported by streams or ditches, and they could be controled by constructed wetland system before entering the lake or reservoir.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.589-603
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to develop a integrated(fusion) utilization model aimed at maximizing the development/management functions of urban estuarine area and to present an integrated concept by analyzing the existing document and data. The main points of this study are as follows: 1) The integrated utilization model suggested in this paper goes beyond the existing idea of sustainable utilization and conservation, putting an emphasis on rational decision-making in estuary management and peaceful coexistence between human and nature. 2) Policies for utilization/development/conservation/regeneration of urban estuarine area include the establishment of communication system between human and nature and a safety net considering both human and nature, the support for environment-friendly community development and the importance of preserving valuable ecosystem and wetland habitat. 3) Lastly, this study suggested that the major tasks for the fusion utilization model development are the integrated management of estuary areas, the conservation and preservation of wetland ecosystem, proper utilization of estuary's productivity, and the introduction and action plans of the integrated management model including the best way to address contamination and disaster management.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.237-246
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• 2022

Owing to their high bioproductivity and unique physical environment, estuarine wetlands are gaining importance in national biodiversity management and habitat conservation. With regard to conservation and management of estuarine wetlands, this study analyzed the ecological characteristics of Gahwacheon Estuarine Wetland, an open estuary with various habitat types. Data from vegetation and biotic surveys have shown that 12 plant communities of five physiognomic vegetation types, including lentic herbaceous vegetation, halophytic herbaceous vegetation, and chasmophytic herbaceous vegetation. Due to the discharge of Namgang Dam and the effect of the tide, vegetation are distributed along the narrow waterside area. In terms of biodiversity, a total of 715 species, including 12 endangered wildlife species, were identified. Species diversity was relatively high in sections I and III where various riverbed structures and microhabitats were distributed. Due to the effect of the brackish water area following the inflow of seawater, endangered wildlife of various functional groups were also found to be distributed, indicating the high conservation value of that area. The collection of ecological information of the Gahwacheon Estuarine Wetland can be used as a framework for establishing the basis for conservation and management of the estuarine ecosystem and support policy establishment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.30-36
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• 2002

A 0.19 hectare natural-type wetland for stream water treatment demonstration was constructed and planted with cattails from April 2001 to May 2001. Part of its bottom surfaces adjacent to levees have a variety of slope of 1 : 4~1 : 15. Two small open water areas were installed, in which emergent plants could not grow. Removal of nutrients from stream waters was a major objective of the wetland. Waters of Sinyang Stream flowing into Kohung Estuarine Lake were pumped and funneled into the wetland. The lake had been formed by a salt marsh reclamation project and was located southern coastal region of Korean Peninsula. Volumes and water quality of inflow and outflow were analyzed from July 2001 through December 2001. Inflow and outflow averaged $120.4m^3/day$ and $112.1m^3/day$, respectively. Hydraulic retention time was about 3.1 days. Average total phosphorous concentration of influent and effluent was $0.19mg/{\ell}$ and $0.075mg/{\ell}$, respectively. Total phosphorous loading rate of inflow and outflow averaged $12.05mg\;m^{-2}\;day^{-1}$ and $4.44mg\;m^{-2}\;day^{-1}$, respectively. Average total phosphorous removal rate in the wetland was $7.61mg\;m^{-2}\;day^{-1}$. Seasonal changes of phosphorous retention rates were observed. The wetland acted as effective phosphorous sinks in the initial stage of the constructed wetland.