This study analyzed the spatiotemporal changes of wetlands in the Saemangeum watershed by comparing topographic maps from the 1918 and 2015, and analyzed the changes in connectivity among wetland habitats through wetland network analysis. The results showed that wetlands that were widely distributed around rivers and estuaries in the past have been largely lost, while artificial reservoirs around agricultural lands have increased in the upper reaches. Although the wetland area including artificial reservoirs increased slightly, most of the natural wetlands around the river channel were lost, and the dominant wetland type and distribution in the watershed changed significantly. In particular, the connectivity between coastal wetlands and inland wetlands decreased and the connectivity around small reservoirs increased, resulting in a disconnection of the wetland network structure. These changes may have a negative impact on the movement of wetland organisms and the circulation of materials, and further affecting the stability of the Saemangeum watershed ecosystem. In order to restore wetland biodiversity in the Saemangeum watershed, it is necessary to restore the past wetland areas and monitor the remaining wetlands. It is urgent to establish resilient governance and develop a restoration plan to maintain connectivity among marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems.
This study investigated the wetland plant community in Mije Reservoir, Gunsan City, during September and October 2024, emphasizing its ecological significance as a primary producer and habitat provider within agricultural reservoir ecosystems. The reservoir was divided into 14 distinct sectors to comprehensively assess spatial plant distribution patterns. Aquatic plants were sampled using collection anchors deployed at the water’s edge, while hygrophytes and emergent macrophytes were surveyed along transects extending from the water’s edge to the embankment. A total of 192 vascular plant species were identified, of which 73 were classified as wetland plant species, encompassing diverse life forms: 36 hygrophytes, 17 emergent macrophytes, 6 floating-leaf species, 3 free-floating species, and 11 submerged species. Notably, the survey documented the presence of two endangered species, Euryale ferox and Cicuta virosa, alongside eight invasive alien plant species. A comparative analysis with a prior survey conducted in 2008 revealed a substantial increase of 54 wetland plant species. Currently, Mije Reservoir is subject to intensive aquatic plant removal management due to observed excessive proliferation and cyanobacterial bloom. However, the presence of endangered species underscores the critical need for a more nuanced reservoir vegetation management strategy that integrates the spatial distribution and conservation status of these ecologically important wetland plants.
This study investigated the occurrence and morphological characteristics of Polyphylla laticollis manchurica adults in the Miho River, Cheongju, from June to August 2024. Surveys were conducted at five sites along a 14 km stretch from upstream of Palgyeol Bridge to downstream of Oksan Bridge, including three sites along the main river and two sites in tributaries. No P. laticollis manchurica adults were found at the tributary sites. A total of 107 adults were recorded at site C and D, with peak occurrence observed between June 20 and August 4, 2024. The first occurrence date was recorded in June 20, the peak occurrence on July 5, and the last observation on August 4. The morphological measurements of the adults attracted by light trap were as follows: body length 33.38±1.68 mm; body width 16.02±1.00 mm; and body weight 1.45±0.32 g. The sex ratio (male : female) was 7.14 : 2.86. While no significant differences were observed in body length and width between males and females, females were significantly heavier during the third survey period. Most adults attracted to artificial light were males, and several dead individuals were found near streetlights and bridge. This study provides fundamental data on the occurrence period, habitat distribution, and phototactic behavior of P. l. manchurica, contributing to a better ecological understanding and conservation efforts for this endangered species.
Environments inside and outside levees may exert different effects on the occurrence of mid-to large-sized mammals in riparian areas. To effectively conserve these species, it is important to understand how land cover across levees influences their presence. This study, conducted from March to June 2024 in Yeongyang, South Korea, monitored mammal occurrence using unmanned sensor cameras at 28 sites. Linear models were used to analyze mammal species diversity, non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was applied to assess species-specific habitat associations at the community level, and occupancy models were used to evaluate influential factors for each species. Our results showed that mammal species diversity increased with a higher proportion of orchards inside levees, but decreased with greater proportions of orchards inside levees, and non-irrigated arable fields outside levees. For carnivores, land cover types in inside levees-including grasslands, barren areas, and water-provided important food resources and shelter. For omnivorous and herbivorous mammals, coniferous forests inside levees played a key role by offering abundant food and shelter, whereas highly disturbed land covers such as non-irrigated fields and orchards outside levees were less suitable as habitats. To enhance habitat conservation, management efforts inside levees should prioritize maintaining grasslands and coniferous forests. Outside levees, establishing undisturbed zones with barren areas and coniferous forests may help mitigate human disturbances. These findings provide essential baseline data for developing effective conservation strategies tailored to levee-associated riparian landscapes.
This study developed and evaluated a non-coagulant dredged sediment treatment system as an eco-friendly river dredging and management technology. From 2014 to 2023, heavy rain damage in South Korea amounted to approximately 2.8 trillion KRW, with a sharp increase since 2020. River dredging has been recognized as a crucial countermeasure, and this study aimed to minimize the environmental impact of conventional dredging methods by introducing a non-coagulant treatment system. The developed system utilizes a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to suction dredged sediment, which is then processed through sedimentation and filtration to separate solids and discharge treated water. Field tests were conducted in Seohwa Stream, Okcheongun, Chungcheongbuk-do. Results showed that the turbidity increase within the ROV operation area was minimal at 3.8%, and the suspended solids (SS) removal rate was 100%. Additionally, the system is akinetes discharge concentration was confirmed to be 0 cells g-1, demonstrating its effectiveness in water quality restoration. These findings confirm that the non-coagulant dredged sediment treatment system reduces environmental impact while ensuring efficient dredging and water quality enhancement. The proposed technology is expected to serve as a sustainable solution for river dredging and management.
This study evaluated the management priority of small catchments in the Nam River basin, comprehensively considering the impact of non-point pollution sources for water quality improvement. Water quality data from the Water Environment Measurement Network and additional field survey data were collected to understand the water quality status at the small catchment level. The management priority was calculated by integrating data on pollution sources, land cover, and runoff using a weighted method. As a result, the E08-2 small catchment, located downstream of the Nam River, showed the highest priority, followed by A18, B09, E04, and A19. The main factor influencing the water quality improvement priority was the pollution source characteristics within the small catchment, especially the influence factor and land use condition. This study contributes to the efficient water quality management of the Nam River basin by identifying the priority by small catchment through analysis that simultaneously considers point and non-point pollution sources.