• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.4 s.100
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• pp.273-284
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• 2002

During January 1998-October 1999, the impact of free-floating plants (FFP) on limnology of the wetland ecosystem was evaluated through the investigation of physicochemical characteristics of the Woopo Wetland along with in situ manipulation experiments of aquatic plants. Flooding events occurred in the wetland during the summer period (Jun.-Aug.) and water levels rose to 2-3 m due to precipitation from the catchment and inflow from the main channel of the Nakdong River. Physicochemical parameters and plankton dynamics in the wetland during the summer were greatly influenced by floods and growth of free-floating plants. Dissolved oxygen (Jun.-Sept., 4.5${\pm}$2.5 mg/1; Oct.-May, 8,1 ${\pm}$4.0 mg/1) and pH (Jun.-Sept., 6.9${\pm}$0.4; Oct.-May,7.4${\pm}$0.8) levels were significantly lower during the summer than any other seasons. Three types of enclosure experiments (100 L, treatments with floating plants, screened and opened) were conducted under the presence and absence of sediment for 15 days in the 1999 summer. The treatments with sediment had higher levels of nutrient concentrations than those of the others. Among the treatments with sediment, nutrient concentrations in the treatments with free-floating plants were higher than the others. Zooplankton communities in each treatment showed a similar variation, although the scale of zooplankton densities differed. Rotifer community dominated the zooplankton at the initial phase of the experiment, but decreased drastically along with an increase of cladoceran and copepod communities. In conclusion, low levels of dissolved oxygen and pH in the Woopo Wetland during the summer seemed to be caused by a proliferation of free-floating plants and active decomposition process at the bottom of the sediment.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.159-172
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• 2008

This study was carried out to obtain ecological information necessary for a conservation plan based on the distributional patterns, wetland types, and hydrophytic characteristics of urban wetlands in Seongnam City, Kyunggi Province where representing the various patterns of land use made by rapid urbanization since 1970s. Total 162 sites of four wetland types were identified as urban wetlands during the first survey. The sites were classified into 55 forested swamps, 4 riverine wetlands, 62 abandoned paddy fields, 37 small ponds, and 4 reservoirs, etc. The second survey targeted 107 sites which were identified as good wetlands. It showed that 42 sites(about 39%) were already degraded due to drainage, landfill, and crop cultivation at 6 months intervals. Both hydrologic conditions and hydrophytic characteristics of 27 good wetlands help maintain current ecological status, but most wetlands have been degraded by artificial impacts. Among 184 species identified, only 75 species(about 40.7%) were hydrophytes. Prevalence Index of hydrophyte based on three categories of OBL(obligatory wetland plant), FAC(facultitative plant), UPL(obligatory upland plant) was 3.7, indicating that vegetation data alone is inadequate to designate as wetlands. This study revealed that as critical habitats for wildlife they playa vital role in ecotone between both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem with its proper distributional pattern in spite of their small areas compared to the entire geographic region of the City.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.16-26
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• 2019

Wetlands that provide diverse ecosystem services, such as habitat provision and hydrological control of flora and fauna, constitute ecosystems through interaction between wetlands existing in a wetlandscape. Therefore, to evaluate the wetland functions such as resilience, it is necessary to analyze the ecological connectivity that is formed between wetlands which also show hydrologically dynamic behaviors. In this study, by defining wetlands as ecological nodes, we generated ecological networks through the connection of wetlands according to the dispersal model of wetland species. The characteristics of these networks were then analyzed using various network metrics. In the case of the dispersal based on a threshold distance, while a high local clustering is observed compared to the exponential dispersal kernel and heavy-tailed dispersal model, it showed a low efficiency in the movement between wetlands. On the other hand, in the case of the stochastic dispersion model, a low local clustering with high efficiency in the movement was observed. Our results confirmed that the ecological network characteristics are completely different depending on which dispersal model is chosen, and one should be careful on selecting the appropriate model for identifying network properties which highly affect the interpretation of network structure and function.

• 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.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.104-116
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• 2019

Background: The composition of wild bird populations in temperate zones greatly varies depending on phenological changes rather than other environmental factors. Particularly, wild birds appearing in wetlands fluctuate greatly due to the crossover of species arriving for breeding during the summer and for wintering. Therefore, to understand the changes to species composition related to phenology, we conducted this basic analysis of populations to further the cause of the protection of wetland-dependent wild birds. Methods: It is wrong to simply divide a wild bird population investigation into seasons. This study identifies species composition and indicator species that change along with seasons. Wetlands to be surveyed are protected by natural monuments and wetland inventory and are in a state close to nature. In order to identify as many species as possible in wetlands, a survey was conducted in both shallow and deep wetlands. The water depth varied in these areas, ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 m, allowing for both dabbling and diving ducks to inhabit the area. Surveys were conducted using line-transect and distance sampling methods and were conducted at intervals of 2 weeks. The survey was conducted under the following three categories: the eco-tone and emergent zone, the submergent zone, and the water surface. The survey was conducted along a wetland boundary by observing wild birds. A PC-ord program was used for clustering, and the SAS program was used to analyze the changes in species composition. The data strongly indicates that day length is the main factor for seasonal migration periods, despite the fact that climate change and increasing temperatures are often discussed. Results and conclusions: The indicator species for determining seasons include migrant birds such as Ardea cinerea, Alcedo atthis, Anas penelope, and Poiceps ruficollis, as well as resident birds such as Streptopelia orientalis and Emberiza elegans. Importantly, increases in local individual counts of these species may also serve as indicators. The survey results of seasonal fluctuations in temperate zones shows that spring (April to June), summer (July to September), autumn (October), and winter (November to March) are clearly distinguishable, even though spring and summer seasons tend to overlap, leading to the conclusion that additional research could more clearly identify fluctuation patterns in species composition and abundance in the study area.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2000

The physico-chemical characteristics of core sediment, community dynamics of Salix species during the sedimentation were investigated in 1990~1997 for the purpose of inquiry to reveal the effects of terrestrialization on the environment and plant community in a natural wetland. The study site, Paksil-nup wetland was a valley blocked lake located near Hwang-River, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. The values of conductivity, organic matter, total nitrogen, exchangeable K, and exchangeable Ca were higher, and pH was lower in the upper layer of the core sediment. Soil properties such as available phosphorus, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Na increased, and organic matter, total nitrogen, exchangeable K decreased during the sedimentation. Salix nipponica was the dominant species, and Salix glandulosa was subdominant among 10 Salix species. Sahx species were supposed to be the pioneer plants in shrub and tree layers during the succession in Paksil-nup wetland. Age class of SaliX species community from the epilittoral zone to the infralittoral zone were low, and age of Saljx species distributed from 2 years to 11 years. DBH, height, mean number of branches, number of herb species, and light intensity were increased, whereas density was decreased from a lower age to a higher age community. Salix nipponica was superior than Sahx purpurea var. japonica and other Salix species during the interspecific competition among Salix species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.247-256
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• 2012

We evaluated the landscape ecological value of selected minefields and wetland patches as a habitat of the forest bird community. The avian fauna of three minefields of 8.5ha, 17.4ha, and 40.6ha were evaluated by comparing that of three control sites of mountain area. Average number of forest bird species, number of individuals, species diversity index, species richness, and species evenness were analyzed according to the size of patch and environmental characteristics such as the presence of wetland and connectivity. Community similarity was evaluated between test and control plots. Avian fauna can be summarized as follows. First, 63 species were recorded, and the sum of maximum counts was 828 individuals. Species diversity index was 3.8, and the species richness was 9.2. Species evenness was 93.3. Second, small, isolated forest patch had a low average number of species and individuals as expected. But, small forest patches with streams had higher bird density than patches without water surface. Third, forest patches with marsh wetland were evaluated as lower habitat quality than forest patches with stream wetland in terms of the number of bird species per unit area, number of individuals per unit area, species diversity index, species richness index, and species evenness. Finally, Community similarity of the small forest patches with streams was similar with large connected forest. As a result, lowland forest patch was shown the good quality for the forest bird community in spite of small extents, and community structure was similar with mountain forest bird community. Thus, riparian forest restoration could improve the biodiversity of the forest bird community.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.190-208
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• 2016

This study was carried out to understand the spatial distribution and conservation, restoration plan for vegetation in the Hwaeom wetland protected area. Total 29 phytosociological releves consisted of 117 plant species (unidentified species contained) was made during field studies conducted at 2008 and 2013 applying Braun-Branquet method. The collected vegetations were arranged 8 plant communities and thus divided hydric types (Drosera rotundifolia-Eleocharis congesta community, Carex forficula-Molinia japonica community) and xeric types (Miscanthus sinensis community, Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense community, Tripterygium regelii community, Carex gifuensis-Quercus mongolica community) under moisture conditions. The hydric types growing in hydric conditions distributed along hollowed out ground or the water channel that have a key qualification to protect. In the wetland protected area, the hydric vegetation types were mostly covered about 3.8% and the xeric types dominating by Miscanthus sinensis were most wildly distributed about 51.5%. Various woody plant species invaded the place. In 2008, invasion plants observed with total 14 species - 8 tree species (227 individual), 6 shrub species (51 individual) and alders (Aluns japonica) found in 2013. We suggested finding out that the sustainable conservation and management in Hwaeom wetland should be setting up plan focused on activity and variability such as continuous monitoring (changing vegetation types, spatial distribution, invasion plants) and zonation management (core zone, buffer zone, transition zone).

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2020

To assess the wetland systems' capability to reduce fine dust, we used an artificial wetland module of small-sized greenhouse (70cm W × 70cm L × 60cm H) which creates a closed system. Experiment was performed twice using four species in each experiment. Non-plantation, one species, or two species condition was created in each mesocosm. We measured air quality, primarily PM2.5 and PM10 at the initial open mesocosms and 1hr later since mesocosms were closed. The dry weight of vegetation was measured at the 2nd experiment. The decreased amount of PM2.5 and PM10 was 13.7±1.3 and 13.2±1.3 ㎍·m^-3hr^-1 in wetland condition and 15.0±1.4 and 13.8±1.5 ㎍·m^-3hr^-1 in dryland condition, respectively. In 2^nd experiment, the decreased amount of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in wetland condition was 13.7±1.3 and 9.2±1.5 ㎍·m^-3hr^-1, 15.0±1.4 and 8.8±1.4 ㎍·m^-3hr^-1 in dryland condition, respectively. Wetland showed higher removal effect due to its high productivity leading to more effective absorption of particulate matter. Furthermore, the aquatic characteristics of wetland system and high humidity helped purifying the air quality. This can be seen as another value of wetlands, which can be presented as one of the solutions to the problem of fine dust.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.43-56
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• 2014

In this study, ecological investigation was performed on Yong-neup, Daeam-san for 5 times. This area is considered DMZ zone located between Yanggu-gun and Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, where has been recognized highly valuable for ecological preservation. As a result, Sphagnum and hydrophobic vegetation were found in Little Yong-neup, revealing its characteristics of high moor, where as no Sphagnum were found in Baby Yong-neup. Thereby, the carnification has been investigated in both Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup. A main cause of damage was associated with the creation of stating rink and increases of visitors. The damages of vegetation in Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup have been intensified by road construction or uses of groundwater while relocating military troops to upper stream of Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup, further causing the damages of water circulation system and soil erosion. These artificial factors have caused the carnification of wetland protection areas including Little Yong-neup. The terrestrial vegetations, such as Plantago asiatica, Geranium Koreanum and Artemisia feddei have increased compared to current survey conducted by the Ministry of Environment. 5 endangered species, such as Lychnis wilfordii and Trientalis europaea and 5 other introduced species, such as Aster pilosus and Taraxacum officinale were found. 10 different species of mammal and 2 species of amphibian were investigated; and in addition to this, a original form of Sphagnum fens, the remaining wetland was found. Therefore, this study is to identify the causes of damages in Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup through their ecological survey and accordingly proposing a direction for ecological restoration through the improvement of water circulation system, creation of habitats for plant and animal, restoration of vegetation through eco-friendly materials and indigeneity, relocation of the current military troops, securing of structural stability.