• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.321-338
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• 2014

This study aims to identify spatial distribution of estuarine wetlands in Korea, and to assess temporal variation of the wetlands in the last few decades. Widely known in environmental and coastal management, watershed-based regions which composed with Han-river(western and eastern parts), Keum-river, Yeoungsan-river, Seomjin-river, Nakdong-river, and Jeju, are analyzed to evaluate temporal change of estuarine wetlands in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, through the land-cover map. Results show that estuarine wetlands dramatically decreased in Han-river(western part), Keum-river, Yeoungsan-river that estuarine circulation have been interrupted with man-made structures such as dyke and drainage. But, estuarine wetlands surrounded by forests and grasslands has been relatively less damaged. Habitat diversity providing healthy estuary ecosystem is lower in interrupted estuaries than circulated estuaries, which are composed of tidal-flat, open water, salt marsh, rocky coasts and sandy shoreline. This study indicates that spatial distribution and temporal variation of estuarine wetlands are different with estuary type and region, so estuary type with seven regions can be applied to provides a framework for estuary management strategies and to establish estuary restoration plans.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.42 no.3 s.120
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• pp.344-354
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• 2007

Estuarine wetlands for 33 watersheds in the Han River estuary were delineated on topographic maps from the 1910s, 1970s, and 2000s. Then, these data were used to address the issue of spatial distribution and temporal variation. Watershed characteristics such as drainage density, location, watershed size, slope, and elevation were identified for each watershed to determine the relationship between watershed characteristics and spatial distribution of estuarine wetlands. The analysis of estuarine wetlands indicated that wetlands in the estuary had declined gradually between the 1910s and the 1970s, although most wetlands were lost since the 1970s mainly caused by the large development projects related to urban expansion in metropolitan Seoul. The sediment composition and formation processes of the wetlands differed with watershed location; mud flats dominate in the lower part of the estuary, and relatively more sandy and emergent-plant wetlands occur near the main channel and tributaries of the Han River. Relatively more estuary wetlands occur in large watersheds, which have high slopes and low elevations. Estuarine wetlands have been lost dramatically in the densely populated watershed regions (i.e., Han River Seoul, Han River Goyang, West Han River), while relatively more wetlands have remained in undeveloped regions, including the Lower Imjin River and Lower Han River. In particular, anthropogenic disturbance has played an important role in the loss of wetland through the conversion of wetland into agricultural and developed land.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.21-31
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• 2007

Estuarine wetland, where freshwater meets saltwater, is a transitional ecosystem that is valuable ecologically for a variety of reasons, such as feeding and breeding sites for birds, fish, and wildlife. However, research on the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of estuarine wetlands in Korea is rare. As a fundamental basis for wetland conservation, this study quantified the wetlands in three major estuaries, and evaluated the temporal dynamics of the wetlands since the 1910s. In particular, this study classified the wetland types into mud flat, sand, and emergent-plant types, and estimated the change of each wetland type, using topographic maps produced in the 1910s, 1970s, and 2000s. The wetlands in both the Han and Youngsan River estuaries have declined since the 1910s, but the rate of wetland decline was relatively low before the 1970s, compared to that since the 1970s. The impact of human activities, such as the Youngsan Watershed Comprehensive Development Project and the construction of estuary barrages, has disrupted the estuary cycles and destroyed huge amounts of wetland in the Youngsan estuary. By contrast, estuarine wetlands have been preserved in the small Gahwa estuary, and provide a variety of habitats for plants and wildlife. A special management strategy for wetlands should be established as soon as possible.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.78-89
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• 2024

Estuarine provides unique environmental conditions in terms of salinity concentration and sediment change patterns as freshwater and seawater mix. These conditions allow it to possess biodiversity that cannot be found in other ecosystems. This study was conducted to investigate and analyze distribution characteristics and biota of vegetation in the Gonyangcheon Estuarine Wetland, a brackish area, to prepare basic data for the conservation and sustainable use of estuarine wetlands. The vegetation in the Gonyangcheon Estuarine Wetland was classified into 23 plant communities across a total of six physiognomic vegetation types, including lentic herbaceous vegetation, lotic herbaceous vegetation, salt marsh vegetation, segetal vegetation, and substitutional vegetation. In particular, the Zoysia sinica community was widely distributed in the lower reaches, showing typical characteristics of tidal wetland and increasing its conservation value. From a biodiversity perspective, a total of 1,067 species were identified (an increase of 53 species compared to 2012) and 15 species of endangered wildlife were identified. Gonyangcheon Estuarine Wetland is an open estuary with excellent ecological connectivity. Various topography and landscapes such as rice paddies, forests, and salt marshes were organically developed and distributed, playing a positive role in promoting biodiversity, including brackish water organisms. Therefore, systematic conservation of the Gonyangcheon Estuarine Wetland will contribute to protecting migration routes of organisms and promoting ecological stability by securing a wetland ecological axis connected to the coast.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.171-183
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• 2023

Estuarine wetlands, which form a distinctive brackish water zone, serve as important habitats for organisms that have adapted to and thrive in this environment. Nonetheless, excessive development and utilization result in artificial disruptions that alter the distinctive functions and attributes of estuarine wetlands. To collect the basic data for the conservation of estuarine wetlands with excellent ecosystems, we investigated the vegetation distribution characteristics and biota status of the Taehwagang River Estuarine Wetland. Data from vegetation surveys have shown that 25 plant communities of six physiognomic vegetation types, including willow vegetation, lotic and lentic herbaceous vegetation, floating/submerged vegetation. In the upper reaches, where topographical diversity was high, various types of wetland vegetation were distributed. In terms of biodiversity, a total of 696 species, including 7 endangered wildlife species, were identified. Due to good ecological connectivity, tidal rivers are formed, brackish water species including various functional groups are distributed around this section. The inhabitation of various water birds, such as diving and dabbler ducks, were confirmed according to the aquatic environment of each river section. The collection of ecological information of the Taehwagang River Estuarine Wetland can be used as a framework for establishing the basis for conservation and management of the estuarine ecosystem and support policy establishment.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.237-246
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• 2022

Owing to their high bioproductivity and unique physical environment, estuarine wetlands are gaining importance in national biodiversity management and habitat conservation. With regard to conservation and management of estuarine wetlands, this study analyzed the ecological characteristics of Gahwacheon Estuarine Wetland, an open estuary with various habitat types. Data from vegetation and biotic surveys have shown that 12 plant communities of five physiognomic vegetation types, including lentic herbaceous vegetation, halophytic herbaceous vegetation, and chasmophytic herbaceous vegetation. Due to the discharge of Namgang Dam and the effect of the tide, vegetation are distributed along the narrow waterside area. In terms of biodiversity, a total of 715 species, including 12 endangered wildlife species, were identified. Species diversity was relatively high in sections I and III where various riverbed structures and microhabitats were distributed. Due to the effect of the brackish water area following the inflow of seawater, endangered wildlife of various functional groups were also found to be distributed, indicating the high conservation value of that area. The collection of ecological information of the Gahwacheon Estuarine Wetland can be used as a framework for establishing the basis for conservation and management of the estuarine ecosystem and support policy establishment.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2018

This study was performed to analyze the dynamics and distributional condition of biological community and to support the basic information about the estuarine ecosystem management by using the intensively surveyed results by each taxon experts around Tamjin river. We analyzed the biological diversity, abundance, correlation among species, and ecological characteristics about 11 taxa groups including vegetation, fish, birds, mammals, etc. in the Tamjin river estuarine ecosystem. We classified vegetation types into 7 physiognomic types and 18 communities according to habitat conditions with the physical environments and salinity. In total, 1125 species including 9 species of endangered species were identified in research area. The species composition and distributional characteristics of each taxon were corresponded to the environmental characteristics of the estuarine ecosystem. Especially, the species diversity and distribution were clearly distinguished in the river according to the difference of the environmental factors such as flow rate, salinity, and soil. Despite the disturbance factors such as barrage and levees, the biodiversity and its distribution were evaluated to be high level under the current environmental conditions. However, loss or reduction of wildlife habitat due to reclamation, embankment, barrage installation and expansion of farmland has been identified as a major threat to the diversity and health of the local ecosystem. The results of this study can be used as a basic data to cope with various development pressure and damage crisis of the whole estuaries including Tamjin river.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.164.2-164
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• 2000

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.593-602
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• 2011

The estuarine area of the ecological environment had been seriously damaged by reckless developments during the past half century. The demand for management in estuarine area increased but the efficient management system did not exist. Therefore the aim of this study is to develop a GIS-based integrated DB management system by integrating the ecological environmental data of each division in estuarine area. To achieve this, the system used integrated DB. It is classified into a surveyed monitoring DB in 2010 at estuarine area of Yeongsan and GIS DB to express the spatial data. The integrated DB management system was developed using VisualBasic.NET languages and Arcobjects component for Map-based spatial analysis. Also, to improve the utilization of data, the composition of GUI(Graphical User Interface) through user needs analysis, the expression of monitoring DB, the priority of layer and the function for modular unit were defined. Ultimately the system was developed based on the defined items. GIS-based integrated DB management system can support to understand the ecological environment in estuarine area of Yeongsan river. Also it will provide the users with effective sharing and environmental management of the data. In the future study, comprehensive diagnosis for ecological environment in estuarine area and the reliable prediction need to be made by connecting modeling system.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.141-153
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• 2004

Wetland system is widely accepted as one of natural water purification systems around the world for nonpoint sources pollution control. Constructed wetlands have become a popular technology for treating contaminated surface and waste water. In this study, the field experiment to reduce nonpoint source pollution loadings from polluted stream waters using wetland system was performed from June 2002 to March 2004. Four wetlands were used and the size of each one was 0.8ha. Water of Dangjin stream flowing into Seokmun estuarine reservoir was pumped into wetlands. Inflow and hydraulic residence time of the system was 500 $m^3$/day∼1,500 $m^3$/day, 2∼5 days, respectively. After 2 year operation, plant-coverage of the wetlauds was about 70% from bare soil surface at initial stage . Average water quality of the influent was $BOD_5$ 4.17 mg/L, TSS 18.45 mg/L, T-N 4.32 mg/L, and T-P 0.30 mg/L. The average removal rate of $BOD_5$, TSS, T-N and T-P during the study period was 5.6%, 46.6%, 45.7%, and 54.8%, respectively. Organic ($BOD_5$) removal rate was low and the reason might be low influent concentration. Wetland removal rate of T-P was about 10% higher than T-N. Performance of the experimental system was compared with existing data base (NADB), and it was within the range of general system performance. Overall, the wetland system was found to be adequate for treating polluted water stream with stable removal efficiency even during the winter period. Most of the nonpoint source pollutions from watershed are transported by streams or ditches, and they could be controled by constructed wetland system before entering the lake or reservoir.