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Ecosystem Health Assessments of Changwon Stream as a Preliminary Diagnosis for Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration  

Han, Jung-Ho (School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University)
Bae, Dae-Yeul (School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University)
An, Kwang-Guk (School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment / v.40, no.4, 2007 , pp. 527-536 More about this Journal
Abstract
In this study, we applied 10-metric health assessment model, based on the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) during 2006 in the Changwon Stream, which is located in the Changwon city, Gyeongnam province, S. Korea, and then compared with water quality data. The Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) in the Changwon Stream varied from 18 to 38 in the watershed depending on the sampling location and averaged 30.3 (n=6) during the study. Analysis of tolerance guilds showed that the proportion of sensitive species was 13%, but tolerant and intermediate species were 34% and 53%, respectively. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) averaged 43.3 (range: 65-104, n=6) indicating non-supporting condition, based on the criteria of U.S. EPA (1993). Values of QHEI showed a typical longitudinal decreases from the headwater reach to the downstream location, except for Site 1 with a low QHEI value by artificial habitat by concrete construction. Minimum QHEI was found in Site 4 where fish diversity was minimal. Conductivity increased continuously along the gradients and especially showed abrupt increases in the downstream sites along with turbidity. Stream ecosystem health of IBI matched to the values of QHEI except for S6. Low IBI values in the sites 4 and 5 was considered to be a result of combined effects of chemical pollutions and habitat degradations. Our results support the hypotheses of Plafkin et ai. (1989) that physical habitat quality directly influences the trophic structure and species richness, and is closely associated with IBI values.
Keywords
ecosystem health; biological integrity; QHEI; ecosystem restoration; water quality;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 7  (Citation Analysis)
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