• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.19-22
• /
• 2010

Migratory birds, by crossing significant ecological barriers, carry and may subsequently introduce exotic seeds into new ecological zones during period of migration. The study of epizoochory, which includes seed dispersal by adhesion to bird feathers, has been relatively neglected compared to the study of seed dispersal by frugivores. To determine whether exotic seeds are being imported to stopover islands by migrating birds, and to estimate the quantity of seeds of exotic species being introduced, we examined migratory birds that were captured in mist nets for attached exotic plant diaspores in 2008 and 2009 on Hongdo Island, Korea. From a total of 3,947 birds examined, we found exotic seeds of Japanese Chaff Flowers (Achyranthes japonica) attached to three species of migratory birds (0.08%; Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris, Swinhoe's Rail Coturnicops exquisitus and Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis). Despite the low occurrence of A. japonica seeds on the external parts of birds, the results suggest that migratory birds may be potential dispersing agents for A. japonica, a species that is currently threatening native ecosystems on many islands in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.111-122
• /
• 2009

The impact of Korea's joining the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals(CMS) was analyzed to examine its merits and faults as well as to discuss Korea's opportunities. Results of the analysis based on the agenda and decisions of the Conferences of the Parties, the parties performance, and other committees meetings over the last decades indicated that the affiliation of Korea into the CMS could provide various advantages and opportunities for Korea. First, Korea could upgrade its conservation activities regarding migratory species to the global aspects. Second, Korea could take initiatives for conservation of the migratory species in the Far East Asia. Third, Korea would have a better system in forecasting and problem-solving against the epidermic Avian Influenza through systematic cooperation with the CMS parties and other related international regimes. Finally, Korea will be in a better position to generate statistical data and to develop techniques to reduce the by-catches of the sharks and whales. Korea has already provided a fair and protective institutions for most of the migratory endangered species listed under Appendix I and II of the CMS. This implies that Korea may not require additional major changes to the basic acts and/or legislation. Joining the CMS may negatively impact on the fisheries and related businesses related to whales and sharks around the Ulsan and Pohang provinces. However, the obligation to protect whales and sharks demanded by the CMS is regarded as an acceptable article in Korea according to the analysis of the existing policies and scientific aspects. Nevertheless, if the joining the CMS should generate irreversible hardship for local people's livelihood and cultural aspects, Korea may ask for reservations on particular activities. Overall, we suggest that by joining the CMS, Korea could see various advantages and promotion in national policy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.60 no.1
• /
• pp.57-63
• /
• 2022

When free-ranging birds are accidentally killed or die, there may be greater potential for their associated ticks to detach, seek alternate hosts, and become established. We examined 711 carcasses of 95 avian species for ticks at a stopover island of migratory birds in the Republic of Korea where only Ixodes nipponensis and I. persulcatus were previously reported from local mammals and vegetation. A total of 16 ticks, I. turdus and Haemaphysalis flava, were collected from 8 fresh carcasses belonging to 5 avian species. Despite their known abundance on migratory birds and mainland Korea, these species had not colonized the isolated insular ecosystem possibly due to the low abundance and diversity of local hosts. The results imply that increasing human impact, such as the anthropogenic mortality of migratory birds and the introduction of non-native mammalian hosts, will increase the potential invasion and colonization risk of ticks. This finding also suggests that tick surveillance consisting of fresh carcasses of dead migratory birds may provide additional information, often ignored in surveillance of ticks on live birds, for the potential introduction of non-native ticks and associated pathogens affecting animal and human health.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 2018

The Benangkimi wetland, which serves as a stopover place for migratory birds in the Dadohae Marine National Park in Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, is a place where various species and a large number of migratory birds are observed. In order to provide an effective and scientific management plan for the habitat environment of migratory birds, we carried out field survey of Benangkimi wetland. The field survey and survey on habitat use of migratory birds were conducted in parallel to obtain the basic data of hydraulics and hydrology. The hydraulic and hydrological survey of Benangkimi wetland was conducted 1-2 times a year during the period of 2015-2016 (two years). It was classified into 4 sectors according to the topography and geology, rainfall, hydraulic characteristics, and wetland conditions. The 3 sectors same as the migratory birds survey sector and the 1 sector as the inflow of the wetland were analyzed. The survey also focused on small migratory birds arriving at Benangkimi wetland during the spring and autumn season. As a result of investigating the population and species in each section, the habitat environment was different according to the water depth, sediment thickness and salinity. Migratory birds prefer hydraulic and hydrological characteristics. This study will be used for the scientific management of Benangkimi wetland, which serves as a stopping point for migratory birds, and it will contribute to basic data of ecology - hydraulics by examining the relationship between habitat environment and hydrological data.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.149-153
• /
• 2017

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of avian pox on wild bird population by investigating the avian pox infection in migratory birds of a stopover site. 3,565 birds in 116 species were examined for avian pox in migratory birds at the Heuksando island in South Korea during the spring and fall of 2011. 20 birds in 12 species were found pox-like lesions and 5 birds were diagnosed by avian pox using PCR: Pale Thrush (Turdus pallidus), Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola), Yellow-throated Bunting (Emberiza elegans), Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica), Black-faced Bunting (Emberiza spodocephala). To our knowledge, this is the first report of avian pox detected in these 5 species of the world.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.273-281
• /
• 2019

The infection status of digenetic trematode metacercariae (DTM) was investigated in fishes from 2 representative visiting sites of migratory birds in Gyeongsangnam-do, the Republic of Korea (Korea). A totaly 220 freshwater fishes (7 species) were collected from Junam-jeosuji (reservoir), and 127 fishes (7 species) were also collected from Woopo-neup (swamp) in June and October 2017. As the control group, total 312 fish (22 spp.) from Yangcheon in Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do were also collected in June and October 2017. All fishes collected in 3 sites were examined with the artificial digestion method. In the fishes from Junam-jeosuji, more than 4 species, i.e., Clonorchis sinensis, Echinostoma spp., Diplostomum spp. and Cyathocotyle orientalis, of DTM were detected and their endemicy was very low, 0.70. More than 6 species, i.e., C. sinensis, Echinostoma spp., Metorchis orientalis, Clinostomum complanatum, Diplostomum spp. and C. orientalis, of DTM were found in the fishes from Woopo-neup, and their endemicy was low, 5.16. In the fishes from Yangcheon, more than 8 species, i.e., C. sinensis, Metagonimus spp., Centrocestus armatus, C. complanatum, C. orientalis, M. orientalis, Echinostoma spp., and Diplostomum spp., of DTM were detected, and their endemicity was relatively high, 95.48. The percentages of avian trematode metacercariae (ATM) were 99.6% and 94.7% in fishes from Junam-jeosuji and Woopo-neup whereas it was 74.1% in the control site, Yangcheon. The above findings suggested that migratory birds partly affect in endemicity of DTM in the fish in the 2 visiting sites in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2005

Understanding of routes of migratory birds are important subject for conservation of avifauna. Korea Demilitarized zone (DMZ) is considered as one of the most important stopover for migratory birds that pass in the Korean peninsula. This region has been known internationally as an excellent nature preservation areas since 1953. Rare and endangered animal species such as leopards (Pathera pardus) and Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris) have increased in population. Furthermore this areas provide home for endangered migratory birds including white-naped (Grus vipio) and red-crowned cranes (G. japonensis). Recent satellite-tracked crane species has shown the importance and linkages between a small number of habitat sites in DMZ. White-naped cranes were satellite tracked 9 individuals spent 27-78% of their time in Panmunjum and 10-75% in Cheolwon. This signifies the rich feeding sites with relatively little disturbance thus making the DMZ extremely valuable as a stopover.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.273-276
• /
• 2012

Migratory birds have been suspected as playing a central role in transmission of various trematodes, but few surveys have been undertaken in the Republic of Korea. In the present study, we describe new fauna of microphallid flukes in Korea. Two species of microphallids were found in the intestines of 2 migratory bird species, namely the red necked stints (Calidris ruficollis) and the terek sandpiper (Xenus cinereus), in a coastal area of Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do. The microphallids recovered from the latter were 451 ${\mu}m$ in length and 217 ${\mu}m$ in width, and the eggs were very small, 13 ${\mu}m$ by 8 ${\mu}m$. They had the characteristic extracecal vitellaria intruding into the median posttesticular area, belonging to Endocotyle incana. Another microphallids were discovered from both migratory birds, 417 ${\mu}m$ in length and 249 ${\mu}m$ in width. The cirrus was projecting into the genital atrium in form of male papilla, and bounded by a muscular flap, termed pseudogonotyl. They were identified as Spelotrema pseudogonotyla in consideration of the distinctive male papilla and pseudogonotyl. Besides these flukes, Maritrema obstipum and Gynaecotyla squatarolae also were recovered. This paper is in fact the first report on the presence of Spelotrema and Endocotyle in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.621-630
• /
• 2015

This study investigated the concentration of total mercury in 17 species of commonly consumed fishes and assessed the risk to human health from provisional tolerable weekly intakes PTWI% as affected by migratory characterization, such as migration and vagility. The measured mean concentrations of total mercury in these 17 species of commonly consumed fishes suggest that mean concentrations of total mercury in 10 species of migratory fishes (largehead hairtail, chub mackerel, Pacific saury, skipjack tuna, Pacific cod, anchovy, Alaska pollack, brown croaker, Japanese Spanish mackerel, yellow croaker and Pacific herring) were low compared to those in 7 species of demersal fishes (red stingray, brown sole, bastard halibut, conger eel, blackmouth angler, rockfish and filefish). Based on the mean concentrations, the PTWI% of total mercury among commonly consumed migratory fishes was 3.393%, which was higher than that of commonly consumed demersal fishes (2.710%).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.541-555
• /
• 2016

This study determined the concentrations of lead and cadmium in 18 species of commonly consumed fish and assessed the risk based on provisional tolerable weekly (monthly) intakes [PTW(M)I] % as affected by behavioral characteristics, such as migration and settlement. In the 18 species, the mean concentrations of lead and cadmium were higher in the 11 species of migratory fish (llargehead hairtail Trichiurus lepturus, chub mackerel Scomber japonicus, Pacific saury Cololabis saira, skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis, Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus, anchovy Engraulis japonicus, Alaska pollack Theragra chalcogramm, brown croaker Miichthys miiuy, Japanese Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius, yellow croaker Larimichthys polyactis, and Pacific herring Clupea pallasii) than in the seven demersal species (red stingray Dasyatis akajei, brown sole Pleuronectes herzensteini, bastard halibut Paralichthys olivaceus, conger eel Conger myriaster, blackmouth angler Lophiomus setigerus, rockfish Sebastes schlegelii, and filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer). Based on the mean concentrations, the PTWI % of lead and cadmium in commonly consumed migratory fish were 1.900 and 2.986%, respectively, which were higher than the values for lead and cadmium in the commonly consumed demersal fishes (0.257 and 0.318%, respectively). The estimation of weekly (monthly) intakes and target hazard quotients for the toxic elements lead and cadmium revealed that the commonly consumed migratory and demersal fish do not pose any health risks for consumers.