• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.119-132
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• 2018

This study was conducted to suggest an assessment indices to evaluate the ecosystem services of the unique functions of wetlands as well as economic value provided by the village wetlands. The assessment indicators applied in this study were used by the RAM indices. The results of RAM assessment on the village wetlands in Cheonan city were analyzed by item and critical functions of the village wetland. They were derived by assessment indicators of ecosystem services, and the village wetland ecosystem were presented by Focus Group Interview (FGI). The 20 critical indices were selected from 52 different indices by analyzing the wetland function assessment items. 13 indicators excluding duplicate indexes by function, were selected as ecological service impact indicators. Finally, ecosystem services were evaluated by using AHP analysis to calculate the weight of each assessment indices and apply it to the 9 village wetlands. The results of this study confirmed that the functions of the village wetlands are compliant with the ecosystem services. Based on this assessment of the unique functions of wetlands, it will serve as a methodology for assessing ecosystem services. The study was also conducted on 49 wetlands in Cheonan. The detailed assessment of wetland ecosystem services based on the wetland ecosystem function proposed by this study, was further developed as a follow-up study. It suggested that the wetland areas should be compared and be used as a general standard. In addition to the assessment of the economic value of ecosystem services provided by the village wetlands, it would be useful to assess the unique features and convert them into value.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.38-48
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• 2001

A wetland is an ecosystem which is the most useful and highly-energetic transition area. This study has been carried out to develop the wetland function assessment methods and apply on the natural wetlands (Mul-young-ari wetland in Jeju-island and Bangdong wetland in Taejon Metropolitan city) using RAM (Rapid Assessment Method). The RAM is useful method for assessing the wetland functions in terms of general functions acquired by once or twice onsite surveying. Eight functions of 2-12 variables each are analyzed for assessing the wetland functions. The results are as follows : 1) The conservation values of two wetlands are "High". 2) In Mul-young-ari wetland, such functions as groundwater discharge, floral diversity and wildlife habitat, shoreline/stream bank protection are relatively high, but some functions such as flood/storm water storage, aesthetics and recreation are "Moderate" - "High". 3) In Bangdong wetland, such functions as floral diversity and wildlife habitat, groundwater discharge, flood/storm water storage, aesthetics and recreation are high, and another functions are "Moderate" - "High". The taxonomy of this study stems from assessing functions of inland wetlands using indices of RAM. So It is needed that consequent studies are to be performed with verifying the variables and indices.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.117-131
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• 2010

This study was conducted to utilize as basic information for the construction of conservation and estimation system for Palustrine wetland, which was badly managed and imprudently reclaimed, through the analysis of distribution characteristics and the estimation of conservation value for sample sites (eight wetlands) in rural area. As the result of wetland type classification, these wetlands was classified by 4 types (Permanent freshwater marshes/pools, ponds, Aquaculture ponds, and Seasonally flooded agricultural land) by Ramsar system, 3 types (Emergent Wetland, Aquatic Bed, and Scrub-Shrub Wetland) by NWI (Cowardin) System, 5 types (Farm Pond Depression, Under-flow wetland, Man-made Pond Depression, Abandoned Paddy Fields Wetland, and Reservoir Shore) by National Wetland's Categorical System, and 3 types (Aquatic Bed Wetland, Emergent Wetland, and Forested Wetland) by Lee (2000) System. These results suggest us developing the new type classification system for small Palustrine wetland in Korean rural areas. The score of function assessment (The Modified RAM) for small Palustrine wetlands was high at the wetlands nearby hills and rice paddy fields, and low at those nearby upper fields, which was mainly affected by land-use and vegetation. The functions as 'Flood/Storm Water Storage', 'Runoff Attenuation', 'Water Quality Protection' were resulted by the structural difference of inflow and outlet. Some functions as 'Wetland size', 'Wetland to immediate watershed ratio', 'Presence of boat traffic', 'Maximum water depth', 'Fetch of water's body' of RAM were not appropriate in evaluation of small wetlands in rural area. Which suggest us developing the new function assessment system for small Palustirne wetland in Korean rural areas.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.1B
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• pp.53-60
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• 2010

A wetland is an ecosystem which has high species diversity, rich nutritional substances and high productivity. In this study we used the HGM(Hydrogeomorphic) approach among various evaluation models for the assessment of the Hwapo riverine wetland function. HGM is a method which estimates the functional index of a study wetland by comparing it with a reference wetland. In this study the Woopo wetland which is registered in the Ramsar Convention was selected as a reference wetland to assess the functional index of the Hwapo wetland. As the results, we obtained the functional index values over 0.6 for most indices of the Hwapo riverine wetland. Therefore we found that the Hwapo riverine wetland shows relatively high functional index values comparing with the Woopo wetland and it has valuable hydrological, biochemical, plant habitat, and animal habitat functions.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.997-1007
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• 2012

This study was performed to assess functions of 10 man-made wetlands in Gunsan City, Jeollabuk Province by means of RAM (Rapid Assessment Method), a technique recommended by Ramsar Convention to appraise wetlands. The assessment of the wetlands value found Gunsan reservoir to have the highest function points while Bukchosan reservoir was estimated to have the lowest function among the wetlands surveyed. By detailed factors of valued 10 man-made wetland, the wetlands were found to function most favorably in terms of vegetational variety and as habitat for wild animals. They need to have more improved functions as habitats for fish and amphibians reptiles, for preservation and betterment of water quality as well as for supplement of underground water, though. From the assessment of vegetational naturalness of the surveyed reservoirs, Gunsan reservoir turned out to be the most favorable wetland from the viewpoint of vegetation science whereas, however, Anjeong wetland was rated as the lowest in the assessment of vegetational value due to simplicity in its vegetation and lots of dangers in its neighborhood threatening its vegetation and ecology. The assessment of vegetational values for Gunsan, Gongchang, Daewi, Bukchosan, Anjeong, Geumgul, Changan and Chuksan reservoirs showed the same orextremely similar results as RAM function assessment. Geumsan reservoir only, however, featured the opposite result.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.235-243
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• 2009

Wetlands considered to be an important natural resources because they provide biodiversity and habitat for species to breed and survive. In this regard, many countries in the world provide wetlands and have policies and laws to protect them. In Korea we hosted RAMSAR COP-10 at Changwon in 2008 representing Korea's endeavor to wetland protection. But, in the process of development Wetlands are easy target to be lost due its easy access and the laws and regulations to protect them are relatively weak. Thus, this research focused on the introduction of No Wetland Loss(NWL) and we can achieve wetland protection in the economy market ways. Thus, NWL should consider 1) a clear definition of NWL and harmony and consensus of introduction of NWL, 2) considering most wetlands be private we need a financial support for securing wetlands, 3) inventories for wetlands in Korea, draw a line of demarcation, technic to evaluate wetlands, 4) wetland restoration considering function of ecosystem not total amount of wetlands. Wetland protection should be a part of Basic Law of Water Management which in its progress and we need further studies on wetland protection because of watershed management, deserted agricultural paddies, etc.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.92-100
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• 2009

This study was surveyed from May to October, 2008 in order to classify type distribution and evaluate the function of inland wetland as a ecological axis in Chungnam province. Assessment was done by modified-RAM (Rapid Assessment Method). RAM is consisted of total 8 functions and divided into high, moderate, low. The conservation grade of RAM is divided into 4 grades; absolute conservation, conservation, improvement and restoration. Throughout survey on total 13 wetlands of Lacustrine, Palustrine wetland which are distributed in Chungnam province, their function was assessed. As result, the 2 wetlands were judged as absolute conservation grade by assessment of 8 functional contents, and 7 sites were improvement wetlands and 4 sites were conservation wetlands. The function of wetlands assessed as conservation grade showed high in water quality protection and improvement. Also, showed high in vegetation diversity, wildlife habitat and aesthetic recreation. Meanwhile, showed low in Water quality purification, Shoreline/Stream Bank Protection. Of wetlands evaluated as conservation grade, Jeong-juk Ji and Dun-ri reservoir were assessed as absolute conservative area. These wetlands are essential to be managed continuously as a area having high ecological value. Farther, these wetlands will be done as a axis of ecological network related to 'Kumbuk jeongmaek' ecosystem.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.13-22
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• 2013

Wetlands occupy an important ecological position on the earth, carrying out very important functions and roles both ecologically and hydrologically. However, due to past industrialization, not only wetland areas but also the biodiversity of organisms has severely decreased due to several artificial interferences and damage as wetlands began to be perceived simply as targets for development and reclamation. However in recent times, with the importance of wetlands coming to the fore, the assessment of the function and value of wetlands is being made for their wise use and systematic maintenance. Accordingly, this study targeted the Jilnal Wetlands located in Haman, Gyeongnam, and conducted a functional appraisal of this wetland using the modified HGM Model which was modified & developed appropriately for the actual conditions of our country. The result of its appraisal by selecting the Upo Wetland as the reference wetland, which is a criterion of the index, showed a comparatively positive functional index with 0.89 of the Upo Wetland average. This means that the Jilnal Wetland carrys out more than 89% of the functioning of the Upo Wetland. In this regard, it is thought that the Jilnal Wetland could carry out the wetland functioning equivalent to that of the Upo Wetland through a little more systematic management.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2011

This study was established to build and suggest the Ecological Performance Standards for replaced wetlands as the mitigation strategies for the construction projects. The request performance and assessment factors and standards were derived by bibliographic review and verified by the field survey for the reference wetlands. And the weights for each factor were derived by AHP(Analytical Hierarchy Process) method. The results are as follows : 1) Assessment factors were induced by in-depth research of many wetland assessment models and benchmarks evaluated ecological functions. This study proposed final 12 assessment factors through ecological specialist and experts interviews added with literature analysis. 2) 10 natural wetlands were selected as Reference Wetlands as the measure to propose assessment factors and assessment criteria. Those reference wetlands are well-conserved inland natural wetlands classified to the one having worthy to conserve (grade "high") according to RAM(Rapid Assessment Method). Reference wetlands chosen by the study are Parksilji, Jeongyangji, Mulkubi, Bawineupkubi, Jilnalneup, Jinchonneup, Doomoso, Haepyung wetland, Whangjeong wetland, and Whapo wetland. The research developed assessment criteria for the performance assessment factors based on several explorations of the reference wetlands. 3) "Requiring performance" of replaced wetlands is defined as "to carry out similar or same ecological functions provided by natural wetlands", in overall. The detailed requiring performances are as follows; ${\bullet}$ to play a role of wildlife habitats ${\bullet}$ to have biological diversity ${\bullet}$ to connect with other ecosystems ${\bullet}$ to provide water environment to perform good ecological functions 4) The assessment factors for required performance are categorized by wildlife habitat function, biological diversity, connectivity of adjacent ecosystem, and water environment. Wildlife habitat category is consisted of wildlife habitat creation, size of replacement wetland, and site suitability. Biological diversity category contains the number of plant species, the number of wildlife species, and number of protected species as the sub-factors. Connectivity of adjacent ecosystem is comprised of wildlife corridor, green network and distance from other ecosystem. Finally, water environment make up with water quality, depth of water body, and shape of waterfront. 5) Finally, every assessment factors were verified and weighted by the AHP methods and the final standards were proposed. The weights of factors of requiring performance suggested as habitat (0.280), connectivity (0.261), diversity (0.260), hydraulic environment (0.199). And those of detailed sub-factors are site suitability (0.118), protected species (0.096), distance to neighbor ecosystem (0.093), habitat creating (0.091), green corridor (0.090) etc.