• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.69-79
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• 2014

Coastal wetlands are among the most productive biomes in the Earth. The economic values include the direct use of a coastal wetland's ecosystem services, such as food, raw materials, recreation, and tourism. Other values comprise the indirect use of a coastal wetland's ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, waste-water treatment, and erosion prevention. In particular, Suncheon Bay is recently attracting attention as the most successful case of the preservation and restoration. This study applies Travel Cost Method (TCM) to estimate the economic value by drawing the demand curve for trips to Suncheon Bay. The TCM is an approach used for economic valuation of non-market goods and services. Based on the results of TCM, this study shows that the economic benefit from recreational uses of the site adds up to \174.7 billion per year. It is also significant in the sense that monetary information is suggested to help local policy makers evaluate the realistic values of coastal wetlands.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.95-126
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• 2001

Functional values for wastewater treatment and atmospheric regulation in coastal wetland and rice paddy ecosystems are quantified, and an illustration is given on how to integrate biophysical parameters into a valuation framework. This is one of most controversial issues in economic analysis for wetland preservation versus wetland conversion to agricultural use. This paper includes theoretical considerations for estimating functional values of environmental ecosystems, and the integration of biophysical data and replacement cost method employed. Specific physical and geographical characteristics and data on ecosystem functions and services in coastal wetlands and rice paddies are addressed for evaluating their values in economic terms. In particular this paper indicates double counting problems and overestimation in the previous studies, and demonstrates how to avoid them and to maintain the consistency of valuation process involving a least-cost method, thus enables an accurate integration of the coastal wetland ecology and wetland economics. As a result which is far away from the previous studies, the total economic present value of wastewater assimilation by coastal wetland is estimated at 7,484,640 won/ha, and the net present value of positive effect for atmospheric regulation, negative effects for air pollution and water pollution by rice paddy is estimated at -37,934 won/ha, assuming that resources are infinitely long-lived and the annual value and the rate of discount (10%) is constant every year. In conclusion, for further reliability and validity of functional values for natural resources it is very noteworthy that a general equilibrium framework that could directly incorporate the interdependence between ecosystem functions and services would be preferred to the partial equilibrium framework.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2008

Tidal flat, classified as wetland of coastal zone, is critical transitional zone connecting sea with land, and fulfills a variety of functions necessary for maintaining coastal ecosystem. Although it is critical to protect and strengthen its functions of coastal wetlands, tidal flat has been mainly viewed as areas for development in Korea. Therefore, this study provides with the effective mitigation measures so as to minimize adverse impacts of tidal flat reclamation projects on the proper environmental values. So far, coastal development has not considered as important the fact that development site consists of tidal flat in site selection. Therefore, large scale of tidal flats was abused. Problems were emerged only after tidal flat development was already planned. The original plan had to be revised. To rectify the problem, impacts of development on the environment need to be discussed based on the initial development planning. Particularly, sandy beaches, rocky shores and shallow areas, underwater forest including seagrass beds as well as the tidal flat in good condition should be excluded from development site.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-50
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• 2001

Since remotely sensed images of coastal wetlands are very sensitive to spatial resolution, it is very important to select an optimum resolution for particular geographic phenomena needed to be represented. Scale is one of the most important factors in spatial analysis techniques, which is defined as a spatial and temporal interval for a measurement or observation and is determined by the spatial extent of study area or the measurement unit. In order to acquire the optimum scale for a particular subject (i.e., coastal wetlands), measuring and representing the characteristics of attribute information extracted from the remotely sensed images are required. This study aims to explore and analyze the scale effects of attribute information extracted from remotely sensed coastal wetlands images. Specifically, it is focused on identifying the effects of scale in response to spatial resolution changes and suggesting a methodology for exploring the optimum spatial resolution. The LANDSAT TM image of Sunchon Bay was classified by a supervised classification method, Six land cover types were classified and the Kappa index for this classification was 84.6%. In order to explore the effects of scale in the classification procedure, a set of images that have different spatial resolutions were created by a aggregation method. Coarser images were created with the original image by averaging the DN values of neighboring pixels. Sixteen images whose resolution range from 30 m to 480 m were generated and classified to obtain land cover information using the same training set applied to the initial classification. The values of Kappa index show a distinctive pattern according to the spatial resolution change. Up to 120m, the values of Kappa index changed little, but Kappa index decreased dramatically at the 150m. However, at the resolution of 240 m and 270m, the classification accuracy was increased. From this observation, the optimum resolution for the study area would be either at 240m or 270m with respect to the classification accuracy and the best quality of attribute information can be obtained from these resolutions. Procedures and methodologies developed from this study would be applied to similar kinds and be used as a methodology of identifying and defining an optimum spatial resolution for a given problem.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.395-405
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• 2010

This study was carried out to offer basic data to minimize the indiscreet development and damage of coastal wetlands through an evaluation from an ecological standpoint highlighting the importance of the coastal wetland in South Gyeongsang Province, Korea. The result of the macrobenthos survey for the coastal wetland assessment showed that Dongdal and Hwasan-ri, Yongnam-myeon, and Tongyeong city had the largest species number; Oegan-ri and Naegan-ri, Geoje-myeon, and Geoje city had the largest population and biomass; and Miryong-ri, Samsan-myeon, Goseong-gun had the highest species diversity. In the halophytes survey, Imyeong-ri, Jinjeon-myeon, Masan city and Oegan-ri and Naegan-ri, Geoje-myeon, Geoje city had the large character species and companion species. The evaluation results of the ecological values of the coastal wetlands were categorized into five grades based on the field surveys, and the sedimentary environment factor in the case of Danghang-ri, Hoehwa-myeon, and Goseong-gun; Miryong-ri, Samsan-myeon, Goseong-gun; Guho-ri, Gonyang-myeon, Sacheon city; Sulsang-ri Yangpo-ri, Jingyo-myeon, Hadong-gun; and Seokpyeong-ri, Idong-myeon, Namhae-gun, were appraised at the highest rating of grade II. The halophytes factor in the case of Imyeong-ri, Jinjeon-myeon, Masan city, Dongdal-ri and Hwasan-ri, Yongnam-myeon, Tongyeong city and Oegan-ri and Naegan-ri, Geoje-myeon, Geoje city, were highly evaluated as grade II. The macrobenthos factor in the case of Imyeong-ri, Jinjeon-myeon, Masan city and Oegan-ri and Naegan-ri, Geoje-myeon, Geoje city was highly evaluated as grade II. The final evaluation grade was calculated by the mean values of three evaluation factors, and Imyeong-ri, Jinjeon-myeon, Masan city and Oegan-ri and Naegan-ri, Geoje-myeon, and Geoje city had the highest rating of II. On the other hand, Seokpyeong-ri, Idong-myeon, Namhae-gun had the lowest rating of IV. These locations will require future research to survey and monitor the coastal wetland ecosystems by season, in addition to the construction of the GIS-based wetland information system with a view to manage the coastal wetlands.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.189-211
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• 2005

This paper makes an effort to compare the recently evolved soft classification method based on Linear Spectral Mixture Modeling (LSMM) with the traditional hard classification methods based on Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis (ISODATA) and Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) algorithms in order to achieve appropriate results for mapping, monitoring and preserving valuable coastal wetland ecosystems of southern India using Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) 1C/1D LISS-III and Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper image data. ISODATA and MLC methods were attempted on these satellite image data to produce maps of 5, 10, 15 and 20 wetland classes for each of three contrast coastal wetland sites, Pitchavaram, Vedaranniyam and Rameswaram. The accuracy of the derived classes was assessed with the simplest descriptive statistic technique called overall accuracy and a discrete multivariate technique called KAPPA accuracy. ISODATA classification resulted in maps with poor accuracy compared to MLC classification that produced maps with improved accuracy. However, there was a systematic decrease in overall accuracy and KAPPA accuracy, when more number of classes was derived from IRS-1C/1D and Landsat-5 TM imagery by ISODATA and MLC. There were two principal factors for the decreased classification accuracy, namely spectral overlapping/confusion and inadequate spatial resolution of the sensors. Compared to the former, the limited instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of these sensors caused occurrence of number of mixture pixels (mixels) in the image and its effect on the classification process was a major problem to deriving accurate wetland cover types, in spite of the increasing spatial resolution of new generation Earth Observation Sensors (EOS). In order to improve the classification accuracy, a soft classification method based on Linear Spectral Mixture Modeling (LSMM) was described to calculate the spectral mixture and classify IRS-1C/1D LISS-III and Landsat-5 TM Imagery. This method considered number of reflectance end-members that form the scene spectra, followed by the determination of their nature and finally the decomposition of the spectra into their endmembers. To evaluate the LSMM areal estimates, resulted fractional end-members were compared with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), ground truth data, as well as those estimates derived from the traditional hard classifier (MLC). The findings revealed that NDVI values and vegetation fractions were positively correlated ($r^2$= 0.96, 0.95 and 0.92 for Rameswaram, Vedaranniyam and Pitchavaram respectively) and NDVI and soil fraction values were negatively correlated ($r^2$ =0.53, 0.39 and 0.13), indicating the reliability of the sub-pixel classification. Comparing with ground truth data, the precision of LSMM for deriving moisture fraction was 92% and 96% for soil fraction. The LSMM in general would seem well suited to locating small wetland habitats which occurred as sub-pixel inclusions, and to representing continuous gradations between different habitat types.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2007

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the present status of several environmental problems caused by emerging toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and arsenic in various environmental media in Vietnam. Monitoring data reported during the 1990s demonstrated elevated contamination of DDTs in most of these compartments in Vietnam. Studies in frame of the Asia-Pacific Mussel Watch Program revealed that fish, mussels and resident birds from Vietnam contained higher concentrations of DDTs as compared to other countries in region, suggesting the role of Vietnamese environment as a significant emission source of DDT in the Southeast Asian region. The estimated dietary intakes of PCBs and DDTs for Vietnamese were relatively high among Asian developing countries, suggesting potential risk for humans posed by thesechemicals. Widespread contamination of some endocrine active compounds such as alkylphenols and phthalates was observed at various sites along the coasts of northern and middle Vietnam. The presence of significant source of bisphenol-A along Red River estuary was revealed with the concentrations comparable to those reported for developed nations. A case study on seasonal variation of alkylphenols and phthalates in surface water of river delta and estuary of north and middle Vietnam indicated the differences in distribution of these compounds between dry and rainy seasons. Higher concentrations of alkylphenols and phthalates were found in dry season in estuary; while the contrasting pattern was observed in the river delta, showing elevated residues in rainy season. This result suggests the different behavior of alkylphenols and phthalates in river delta and coastal environment. From ecotoxicological perspectives, concentrations of bis-phenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalates [DEHP] in surface water from some locations in Vietnam exceeded the guideline values for Ecotoxicological Effects and the Environmental Risk Limit, respectively, suggesting potential for toxic implications on aquatic wildlife. Widespread and elevated arsenic contamination was discovered inour recent surveys in groundwater in a large area of suburban areas of Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam. The most recent investigation in 4 villages showed about more than 50 % of groundwater samples contained As concentrations exceeding 50 g/L (the WHO and Vietnamese standard). In particular, in Son Dong villages, 58 % of samples analyzed contained As concentrations higher than 200 g/L. Good correlations were found in As concentrations in water and hair and urine of peoples in corresponding families, suggesting the chronic exposure to As by people living in As-contaminated ground water areas. In Son Dong village, As levels in hair (mean: 1.7 mg/kg dry wt) and urine (g/g creatinine) exceeding the reference values recommended by WHO, suggesting potential for human risk posed by long term accumulation of As in human body. Future studies should be focused on the time trends of POPs and EDCs in biota in Vietnam in order to predict future trend of contamination and to reveal new clues for understanding possible toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. The issues of arsenic contamination in groundwater and their chronic toxic implications on human health should be systematically investigated in the future.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.69-88
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• 2005

Distribution of benthic macrofauna was surveyed in the subtidal area and on the sand flat of Sindu-ri coast during July 2002. A total of 134 species, 3,511 individuals and 388g biomass of macrobenthos were sampled inclusively from the study sites. 109 species with a mean density of $1,298ind./m^2$ and biomass of $69.4g/m^2$ were collected from 10 stations established in the subtidal area. Polychaetes were represented as a dominant faunal group of the subtidal area in both species richness and density with values of 54 species and $813ind./m^2$. Cluster analysis based on the faunal composition showed that the subtidal area could be divided into four stational groups according to sedimentary characteristics: Cirrophorus armatus - Lumbrineris longifolia association on the mud sediment with pebbles near aqua-farms; Aonides oxycephala association on the rocky bed; Scoloplos armiger - Grandifoxus cuspis association on the sand-dominated sediment along the lowest low water; a association with higher evenness on the sand-dominated sediment in the depth. Although having characteristics of high value in species richness, density and species diversity, the macrobenthic association around the farming area was dominated by the opportunistic species such as Lumbrineris longifolia and Tharyx sp. Natural community represented by S. armiger and G. cuspis was developed in most sand-dominated areas. 50 species were sampled with a mean density of $2,443ind./m^2$ and biomass of $381.3g/m^2$ from eight+ stations along two transects on Sindu-ri sand flat. Mollusks were represented as a dominant faunal group of the sand flat in species richness, density and biomass with values of 20 species, $1,345ind./m^2$ and $350.4g/m^2$, respectively. Umbonium thomasi, Veneridae sp., Mandibulophoxus mai, Armandia lanceolata, Eohaustorius spinigerus, Urothoe convexa were dominant species and these species accounted for over 83% of total individuals. There were three distinct zones of macrobenthos on Sindu-ri sand flat according to the extent of exposure time. The upper zone was dominated by Scopimera globosa, the middle zone was characterized by M. mai, and the lower zone was dominated by E. spinigerus. Sindu-ri coastal area was considered as a healthy habitat for macrobenthos, except for around the farming area. It was considered that Sindu-ri coastal area including the sand flat connected to the sand dune of natural monument was a valuable habitat as a protected site in having no pollution source and no artificial structure.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate the properties of Menyanthes trifoliata habitat in coastal lagoons. To characterize plant composition in the habitats in the lagoon, the plot sampling method was applied. The depths of water and floating mat were measured. Surface water quality factors including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were measured in the sites. Phosphate, nitrate, ammonium, and major cations were measured in laboratory. The wetland has 78 taxa of wetland plants. The average coverage and density of M. trifoliata was 62.6% and $71.2/m^2$, respectively and Phragmites australis is important associate in Sunyoodam lagoon. The average depths of floating mats were 26.5cm in M. trifoliata and 68.9cm in the P. australis-M. trifoliata communities, and the water depth below the mat was 106.5cm and 17.7cm, respectively. The values of pH, DO, EC and TDS in the water were 5.06, 46.1%, 59.4 ${\mu}s/cm$, and 29.3 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of phosphate, nitrate, and ammonium showed 47.2, 9321, and 15.9 ${\mu}g/L$, respectively. The concentrations of Ca, K, Na, and Mg had 11.1, 1.5, 15.1, and 11.3 mg/L, respectively. The habitats of M. trifoliata in the lagoon corresponds to a kind of lowland communities in Hewett's classification. To conserve the habitats of M. trifoliata in Sunyoodam lagoon, the supply of open water area, the construction of observation deck, and the block of inflow from the surrounding paddy fields are needed in the future.