Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment (생태와환경)

The Korean Society of Limnology (한국수생태학회)
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The Concept and Assessment of River Continuity: Review of Global Trends for Domestic Application

하천 연속성의 개념과 평가: 국외 사례 비교를 통한 국내 적용성 고찰

  • Yerim Choi (Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Dae-Hee Lee (Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Kyung-A You (Water Environment Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Kwang-Hyeon Chang (Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Jeong-Hui Kim (EcoResearch Incorporated)
  • 최예림 (경희대학교 환경학및환경공학과) ;
  • 이대희 (경희대학교 환경학및환경공학과) ;
  • 유경아 (국립환경과학원 물환경연구부) ;
  • 장광현 (경희대학교 환경학및환경공학과) ;
  • 김정희 (주식회사 에코리서치)
  • Received : 2024.09.19
  • Accepted : 2024.09.25
  • Published : 2024.09.30
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Abstract

Recently, Korean government has incorporated the assessment and restoration of river continuity as a key component of its integrated water management policy. While, methodologies for evaluating discontinuities and degradation, as well as the procedures for assessment and restoration, have been developed and proposed, there is a need for further improvement. Therefore, further research is required to establish a conceptual framework for continuity specific to domestic river ecosystems and to formulate appropriate assessment methods and restoration strategies. In this study we conduct a comparative analysis of the concepts, restoration approaches, and comprehensive evaluation methods for river continuity as proposed by Japan, the United States, and the European Union (EU), all of which have long-standing frameworks for river continuity assessment and restoration projects. Each country demonstrates distinct objectives and guidelines: Japan emphasizes habitat continuity within the context of river and watershed continuity, the United States integrates continuity as a tool for watershed management, and the EU prioritizes biodiversity conservation by advocating for the removal of artificial barriers and promoting the restoration of free-flowing rivers (FFR). By investigating these international examples, this study provides insights that can guide the development of long-term strategies and evaluation criteria for securing aquatic ecosystem continuity in Korea.

최근 하천 생태계 관리에서 물, 퇴적물, 영양염류와 같은 물질의 연속적 흐름뿐만 아니라 서식 생물의 자유로운 이동을 통해 생물 서식처를 보존할 수 있도록 하천의 연속성을 평가하고 단절된 연속성을 복원하는 것이 핵심으로 인식되고 있다. 하천 연속성의 단절은 주로 댐, 보와 같은 하천 내 인공구조물로 인해 발생되며 국내 4대강 권역에 위치한 보는 34,012개로 최근 환경부에서는 이와 같은 하천 수생태계 연속성 단절에 대한 심각성을 인지하고 하천 수생태계 연속성 확보를 위한 평가와 복원을 통합 물관리의 주요 정책 중 하나로 채택하고 관리 방안의 마련을 위해 지속적으로 노력하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 향후 국내 실정에 맞는 장기적인 수생태계 연속성 확보를 위한 방향 설정과 표준화된 평가 방법 확립에 도움이 되고자 일찍이 하천 연속성에 대한 평가 및 복원 지침을 제시한 일본, 미국, 유럽연합(EU)을 대상으로 해당 국가들에서 제시하고 있는 하천 연속성의 개념과 복원의 방향성, 연속성을 평가할 수 있는 종합적인 평가 방법을 비교, 분석하였다. 각 국가별로 서로 다른 하천 연속성 확보의 목표와 평가 지침을 가지고 있는 것으로 분석되었는데, 일본의 경우에는 생물 서식처 개념에서 하천과 유역의 연속성 확보에 초점을 맞추고 있으며, 미국의 경우에는 유역 전체에서 하천 생태계의 구조와 기능에 초점을 맞춘 연속성 평가 및 복원 방안을 제시하고 있다. EU는 생물다양성 확보를 위하여 서식처 개념에서의 하천의 연속성의 중요성을 강조, 자유 흐름 하천을 확보할 수 있는 방안에 대해 제시하고 있다. 본 논문은 하천 연속성 확보에 대한 개념적 접근과 실무적 적용 방안을 동시에 파악할 수 있도록 하여 국내 환경에 적합한 거시적이고 전략적인 목표의 설정과 종합적인 평가 방법의 개발에 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 국립환경과학원 연구사업의 지원을 받아 수행하였습니다(NIER-2023-01-02-061).

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