• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2024

Most wetlands worldwide have suffered from extensive human exploitation. Unfortunately they have been less explored compared to river and lake ecosystems despite their ecological importance and economic values. This is the same case in Korea. This study was aimed to estimate the assemblage attributes and distribution characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates for fifty wetlands distributed throughout subtropical Jeju Island in 2021. A total of 133 taxa were identified during survey periods belonging to 53 families, 19 orders, 5 classes and 3 phyla. Taxa richness ranged from 4 to 31 taxa per wetland with an average of 17.5 taxa. Taxa richness and abundance of predatory insect groups such as Odonata, Hemiptera and Coleoptera respectively accounted for 67.7% and 68.2% of the total. Among them Coleoptera were the most diverse and abundant. Taxa richness and abundance did not significantly differ from each wetland type classified in accordance with the National Wetland Classification System. There were three endangered species (Clithon retropictum, Lethocerus deyrolli and Cybister (Cybister) chinensis) and several restrictively distributed species only in Jeju Island. Cluster analysis based on the similarity in the benthic macroinvertebrate composition largely classified 50 wetlands into two major clusters: small wetlands located in lowland areas and medium-sized wetlands in middle mountainous regions. All cluster groups displayed significant differences in wetland area, long axis, percentage of fine particles and macrophyte composition ratio. Indicator Species Analysis selected 19 important indicators with the highest indicator value of Ceriagrion melanurum at 63%, followed by Noterus japonicus (59%) and Polypylis hemisphaerula (58%). Our results are expected to provide fundamental information on the biodiversity and habitat environments for benthic macroinvertebrates in wetland ecosystems, consequently helping to establish conservation and restoration plans for small wetlands relatively vulnerable to human disturbance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-43
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• 2016

This research was completed to provide fundamental data regarding the guidelines to installing and managing utility facilities & structures in wetland protected area to advance the functions and sustainable use of ecology services by preserving the ecology within wetland protected area. There were 5 on-site researching areas that were used as the main subject with these areas chosen and considered from 21 inland wetlands that have been designated and are being managed from the Ministry of Environment and by their designated dates as a wetland protected area. The utility facilities in these wetland areas were categorized by their types and a detailed on-site investigation was proceeded with investigation items chosen whereas these facilities are working by their roles from their location, size, used materials, types, information contents and etc., The results showed that regarding informational structures, several locations of information boards were distanced from the main exploring routes which did not consider the visitor's eye level which had their readability dropped and by sunlight, time lapse and water penetration, many information boards were damaged or corrupted so that it was hard to confirm the information noticed or understanding an image. Insufficient observation and educational structures were installed that considered the ecological characteristics of wild animals and their living conditions. Regarding convenience facilities, there were parking lots that were installed on the fore-land and to decrease non-point solution sources, some parking lots needed to be located in protected lowlands while some facilities' shape and colors did not harmonize with their natural surroundings, creating a sense of awareness, which will need some more consideration. As for safety facilities, they were very insufficient compared to other facilities. This means that additional safety structures are needed so that related personnel can be aware of where a visitor is located when an accident occurs. Protectional facilities strongly needed new structures and a management system to cut off entrances and do surveillance so that visitors do not go into areas outside of the managed areas and bring damages to restricted locations. Research labs needed to expand the use of automatic weather systems and water gauge equipments to build fundamental data regarding floodgates that are intimated to the forming of wetlands. Sensor cameras and other types of monitoring systems are needed to monitor the majority types of animals living in the wetlands as well.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 2016

A set of lab-scale polymer synthetic fiber packed column wetlands composing three columns (CW1, CW2 and CW3) with different hydraulic regimes, recirculation frequencies and pollutant loading rates, were operated in 2012. Synthetic fiber tested as an alternative wetland medium for soil mixture or gravel which has been widely used, has very high pore size and volume, so that clogging opportunity can be greatly avoided. The inflow to the wetland was artificial stormwater. All the wetlands achieved effective removal of TSS (94%~96%), TCOD (68%~73%), TN (35%~58%), TKN (62%~73%) and NH4-N (85%~ 99%). Particularly, it was observed that COD was released from the fiber during one distinct period in all wetlands. This was probably due to the degradation of polymer fiber, and the released organic matters were found to serve as carbon source for denitrification. In addition, with longer retention time and frequent recirculation, lower effluent concentration was observed. With higher pollutant loading rate, higher nitrification and denitrification rates were achieved. However, although organic matters were released from the fiber, the lack of carbon source was still the limiting factor for the system since the release persisted only for 40 days.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.106-112
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• 2020

Wetlands play an important function and role in hydrological, environmental, and ecological, aspects of the watershed. Water level in wetlands is essential for various analysis such as for the determination of wetland function and its effects on the environment. Since several wetlands are ungauged, research on wetland water level prediction are uncommon. Therefore, this study developed a water level prediction model using multiple regression analysis, principal component regression analysis, artificial neural network, and DNN to predict wetland water level. Geumjeong-Mountain Wetland located in Yangsan-city, Gyeongsangnam-do province was selected as the target area, and the water level measurement data from April 2017 to July 2018 was used as the dependent variable. On the other hand, hydrological and meteorological data were used as independent variables in the study. As a result of evaluating the predictive power, the water level prediction model using DNN was selected as the final model as it showed an RMSE value of 6.359 and an NRMSE value of 18.91%. This research study is believed to be useful especially as a basic data for the development of wetland maintenance and management techniques using the water level of the existing unmeasured points.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Many irrigated and drainage canals, reservoirs, lakes, and rivers are choked by the explosive growth of aquatic weeds, resulting in enormous direct loss in Korea. Distribution of aquatic weeds and exotic invasive plant species in irrigation and drainage waterways, and riparian wetlands was reviewed to provide basic information for management of aquatic weeds and invasive plant species in wetlands. Dominant emergent weeds in canals, reservoirs and lakes were Phragmites communis, Leersia japonica, Zizania latifolia, Conyza canadensis, C. annuus, Rumex crispus, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Bidens frondosa, and Oenothera odorata. Dominant emergent weeds in wetlands of rivers include Digitaria sanguinalis, P. communis, R. crispus, Artemisia princeps, Humulus japonicus, Echinochloa crusgalli, B. frondosa, and Persicaria thunbergii. In irrigation and drainage canals and lakes, dominant submersed weeds were Hydrilla verticillata, Najas minor, Potamogeton malaianus, P. crispus, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum verticillatum, Salvinia natans, and Trapa natans. Dominant exotic weeds in wetlands include Trifolium repens, O. odorata, C. annuus, B. frondosa, Avena fatua, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, X. strumarium, and P. dichotomiflorum. Approaches to aquatic weed control were mechanical, chemical and biological control techniques. Periodic monitoring of aquatic weeds and exotic weeds, and their integrated management studies are needed in waterways and riparian wetlands in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.43-61
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• 2017

The wetlands are facing environmental changes such as desiccation that occurs with the passage of time and reduced ecosystem services from wetlands in the city. In order to maintain the ecosystem services provided by wetlands in urban areas, a system thinking about the trade-off phenomenon of ecosystem services occurring as the wetlands undergo environmental changes is needed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop strategies for wetland design using system thinking approach to enhance the resilience of ecosystem services degraded by the desiccation of wetlands and other disturbances. The objectives of this study include the system boundary and variables. Second, analyzing the dynamics of wetland design strategy. Third, it analyzes the trade-off phenomenon of ecosystem services in terms of the hydrology, hydric soil, and plants strategies to mitigate these effects. Fourth, wetland basic design to improve the resilience of ecosystem services. A wetland in Abuk-Mountain Neighborhood Park, Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, has been selected as a case study. Causal loop diagrams(CLDs) are used to analyze feedback in the wetland regime. In summary, hydrology, hydric soil, and plants is suggested as system boundaries to design plan. Design strategies for the wetland focused on robustness, redundancy, rapidity, and resourcefulness as a result of CLD analysis are first proposed in order to effectively maintain the wetland regime over the long term. Secondly, in a section related to hydrology, the CLD results show the trade-offs between provisioning-cultural services and regulating services. In order to control these services, a "water cycling system" has been implemented due to its strength in terms of robustness. The CLDs for hydric soil showed the trade-offs between regulating services and supporting services. An "installation of storm drainage for maintaining water levels" was selected due to the strength offered in terms of redundancy and rapidity. The CLDs for plants showed the trade-offs between provisioning - cultural services and regulating services. In order to control the strategic points, the "planting of indigenous vegetation" was suggested given the strength in terms of redundancy. In this study, a wetland design method is proposed that can improve the resilience of wetland ecosystem services by analyzing the dynamics overtime. The results of this research can theoretically be applied to help restore ecosystem services in wetlands using ecological landscape design. In addition, this study will contribute to reducing maintenance costs by improving wetland resilience.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2009

Wetland plants are an important component for wetland design and construction because they determine functions of wetlands through interactions with the abiotic environment such as wetland soil and hydrology as well as with other wetland organisms. In this study, germination experiments with soils from a natural wetland that contain seeds of wetland plants were conducted in wetland mesocosms to investigate the applicability of natural wetland soils for introducing and establishing wetland plants into constructed wetlands. Seven species were germinated in the experiment, with two new species that were not found in the field survey of wetland plants in the West Nakdong River area, Korea. The number of plant individuals germinated in submerged conditions (15 individuals) was much greater than that in waterlogged conditions (2 individuals). In experiments in which soils from a natural wetland and a wetland construction site were mixed at different ratios, the largest number of plant individuals was observed in the condition with 100% natural wetland soil. The highest growth was observed at 50% natural wetland soil for Hydrilla verticillata and 100% for Ceratophyllum demersum. These results suggest that 1:1 mixture of soils from natural wetland wetlands and wetland construction sites would provide an appropriate condition for secure establishment of submerged plants in constructed wetlands.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2018

Nutrients generated from various land uses lead to eutrophication during the influx of water, and it is necessary to apply the LID techniques to reduce nutrients from nonpoint sources in order to mitigate the occurrence of the algal bloom. This study was carried out to derive the design factors of hybrid artificial wetland (HCW) to increase the removal efficiency of nutrients. HCW system was constructed in the year 2010 for the treatment of rainfall runoffs from parking lots and roads composed of 100% impervious floors in the Cheonan campus of Kongju University. The average nutrients removal efficiency of TN and TP was 74% and 72%, respectively. Both TN and TP removal efficiencies were higher than those of free surface wetlands and subsurface flow wetlands due to activated physical and ecological mechanisms. The critical design parameters for the efficient nutrients removal in the artificial wetlands were the ratio of the surface area to the catchment area (SA/CA), land use, the rainfall runoff, and the rainfall intensity. The optimal carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio was estimated at 5: 1 to 10.3: 1. The results of this study can be applied to the efficient design of hybrid artificial wetlands to treat nutrients in urban runoff with high efficiency.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.189-200
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• 2021

To improve the water quality of agricultural reservoirs, constructed wetlands are applied in many places. These are technologies that establish ecosystems and important design factors include water depth distribution, inflow and outflow, water flow distribution, hydraulic residence time, water quality treatment efficiency, aspect ratio, and the distribution of open water and covered water surfaces. For high efficiency during the operation of a constructed wetland, the design needs to be optimized and this requires consideration of the different types and length of the intake dam as well as the type and connection of wetland cells. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate and suggest factors that needs to be considered during the design and for efficient operation measures through field surveys of 23 constructed wetlands that have been established and operated in agricultural reservoirs. Results of the field investigation shows that several sites were being operated improperly due to the malfunctioning or failure of the water level sensors, sedimentation in the intake dam, and clogging of the mechanical sluice frames. In addition, it was found that as the length of the inlet channel increases, the ecological disconnection between the intake dam upstream and the wetland outlet downstream also increases and was identified as a problem. Most of the wetlands are composed of 2 to 5 cells which can result to poor hydraulic efficiency and difficulty in management if they are too large. Moreover, it was found that the flow through a small wetland can be inadequate when there are too many cells due to excessive amounts of headloss.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.132-144
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• 2023

The use of constructed wetlands (CWs) to sequester carbon has been a topic of interest in recent studies. However, CWs have been found to be both carbon sinks and carbon sources, thus leaving uncertainties about their role in carbon neutrality initiatives. To address the uncertainties, a bibliometric and comprehensive review on carbon sequestration in CWs was conducted. Upon forming various scripts using CorText Manager, it was found that a majority of the studies focused on the effectiveness of CWs to remove nutrients, particularly nitrogen. The results of the comprehensive review revealed that high carbon concentrations and carbon sequestration rates in CW soils are dependent on the vegetation types used, the ages of the CWs, and the organic content of inflow water entering the CWs. The Typha genus was the most dominant plant genus used in the CWs from the reviewed studies and was associated with the highest carbon sequestration rates documented in this review study. Furthermore, the relatively high ability of tree species, in comparison to emergent plants, to sequester carbon was observed. Therefore, incorporating tree species into CW designs and adding them to emergent plants is seen as a potential breakthrough approach to improve the ability of CWs to sequester carbon and ultimately contribute to mitigating climate change.