• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2021

As fish communities are sensitive to natural environmental changes as well as anthropogenic pressures, their composition and characteristics help us to assess the aquatic ecosystem health. The fish fauna and the length-weight relationship of Zacco platypus in the Seomjin River system were investigated from July 2018 to May 2019. The collected species during the survey period were 49 species belong to 14 families including 19 Korean endemic and two endangered species. According to Bray-Curtis similarities, 14 sites were divided into four groups based on the fish community composition; two groups(group A, B) and two uncategorized sites(group C, D). There were significant differences between groups A and B(analysis of similarities, R=0.722, p=0.002). A similarity percentage analysis revealed that Z. koreanus(8.55%), Micropterus salmoides(6.90%), and Lepomis macrochirus (4.90%) contributed to these differences of fish assemblages between group A and B. Group A showed higher relative abundances of exotic species such as M. salmoides and L. macrochirus, while Z. platypus and Z. koreanus which are the common species in Korea, were the most dominant species in group B. Based on the length-weight relationship of Z. platypus, b values were varied from 2.82 to 3.80, indicating that growth patterns of the species were spatially different. This study could be served as baseline data for understanding fish fauna, assessing habitat characteristics based on the fauna, and identifying health conditions of Z. platypus in the Seomjin River system.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.76-83
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• 2022

We attempted to estimate potential habitats of Clithon retropictus and to determine the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates by presence of C. retropictus. 2016 to 2018 database of "Survey and Assessment of Estuary Ecosystem Health" by the Ministry of Environment were used to identify the distribution site of C. retropictus. The occupancy model was applied to estimate the potential habitat of C. retropictus. Four diversity indices were used to confirm the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates. C. retropictus was found in the southern coast area and part of the east coast, and this pattern was consistent with previous studies. Additionally, the occupancy model predicted that a potential habitat of C. retropictus could appear in the west coast area. The community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates was relatively high at the site with C. retropictus than the site without C. retropictus. Therefore, the occupancy model can be considered when conserving C. retropictus inhabiting a limited area. Additionally, C. retropictus can be used to the indicator species that can represent the brackish water environment.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.31-45
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• 2020

The biological indices based on the community structure with species richness and/or abundance are commonly used to assess aquatic ecosystem health. Meanwhile, recently functional traits-based approach is considered in ecosystem health assessment to reflect ecosystem functioning. In this study, we developed a database of biological traits for 136 taxa consisting of major stream insects (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, and Odonata) collected at Korean streams on the nationwide scale. In addition, we obtained environmental variables in five categories (geography, climate, land use, hydrology and physicochemistry) measured at each sampling site. We evaluated the relationships between community indices based on taxonomic diversity and functional diversity estimated from biological traits. We classified sampling sites based on similarities of their environmental variables and evaluated relations between clusters of sampling sites and diversity indices and biological traits. Our results showed that functional diversity was highly correlated with Shannon diversity index and species richness. The six clusters of sampling sites defined by a hierarchical cluster analysis reflected differences of their environmental variables. Samples in cluster 1 were mostly from high altitude areas, whereas samples in cluster 6 were from lowland areas. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) displayed similar patterns with cluster analysis and presented variation of taxonomic diversity and functional diversity. Based on NMDS and community-weighted mean trait value matrix, species in clusters 1-3 displayed the resistance strategy in the life history strategy to the environmental variables whereas species in clusters 4-6 presented the resilience strategy. These results suggest that functional diversity can complement the biological monitoring assessment based on taxonomic diversity and can be used as biological monitoring assessment tool reflecting changes of ecosystem functioning responding to environmental changes.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.652-663
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to conduct ecological health assessments by using the fish communities in the Manchurian trout habitat. Sampling was conducted twice in July and September 2018. In the survey, 1,119 individuals belonging to 16 species and seven families were collected. The dominant species by number was Rhynchocypris kumgangensis and the subdominant species was Zacco koreanus. Korean endemic species represented 73.33% at Geybang Stream and 76.92% at Naerin Stream. Community analysis revealed that the structure of the fish community was unstable by the dominance index 0.63 (±0.09)-0.97 (±0.01), the diversity index 1.63 (±0.23)-0.33 (±0.09), the evenness index 0.79 (±0.06)-0.24 (±0.07) and the richness index 0.67 (±0.14)-1.80(±0.16). According to the analysis of the tolerance guilds, the total individual number of sensitive species was higher than the intermediate and tolerant species. The insectivore species accounted for 65.09-98.56% of the total trophic guilds, which was the highest observed. The value of the QHEI (Qualitative habitat evaluation index) in the Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis habitat was 119.5 (±0.5)-153.5 (±0.5), indicating an optimal-suboptimal condition. The FAI (Fish assessment index) stream health value was A to B in the study sites. Correlation analysis with FAI and various factors was conducted and a high correlation in QHEI, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis individuals, species, individuals, diversity, richness, sensitive species, carnivorous species, insectivorous species, and omnivorous species was found. The similarity analysis was divided into three groups from A to C, based on 56.9%.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.179-190
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• 2019

In this study, a fish survey was conducted to investigate the habitat status of black shinner (Pseudopungtungia nigra) designated as endangered species level from the lower part of Yongdam Dam to the upper part of Daecheong Dam. Biodiversity analysis was performed on the basis of the number of fish emerged, and biological health and physical habitat environment were quantitatively analyzed using collected P. nigra. According to the survey, the habitat range of P. nigra was found from Banguri-myeon, Buri-myeon, Geumsan-gun, downstream of Yongdam Dam. The biodiversity analysis results of all species appeared to be low in overall dominance index and relatively high in species diversity and uniformity index. In addition, P. nigra collected in this study was confirmed to have normal growth and nutritional status by the full-length-weighted relativities and condition factor. The physical habitat environment of P. nigra was 0.3 - 0.6 m in depth, 0.3 - 0.7 m/s in flow rate, and bed materials showed high frequency of occurrence in the range of cobbles (64.0 - 256.0 mm) to boulders (>256.0 mm). These results are expected to be used as data for habitat restoration and management in the future as basic data on the spatial range and preferred physical habitat environment of P. nigra in Geumgang.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.172-182
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• 2009

This study was to analyze characteristics based on tolerance and trophic guilds and to determine the level of total mercury in tissues of sentinel species, Zacco platypus at 3 sampling sites of the Mangyeong River in 2007. Total sampled fishes were 26 species and the most dominant species was Zacco temminckii (47%). Fish community analysis was resulted that eveness index and diversity index showed low value at S1. However, diversity index and richness index at other sites showed high. According to various guilds analysis, relative abundance of sensitive species was 70% and 42% at S1 and S2, respectively. While sensitive species were decreased (1%) and tolerant species were increased (60%) at S3. It was mainly carried to the impacts of wastewater treatment plants near the location. Relative abundance of insectivore species was decreased from up (S1) to midstream area (S3). In addition, chemical water quality, based on analyses of BOD, COD, TP, TN, EC, MPN and SS concentration showed similar trends. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) was averaged 164, judged as "good" habitat condition. Average concentrations of total [Hg] was 146.9 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$. In the muscles of total [Hg] was the highest, and then followed by kidney, vertebrae, liver, and gills. According to FDA standards (500 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$) of Korea, total [Hg] has not affected to the individual fish health.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2014

In Korea, over 4,700 animal carcass disposal sites were installed until 2011 due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Due to the putrefaction of buried animals, the leachate containing veterinary antibiotics may release into surrounding environments. Antibiotic residues in the environment cause the formation of antibiotic resistance bacteria threatening human and ecosystem health. This study reports the concentrations of five antibiotics, including tetracycline (TC), chlortetracycline (CTC), oxytetracycline (OTC), sulfamethazine (SMZ), and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), in soils from animal carcass disposal site and adjacent agricultural field. Concentrations of antibiotics at animal carcass disposal sites (TC: $144.26-350.73{\mu}g/kg$, SMZ: $17.72-44.94{\mu}g/kg$) were higher than those at agricultural field (TC: $134.16-320.73{\mu}g/kg$, SMZ: $6.48-8.85{\mu}g/kg$) whereas the concentrations of CTC, OTC, and SMX were below detection limit in both sites. Results showed that the antibiotics in animal carcass site might leach to the soil and possibly contaminating the groundwater. Future studies will focus on the transfer of antibiotics residues into food crops.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.603-614
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• 2022

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities in the Bangtaecheon Stream in Korea from April to October 2020. The survey collected 4,640 fish of 26 species in 9 families from 11 survey stations. The dominant and subdominant species were Rhynchocypris kumgangensis(relative abundance at 31.5%) and Zacco koreanus(27.8%), respectively. The next most abundant species were Ladislavia taczanowskii(15.9%), Pungtungia herzi(4.0%), Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis(3.7%), Microphysogobio longidorsalis(2.4%), and Zacco platypus(2.3%). Among the collected fish species, 17 (65.4%) were Korean endemic species, 4 (15.4%), including Acheilognathus signifer, Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, Gobiobotia brevibarba, and B. l. tsinlingensis,were class II endangered wildlife as designated by the Ministry of Environment, and 1 species, Hemibarbus mylodon, was a natural monument. Moreover, two landlocked species (B. l. tsinlingensisand C. koreanus) were also collected. Additionally, four cold-water species (R. kumgangensis, L. taczanowskii, B. l. tsinlingensis,and Cottus koreanus) were collected, and all of them mainly inhabited the upper and middle streams. Fish community analysis showed a tendency for dominance and uniformity to decrease and abundance and diversity to increase from upstream to downstream and that the community structure was divided into upstream and downstream groups. The river health was rated as excellent (9 stations) and good (2 stations). Compared to the previous studies, three species (Carassius auratus, Leiocassis ussuriensis,and Siniperca scherzeri) appeared in the past but did not appear in this survey, and three species (Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, Microphysogobio yaluensis,and Orthrias nudus) that did not appear in the past appeared in this survey. Bangtaecheon Steam is well-preserved, and climate-sensitive species, endangered wildlife, and natural monuments inhabit the stream. Therefore, continuous attention and systematic conservation measures are required.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.274-288
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• 2018

This study investigated the environmental factors and fish assemblage in 42 wetlands between spring and autumn of 2017 to evaluate the fish distribution and deduce the management strategy for improving biodiversity in created wetlands located at the Nakdong River basin. The investigation identified a total of 30 fish species and found that the most of wetlands were dominated by exotic fishes such as Micropterus salmoides and Lepomis macrochirus. Fish species such as Rhinogobius brunneus, Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, Zacco platypus were less abundant in the area with high density of Micropterus salmoides (static area) because they preferred the environment with active water flow. The pattern analysis of fish distribution in each wetland using the self-organizing map (SOM) showed a total of 24 variables (14 fish species and 10 environmental variables). The comparison of variables indicated that the distribution of fish species varied according to water depth and plant cover rate and was less affected by water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen. The plant cover rate was strongly associated with high fish density and species diversity. However, wetlands with low plant biomass had diversity and density of fish species. The results showed that the microhabitat structure, created by macrophytes, was an important factor in determining the diversity and abundance of fish communities because the different species compositions of macrophytes supported diverse fish species in these habitats. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that macrophytes are the key components of lentic freshwater ecosystem heterogeneity, and the inclusion of diverse plant species in wetland construction or restoration schemes will result in ecologically healthy food webs.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.743-743
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• 2012

최근 국내에서는 저탄소 녹색도시 조성의 일환으로 도시의 환경오염과 기후변화의 문제의 원인이 되고 있는 탄소 배출을 억제하고 고유가 시대에 에너지저감을 동시에 고려하는 저탄소 도시 조성을 통해 기후변화 시대에 대응을 추진하고 있다(국토해양부, 2009). 이러한 결과로 최근 도시내 물순환시스템(urban water circulating system or blue-network)의 구축이 요구되며 이는 자연의 생태 기능을 복원하고 오염부하를 저감하여 도시 환경의 건강성과 지속성 향상에 기여한다. 이러한 도시물순환시스템은 시민의 휴식 및 문화 공간, 도심열섬현상 완화, 재해방지, 생물서식공간(biotope) 제공 등의 기본적인 기능 이외에도 탄소배출 감소, 우수 저류공간 확보, 지하수위 유지, 비상용수 확보, 대기오염물질의 집진제거, 습지보전 및 생물종 다양성 확보 등의 주요 기능을 수행할 수 있기 때문에 구도심의 재개발 또는 신도시 개발 시 도시 어메니티(amenity) 증진에 널리 적용되고 있다(서울시정개발연구원 2003; 한국토지공사 2003). 남한산성을 포함하는 청량산 계곡수를 발원지로서, 공간적 범위는 장지천과 창곡천을 따라 약 3.5 km 서쪽으로 흘러 탄천에 이르기까지의 물길축(blue-network)를 기반으로 하며 총면적은 $6.8km^2$ 으로 서울, 성남, 하남의 3개 행정구역에 걸쳐있다. 내용적 범위는 현황조사(개발 컨셉, 하천분포현황, 인접지역 연계, 수질), 수량 및 수질 확보방안(물수지분석, 다중 수원 확보방안, 목표수질 설정, 부영양화 가능성 평가), 물순환시스템 구축(소하천 등과 연계 방안), 유지관리 방안의 순서로 진행하여 기본계획을 도출하였다. 현황조사 결과 본 사업대상지는 장지천, 창곡천, 학암천 등 3개 소하천이 서쪽의 탄천과 연결되어 있으며 동쪽은 산지로 청량산이 인접하기에, 주변 자연지형을 최대한 고려하여 물순환시스템을 계획하였다. 하천 유량은 기존 환경영향평가서, 하천 연계방안, 신도시 조성 관련기준 등을 종합적으로 고려하여 하류에서 각각 장지천 $10,087m^3/d$, 창곡천 $7,103m^3/d$, 복우천 $5,530m^3/d$ 의 유지용수량을 산정하였다. 도시 친수공간 확보와 어메니티 향상을 위해 지구내 수로(휴먼링)을 조성하여 장지천, 창곡천과 연계하였으며 주요 유지용수는 저탄소 녹색도시 건설에 부합하도록 우수을 활용한 함양지 및 계곡수로 조성 계획하였다. 또한, 인접한 장지천 및 창곡천 등 소하천은 지속적인 유량공급 및 양질의 수질을 확보하기 위해서 하상여과수를 검토 후 제안하였다.