• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.333-345
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• 2011

Aquatic macrophytes, often also called hydrophytes, are key components of aquatic and wetland ecosystems. This review is to briefly summarizes various macrophyte classifications, and covers numerous aspects of macrophytes' role in wetland ecosystems, namely in nutrient cycling. The most widely accepted macrophyte classification differentiates between freely floating macrophytes and those attached to the substrate, with the attached, or rooted macrophytes further divided into three categories: floating-leaved, submerged and emergent. Biogeochemical processes in the water column and sediments are to a large extent influenced by the type of macrophytes. Macrophytes vary in their biomass production, capability to recycle nutrients, and impacts on the rhizosphere by release of oxygen and organic carbon, as well as their capability to serve as a conduit for methane. With increasing eutrophication, the species diversity of wetland macrophytes generally declines, and the speciose communities are being replaced by monoculture-forming strong competitors. A similar situation often happens with invasive species. The roles of macrophytes and sediment microorganisms in wetland ecosystems are closely connected and should be studied simultaneously rather than in isolation.

• 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.19 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2017

Wetland function assessment is not only a basic step to understand wetland ecosystems in detail but also an important process as a base of the term, ecosystem service to recognize wetland ecosystems as valuable and useful resources and goods for human being. WET (wetland evaluation technique), EMAP (environmental monitoring assessment program)-wetlands, and HGM (hydrogeomorphic method) were developed as pioneer wetland function assessments in U.S. at the end of $20^{th}$-century. RAMs (rapid assessment methods) became a major function assessment tool which is relatively simpler and easier assessment tool at the beginning of $21^{th}$-century. After that, the hierarchy of three levels of assessment (landscape assessment, rapid assessment, and intensive assesment) has been prepared and strategically utilized according to the objectives and purposes of function assessments. In South Korea, RAM and HGM were used to assess wetland functions with reforming a couple of items and contents at 2001. And, modified and reformed function assessments have been developed to complement and improve upon the existing RAMs and HGMs. Via the trend analysis on wetland function assessments, some needs which require supplements in terms of function assessment are pointed out: 1) wetland function assessments using useful indicators such as birds are needed with considering our environmental characteristics. 2) optimized wetland function assessments for coastal wetlands are also needed. 3) the network construction and further expansion to lead communications and co-operations between researchers and policy makers is needed in the field of wetland function assessment.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.4 s.105
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• pp.391-402
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• 2003

Last 20 years have witnessed many studies dealing with effects of elevated $CO_2$ on terrestrial ecosystems. However, fewer efforts have been made to elucidate effects on wetland ecosystems, although they play a key role in global biogeochemical cycles. This review synthesizes published data to reveal effects of elevated $CO_2$ on wetland plants. In particular, we focused on the changes in primary production, community structures, evapotranspiration, and nutrients in plants. Many studies have reported increases in primary production in individual plants, but we could not conclude that this will lead to increases in carbon sequestration in wetland ecosystems. The reasons include transport of photosynthates into belowground parts, speciesspecific responses, interaction among different species, and limitation of other nutrients. However, elevated $CO_2$ increased transpiration rates in many wetland plants, suggesting substantial influences on water budgets of wetlands. In addition, similar to terrestrial ecosystems, elevated $CO_2$ increased C/N ratio of many plants, which may impede organic matter decomposition in the long term. However, further information on dynamics of belowground carbon supplied from wetland plants is warranted to assess effects of elevated $CO_2$ on wetland carbon cycle accurately.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.114-118
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• 1998

Present status of Japanese wetland ecosystems and several trials towards rehabilitation and restoration of them are reviewed. Most of wetlands are altered to paddy fields and city areas, and natural wet lowland including tideland is the most endangered nature in Japan. Not only the preservation of natural wetlands but also the conservation of secondary nature of paddy field and waterways in traditional rural areas and restoration of original nature in city areas became the most concerned theme for nature conservation according to the national strategy for the biodiversity conservation. Not only the technological development based on the conservation ecology, but also the development of mitigation banking system are needed in Japan.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2023

Background: The understanding of ecosystem services can be quantified and qualitative to assess the impacts of changes in the ecosystem to support human well-being. In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sustainable use of ecosystem services has attracted the interest of a range of decision-makers. However, although there is a concern for biodiversity, natural ecosystem, and their services, linking ecosystems with conservation planning remains challenging. Results: This study assessed the first qualitative ecosystem services provided by the Mundok wetland with decision makers of the West/Yellow Sea region. Furthermore, this study applied the Rapid Assessment Wetland Ecosystem method to support natural resources management, improving living conditions. We identified that cultural and supporting services index are highly provided, but preparing a plan to increase the provisioning and regulating services in Mundok wetland is necessary. Conclusions: The assessment results can provide helpful information for ecosystem services assessment, habitat conservation, conservation planning, and decision-making at local level.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.175-177
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• 2003

To monitor riparian wetlands as one of complex natural ecosystems using remotely sensed data, we need to concurrently consider vegetation, soil and water which constitute complicated wetland ecosystems. To identify riparian distribution we adopted linear Spectral Mixture Analysis in order to improve identification accuracy of riparian areas. This study has indicated that linear SMA adopting tasseled cap endmember selection is an enhanced routine for Identification of riparian wetlands and phenologically autumn imagery is more appropriate to detect riparian vegetation in the Paldang water catchment area.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 2021

Background: In 2020, a categorized list of wetland preferences, major habitats, and life forms of 4145 vascular plant taxa occurring in the Korean Peninsula was published by the National Institute of Biological Resources. We analyzed the list and explored the distribution patterns of the five categorized groups according to wetland preference, along with the information on the major habitats and the life forms of the plants belonging to those categories. Results: Out of 4145 taxa, we found that 729 wetland plant taxa (18%) occur in Korea: 401 obligate wetland plants and 328 facultative wetland plants. Among the 729 wetland taxa, the majority (73%) was hygrophytes and the remaining 27% was aquatic macrophytes. Furthermore, almost all of the wetland taxa are herbs; so, woody plants are only 4.7%. The 16 carnivorous taxa distributed in Korea were characterized as obligate wetland plants. Conclusions: We expect the categorized information would promote understanding of the characteristics of the plant species and would be an important source for understanding, conservation, and restoration of wetland ecosystems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.59-71
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• 2019

This study was conducted to prioritize land purchase in Hwapocheon wetland protection area by reflecting the conservation value of wetlands considering HSI(Habitat Suitability Index) for flagship species. As a result of this study, the flagship species, Oriental White Stork and Been Goose, which can represent the Hwapocheon wetland protection area, were selected through selection criteria and expert feedback. Based on the habitat requirements of the selected flagship species, SI(Suitability Index) for the flagship species was reviewed and the conservation value of wetlands was assessed. The conservation value of the wetlands was divided into five grades from very high to very low. The areas with high conservation value were mainly distributed around wetlands and waters in upstream and downstream of Hwapocheon wetland protection area. The land purchase priorities were divided into five grades by overlapping the thematic maps of the conservation value of wetlands, the economics, and the urgency of restoration. The arable lands which can disrupt wetland ecosystems are analyzed as priority areas where priority purchasing is required. Relatively well-preserved wetlands and areas have low land purchase priorities. This study is meaningful in that biodiversity is considered in land purchase priorities.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2023

Wetlands are very critical for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems, while also serving as the breeding/ nesting/ resting grounds for water birds. Generally, wetlands support both resident and migratory birds, thus serving as connecting dots in the global flyways. The Rajasthan state of India has two Ramsar sites (Keoladeo National Park and Sambhar Lake) and many other water bodies/wetlands. However, most of these areas are segregated in the eastern, southeastern, southern, and northern parts. In the western part of Rajasthan, where lies the Great Indian or Thar desert, there are no such reported prominent wetlands drawing attention towards a substantial number of resident and migratory water birds. The author is an Indian Forest Service officer, who was posted in the Thar Desert region and during that time had identified a hidden wetland in the desert landscape. This study deliberates on the wetland location and its faunal diversity with prospects of developing the area as a proper wetland conservation zone. India is a signatory to the Central Asian Flyway of migratory species and serves as an important member in terms of having significant wetlands and reported migratory birds count. The need of preserving and bring the arid zone's hidden wetlands to the forefront can serve as an important tool to conserve water birds and comply with worldwide bird migration conservation efforts.