• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.262-271
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• 2000

This study was carried out to clarify the spatial and temporal patterns of benthic environments and macrobenthos on the subtidal soft-bottom in Chonsu Bay. Seasonal surface water temperature was similar to the bottom layer, but freshwater discharges into the outlets dereased the surface salinity around the dyke in summer. Bottom dissolved oxygen was decreased deeply around the dyke and created the de-oxygenated layer during summer. Sediment grain size was consisted of finer at the neighboring of the dyke than the mouth of the bay. Organic matters including the sediment were decreased at the mouth of the bay. A total of 311 species ($769\;ind./m^2$) were identified. Polychaetes were the most abundant faunal group in the number of species and densities. The number of species revealed the spatial patterns that it was higher in the mouth of the bay, and their densities showed seasonal changes by mass recruitment occurred at the most of the area in summer, At this time, opportunistic species, Lumbrineris iongifolia and Theora fragilis, were also recruited massively. Chonsu Bay were classified into five station groups by the cluster analysis. The dominant species around the dyke were composed to opportunistic species, those in middle area were Sternaspis scutata, Paraplionospio pinnata, and those in the mouth of the bay were Mediomastus californiensis, Nephtys polybranchia. Seasonal fluctuations and spatial difference of environments seem to have influenced to the species compositions and affected to the stability of benthic ecosystems spatial-temporally In Chonsu nay.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.423-432
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• 2004

In coastal area of Inchon, dredging and the disposal of dredged material for sea-wall construction and reclamation have increased in recent years. These activities may impact the benthic environment and result in changes in benthic communities, but little information is available on the extent and direction of these changes. We investigated whether there have been changes in the dominant macrobenthic species and benthic community over the last decade, and explored the relationship between environmental variables and spatial patterns of macrobenthic community structure. We sampled macrobenthos and recorded environmental variables in the coastal habitats of Inchon in March and June 2004. In total, 212 macrobenthic species were recorded during this study, predominately crustaceans $(34{\%})$, mollusks $(32{\%})$ and polychaetes $(21{\%})$. The mean density of macrobenthos was $1,393\;ind./m^{2}$.The most abundant species was Amphioplus japonicus $(20.5{\%})$, followed by Heteromastus filiformis $(14.4{\%})$, Theora fragilis $(8.2{\%})$ and Ampharete sp. $(4.0{\%})$. Over the past decade the dominant macrobenthic species in this area shifted. Multivariate analysis (multidimensional scaling) revealed significant differences in community structure among three regions: the middle part of the sampling area (B), site 8 (C) and other sites (A). Mean density varied significantly among the three regions, but no differences in the number of species and diversity (H') were observed. The distribution of the macrobenthic community was affected by environmental variables such as percentage sand content and sediment kurtosis. Species that were important in different areas included A. japonicus in region A, Raeta puchella in region B and T. fragilis in region C. The important species in regions B and C were filter-feeding bivalves, and the abundance of these species may be related to the increase in percentage sand content. We suggest that the sediment composition (percentage sand content) may be an important factor in determining the dominant species and structure of the macrobenthic communities in coastal Inchon. Long-term monitoring programs are necessary to understand ongoing changes in the benthic communities of this area.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.84-94
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• 2019

The Seocheon and Yubu Island mudflats in Geum Estuary are important stopover sites for migratory birds as energy supplementation area in the East Asia-Australasian Flyway. Benthic invertebrates in the tidal flats are important food resources for the migratory birds. In other words, benthic invertebrates in the tidal flats play an important ecological role in energy flow. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between benthic invertebrate assemblages and environmental factors in Seocheon and Yubudo tidal flats in the Geum Estuary. As a result of the benthic invertebrate assemblage during the fall migration season, the total species number was 147, density and biomass were $1,772{\pm}1,342individuals/m^2$ and $445.1{\pm}807.6g/m^2$, respectively. Based on the appearance species and the density data, the result of analysis of mutual similarity among sampling sites was divided into two groups. Group A was the Macrophthalmus-Heteromastus community and Group B was the Spio-Urothoe-Mandibulophoxus community. Group B showed higher mean species number, density and biomass than Group A. The BIO-ENV analysis showed that the benthic invertebrate assemblages were most affected by the combination of sand content % and sediment sorting (${\rho}=0.500$). The variables of significant relationship with species number and biomass were sediment sorting (p=0.015) and the pore water DO(Dissolved Oxygen, p=0.003) in sediment, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.605-617
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• 2021

The recovery of the sedimentary environment around a fallowing shellfish farm during its rest period after 20 years of long-running operation, was explored in Tongyeong Bay of Korea. Seasonal survey on macrobenthos community was conducted from July 2016 to September 2018 at five stations, which included the fallowing shellfish farm after 20-year operation (FF), a newly installed shellfish farm (NF), a shellfish farm for comparison around the closed shellfish farm (CF), and control stations with no farming activities (Con1, Con2). The total number of species and the density of macrobenthos were higher at the shellfish farm stations than the non-shellfish farm station, and their seasonal changes were significant. The dominant species at the shellfish farm stations was Capitella capitata while Paraprionospio patiens was dominant at the non-shellfish farm stations. The two dominant species were potential organic contamination indicators usually inhabiting the areas with dense organic matter. This suggests that the overall survey area was highly polluted with organic matters. Multivariate analysis showed that the macrobenthic community of CF changed to a level similar to that of Con1 immediately after the investigation, but not to a state above the Con1 level. Furthermore, the changes in NF were not significant when compared to those in CF.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.500-509
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• 2021

This study investigated the characteristics of a macrobenthos community and sediment environment and assessed the health of tidal flats along the west coast of Korea. A survey was conducted from Ganghwa-do to Mokpo, Jeollanam-do in April (spring) and August (summer) 2017, and April (spring) 2018. The sediment grain sizes in the Chungcheongnam-do region were coarser, and the sediment in the Gyeonggi-do·Incheon, Jeollanam-do, and Jeollabuk-do regions were finer. A total of 140 macrobenthic species were collected from this study and using a cluster similarity analysis of the macrobenthos community, they were divided into four groups. Group2 was associated with Manila clam farm stations, and Ruditapes phillipinarum, Nephtys polybranchia and Lumbrineris nipponica were dominant. Group4 included some sites with finer sediment composed relatively, and Eteone longa and Nemertea unid. appeared at a high frequency. From the health assessment of the western tidal flat, the ISEP and BHI indices had a "High status," and the AMBI index had a "Good status." In conclusion, the tidal flats along the west coast of Korea have good ecological health. However, pollution indicator species such as Theora lata and Capitella capitata have appeared in some areas. Therefore, periodic administration and interventions are necessary to prevent deterioration of the tidal flat environment.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.123-135
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• 2010

Around Tongyeong coasts which located in southern coast of Korea composed to the complex coastal line and scattered by small islands. It also has been distributed to a complicated bathymetric structure by several types of channels. This study carried to analyze the spatial characteristics of macrobenthic community and benthic environmental variance on sub-tidal area based on multivariate statistics tools. Sediment composition varied from muddy sand to mud, and along the channels, it composed to a heterogeneous bottoms mixed by shell fragment, cobbles and mud. Organic contents on the surface sediment varied 1.1-3.9%. Total of 272 species, $33,349\;ind./m^2$ of macrobenthos identified in all of sample area. Polychaetes also prevailed among the specimen. L. longifolia, P. pinnata dominated based on density. Considering on the biomass, echinoderm S. lacunosa, A. tricoides listed. Closer to the coastal area, the density and diversity were higher. Community structure based on cluster analysis was discriminated into three groups. Each group was also characterized by geographical state such as depth, sediment composition. In addition, when applied to the bathymetric data, the channel, which composed to the mixed sediment, made a role of limited factor which characterized to benthic community. Because the specimen around the channel have been affected on the diverse sediment mixture. Most of benthic studies in the southern coast of Korea focused to the condition of benthic organic pollution spatially, because along the coast, it also developed a aquaculture ground and industrial complex. But, as results, most of the area, it turn out the less polluted areas nevertheless similar environment situation. It supposed that benthic community affect to the bottom sediment composition by physical characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.39 no.spc1
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• pp.132-141
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• 2006

Artificial structures have been designed as pilot structures to promote the creation and restoration of tidal flats. However, little information is available as to whether such artificial construction affects the macrobenthic community structure. We monitored the variation of the macrobenthic community structure and species composition near natural and artificial structures (seaweed and a timber fence) on the tidal flats near the Iwon Dike, Korea. In total, 137 macrobenthic species were recorded during this study, predominantly crustaceans (47%), polychaetes (18%), and molluscs (27%). Polychaetes comprised over 50% of the total density, followed by gastropods (38%) and crustaceans (11%). Macrobenthic species composition in the artificial and natural areas, was initially similar, but it differed after 7 months. The gastropod Umbonium thomasi, the most dominant species, was present at both sites in the first month after the start of the experiment, but disappeared at the artificial sites within 7 months, suggesting disturbance by the environmental factors. The number of species and diversity (H') varied significantly within sites at the beginning of the experiment, but no difference was observed after 7 months. Multivariate analysis (multidimensional scaling) revealed significant differences in community structure between the artificial and the natural areas from 7 months after the start of the experiment, except from 18 to 21 months. The community structures were mainly influenced by U. thomasi. Community structure at the artificial sites was affected by environmental variables, such as carbon, COD/IL sulfide, loss of ignition, kurtosis and silt, which changed over time. We observed no significant correlations between environmental variables and the dominant species, except in the case of Spio sp. and Macrophthalmus dilatatus, suggesting that the biological interactions and temporary disturbances such as typhoon, as well as the effects of artificial structures may also be important regulating factors in this system.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.2 s.58
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• pp.106-113
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• 2005

This study was conducted to examine the community structure of macrobenthos on Angel tidal flat in Jinhae, south coast of Korea. Monthly samples were conducted at eight sites from March 1998 to February 1999. A total of 110 species were sampled with a mean density of 322ind. $m^{-2}$ and biomass of 98.4 wwt g $m^{-2}$. Of these species, there were 44 species of polychaetes $(40.0\%)$, 41 species of crustaceans $(37.3\%)$ and 16 species of molluscs $(14.5\%)$. The major density dominant species were a gastropod Batilaria cumingi (52ind. $m^{-2}$) and five polychaetes Ceratonereis erythraeensis (38ind. $m^{-2}$), Cirriformia tentaculata (32ind. $m^{-2}$), Capitella capitata (23ind. $m^{-2}$), Sigambra tentaculata (23ind. $m^{-2}$), Glycera chirori (17ind. $m^{-2}$). Cluster and MDS analysis showed that the study sites could be divided into two tidal elevation groups. According to the spatial distribution of dominant species and SIMPER analysis, the two groups were characterized by Sigambra tentaculata - Chaetozone setosa in upper species group and Ceratonereis erythraeensis-Cirriformia tentaculata-Capitella capitata in lower species group.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.729-735
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• 2015

This study was carried out to analyze the community structure and distribution of macrobenthos in Hakampo sandy shore. As for the environmental factors of sampling stations, the average grain size of the sediments from the sampling stations was $2.37{\phi}$ with the range of $1.90{\phi}{\sim}2.52{\phi}$, which represents the typical medium sand sedimentary facies of sandy beach. The average sediment organic content was 1.15% with the range of 0.90%~1.46%. Most stations had low sediment organic content which is typical of sandy beach. The number of species were total 59 from 6 taxa and the individuals was $668inds./m^2$ in the 10 stations of the study area. Based on the Bray-Curtis similarity analysis, the 10 stations of the study area were broadly divided into 3 groups. The highest part of intertidal zone was St. 2~St. 4, the middle part of intertidal zone was St. 5~St. 8, and the lower part of intertidal zone was St. 9~St. 10. A spatial community structure was observed which is divided into the highest, middle, and lower parts.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.115-128
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• 2016

This study examined the relationship between macrobenthic distribution patterns and environmental factors in salt marsh vegetation in Donggeomdo, Ganghwa on the west coast of Korea. Nine stations were fixed on a transect across the salt marsh vegetation, and field sampling was carried out monthly from July 1997 to June 1998. A total of 38 species of macrobenthos were recorded: each of faunal groups, 13 (34.2%) Arthropoda, 12 (31.6%) Polychaeta, 8 (21.1%) Mollusca, and 5 (13.2%) others. The mean density was $2,659individuals/m^2$, with a mean biomass of $178.6gWWt/m^2$. Mollusca dominated in terms of abundance and biomass, with a mean density of $2,172individuals/m^2$ (81.7%) and a mean biomass of $131.9gWWt/m^2$ (73.9%). The number of species decreased in winter (January-February), while mean density increased in the spring (May-June). The biomass was relatively in Summer and Fall (July-November), than any other season. The number of species was high in pure stands of Suaeda japonica in the lower salt marsh vegetation, and the mean density and biomass were high in mixed halophyte communities in the middle salt marsh vegetation. Two Mollusca, the bivalve Glauconome chinensis and gastropod Assiminea lutea, were dominant. The densities of these two species were high in mixed halophyte communities in the middle salt marsh vegetation. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (nMDS) showed that the study area could be divided into four groups corresponding to the vertical distribution of tidal levels and halophytes. Spearman's rank correlation revealed that the distribution patterns and community structure of macrobenthos were related to environment variables such as salinity of the substrates, exposure time, and grain size compositions of the sediment in the salt marsh vegetation. Particularly, the distribution and density of some dominant species showed differences along the vertical distributions of halophytes.