• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2022

It was confirmed that the fish diversity decreased with increasing index of weir's density (IWD) in the four river systems. The IWD showed difference with watershed, it was high in the Nakdong River (NDR). Both two river systems of Gum River (GUR) and Yeongsan River (YSR) were similar, whereas relatively lower density observed in the Han River (HNR) system. A result of 2-Dimensional Kolmogorov-Smirnov (2-DKS) as a nonparametic test showed different threshold values affecting fish diversity with the river systems. The p-values based on D_max, were significantly different at 0.05 level (except for YSR). The threshold values affecting fish diversity were also different with watershed. The values were 1.6/km of the HNR, 1.3/km of the NDR, and 2.3/km of the GUR, respectively. The fish diversity was decreased when IWD is over threshold values. The IWD of total 404 rivers (about 33%) among 1,217 surveyed in this study showed above threshold value. These rivers should be considered first for evaluating river continuity. The IWD and threshold value suggested in this study would be useful for selecting a stream priority for river connectivity study.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2022

The relationships between river length and weir density versus fish species observed were analyzed for 210 local rivers in the Seomjin River system (SJR). A nonlinear exponential relationship between river length and number of fish species were observed. Model coefficient was 0.03 and coefficient of determinant (R²) was 0.59, meaning that about 59.0% of total variance was explained by river length variable. Predicted value by model and observed number of species showed a difference. About 110 local rivers (about 52.4%) showed lower value than predictive value. The average index of weir's density (IWD) in the SJR was about 2.7/km, which was significantly higher than that of other river basins. As a result of nonparametric 2-Kimensional Kolmogorov-Smirnov (2-DKS) analysis based on the IWD, the threshold value affecting fish diversity was about 2.5/km (D_max=0.048, p<0.05). Above the threshold value, it means that the number of fish species would be decreased. In fact, the ratio of the expected species to the observed species was lowered to less than 70%, when the IWD is higher than the threshold value. To maintain aquatic ecological connectivity in future, it is necessary to manage IWD below the threshold value.