• Title/Summary/Keyword: River conservation

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Conservation potential of North American large rivers: the Wabash River compared with the Ohio and Illinois rivers

  • Pyron, Mark;Muenich, Rebecca Logsdon;Casper, Andrew F.
    • Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.23 no.6
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    • pp.15.1-15.14
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    • 2020
  • Background: Large rivers are ecological treasures with high human value, but most have experienced decades of degradation from industrial and municipal sewage, row-crop agricultural practices, and hydrologic alteration. We reviewed published analyses of long-term fish diversity publications from three intensively managed large river ecosystems to demonstrate the conservation potential of large river ecosystems. Results: We show how the incorporation of recent advances in river concepts will allow a better understanding of river ecosystem functioning and conservation. Lastly, we focus on the Wabash River ecosystem based on high conservation value and provide a list of actions to maintain and support the ecosystem. In the Wabash River, there were originally 66 species of freshwater mussels, but now only 30 species with reproducing populations remain. Although there were multiple stressors over the last century, the largest change in Wabash River fish biodiversity was associated with rapid increases in municipal nutrient loading and invasive bigheaded carps. Conclusions: Like similarly neglected large river systems worldwide, the Wabash River has a surprising amount of ecological resilience and recovery. For instance, of the 151 native fish species found in the 1800s, only three species have experienced local extinctions, making the modern assemblage more intact than many comparable rivers in the Mississippi River basin. However, not all the changes are positive or support the idea of recovery. Primary production underpins the productivity of these ecosystems, and the Wabash River phytoplankton assemblages shifted from high-quality green algae in the 1970s to lower less nutritional blue-green algae as nutrient and invasive species have recently increased. Our recommendations for the Wabash River and other altered rivers include the restoration of natural hydrology for the mainstem and tributaries, nutrient reductions, mechanisms to restore historical hydrologic patterns, additional sediment controls, and improved local hydraulics.

Study on the Criterion of River Zones Classification (하천구역구분의 기준에 관한 연구)

  • Song, Ju Il;Yoon, Sei Eui
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.32 no.2B
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    • pp.131-137
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    • 2012
  • River areas are classified as conservation, restoration, and recreation zones depending on engineers' opinions from their experiences at present. For conservation zones, almost all engineers have the same opinions because natural characteristics are considered for classification. However, it is difficult to decide a basis in classifying restoration and recreation zones in mixed areas by urban and rural streams. This study attempted to prove an application of a previous study (Song & Yoon, 2008) that suggested two classification techniques to classify conservation or maintenance zones, and reclassify maintenance zones into restoration or recreation zones. The suggested classification techniques of river zones were used to estimate 46 reaches of 20 urban streams, 47 reaches of 29 rural streams, and 48 reaches of 19 mountainous streams to achieve a purpose of this study. The conservation, restoration, and recreation zones were reasonably divided by results of the suggested techniques. A possibility that quantified criterion could be used to classify river zones was proven in this study.

Strategy Prospects of Environmental Restoration of Stream Side in Japan(IV) (일본(日本)에서 계류변(溪流邊)의 환경복원(環境復元) 발전전략(發展戰略)(IV))

  • Park, Jae-Hyeon;Woo, Bo-Myeong;Lee, Heon-Ho
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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    • v.3 no.4
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    • pp.84-90
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    • 2000
  • The objective of this study was to introduce the current status and development strategy for an environmental restoration of stream side in Japan, and to consider a methodology which could be effectively applied for the environmental restoration of stream side in Korea. 1. In order to change the recent direction of the forest conservation and erosion control projects which are focused on the restoration of stream side ecology, we have to quit the past erosion control policy such as water control purpose, and establish new plans regarding on the forest conservation and erosion control which is considered the regional environmental restoration of watershed. 2. When we restore stream side and river side ecosystem, we should establish restoration plans which can keep the original nature of stream and river. 3. The forest conservation and erosion control construction projects for the restoration of stream and river ecosystem should be planned for the perfect restoration of their ecosystem by way of sustainable maintenance and management. 4. The restoration direction of stream and river ecosystem needs to be planned to restore the diversity of small geographies such as waterway, shoal and puddles rather than flattening of stream bed. 5. The main principle in the restoration of stream and river ecosystem is to accomplish forest conservation and erosion control construction projects which can conserve the existing stream and river ecosystem.

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Ecology of Otters and Utilization of Artificial Holts in the Ecosystem Conservation Region of the Seomjin River

  • Jo, Yeong-Seok;Choi, Byung-Jin;Won, Chang-Man;Kim, Joo-Pill
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.24 no.2 s.62
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    • pp.160-165
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    • 2006
  • The purpose of this study was to ascertain the prey composition and utilization of the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, in the ecosystem conservation region of the Seomjin River. The study was conducted for a 12-month period from March 2003 to February 2004 by spraints analysis and an investigation using artificial holts. We found seasonal variation in the number of spraints and composition of prey items. Fish were the main prey items throughout the period (82%), and other prey items included birds (14%), amphibians (2%) and arthropods (1%). In addition to prey identification, we investigated habitat utilization by otters through spraints distribution. The traces of otters were discovered in five of the six total artificial holts. However, the utilization of the artificial holts in the study area seemed to be limited as evidenced by the low frequency of traces in the holts.

A Study on the Wild and Scenic Rivers System(I) -American Experience, and Suggestions for System Building in Korea- (自然景觀水系의 體系樹立을 위한 基礎硏究(I) -美國의 自然景觀水系制度 紹介 및 國內適用 事例硏究-)

  • Ahn, Tong-Mahn;Ahn, Seong-Ro;Jin, Young-Hwan
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.18 no.3 s.39
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    • pp.57-70
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    • 1990
  • This study is on system building and model case study to establish a new framework of "The Wild and Scenic Rivers System" and to apply this to Korean rivers. The Wild and Scenic Rivers System of the U. S. , which had become law in 1968 for establishing wild scenic and recreational river areas, was investigated. The techniques of two American case studies about the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System designation were investigated and synthesized, and study process was adjusted to Korean river system. Additionally, pilot study was carried out by the method and results were as follows : 1) In the American Wild and Scenic Rivers System, each river was evaluated based on eligibility criteria for designation, such as remarkable scenic, recreational, fish and wildlife, cultural or other ecological values. Segmented river areas were classified into three or four grades and management plans were prepared accordingly. 2) The management of rivers in Korea has emphasized on the flood control and water resources management up to the present, and now takes a growing interest in water quality. But it has been concerned very little with wild and scenic resources conservation of river corridors. It is strongly recommended to build Wild and Scenic Rivers System in Korea for rational management and conservation of the valuable natural resource. 3) Suggested evaluation criteria for the Korean Wild and Scenic Rivers System were wildness, wildlife and plants, hydrology, scenic quality, and historical and cultural resources. The river areas may be graded into four : Positive conservation area(I), Negative conservation area(II), Negative development area(III), Positive development area(IV). Management guidelines were proposed for each grade. 4) To test the applicability of the approach, one of the major tributary of the Han-River was selected for pilot study. The result showed that the evaluation and grading system worked well. Finally, it is recommended to incorporate the Wild and Scenic Rivers System into Korean national park system, and to amend the Korean National Park Act to enable this.

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Wise Use through establishing Conservation Area in Nakdong River Estuary (낙동강하구의 보전지역 설정을 통한 현명한 이용방안 모색)

  • Cha, Min-Jun;Kim, Seung-Hwan;Yi, Gi-Chul
    • Journal of Wetlands Research
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    • v.12 no.1
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    • pp.83-94
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    • 2010
  • Purpose of this study is to define the wise use of Nakdong River estuary based on the expert's survey aiming to identify the core conservation area, the buffering area and the transition area of the estuary. The boundary of the each area is determined by overlaying the expert's opinion of the conservation area, the Biotop conservation value evaluation carried out by Busan Metropolitan city and the designated legal boundary of conservation such as Cultural Reserve area and Wetland Reserve area. Then the concept for wise use of the core preservation area, the buffering area and the transition area is set by the discussion, brainstorming and several workshops. We believe this research leads the sustainable development in the area of the Nakdong River estuary and helps to minimize the conflict among the stakeholders.

A Study on the Conservation, Rehabilitation and Creation of Naturality of Rivers(I) - The Correlation of the degree of Pollution on a River and the Land Use in Rural Area - (하천에 있어서 자연성의 보전, 정비, 창출에 관한 연구(I) - 농촌지역에서의 토지이용과 하천수질과의 상관성 -)

  • Lee, Jin-Hee;Lee, Haeng-Youl;Lee, Jae-Kun;Lee, Dong-Kun;Kim, Hoon-Hee
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.84-94
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    • 1998
  • The sources of the pollution on a river are divided into two classes, one the point source and the other non-point source. In raining, especially, the non-point source discharged from paddy, residential area, road ${\cdots}$ etc have correlations with the land use. This study was carried out to find out the model to estimate the quality of water in a river according to the land use. Land use data (Pungse-Myeoun and Kwangduk-Myeoun in Chonan) were produced from Landsat TM (Thematic Mapper) and topographic map. Total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) general indices for the degree of pollution in river were measured during 11 months. Correlations between two variables(Land use and Pollutants(TN, TP)) were explained by the regression coefficient. As a result of this study, we found that among the five types of land use, the residential area, store area and paddy have significant effects upon the quality of water in a river. The results of this study will be applied to pre-estimate the degree of pollution in river broadly and to offer basic data in establishing the land use plan and the concept on the conservation of the river in rural area.

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The Conservation of an Woljung Wooden Bridege Structure (월정교지 출토 목재유물의 보존처리)

  • Lee, Chang-Geun;Kim, Ik-Joo;Kim, Sin-Guk
    • 보존과학연구
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    • s.13
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    • pp.9-13
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    • 1992
  • An Woljung wooden bridge structure, which assumde to has been built in the unification of shilla dynasty, was excavated at Nam-chun river basin inKyung-ju. As a result of primary investigation, the weigh loss was 70-80% and the volumetric shrinkage was up to 38% without any conservation. Between 1986 and1991, they were conserved by the two step PEG treatment at the Mokpo Conservation Institute for Maritime Archaeological Finds.

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Characterization of Large-sized Jar-coffins from Youngsan River by the Elemental Analysis (영산강유역 대형옹관의 태토 특성에 의한 분류)

  • Lee, Han-Hyoung;Hong, Jong-Ouk;Hwang, Jin-Ju;Park, Ji-Hee;Moon, Eun-Jung;Kim, Soo-Kyung;Chung, Yong-Sam;Moon, Jong-Hwa
    • 보존과학연구
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    • s.30
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    • pp.103-124
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    • 2009
  • Major and trace elements and cross section textures of the large-sized jar-coffins excavated in the Young San river area have been analyzed for categorization according to geochemical characteristics of the raw materials. As results, we have found out that the jar-coffins of the Oryang-dong and Ungok-dong have very similar characteristics, and those of Songwol-dong and Jangdeung show distinguishable characteristics from the others. In addition, similar characteristics have been detected in some U-shape jar-coffins from several sites such as Oryang-dong, Ungok-dong, Sinchon-ri, Mansu-ri and Yeon-ri posess on trace elements and cross section texture. These results indicate that there was active physical migration although the detail route of the physical migration is unclear at current stage.

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