• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.334-343
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Shorebirds use a variety of wetlands as their stopover sites to replenish energy and nutrient reserves along the migration route. It is increasingly important to understand how birds use the remaining available habitats during migration period, because shorebird stopover sites are often altered and destroyed. Rice fields serve as a major inland stopover site for migrating shorebirds. However, the information on habitat use patterns of shorebirds in rice fields is very limited in Korea. Therefore, we studied the patterns of shorebird abundance and their habitat use in rice fields during spring migration period in western-central Korea. METHODS AND RESULTS: Surveys were conducted at interval of 2-3 days during the spring migration period of 2014 at rice fields of mid-western Korea. We recorded the location of the observed birds on the rice field map according to the local habitat type. The habitat types were divided by physical structure and cultivation methods. Fifteen shorebird species and 7,852 individuals were recorded during the survey period. The number of shorebird species and their abundance began to increase from the beginning of flooding in late-April, and reached a maximum in early-May. After rice transplantation, the number of shorebird species and their abundance dramatically declined. Shorebirds selectively used paddy and levee rather than road and ditch and most species used shallow depth field type. Plowed field types were less attractive to most species. CONCLUSION: Flooding rice fields were functioned as stopover sites for a variety of shorebird species during spring migration period. Furthermore, these results provide that the appropriate agricultural practices can be improving the habitat quality for shorebirds.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.452-460
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• 2017

Rice fields are important stopover sites for the conservation of shorebirds during long-distance migration. These fields serve as food sources providing energy for the next leg of the journey. Shorebirds are able to change their preferred food source at stopover sites. However, the type and distribution of food resources remain unknown for the shorebirds in the Republic of Korea. Therefore, we studied the type and distribution pattern of food resource (macroinvertebrates, remaining rice, and other seeds) for shorebirds in the rice fields. We have identified potential and actual food sources for shorebirds in the rice fields. The potential food sources were collected by using a core-sampling method and the actual food source was ascertained by observational analysis. As a result, a total 19 species of benthic macroinvertebrates in 15 families were recorded as potential food sources. A total of 9 families in 9 orders of benthic macroinvertebrates known to be actual food sources were also recorded during the study period, including loaches, and a tuber of sea club rush. Also, the distribution of the food source depended on soil conditions generated by cultivation such as plowing, harrowing, and the use of pesticides. In the present study, we identified the type and distribution of food sources for shorebirds. This information can be used as essential primary baseline data for conservation of shorebirds using the rice fields of the Republic of Korea.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.160-169
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• 2019

The migration status of waterbirds inhabiting the 10 coastal wetlands in the south and west coasts (Jangbongdo, Muuido, Daecheoncheon estuary, Seocheon tidal flat, Yubudo, Gomso bay, Hauido, Jeungdo, Doam bay, Gangjin bay) was examined from May 2008 to March 2013. For the most dominant taxonomical group, shorebirds accounted for 37.5% of the number of species and 67.1% of the total population, followed in the order of dabbling ducks, herons, and seagulls. The dominate species were Calidris alpina, Larus crassirostris, Limosa lapponica, Charadrius alexandrinus, and Calidris tenuirostris. Shorebirds were observed most at Seocheon Tidal Flats and Yubudo Island, and dabbling ducks were found most in Doam Bay. Diving ducks were observed most at Gangjin Bay and seagulls were seen most frequently at Seocheon Tidal Flats. The ten coastal wetlands of the western and southern coasts were divided into three groups according to the similarity index of waterbirds (Ro). Group 1 was the area where dabbling ducks and diving ducks were dominant, group 2 was the area where shorebirds were dominant, and group 3 was the area where seagulls were dominant. It was evident that there were differences in species composition depending on the regional environments.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2005

This study was conducted to analyze the changing pattern of the bird community after the construction of artificial wetland at Sihwah lake from may 2000 to January 2002. Total seventy seven bird species were recorded at Sihwa artificial wetland area during the survey. Number of the bird species and individuals were increased in second year than first survey year. Especially shorebirds and raptors were more increased than other groups. Long-term and continuous monitoring of bird community would be needed to clarify the reasons of increasing pattern of bird species and individuals in artificial wetlands of Sihwa lake. Until now, this area has been considered as suitable habitat for dabbling ducks than shore birds and has simple habitat environment consisting of open water surface and reed beds. Therefore, we suggest the follows for creation of diverse habitat types: 1) seasonal water-level manipulation 2) management of diverse aquatic plants and 3) creation of diverse land cover; sandy fields, gravelly fields, grasslands, etc.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.199-206
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• 2005

Estuary islets should be managed systematically because they are important places for birds to rest and breed. This paper investigates the environmental properties of islets where the sand banks are located from east to west on the southernmost of Nakdong estuary during a year (September 2003 $\sim$ August 2004). The research showed that 59 species and 19,148 individuals were found in the area A (Jangja Shinja-Do) and 61 species and 28,394 individuals in the area B (Saja-Do; Beakhapdeung Doyodeung). Totally, 74 species and 47,539 individuals were observed in both of this estuary. Shorebirds are the most observed species in both areas. In area, most of individuals were especially observed in the spring when Shorebirds migrate northward for breeding. In B area, various species were also observed in the fall when they migrate southward for wintering. Therefore, many groups of birds are observed around Shinja-Do in the spring. They passed the winter in Doyodueng, associated with feeding in the main stream of Nakdong river mainly. Although the southernmost sand bar is the breeding place to access to outside without interception, invasion by human beings and predators (mice, weasels and etc.) gives a fatal blow for birds to breed or rest. The reed which is a tall herbaceous plant is flourished according to the process of ecological succession. Therefore, the sand bar becomes a land. It results in reduction of habitats and breeding grounds for birds. In conclusion, these areas where birds can use the islets as habits and breeding places must be preserved by restraining luxuriance of reeds and systematic management of human beings and predators is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.837-847
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• 2016

In this study, the bird fauna of Sihwa Lake in Gyeonggi Province were investigated from 2009 to 2014 to identify the effect of the restored intertidal zone on bird community. Based upon the analysis of the habitat status and distribution change of water birds in the intertidal zone, the following conclusions were obtained. The number of water bird individuals increased by approx. 40 thousand after the restoration. Most of water bird species increased, but diving ducks decreased. Analysis of the number of individuals of water birds before and after the intertidal zone restoration showed that there was a significant increase in the number of shorebird individuals. There is a habitat use pattern change in the southern tideland intertidal zone that includes the largest area of widened intertidal zone and the inland waters of the intertidal zone. This is related to the change of benthic ecosystem which is the food source of birds. The benthic ecosystem in restoring Sihwa Lake has been stabilized with a decrease in opportunistic species and consistent increase in equilibrium species that are sensitive to pollution. As a result, the environmental conditions for shorebirds have been improved. The restoration of intertidal zone affected the habitat use and distribution patterns of water birds in a short period of time. Compared to before restoration, all the water birds now use the wide area of the intertidal zone with no partiality and it is confirmed that the restoration greatly affected the distribution of shorebirds and swan & geese. This study was conduced to identify the effects of an artificial restoration of intertidal zone due to tidal power generation of bird species. In terms of maintaining and improving biodiversity, the intertidal zone restoration was recognized to be important and still shows positive results. This study is expected to provide a direction when an alternative is required to maintain and improve biodiversity in a similar situation in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.97-102
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• 2003

This study was carried out to understand the variation of bird community by eco-park development of urban stream, Yangjae stream, Seoul, from Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2001. After the development, slight change in the bird community happened; for example, the number of species increased(r²=0.729, p<0.05), but there was not any variation in the total number of birds(r²=0.050, p>0.05). Especially, the number of individuals in herons and ducks rose. We suggest that the change as caused by restoration of low revetment vegetation and artificial pond vegetation in flood plain. However, the number of sandpipers, plovers and wagtails inhabiting on the sands and gravels in stream fell down. It seems that it would be caused by construction of bicycle path on the flood plain. The number of songbirds was tended to go down to 2000, but increased in 2001. The decrease of songbirds might be attributed to irregular removals of bush. We suggested that riparian vegetation restoration and artificial ponds positively affected birds inhabitation, but bicycle path and irregular elimination of a bush negatively affected.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.178-185
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: The coexisting shorebirds often use various foraging strategies, including feeding methods and habitat use, which are the likely mechanisms to explain the variation of morphological and behavior traits. We studied the foraging behaviors of four shorebirds to define how species separate according to habitat structures in rice fields of western-central Korea during their northward migration. METHODS AND RESULTS: The studied species were Long-toed Stints (Calidris subminuta), Wood Sandpipers (Tringa glareola), Common Greenshanks (Tringa nebularia), and Black-tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa), which were commonly observed in rice fields and represented by a wide range of morphological traits. Habitats were categorized into three types ("plowed with water", "shallow water level after harrowing", and "deep water level after harrowing") according to the irrigation intensity and soil manipulation of the farming practices. Long-toed Stints mainly foraged in the "plowed with water", where they used both visual and tactile searching methods. Wood Sandpipers and Common Greenshanks were frequently observed in "shallow water level after harrowing" They spent a considerable amount of time using a visual searching method. Black-tailed Godwits were selectively attracted to "deep water level after harrowing" and used tactile cues as their predominant feeding technique. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the water levels related in soil manipulation and irrigation intensity influence the accessibility to foraging sites and the detectability of prey for shorebirds species.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.181-189
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• 2001

This study was conducted to clarify the characteristics, and proper way of protection and management of bird community in Geum river estuary from Nov. 1997 to Oct. 1998. Water was the most dominant factor of habitats. And there were cultivated area, forest, constructed area, reed bed and tidal fiat in study area. Total 104 bird species were recorded in Geum river estuary. Maximum 46 species in Apr. and 51,002 individuals in Feb. were observed. Dabbling ducks used islands and shallow area of river, and tidal flat. Gulls and waders were distributed in estuary and geese were in islands of the upstream and cultivated area of Sipjadeul. For the maintenance, protection and management of bird community in Geum river estuary, diversity of natural habitats, such as, tidal flat, cultivated area, islands and reed bed, should be maintained.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.273-279
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• 2000

This study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of bird community in Han River area from Oct. 1997 to Jul. 1998. Total 107 bird species were recorded in Han River area. Bird mainly distributed around Kangdong Bridge, Paldang Dam, Yangsuri, Haengju Bridge, Sungsan Bridge, and Bam island. The area between Dongiak Bridge and Youngdong Bridge showed the lowest the density of birds. The dominant birds of Han River area were the dabbling ducks, which were Anas platyrhynchos and A. poecilorhyncha. Diving ducks were distributed in the Dongiak Bridge, Youngdong Bridge, and estuary area. Grebes, Gulls, Herons, and Coots were also dominant bird species. Cormorants, Swans, Sandpipers, and Plovers were minor birds in Han River area. Maintenance and management of various micro-habitats are needed for habitation of bird community in Han River area.