• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.35-50
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• 2002

This study aims to understand wetland distribution and type-specific classification features with a focus on Tumen River downstream in China by adjusting and improving the classification system used in Korea with a reference to international wetland classification systems and their criteria & methods. In this study, wetland types were determined based on hydrology, vegetation, and soil conditions, which are the most basic elements of wetlands. Also, topography analytical map, vegetation analytical map, and soil analytical map for wetland classification were developed and used based on currently available topography map, vegetation map, and soil map. In addition, codes were defined based on topography, location, hydrology, and vegetation. The result shows that, in the Tumen River downstream, wetlands are often found near natural revetment and terrace land & river-bed lakes. In the discovered wetlands, riverine, lacustrine, and inland wetlands were mostly found at system level. Riparian and human-made wetlands were also identified. At a sub-system level, perennial and seasonal wetlands were found to a similar degree. At a class level, perennial open water, herbal plants, and shrubs were mostly found and sandy plain, hydrophytes, and forest tree types were also observed. An overall detailed classification shows that a total of 17 wetland types were found and a large distribution of sand dunes and river-bed lakes, which are scarce in Northeast Asia, indicates that other rare wetland types such as palustrine seasonal sand plain wetland and lacustrine seasonal sand plain wetland may be discovered.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.571-605
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• 2015

This research revealed that 'Yipjiamlyu' in the Mukedeng's map is geographically 'a beginning point of underf low,' whose location is on the Heishigou's riverbed(E.L. 1,840m) in the NNE side of Daegakbong peak, and that 'Tomungangweon'(Heishigou) is one of the upstream reach of the Sungari River, which, according to historical documents and my fieldwork, Mukedeng also knew at the time of Yimjin(1712) Boundary Making and Demarcation(YBMD). These findings suggest the need to reinterpret the processes of YBMD. Mukedeng set up the Baekdusanjeonggyeobi on the mistaken assumptions on the linkage of 'Yipjiamlyu' and Tumen River. It should have been set up on the Daeyeonjibong peak. Mukedeng found the 'Yipjiamlyu' on the riverbed of 'Tomungangweon'(Heishigou), went downstream, and realized that this river did not flow into the Tumen River. During the search for the source of Tumen River, he found a water stream, and regarded it as the source of Tumen River. He speculated that the water at the 'Yipjiamlyu' flows through the underground to reappear at the his 'identified' source of Tumen River. Consequently, he adjured the construction of demarcation from Baekdusanjeonggyeobi through 'Yipjiamlyu' to the his 'identified' source of Tumen River. The water stream pointed as the source of Tumen River, however, was not part of the upstream reach of Tumen River. Actually, Korean officials, who were in charge of establishing boundary features, set up the demarcation from Baekdusanjeonggyeobi through Huanghuasongdianzi to the true source of Tumen River identified by themselves, which Mukedeng had not intended. The ambiguity of the location of 'Yipjiamlyu' caused a difference between Mukedeng's original request and Korean officials' implementation in the boundary demarcation. Throughout the whole processes of YBMD, Korea(Joseon) and China(Qing) both mistook the real geography of the river system. Their understanding on Yalu River system was correct. But the identification of the spring source of the Tumen River by Korean participants was the only geographically correct result related on this river system in YBMD.