• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.457-466
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• 2017

The extensive construction works of container terminals progressed since 2006 was converted to small scaled construction works or reclaiming works since 2012 in Busan New Port area. To investigate changes in activity of otters with the change of construction work scales, the linear densities of spraints at 15 localities of 5 areas (I-V) near the Busan New Port construction areas were surveyed during the period from 2012 to 2016. As the results, the average linear density of spraints has a tendency to increase since 2014. That is, the linear densities of spraints have increased at the area II and IV where the reclaiming works have been progressed, although have decreased or unchanged in the areas I, III and V where small scaled construction works have been progressed. Based on the fact that there were habitats at the Honamdo in the area II and the Yeondo in the area IV, otters seemed to restore their activities around the habitats as the center regardless of the reclaiming works.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.654-667
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• 2012

To know the effect of construction works at the Busan New Port on the activity of otters, changes in the distribution of spraints were investigated at 5 areas(I-V) composed of 16 locations in 12 islands from 2003 to 2011. There were significant differences among the density of spraints at each area(P=0.0502), at each year(P=0.0040) and at each area during the study period(P=0.0005). The densities of spraints in the areas II (P=0.000) and IV (P=0.012) were significantly different according to whether the construction work was carried out or not at each area. It was found that the density of spraints in each area was affected by the disturbance with construction works or other factors inside and/or outside the area. The average density of spraints of the 5 areas had changed according to the process of the construction works as follows. In 2003-2005 when the construction work was proceeded mainly at the area IV, the average density of spraints of the 5 areas as well as the density in the area II increased annually, whereas the densities in the other 4 areas were low and relatively constant. This fact suggests that otters might have moved into the area II from outside the study area. In 2006-2009 when the construction works were carried out on a larger scale at the areas I, II and III, there was a little decrease in the average density of spraints during the latter two years, suggesting a little decrease in the activity of otters in the study area. As regards the density of spraints at each area, it decreased considerably in the area II, but increased fairly in the areas III and IV. Accordingly it was indicated that otters in the area II where the construction work was carried out since 2006 might have moved into the area IV with no work, and otters inhabiting the Jeodo, Geoje city, where the construction work was carried out at that time, might have moved into the area III with no work at the sea shore. In 2010-2011 when the construction works were conducted at all the areas on a fairly large scale, the average density of spraints of the 5 areas as well as the densities in the areas II, III and IV, decreased considerably compared to the those in the year 2009. This fact clearly indicates that the number of otters decreased owing to the multiple simultaneous works in this period. In conclusion, otters must be affected by the construction works at the study area, and their numbers might be decreased mainly due to the multiple simultaneous works, as well as by the long-term works resulting in the decrease of seashore, marine pollution, and reducing prey available.