• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.3 s.59
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• pp.315-321
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• 2005

The population of river otter (Lutra lutra) has been declined most of the world due to hunting, habitat destruction and indirect or direct influences of eutrophication, acidification and toxic chemicals. This study is conducted to identify the population decline of river otter in Korea with relation to environmental pollution caused by accumulation of heavy and flared metals. The field survey was conducted during Jan~Dec, 2004 at a monthly basis by collecting spraints. A total of 228 spraints were collected and analysis was done by ICP-AES. The concentrations of fourteen metals (Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Fe, Co, Mn, Mg, Cu, Al, Ba Hg, As) have been determined. Annual concentrations of Cd $(1.38{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;Zn\;(599.06\;{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;Pb\;(5.54\;{\mu}g\;g^{-1})$ at Gucheon were higher than those of Yeonchocheon. Concentrations of $Cr\;(5.01{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;Ni\;(1.91{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;Co\;(0.25{\mu}g\;g^{-1})$ were higher at Yeonchocheon. Most metals in winter were significantly increased (P<0.05) as season progressed from spring to winter. $Pb\;(15.58{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;Cu\;(15.15{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;a;Guchoen\;and\;Cr\;(5.77{\mu}g\;g^{-1})$ at Yeonchocheon were high in the downstream of winter.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.377-385
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• 2005

The Eurasian otter(Lutra lutra) is listed as No. 330 in natural monument. To manage and conserve habitat for otters, it is critical to understand which habitat components are important for otters. The objectives of this study were to analyze otter habitat characteristics in accordance with land-cover map. We investigated otter spraints and sprainting site in Geoje Island from January to December, 2004. with GPS coordinates. The analysis of otter habitat use pattern was used by Arcview ver. 3.2 with 1: 25,000 Topology Map and field data. Otter habitat use was strongly related to sites in riparian vegetation riparian(dam or river) structures. In this study, Gucheon was a site with high coverage of riparian vegetation and unconfined channels, thus recording higher number of spraint densities than those of Yeonchocheon. Yeonchocheon was under construction at lower stream areas so that otter habitat use was limited. This study suggests that securing suitable forests and riparian vegetation zone is essential for conservation of otters.