• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.130-141
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• 2021

By reviewing previous literature, we analyzed the food sources of 20 out of 29 endangered fish species from freshwater ecosystems in South Korea. A total of 19 studies reported that food sources of 20 endangered fish species included 20 phyla, 31 classes, 58 orders, 116 families, and 154 genera. Arthropod, insecta, diptera, and chironomidae were the most fed animal food sources according to different resolution of taxa index on phylum, class, order and family. Similarity, bacillariophyta, bacillariophyceae, naviculales, and cymbellaceae were the most fed abundant plant sources. A larger number of fish species were reliant on animal food sources than plant food sources. 18 of the endangered fish preyed on arthropods, whereas only 6 species consumed bacillariophyta. To characterize the feeding groups of the 20 fish species, a hierarchical clustering analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis were conducted. The fish species were divided into two groups: 1) insectivores and 2) planktivores. A network analysis, which associated the link between endangered fishes and food sources, also revealed the same two groups. The highest hub score of food sources was for macroinvertebrates, including diptera (0.47), ephemeroptera (0.42), and trichoptera (0.38), based on the network analysis. Niche breadth was used to calculate the diversity of the food sources. Phoxinus phoxinus (0.57) showed thehighest food source diversity among the fish species, whereas Iksookimia pacifica (0.01) showed the lowest. This study will be utilized for the conservation and restoration of the endangered fish species.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.638-645
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• 2019

This research was an evaluation of the fish fauna and the habitat for Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis (B. lenok tsinlingensis) for 11 stations at the Bonghwa-gun sanctuary. The predominant species in this research area was Zacco koreanus. B. lenok tsinlingensis, which has been designated as an endangered freshwater fish in Korea, was found in the Bonghwa sanctuary zone, except at stations 5 and 6. The B. lenok individuals were shorter in length than 400 mm. In total, 13 endemic species were found, including Coreoleuciscus splendidus and Iksookimia longicorpus. Specimens of Koreocobitis naktongensis, a first grade endangered species, were also collected. The benthic macroinvertebrates consisted of four divisions, four classes, seven orders, 30 families, 60 species, and 10,344 individuals and were distributed among the orders Ephemeroptera (55.9%), Diptera (18.2%), Trichoptera (12.4%), Plecoptera (2.1%), and Odonata (0.3%).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.93-108
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• 2014

The inventory list of wildlife species inhabiting or distributing in Gyeonggi Province was made by compiling species data from precedent surveys, 10 national level nature surveys, 1 survey that Gyeonggi-do conducted, and 46 local surveys presented in scientific journals. Total 2,913 wildlife species including 2,041 vascular plants, 39 mammals, 304 birds, 34 herptiles, 145 fish, and 350 benthic macro-invertebrates were listed in the inventory. It explains 47% of nationwide total species in vascular plants, 31.5% in mammals, 58.2% in birds, 65.4% in herptiles, 12.2% in fish. The total number of important species including endangered species, national monuments, national red lists, etc. was 628 species, accounting for 21.6% of all listed species in Gyeonggi Province. More than 90% of endangered bird species, almost half of endangered fish and herptile species were found in Gyeonggi Province. In particular, abundant bird diversity and inhabitation of many endangered bird species were identified in Gyeonggi Province. Species diversity was greater in the northern area adjacent to the Demilitarized Zone and the eastern forest area. The distribution of the important species such as national endangered species was more distinct in these areas, especially in Gapyeong and Yeoncheon Counties. The inventory list compiled in this study implicates the level of management for biological resources and can provide information for policy decisions regarding new survey sites, protection management of specific species and areas, management practices by spatial characteristics. It should be more compiled and updated with survey data to be utilized as basic indices for local biodiversity strategies and management of biological resources.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.192-204
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• 2013

Fish community structure and inhabit status of endangered fish species were investigated during April to November 2011 in Baebong Stream, Gangwon do, Korea. The number of fish species inhabiting the upper section (Stations 1~3, 5) was 14 and the stream bottoms were mostly composed of cobbles and boulders (Aa-type). Meanwhile, the number of fish species inhabiting the lower section (Stations 4, 6, 7) was 26 and the stream bottoms were mostly composed of pebbles, cobles and sand (Bb-type). A total of 26 species belonging to ten families were found in the stream during the survey period. The dominant and subdominant species were Rhynchocypris steindachneri (31.1%) and Squalidus multimaculatus (13.3%), respectively, and others such as Pungitius kaibarae (11.0%), Zacco koreanus (7.8%), Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (7.0%), Iksookimia pacifica (5.5%) and Z. platypus (5.3%) were followed in the order. Four species of Squalidus multimaculatus, Z. koreanus, I. pacifica and Liobagrus andersoni were endemic to Korea. And, Lethenteron japonica, L. reissneri, Pungitius sinensis and Cottus hangiongensis were endangered fish species in this stream. Oncorhynchus keta, L. japonica and Tribolodon hakonensis were anadromous species, and Plecoglossus altivelis was an amphidromous species. The similarity index based on species composition and abundance clearly divided the fish community structure of the Baebong Stream into two sections fragmented by a weir installed into the stream. It is necessary to install a fish ways on the weirs for a fish migration and movements.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2020

In this study, to discuss on the applicability of eDNA as a new method to investigate fish diversity at streams, we applied eDNA at 4 streams (Geum River, Ji Stream, Hwangji Stream, Seomjin River), where endangered species are inhabits, with conventional survey (cast net and kick net). The average (±standard deviation) number of species investigated by eDNA were 19 species (±4.4), and it was relatively higher than average of conventional survey, 10 species (±4.8). Most of case, in this study, eDNA was more efficient than conventional survey. However, there were errors on species identification of Korean endemic species and aliied species from eDNA, and it seems the universal primer (MiFish primer set) is not suitable for them. Furthermore, some of endangered species, caught by conventional method, was not detected by eDNA. As the present universal primer is not suitable for identify the every freshwater fish species in Korea, the complementing or development of universal primer is needed, and the eDNA application after species specific marker development for detecting specific species like endangered species should be considered. In conclusion, if the manual for field survey method by eDNA is developed, we expect applicability enlargement for water ecosystem survey.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.229-241
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• 2023

Microphysogobio rapidus is designated as endangered species class I by Ministry of Environment, and its distribution and population have been gradually declining, and it is now limited to the Nam River and some tributary streams of the Nakdong River Watershed. For the restoration of this highly endangered species, it is important to identify the causes of the decline and establish appropriate restoration plans. However, due to lack of basic data and ecological research, most steps are stagnant. Therefore, in this study, we identified the differences in the physical, biological, and sociological habitats between current and past distributed sites through field surveys and literature reviews. As a result of the field survey, there were differences in conductivity between the current and past distributed sites, and fish communities were also showed differences. The literature data also showed that the physico-chemical values of the past distributed sites were generally unfavorable, which generated negative consequences on biological factors. In particular, the effects of urbanization were found to be a major factor affecting the habitat of M. rapidus. Habitat stabilization is crucial for the recovery of this endangered species. However, in the past distributed sites, disturbances such as stream development and weir construction have altered streams physico-chemically and result in changes of M. rapidus. Therefore, a comprehensive plan that considers both stream connectivity and water quality is needed to manage and restore the habitat of M. rapidus.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.406-413
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• 2023

Captive breeding and reintroduction are crucial strategies for conserving endangered species populations. However, fish raised in predator-free environments, show a lack of recognition of predationrelated stimuli such as chemical and visual signals. It is critical to recognize chemical signals from injured conspecifics, also known as alarm signals, and the order or shape of predators to indicate the spread of predation risk in the habitat. We conducted a laboratory experiment to determine and adjust the optimal exposure period to induce appropriate anti-predator behavior response to different types of stimuli (Chemical, Visual and Chemical+Visual) for the endangered species Microphysogobio rapidus. Our results demonstrate that predator avoidance behavior varies depending on the types of stimuli and the duration of predation risk exposure. First, the results showed captive-breed M. rapidus show lack of response against conspecific alarm signal (Chemical cue) before the predation risk exposure period and tend to increase response over predation risk exposure time. Second, response to predator (visual cue) tend to peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, but show dramatic decrease after 72 hours cumulative exposure. Finally, response to the mixed cue (Chemical+visual) tend to peak prior to the predation risk exposure period and show reduced response during subsequent exposure periods. This experiment confirms the lack of responsiveness to conspecific alarm signals in captive-bred M. rapidus and the need for an optimal nature behavior enhancement program prior to release of endangered species. Furthermore, responsiveness to predator visual signal peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, suggest an optimal predation risk exposure period of up to 48 hours.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.375-383
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• 2023

To determine the cause of the population decline in Gobiobotia naktongensis, substrate preference and burying behaviour were investigated in this study. In general, the species was shown to prefer a substrate size of 1 mm or less, depending on the flow. In addition, the burying depth varied according to the size of the fish and increased with a decrease in water temperature. Our findings showed that the main cause of the population reduction was the physical changes in the substrate structure due to the dams or barrages construction. Notably, the accumulation of silt and mud in the substrate upon the formation of an upstream lentic water region for structural construction and bed armouring caused by scouring and reduced downstream inflow of fine sediment were deterministic in the fish habitat changes, causing problems in burying. As sand substrate structure is critical for the survival and inhabitation of psammophilous species, efficient strategies should be developed with proper habitat management to reduce the anthropogenic damage

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.144-154
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• 2011

The fish community structure and inhabiting status of the endangered species Gobiobotia macrocephala and G. brevibarba were investigated at 10 stations in the Seom River, Korea from spring to autumn in 2010. During the survey, 37 species belonging to 10 families were found as inhabitants. A dominant species was Zacco platypus (36.2%), subdominant species were G. macrocephala (13.2%) and G. brevibarba (12.2%), and predominant species were Coreoleuciscus splendidus (8.1%) and Rhinogobius brunneus (4.9%). In addition, 18 species were endemic species to Korea; G. brevibarba and G. macrocephala were endangered species. The similarity index based on species composition and numbers clearly separated fish communities in the Seom River according to main sections, i.e., upper section (St. 1~3), middle section (St. 4~6) and lower section (St. 7~10). Dominance index gradually decreased toward the lower section, while diversity and species richness index gradually increased toward the downstream section. G. macrocephala resided in a fast-running downstream riffle with pebble and cobble substratum, while G. brevibarba inhabited the entire riffle with cobble substratum.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.151-160
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• 2009

In order to use fundamental data for conservation of species diversity and stream health with dam development, fish investigation in up- and downstream of Pyeonglim Dam was seasonally conducted in 2007~2008. In addition, data of water qualities, investigated for environmental impact assessment, were used to determine a water quality standard level in Pyeonglim Stream, and it revealed that water environment condition was good in the stream. During the study period, a total number of fish caught from the 4 study sites was 5,449 representing 9 families 25 species, and there were 8 Korean endemic species (32.0%) including Rhodeus uyekii, Squalidus gracilis majimae, and Microphysogobio yaluensis. Two species of Zacco temminckii (37.5%) and Zacco platypus (26.3%) were dominant and subdominant in all sites. There were few individuals of the $2^{nd}$-class endangered species (Sand lamprey, Lampetra reissneri) and the introduced species (Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus), found in the upstream of the dam. and further investigation for conservation of the endangered species and for prevention of the introduced species is needed in future. With fish fauna and multi-metric health assessment model in each sampling attempt, index of biotic integrity(IBI) was evaluated and it resulted mostly in good(26~35) and excellent(36~40) condition in all sites. The results indicate that it is very important to study not only environmental impact assessment with fish composition but also stream health assessment in order to conserve healthy aquatic ecosystem.